God, the truth and oneness bring joy

June 24, 2007 -- The Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

By Bishop Robert Morneau

	Bishop Robert Morneau
	Questions for reflection: 1. What has been your experience of joy? 2. Can you identify the cause for your joy? For your sadness? 3. Have we been created for spiritual joy?

Throughout the long Judeo-Christian tradition, we have held in high esteem the prophets, those men and women who were called by God to be special agents of truth and justice. A rather common and somewhat accurate portrait of a prophet is of someone who is passionately committed to God's reign and who is not afraid to express anger and wrath at any form of injustice. Prophets, for the most part, are rather intimidating.

Yet, it might be argued that one of the dominant features of a prophet is that of joy! There are three reasons or causes for joy in the life of every prophet.

1. Prophets experience the presence of God and that presence elicits joy. In the mystery of Mary's visitation to Elizabeth, the son in Elizabeth's womb leapt for joy. Even before his birth, this future prophet encountered the life of grace mediated by the Incarnation. In Jesus, God was with and for his people. This fact would become part of John's preaching as he proclaimed God's faithful presence to all who would listen.

The fourteenth century mystic, Julian of Norwich, hit the nail on the head: ". . . for the fullness of joy is to contemplate God in everything." Prophets, if they are truly authentic, have a deep contemplative strain by which they see and enjoy God's presence.

2. Prophets experience the truth and that truth not only sets them free but causes joy as well. The truth is that God's reign is at hand. The truth is that we must turn from sin and embrace the freedom of the children of God. What joy to know that we are no longer slaves, that we, like the prophet Isaiah, have been called from our mother's womb and given a name. This "being chosen" and appointed and sent is cause for great delight. We are now part of an enterprise that will transform not only our minds and hearts, but the very world itself.

The theologian Paul Tillich reflects: "Joy accompanies the self-affirmation of our essential being in spite of the inhibitions coming from the accidental elements in us. Joy is the emotional expression of the courageous yes to one's own true being." Surely John the Baptist, Isaiah, and the great prophets experienced this spiritual emotion.

3. Prophets have as their ultimate goal the dream of oneness, and where there is union and unity, there is joy. We all know that separation and alienation cause anxiety and suffering at many levels. We all know that when we gather as a true family and as an authentic community, peace and joy abide in our hearts. Prophets are about the business of building community, indeed, the kingdom of God. They name the sins that injure unity; they point to those values and attitudes that foster oneness.

The South African literary genius Alan Paton, speaking of his wife, wrote: "Of all the joys of my life, the joy of reunion with you after separation was the greatest." The Church as the bride of Christ is also seeking reunion. In that coming together, there is deep and lasting joy.

What joy stirred the hearts of Zechariah and Elizabeth as they gazed upon their joyful baby? What joy to experience such oneness, truth, and beloved presence.

(Bp. Morneau is the auxiliary bishop of the Green Bay Diocese and pastor of Resurrection Parish in Allouez.)