Gaudete: rejoicing as defiance

‘Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice’

(Philippians 4: 4)

Today is the third Sunday of Advent; the Sunday traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, taking its name from the Latin word for ‘Rejoice’, which is the first word of the introit of the traditional liturgy for this day. The opening words of that introit are from Paul’s letter to the Philippians ‘Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.’

In the midst of the rather sombre themes that are explored in this season of Advent, this is the Sunday when we turn to joyous anticipation of the Lord's coming.

We are called to rejoice in the Lord, to rejoice always.

If only it was that easy!

I have not often felt much like rejoicing these last few months. In the midst of a series of bereavements (most of which were unexpected and untimely), a major family crisis and health issues, rejoicing was not the first thing on my mind.

Is this idea of ‘rejoicing always’ simply a call to jaunty optimism; a Monty Python approach to difficulties, ‘Always look on the bright side of life’?

If it is, then count me out. I can’t do it. In fact, I won’t do it!

But I really do not think this is what it is all about!

I think that it is more about having the faith to rejoice even when we may not feel too much joy.

‘Rejoice in the Lord always’ is not an encouragement to ignore the realities of our situations or a glib call to superficial happiness... a pretending that everything is fine when it manifestly is far from fine. It is a call to a radical trust in the purposes and promises of God in spite of what we may face or feel; in spite of what we may experience or endure.

The call to ‘rejoice in the Lord always’ is not an encouragement to deny the difficulties, darknesses, discouragements, doubts that we may face. I do not think that we are being encouraged to deny the pain and the problems.

And, no, even with that understanding it is not easy. I have not found it at all straightforward this last while. How can we rejoice when we face whatever may afflict our lives?

If there is an answer to that question then it seems to me that it is because rejoicing is something very different from simply feeling happy or smiling or singing or dancing. Can we rejoice even when smiling is not possible? I think so. Not that it is easy, but it is possible.

Rejoicing can be an act of faith, an act of hope and an act of defiance. That is how I see it anyway; rejoicing as defiance. Now, that I think I can do.

In the face of whatever life may throw at us, if we choose to rejoice then we are defiantly declaring that not all that happens and has happened is God’s will... or God’s last word!

We are defiantly affirming our hope that the Kingdom will yet come.

Our rejoicing is offered not as a shallow and superficial optimism that pretends that everything is just fine, but instead is offered in determined and defiant hope.