SING A NEW SONG

 SING A NEW SONG

As Advent gathers momentum the theme of joy dominates. All this Sunday’s

readings announce it. Zephaniah: ‘Shout for joy ... have no fear. Paul: ‘I want

you to be happy’ and Luke, ‘a feeling of expectancy had grown among the

people.’

Just this past week the people of Syria breathed freedom again after more than

seventy years of oppression. Hopefully they can build on it. And there was

another moment of hope to raise our spirits last week. The first stone was laid

for the building of the Cathedral of Notre Dame (Our Lady) in Paris in 1163,

that is 861 years ago. The huge cathedral that rose on that island in the River

Seine which runs through Paris, became the symbolic heart of the nation.

And today, when many French people are paying little attention to the liturgical

practice of their faith, Notre Dame remains a sign of pride and cultural identity

such that when it almost burned down five years ago, it was like a death in the

family. People wept in unbelief.

The President of the Republic promised it would be rebuilt in five years and so

it was. It was revealed to us in renewed splendour last week such as it must

have been eight hundred years ago, before the candle wax and smoke of

centuries cased it in grime.

Watching the re-opening, one could not but wonder! First at the joy of rebirth,

this time enhanced by modern lighting from floor to distant ceiling. Then by the

organ peeling out in an abandonment of triumph. But then also, by the coming

together, for once, of people of varied views. For the active Christians of France

it was a thrill they will never forget. For the retired Christians it was a moment

awe, they will surely ponder. And even for the politicians, who perhaps looked

for a little leverage from the occasion, it must have made their rivalries seem

trivial.

But in the Christian tradition, cathedrals only have the role of a memorial.

Ultimately, they are not where God dwells. However beautiful, they cannot

compare with the human person, the true residence of our God. ‘He came to

dwell among us’, says St John, and it is the hearts and lives of his people that

the Lord has made his home. This is why, the Church shouts, ‘Gaudete!’

‘Rejoice!’ ‘Your servitude is at an end.’ The long imprisoned in Syria have

stepped out into the sunlight, blinded by it for a moment, yet hopefully ready to

begin a new life. In all sorts of ways, this is also our joy.

15 December 2024 Advent 3C Zeph 3:14-18 Phil 4:4-7 Lk 3:10-18