HEARTS OF JOY
Joy
is a characteristic disposition of the Easter days we are celebrating
in the Church. The joy of the Risen Lord is our strength. As Job says,
if we take happiness from the Lord, we must take sorrow, too. Joy is the
fruit of suffering. Jesus gives us a beautiful analogy today as He
refers to the joy of His resurrection, like that of a mother giving
birth to her child. All the pain and labor is seemingly insignificant to the birth of a child. Think of your joyous moments. Have they been born out of suffering and pain?
Jesus
says our hearts are full of joy. Isn’t this the attitude of Mary
Magdalene, Mary, Thomas and the Apostles as they see Him again, risen
from the dead? Our heads should be raised high these days and never
lacking in
confidence. We are an Easter people, a people born of Christ’s side.
Jesus states that this joy cannot be taken from us. It is the firm
conviction that God
is in love with us. He caused His Son to rise from the dead. God has
taken away our sins through Jesus’ dying and rising. This is the essence
of our baptism and victory. With Jesus, we die and rise again.
Joy
is not only a disposition, or a fruit of the Spirit. It involves choice.
So many things that try to destroy our joy seek our attention. The
resurrection is foundational in our faith. There is hope beyond
hopelessness and desperate situations. There is strength for those who
are weak. There is peace where there has been angst. There is order
where there has been chaos. This is the Resurrection of the Lord.
It
would be good to take a moment to thank the Lord for all the situations
we have encountered in life. See how much joy has been dominant in these
experiences. We will see how the Spirit has been guiding our lives.
Today, let our hearts rejoice in the Lord. He is risen, He is truly
risen! Fr. Brian Steele, MGL
REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you joyful?
May
my heart rejoice in You, Lord. Let my soul find joy and delight in You,
my Father. Give me the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
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