6th Sunday of Easter (A)
In our first reading we hear the story of the Deacon Philip announcing Christ to the Samaritans. They were freed from unclean spirits, paralysis and various diseases. And they were filled with great joy.
Joy
It’s not a word we hear very much. And we don’t seem to use the word very much, either.
When I was in business, I interviewed a lot of people for jobs. And in every interview, the last question I would ask them is “Where is your Joy?”
I remember one engineer telling me that he didn’t understand the question. Perhaps because he had never heard it before. And perhaps, he had never asked himself the same question.
In the movie “The Bucket List” there is a scene where Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, both playing characters who were dying with cancer, are sitting atop a pyramid in Egypt.
Freeman turns to Nicholson and says –
“You know, the ancient Egyptians had a beautiful belief about death. When their souls got to the entrance to heaven, the guards asked two questions. Their answers determined whether they were able to enter or not.
The first question is ‘Have you found joy in your life?’ The second question was ‘Has your life brought joy to others?’”
It was, for me, the best line in the movie.
“Where is your Joy?”
Easter is for us a time of Joy. A time for celebration. Yet as Catholics, I sometimes think we get stuck in Lent. I mean, we do a really good Lent don’t we ? But Easter? I think the Baptists have the edge on us on that one.
Yet we have so much to be joyful for.
Joy in knowing that we are loved by the very creator of the Cosmos.
Joy in knowing that no matter how much we mess up, no matter how often we fail to be all that we were created to be, that our God still loves us, will always love us.
Joy in knowing that when everyone and everything deserts us, there will still be one who stands with us – God.
Joy in knowing that God is not millions of light years away, but is truly, really, present within us. Jesus tells us this in our Gospel today – “I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”
Joy in knowing that the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Blessed Trinity who is Love personified, acts internally within each one of us, is present within our hearts and souls, moving us, bringing us life, and inspiring us.
And if you pause to reflect, you know that you have felt the Joy of the Holy Spirit within you.
Perhaps it was in a quiet moment of prayer. Or holding a child in your arms. Or holding a loved one in your arms.
Perhaps it was in times when you were surrounded by family and friends. or perhaps when no-one was with you, and you felt the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit, like a gentle touch on your shoulder, reminding you that you were never alone. God moves in subtle ways.
Perhaps it is in knowing that someone gave their life for you, so that you could know and enjoy life. Perhaps it is in knowing that there is a place set aside for you in heaven. A Celestial Condo, where all the views are heavenly.
Perhaps it is in knowing that you will meet your loved ones who have already returned to the Father.
……..
There is joy in coming together at Mass today to celebrate with our brothers and sisters who share that joy. There is joy in being totally immersed in God’s presence in this community, in God’s Gospel, and in God’s precious Body and Blood.
Perhaps the greatest joy is in knowing that we are always – in every moment of our lives – being immersed in God’s presence in the Holy Spirit residing within us.
Like the Joy of the sea coming home to shore, may God’s presence within you rinse through your soul. As the wind loves to call things to dance, may your gravity be lightened by God’s grace.
“Where is your Joy?”
You’ve heard part of my answer. What’s your answer? Perhaps you could take some time this weekend to ask yourself the question. And then share your answer with the ones you love. But don’t stop there. Take time this Easter season to experience that Joy in your life. And then let that Joy show !!! Alleluia !!