Remembering Gives the Fruit of Joy  

If Christians are not joyful, we can forget about proclaiming the Good News. If we don’t have Joy, we haven’t heard it. 

True Joy is not a feeling. It is a deep awareness that we have reason to be happy. Jesus on the cross was not feeling joy. But he was deeply aware he was doing the will of the Father with love. For him, that was the essence of happiness. He had Joy.  

He also knew he was “leaving the world and going to the Father.” And he had the Joy of telling his fellow sufferer, “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (John 16:28; Luke 23:43). These truths did not take away his pain. But remembering them gave Joy. 

Christians never deny pain; we just know it is not the whole picture. We add in what makes our pain compatible with or even conducive to Joy. Christians’ advantage is knowing what we can add. We just have to remember to do it. And make it evident we do. 

You are broke. Remember your Father is rich. He will take care of you (Matthew 6:25). You are a failure. Remember, Jesus promised you would do lasting good for humanity (John 15:16). You feel unloved.  Remember the Father himself loves you (John 16:27), and loves you as he loves his Son Jesus! (John 15:9). You have no friends? Remember, Jesus calls you his friend (John 15:13-15).  

Whatever makes you sad, remembering the right truth will give you Joy. 

To live in Joy: Remember! 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings on the USCCB website here

Easter season is the time to focus on the Holy Spirit. Starting on Easter Sunday, we will look carefully at how the Spirit is proclaimed, invoked, and presented to us in the Mass. Lex orandi, lex credendi: “As the Church prays, so she believes.”

After that, we will reflect on the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Galatians 5:22), and at how the Spirit enters the life of those who believe.

As you read these reflections, ask for the gift of Understanding. Ask to really understand what you believe, what you see and hear at Mass. Go deeper into understanding the Mass than you ever have before. We experience the Faith when we become aware of its mystery. We hope you reflect deeply on the Mass and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and find yourself more and more drawn into the mysteries of our Lord in the Mass and in His Gifts.