Scottish Catholic Observer

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Mar 26 2014

DISCUSSION: In a few words, what gives you joy as a Christian?

Adam Coates: The fact of knowing that if I should stay close to the Lord and His Church, remaining in a state of sanctifying grace, then I have the hope of the salvation of my immortal soul.

Andrew McManus:  Knowing Jesus Christ at a very personal level through His Church.

James McDonald: Knowing that, no matter how alone, rejected, scorned or discriminated we are in this life, we are part of the body of Christ, and a community, living and well, that stretches back through all the ages; and that all of these brothers and sisters that have gone before us are ever present and attentive to the needs of their brothers and sisters on earth.

Gerald Bonner: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us.” That God loved us so much He chose to redeem us and not just in some remote way but by becoming one of us … grace perfecting nature, not

A reminder of joy amid penitential Lent

By Aidan Michael Cook

This Sunday is Laetare Sunday: A day of joy amid the penitential season of Lent. The name comes from the introit of the Mass, Rejoice, O Jerusalem! Be glad for her, you who love her; rejoice with her, you who mourned for her, and you will find contentment at her consoling breasts. Even in Lent, the Liturgy has its eye on the heavenly Jerusalem!

It is a reminder of joy amid penance, a light amid the gloom of Lent. In Gregorian chant, the melody that begins the introit Laetare is the same melody that completes the Alleluia chant at the Easter Vigil, when our hope of joy is fulfilled. The small joys of our earthly exile foreshadow the great joy of heavenly glory.

A similar parallel is found in Scripture, where the events of the Crucifixion and Resurrection were prefigured by the glory of the Transfiguration. Jesus ascended the mountain with three of His apostles and was transfigured and shone as the sun, accompanied by Moses and Elijah—the two men Jewish tradition held to be already in heaven. Christ’s Passion was fast approaching, but here the three apostles were privileged to see a revelation of Christ’s coming glory.

Ever-present in the Catholic Faith is the experience of joy amid even the most trying circumstances. Even the original sin of Adam, with all its devastating consequences, is praised in the Easter Liturgy as the ‘happy fault’ that brought Jesus Christ as our Redeemer.

But why are we able to find joy amid such evil? Ultimately, it is because at the heart of the Faith is the loving mercy of our heavenly Father, our God who is ever faithful to us. We know that the sorrows of this life will not last, and we can look forward with hope and joy to the eternal bliss He has prepared for those who love Him.

Of course, we also know that our self-will and self-love can lead us far from God’s loving plan—so far, indeed, that they required the Sacrifice of the Cross to redeem us. But by not placing all our expectations on this life, we are also able to find a true joy here below. By seeking our ultimate fulfilment in heavenly things, we are able to find a true (if limited) happiness in the proper fulfilment of the earthly purposes of creation. Once we accept that man does not live off bread alone, we can enjoy bread simply as bread. If we love God, and our neighbour as our self, and if we seek God’s will, then we are on a path of joy: the joy of the Gospel.

Sometimes we forget that God wants our happiness, but if we follow His will then we are sure to attain just that. It does not mean that life will be easy (far from it) but at such times we can find consolation in the Church, our Mother, whose loving embrace, especially in the Sacraments, envelops us with heavenly grace.

Rejoice!