Saturday of the Third Week of Easter
“How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?” (Psalm 116:12)
How often are we grateful? Today’s Responsorial Psalm reminded me of a book I read during a retreat called Between Heaven and Mirth by Fr. James Martin. In it, he wrote about the importance of joy, humor, and laughter in our spiritual lives. Gratitude is an expression of joy. Nonetheless, with wars around the world, polarization leading to conflicts between individuals and groups of people, climate change, and other societal issues, it is difficult to be grateful. However, it is in times like these when gratitude and joy are especially important.
Fr. James asserts in his book that faith leads to joy. Today’s Gospel shows us this. Jesus said to his disciples, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life,” (John 6:63). Those who could not believe that Jesus is the bread of life left. Those who did believe stayed and found that he “had the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). This passage can inspire us to reflect on how Jesus nourishes our lives and to find joy in that. We can express this joy as gratitude. Appreciation for God in our lives can thus become an act of faith.
In the first reading, we learn about people whose faith in Jesus brought them joy. After being paralyzed for eight years, Aeneas was healed and able to get up immediately on his own. Then, we read about Tabitha, a disciple who showed her joy in Jesus Christ with good deeds and almsgiving. Both are examples for us of the potential impact of the Gospel in our lives. Their witness to the Gospel inspired others in Lydda, Sharon, and Joppa to turn to God. Who is an example of faith and joy to you? How do they inspire you?
As we continue into the Easter season, let us be grateful for the times when we’ve seen and felt God’s presence. Let our faith be expressed as gratitude for what God has done for us. Our world needs more joy in it. Let us bring the unbounded joy of Easter to all we encounter.
—Sr. Emily Sandoval, FMI