Holyrood Church 715 West 179 Street, Upper West side Manhattan, USA, 212-923-3770

What is the joy of Jesus?

 

 

Good morning, happy Tuesday, and many blessings.

 

In one-way today’s Gospel (Luke 10:21-24) reveals the depth of the Heart of Jesus, the reason for his joy. The disciples had gone on the mission, and when they return, they share with Jesus the joy of their missionary experience (Lk 10, 17, 21). Likewise, this Gospel reminds us that with salvation comes the responsibility to join the task of sharing the good news with those who have not yet heard. Some will go great distances, others will share with friends and neighbors, but we are all called 

 

Firstly, let’s recognize that gratitude was important in Jesus’ life as he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and gave thanks to God. Giving thanks is important in the lives of all who follow Jesus for all we have is gift (1Cor 4:7). It is the humble who can receive and acknowledge gifts and be grateful. The self-sufficient are not open to it, as they do not experience the need of what Jesus offers.

 

But furthermore, we need to comprehend that Christian joy is a deep reality. It does not mean being light-hearted, in a good mood. Its fundamental constituent is peace. In Jesus, so in us, it comes from the Holy Spirit. What is my own experience today?

 

Of course, we need to understand that the reason for the joy of Jesus is the joy of the friends. In listening to their experience and in perceiving their joy, Jesus also feels a profound joy. The reason for Jesus’ joy is the well-being of others. It is not a superficial joy. It comes from the Holy Spirit. The reason for the joy is that the disciples – men and women – have experienced something of Jesus during their missionary experience.

 

What then is the joy of Jesus? It is seeing his people liberated in all dimensions: spiritual, political, social, emotional, economic, etc. Remember salvation is a holistic plan. In other words, Jesus wants us to be happy. When Jesus was born, the angels announced, “good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10). All who find Jesus know, with the shepherds of the nativity, the joy He brings. Even before His birth, Jesus had brought joy, as attested to in Mary’s song (Luke 1:47) and by John’s response to hearing Mary’s voice as he “leaped for joy” in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:44). Jesus exemplified joy in His ministry so that we also receive joy.  

 

Do you know that we Are called to “rejoice in the Lord always,” Which means joy is always available in God. To “rejoice always” in the midst of being drowned in poor financial choices, to put a smile on when your marriage is a mess or to try and find happiness even though it seems like your parenting skills are ruining your children is not what God commands. To understand what “rejoice always” means, this phrase must be placed in its full biblical context or it will be an impossible, cruel command. God did not just say to rejoice always. He said, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” That is a very different command.

 

Suddenly the demand of God for us to be joyful Christians is no longer dependent upon what is happening in our crazy lives but upon Christ. Now I ask you, are you a joyful Christian? A great wave of relief will break upon the shores of your soul when you suddenly realize you can be happy even if life on this planet is not providing that happiness. This is a true promise. I leave you reflecting with these statement and questions; I take the place of the people: I take the place of Jesus: Which is the basis of my joy? Superficial or profound?

 

Blessings,

Fr. Luis+

Date news: 
Tuesday, December 1, 2020 - 12:15

Ministry at the time of Coronavirus (Covid 19): Prevent, cure and accompany

Now we have to shape what some have started calling; The Church at Home. Although I keep asking myself; What do those who do not have a home do? For this reason, at the same time, I am declaring today in our Holyrood Church a Lenten day of prayer, fasting and reading the Bible in the Time of the Coronavirus.

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