JOY AND HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION! ~ CookingFood.Org

“RISEN WITH CHRIST”

Easter Reflections

Friday, 26th May 2017,

Sixth Week of Easter

Memorial of St. Philip Neri

Acts 18: 9-18;

Ps 47: 2-7 (R. 8);

Jn 16: 20-23.

JOY AND HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION!

Every event in our life makes corresponding impressions on us. When we have a good effect, then we experience joy, and if we expect good to happen it is called hope. If the effect is bad we have grief and if we expect something bad to happen then we have anguish and fear. These passions always change according to our choices, and they do not always remain the same. The gospel puts this across with the example of childbirth. There is pain, there is anxiety, but it tends towards joy. We need to go beyond all the things of this world to enjoy that Kingdom. As Jesus died to all the things of this world to rise for God, so should we die to everything to rise with Him. Life grows by being given away, and it weakens in isolation and comfort.

Does an experience of anguish mean you are not in God’s grace? Does it mean that God has left you? Or does it mean that you are doing something wrong? Certainly not, in fact, all we have to do is look at the life of Jesus to see this is not the case. He was in constant anguish throughout His earthly life as He continually entered more deeply into the mission of His Father. He was in anguish for forty days in the desert. Throughout His public ministry He experienced the anguish and exhaustion of His earthly life. He experienced the criticism of others, misunderstanding, ridicule, rejection, harsh treatment, and so much more till His death on the Cross.

Our Blessed Mother Mary had the “sword of sorrow” pierce her heart. She was misunderstood and ridiculed from the beginning as a result of her mysterious pregnancy out of wedlock. She carried a perfect love of her Son and anguished over His future as He grew. She watched many love Him and others harass Him. She watched His mockery of a trial and His Crucifixion.

But think of their lives now. They now reign from Heaven as the glorious Queen of All Saints and the King of the Universe. They live in glory now for eternity. Their anguish has turned to perfect joy. If you feel as though you have been dealt an unfair hand or have been treated unfairly, you are in good company. Know that as you remain faithful walking down the path God has set for you, the end result is that you will rejoice! Hold on to that hope and keep your eyes on the finish line. It’s worth it in the end.

Prayer: Lord, I surrender my anguish and burdens to You. I unite them to Your Cross and trust that You will be there in all things walking with me through my life. May I keep my eyes on the goal and rejoice in Your steadfast love. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.