Some people have asked what makes me happy about being a priest. I’d say it’s being able to gather a community of faith Sunday after Sunday to worship the Lord and to transmit faith, hope, and love in their lives. It’s uniting parents, children, youth, and elders to hear the Word of God and to be nourished by the Eucharist. It’s seeing smiling faces of people coming out of Church, knowing that their hearts have been touched and spiritually fed by the celebration of the Mass. Consequently, I always look forward in joy for each Sunday of the week, believing that I would be inspired again by the faith and the devotion of God’s people.

There is something profound about this experience.  It’s the ability to reveal God to others.  As a priest, I become a sacrament of God’s love and forgiveness. I am able to speak in His name, to reveal His heart and will. Hence, I make sure that the words I speak are well prepared and my actions are consistent with them.

This spiritual joy is not a commodity that could be bought for it’s not a flippant, transient, or superficial experience like many forms of entertainment in today’ world.  As Benedict XVII say, this authentic joy is an abiding God-given reality, a fruit of the Holy Spirit, characterized by profound serenity, inner peace, and meaningfulness, capable of withstanding all trials and tribulations of life.

So what more can I ask? Absolutely, priesthood is not an easy life, especially when it is exercised in pastoral leadership, but, again, its joy supersedes any hardship, pain, and sacrifice.  

It’s fitting to talk about this kind of joy on this Third Sunday of Advent because we call this Sunday Gaudate Sunday.  We light the pink candle of Advent to symbolize not only the joy of approaching Christmas, but also the joy of experiencing the Lord in the many profound ways through service to our loved ones and our neighbors.

In the Gospel this Sunday, three sets of people—the crowds, the tax collectors, and the soldiers—asked a similar question to John the Baptist. “What should we do?” John would answer them in similar ways:  “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none.” “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone.” John’s responses reveal the fundamental meaning of life and source of authentic joy, which is service to our loved ones and to our fellow men and women.

I find this true not only in my own life as a priest, but also in the life of the leaders and volunteers of my parish and many parents I know.  I often wonder what keeps many of our volunteers committed to their service in our church, such as coordinating a fiesta, a concert, or another fundraising event.  I’m also amazed by the strength and patience of many parents today in taking care of their children. I should know the answer well. Their answers would be similar as mine. Service to God, his people, and their loved ones allows them to experience authentic joy in life.

On this Advent and this coming Christmas, may we all experience true joy!