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he’s jumping for your joy
“Fear not.” —Zephaniah 3:16
The Lord promises St. Zechariah and us: “Joy and gladness shall be yours” (Lk 1:14). In today’s first reading, we hear that God “will rejoice over you with gladness” (Zep 3:17). Yet we struggle to receive this joy and gladness. One of the usual culprits in not being able to receive the joy and gladness God offers is our fear. “Perfect love casts out all fear…and...love is not yet perfect in one who is afraid” (1 Jn 4:18). We are unable to fully rejoice if we are afraid.
Another blockage to receiving joy is being burdened. The Blessed Virgin Mary can aid you if you are in this state. St. Elizabeth experienced joy when Mary visited her. Jesus, from the womb, gave baby St. John the Baptizer, also in the womb, His very own joy (see Jn 15:11). The infant John leaped for joy at the sound of Mary’s voice (Lk 1:41). If you are overwhelmed by problems, fears, and grief as Christmas nears, ask God the Father to overwhelm you with His blessings (see Dt 28:2) through a visit from Mary. Ask her to visit you and lead you to Jesus’ very own joy (Jn 15:11).
Finally, speak God’s praises (Ps 33:2), even if you don’t feel it. Praise dispels the evil one, who attempts to keep us locked up in fear and focused on our problems. Jesus, our Lover and Bridegroom, leaps across the mountains to meet us (Sg 2:8). He comes to us jumping, leaping, and rejoicing! (Zep 3:17-18) God sings “joyfully because of you” (Zep 3:17). So sing joyfully because of Him (Ps 66:1-2).
Prayer: Father, “in [You] I trust without fear; what can flesh do against me?” (Ps 56:12)
Promise: “Happy the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen for His own inheritance.” —Ps 33:12
Praise: “O Radiant Dawn, Splendor of eternal light, Sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.”
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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