Everlasting Joy

By Fr. Christopher Kubat, M.D.

There is a beautiful passage in the book of the prophet Isaiah that says, “Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowded with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee (Isaiah 35:10). Since what is in the Old Testament prefigures what is in the New Testament, what do these words prefigure or predict? What do they mean for us in the year 2025?

 We were ransomed by the death of Jesus on the cross. The new Zion, the new Jerusalem, is Heaven. Therefore, we can interpret these words to mean, ‘Those whom the Lord Jesus rescued by dying on the cross will enter heaven singing. So, for those who never sing in church, you will be singing. And we will meet each other with joy and gladness as sorrow and mourning will disappear, forever, permanently. One eternal moment of perfect happiness.

What does this have to do with Christmas? Everything. The Son of God became man to do two things; first to die, so we who were dead in sin may live; and second to start a Church in which we find our way into heaven. However, this is not automatic. God does not need us to save us but He will not save us without us. We need to cooperate. We need to follow the Good Shepherd. And with the grace of the Sacraments augmented by the aid of the sacramentals, we are able to do it.

That said, as the season of Advent is a season of waiting and preparing for the spiritual coming of the Christ Child into a person’s heart, a person’s life is a season of waiting and preparing for the actual coming of Jesus when they die (Hebrews 9:27).

What is the key virtue to work on while we wait? Without a doubt, humility. Humility has a close relationship with love. The more humility we have the more love we have for God and neighbor. As you gaze upon Nativity sets, ponder the humility of God, Who was born in His human nature to a poor family in a cave fit only for animals. It is my prayer that the members of the CMA will increase in the virtue of humility this holy time of year in which we celebrate the birthday of our savior Jesus Christ. Please know that you, your family and intentions will remain in my prayers.

If you are tempted to feel a little blue, recall these words, “Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.” Merry Christmas!

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