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Easter Joy and…Sadness?
I went to bed on Easter Sunday night with a plan to get up early on Easter Monday and begin writing this newsletter; however, before my feet could even hit the floor, I was shocked to learn that the Holy Father had passed away overnight.
I had read that the previous day, Easter Sunday, he made a public appearance, gave an Easter blessing, and rode around in the Pope-mobile blessing babies. I, like many around the world, was now shocked to read that he had passed away. We were filled with grief and sorrow during the earliest days of the Easter season.
As I reflected on the papacy of our Holy Father Francis and the timing of his passing, the Holy Spirit reminded me of a reflection on the Gospel of John chapter 15 that I frequently use when I’m a guest on podcasts or speak at parishes.
Our Lord states, “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you (John 15:9-14).”
In this passage, Jesus instructs us on how to acquire His joy. To attain it, we must be willing to lay down our lives for our friends. This is a love that Jesus models for us on the cross and the joy we now celebrate during the Easter season.
Joy is countercultural because joy requires us to take up our crosses and follow Christ. We can have joy while suffering. This is what differentiates heavenly joy from worldly happiness. How? Let’s talk Greek. The Greek word Jesus uses for joy in this passage is “chara,” and the best translation a concordance can muster is calm gladness.
The joy that Christ seeks to give us is so much more profound than temporal happiness. When we understand and attain the fruit of joy, we can be calm and cheerful throughout our lives. When disaster and tragedy strike or when we are unfairly treated, this fruit of the Spirit enables us to be even-keeled and cheerful, and to serve others as we journey along the roller coaster ride of life.
This is the joy that I and many others witnessed Pope Francis employ throughout his papacy. It was contagious and inspired countless people around the globe to go deeper in their walk with Christ, pursue greater holiness, and serve both the spiritually and materially poor.
So, as we mourn his passing from this life during this Easter season, remember that true Easter joy is not attained by ditching our crosses but embracing them, laying our lives down for our friends, and serving others. Pope Francis modeled this joy for the Church so very well.
May the Lord grant eternal rest unto Pope Francis in his great mercy and love.
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Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Your servant in Christ,
Bill Snyder, Media Director
Good News Ministries
gnm.org
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