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Isaiah 35 in its entirety...
But before I spoke to the Sanctuary of Peace Community about Isaiah, Chuck, Evan and I sang a slightly adapted version of John Michael Talbot's Magnificat, Holy Is His Name:
And not only that. People who are feeling weak and feeble will be given strength. Those who live in fear and struggle will receive courage and all that they need to walk Creator’s good road. Why and how will all of this happen? It will happen because Creator will be completely in charge. Every year She gives us this season of Advent, and today, the words of Isaiah and the words of Mary, Jesus’ mom, remind us that injustice will not have the last word. He, God, is going to save us.
And not just us. Creator, Jesus and Spirit, they are going to save everybody else, too. We rarely consider how lonely high and mighty people who lock themselves into certain ways of thinking and being must be. Daryl Katz’s billion dollars don’t seem to be buying him or anyone else happiness, they’ve just made him hungry for more.
But in Creator’s world, even people who are blind about everything but themselves will have their eyes opened, and their hearts will change to receive joy.
Those who are deaf – to the cries of the world around them – will hear, and turn toward community, and find joy in building meaningful relationships and caring for others.
Lameness of heart and soul for those who are greedy, unkind and selfish will be healed too, when they learn the joy of sharing and loving the way God does.
Imagine the joy in that, in Creator’s world, when everything that is wrong with this world is repaired, and everyone is living in harmony and peace!
This Joy Sunday, this rose Advent candle reminds us that joy is meant to be a part of life not just in the future, but right now. Mary’s song that we just sang is a song of joy.
Some people would argue that Mary didn’t have a lot to be joyful about. She lived in a time when the Roman Empire was controlling everyone’s lives, and her own life was extra challenging. Maybe part of the reason she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth was to get away from family who were cranky about her unwed mother-to-be status.
But the words that pour out of her mouth aren’t complaint or misery. They are words of rejoicing, because Mary knows that God is good, and on her side. She is a messenger of joy!
Mary sings that Creator’s promises extend to every single one of us, and her baby was born to help us all understand how much God loves us and wants to live in each one of us. And if we let God fill us, we can be messengers of joy, too!
So today, let’s get in touch with the joy that Creator wants for each one of us.
I invite you to take a deep breath in, and let it out gently and slowly. Let’s try to straighten our backs, put our feet on the floor, and let our arms and hands relax. Maybe let’s close our eyes because we are safe in this Sanctuary of Peace.
Now, imagine that you are standing under a grey sky on the edge of barren, brown land, full of rocks and dead brush, and not a single sign of life.
It’s cold, and nothing moves, but you notice that the ground is wet from a fresh rain. Can you smell it?
As you wait, the sun comes out. A warm breeze arrives and touches your cheek.
You look down to see a small green leaf emerge at your feet like magic, and when you raise your eyes, you realize that the landscape is changing, visibly turning green and lush. The brush that seemed dead is now putting out tiny flowers of different colours. Even the rocks seem to glisten and glow.
Life is suddenly everywhere, with birds singing and animals coming to drink from puddles that have formed after the rain.
From over the hill, you hear laughter, and music. A group of people is coming along the path toward you, a lively bunch.
A young woman leads people of all ages and nationalities along the path. She is the happiest of them all, carrying a tambourine and leading them in a song about God’s goodness.
As she sings about how the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap for joy, and old or weak ones will receive courage and strength, people in the crowd sing back joyfully, discarding their canes, hearing aids, and walkers. The celebration only increases.
As she reaches you, the young woman invites you to join in. “Perhaps this is what heaven will look like,” she tells you, “but we can rejoice here and now because Creator loves us so much and has given us life! All shall be well.”
Can you feel her joy?
Remember a moment in your life when you felt joy.
Take time now to give thanks for that moment.
Is there anyone in your life who brings you joy?
Send up a prayer of gratitude for them now.
Can you recognize Creator in your moments of joy, and within your heart at this moment?
Speak to God about your feelings.
Invite God to bring you joy in this Advent season.
As we open our eyes and return to this space, let’s pray together:
Creator,
You are the source of all good things.
Be with us, especially on this Joy Sunday.
Help us, like Mary, to see your goodness in our lives and rejoice in it.
Make us your messengers of joy, as she was,
And give us hearts that remember to always be grateful.
Amen.
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