Nov 9

This past retreat was joyous in the small games and simple time we spent together.

The Joy of the Gospel- Pope Francis pg. 10

The Gospel, radiant with the glory of Christ’s cross, constantly invites us to rejoice. A few examples will suffice. “Rejoice!” is the angel’s greeting to Mary (Lk 1:28). Mary’s visit to Elizabeth makes John leap for joy in his mother’s womb (cf. Lk 1:41). In her song of praise, Mary proclaims: “My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Lk 1:47).

When Jesus begins his ministry, John cries out: “For this reason, my joy has been fulfilled”(Jn 3:29). Jesus himself rejoiced in the Holy Spirit”(Lk 10:21). His message brings us joy: “I have said these things to you, so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete”(Jn 15:11).

Our Christian joy drinks of the wellspring of his brimming heart. He promises his disciples: “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (Jn 16:20). He then goes on to say: “But I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (Jn 16:22). The disciples “rejoiced” (Jn 20:20) at the sight of the risen Christ.

In the Acts of the Apostles we read that the first Christians “ate their food with glad and generous hearts” (2:46). Wherever the disciples went, “there was great joy” (8:8); even amid persecution they continued to be filled with joy” (13:52). The newly baptized eunuch “went on his way rejoicing”(8:39), while Paul’s jailer and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God” (16:34).

Why should we not also enter into this great stream of joy?