# God's faithfulness gives joy
*2014-12-14*

> Bill Young reflects on the third week of Advent, exploring how God's mercy allows us to begin again and find a joy that persists through suffering.

## The strength to begin again

Today is Monday of the third week of Advent, and we are continuing with our prayer book, 'Our Advent Journey with Christ.' In the words of Pope Francis, God's faithfulness gives joy. As it says in Nehemiah 8:10, 'This day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.' Thanks to God's help, we can always begin again.

## Overcoming the weight of sin

Someone may say to me, 'No, Father, I have done too many reprehensible things. I am a great sinner; I cannot begin again from scratch.' You are wrong. You can begin from scratch because God is waiting for you. He is close to you, loves you, is merciful, forgives you, and gives you the strength to begin again. Everyone has this opportunity.

## A joy that endures

Because of this, we are able to open our eyes again, overcome sadness and mourning, and strike up a new song. This true joy remains even amid trials and sufferings. It is not a superficial joy; it is a permanence in the depths of the person who entrusts himself to the Lord and confides in Him.

## Founded on fidelity

Christian joy, like hope, is founded on God's fidelity and the certainty that God always keeps His promise. The prophet Isaiah exhorts those who have lost their way and lost heart to entrust themselves to the faithfulness of the Lord, for God's salvation will not delay in bursting into their lives. All those who have encountered Jesus along the way experience a serenity and joy in their hearts that nothing and no one can take away.

## Returning to Christ

Our joy is Jesus Christ, and His faithful love is inexhaustible. Therefore, when a Christian becomes sad, it means that he has distanced himself from Jesus. In those moments, we must not leave him alone; we should pray for him and make him feel the warmth of the community.

*Jesus, help me begin again to live as you want me to.*