Reflection for December 3
Bro. Michael Moran, C.P., Christ Our Brother
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit.
A beautiful image: a joyful Jesus reveling in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
I feel joyful when I read this. Jesus’ joy is contagious. I imagine him smiling and laughing with the disciples as they go about their ministry in Galilee: encouraging, healing, and forgiving many.
Take a moment to compose the scene for yourself. Imagine Jesus rejoicing in the Spirit. Close your eyes, clear your mind, and settle your breath. You are now with Jesus. What is happening around the two of you? What is Jesus doing? Who is he interacting with? What are you doing?
Make sure to take time to look right at Jesus. Try to make eye contact. He notices you. The two of you have a brief conversation. What did you say to Jesus? What does he say to you? How do his words affect you? Pay attention to these feelings.
Isaiah describes the “Spirit of the Lord” resting upon the shoot from the root of Jesse. Earlier in Luke’s Gospel, Mary proclaims, “𝑀𝑦 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝐺𝑜𝑑, 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑟.” Today and throughout Advent, our challenge is to mimic Jesus by paying attention and rejoicing in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. May we then let that joy animate our lives.
“With Christ, joy is constantly born anew.”
- Pope Francis, 𝐸𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑖 𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑚 (𝑛𝑜. 1)
Jeff Kamradt