HOLISTIC HAPPINESS - C: 3rd Sun of Advent

Zeph 3:14-18 (12 December 2021)

“Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter Jerusalem!” (Zeph 3:14).

Our first reading today speaks of a festive celebration. It is indicated in the imperative of performing merry-making in the words: “shout for joy” (v. 14a), “shout aloud” (v. 14b), and “dance with shouts of joy” (v. 17b). It is also insinuated in the call for a disposition of happiness in the exhortations of “rejoice” (v. 14c), “exult with all your heart” (v. 14d), and “exult with joy” (v. 17a). Finally, it is also expressed in comforting statements like “you have no more evil to fear” (v. 16a), “do not let your hands fall limp” (v. 16b), and “he will renew you by his love” (v. 17b). By and large, Zephaniah’s prophecy communicates the fundamental creation of a general atmosphere of integral happiness of the humankind. This holistic happiness can be realized in three specific facets of human living, viz., physical, emotional, and spiritual.

First, physical happiness entails that everyone should try to wear a joyful face and to celebrate always the gift of life as much as possible. Zephaniah does not restrict the actions of shouting and dancing to the Israelites alone. Rather, he even indicates that God the Father, too, will sing and dance with joy together with all of us (v. 17)! This communal gaiety is of course a prelude of the real banquet and festival in God’s kingdom in heaven. However, this prophecy can be related also to our present context especially amid this gloomy period of pandemic crisis. Pope Francis’ third and latest encyclical, i.e., Fratelli Tutti (2020), speaks of the challenge to keep on comforting one another as brothers and sisters by celebrating our common social friendship. Pope Francis also wrote two apostolic exhortations, whose titles contain words expressing cheerfulness in living, i.e., Evangelii Gaudium (2013) and Amoris Laetitia (2016).

Thus, all the faithful are commissioned to be bringers of the message of happiness and joy to everyone.

Second, emotional happiness is anchored in the belief that God has already fought our fights and has won all battles on our behalf. In fact, Zephaniah urges the Israelites not to be fearful nor anxious of the enemies because the Lord has already driven them all out (v. 15). As a victorious warrior (v. 17a) and king of Israel (v. 15b), he assures them that Mt. Zion will be a peaceful place since no foes can return thither under God’s watch and protection of his daughter Jerusalem (v. 14b). In his second encyclical, i.e., Laudato Si’ (2015), Pope Francis emphasizes that the earth is our common home that God has continually protected and granted with lasting peace.

However, the task is for every human being to keep this world a safe and peaceful place to live in, where everybody will experience emotional satisfaction, security, and tranquility.

Third, spiritual happiness is the transcendental realization that the Lord is always in our midst. In today’s reading, this notion is expressed twice in v. 15b and v. 17a, hinting at its saliency. Pope Francis’ first encyclical, i.e., Lumen Fidei (2013), underscores God’s radiant presence in the history of salvation. The shining faith that he has given all of us in the course of human existence is a testament that he never departed and will never leave us behind. His steadfastness provides us with a sense of spiritual fulfillment that leads to a divine jubilation. With this beatific exultation, we then face all sufferings and trials filled with renewed courage and hope.

We should always be overjoyed because we have a God who constantly give us reason to be.

- Rex Fortes, CM