Our Advent Joy

Our Advent Joy! 
As a priest serving in both a parish and a public setting, I encounter countless individuals weekly. I have observed a growing lack of joy in many people's lives in recent years. But what is joy? Is it a feeling, an attitude, or an emotion? Is it something we discover or find in life? Is it temporary or permanent? Is it internal or external? Could it be all of the above? Our passage gives us some insights. When this passage was written, things weren't going well for Moses. He recognized that something was missing in the lives of God’s people, and he knew what it was: JOY! 
Friends, Moses, being a devout man of God, knew what to do: he prayed to the Lord. He boldly reminded God of His unfailing love for His children. Moses then asked God to demonstrate His unfailing love, pity, and compassion. He knew that only God could restore the joy of their salvation and the blessings that come from genuine repentance. We are reminded of this joy during the third week of Advent. Often, hearts that were once filled with joy become empty due to sin and separation from God. When you feel joy is missing from your heart, take a thorough spiritual inventory and repent. Then, seek God’s forgiveness and reclaim the abundant Advent JOY found in Jesus.
Onward and Upward+
Fr. Greg

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