 Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington
"Joy and the Gospel"by Bishop William S. Skylstad (From the May 1, 2003 edition of the Inland Register) This time of the year also has a tone of joy about it as the countryside greens up, flowers and trees blossom forth, and crops being to grow again. The weather turns warmer, and we often comment with hopeful expectation that it will be warmer tomorrow. Joy is an integral part of the Gospel and an integral part of our Christian living. It’s easy to think of joy associated with some of the events I have mentioned above, but on our Christian journey, the reality is that joy can be associated with the cross. A few years ago, I read the book Joy of the Gospel, written by Cardinal Carlo Martini, a Jesuit and now the retired Archbishop of Milan. He challenged all of us in the Church to be people of joy. Yet, he observed that often in the Church we see a lack of the joy of the Gospel. His sense is that when the Church is full of Gospel joy, the Church suddenly feels drawn to those who do not have that joy. If we do not have this good news, we have nothing to say to our brothers and sisters in the world. These words of the cardinal should challenge us as we look to our Church and our personal lives. Perhaps an easy temptation for all of us is to think that joy comes only from good happenings and successes. Again the cardinal is very direct: “Anyone who searches for human joy in human assurances, in ideologies, in trifles cannot find this joy.” The glory of God is the source of our joy. The glory of Jesus is made manifest not only in the Resurrection but also on the cross. The latter may appear to be a bit of a stretch for us. But in St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians he writes, “Even now I find my joy in the suffering I endure for you.” In his epistle, James writes, “My brothers [and sisters], count it pure joy when you are involved in every sort of trial.” We too can appreciate that the joy of the Gospel is closely associated with the cross. It’s easy to find joy in the great successes of life, but when times are tough, that spirit becomes much more of a challenge. Rather than judging joy in the external circumstances which have a daily impact on us, joy is a deeply internal and interior quality of heart that helps us to look realistically at life. That’s why it is important to the best of our ability to be a contemplative people, to be constantly processing the presence of God in our everyday living. This past winter season seems to have been an unusually difficult one with respiratory illnesses. We take medicine. We try to be careful about catching an illness. On our spiritual journey there are also the illnesses of the soul that need to be addressed. Our approach to the word of God and the sacraments provides a kind of medicine that helps us heal and deal with threats that would keep us from being healthy. Again and again, we need that reminder and assurance of who we are and upon whom we depend. That’s why the regular celebration of Eucharist is so important on our faith journey. Without that reminder and call to holiness of life, joy becomes more difficult. We can easily get stuck in a rut of life that seems to focus only on our worldliness. Anxieties and hurts can get blown way out of proportion. They become sources of discouragement and cynicism rather than fonts of new life and an appreciation of the fact that God will never abandon us. When we are deeply rooted in God’s presence, joy becomes a lens through which we can look at all of life, face it honestly, and rejoice that God is with us, no matter how arduous or tough the journey is. There’s truth in that old saying: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Some say joy is the mother of communication. A joyful spirit is a wonderful communicator. Before his Passion and death, Jesus spoke words of encouragement to his Apostles: “As the Father has loved me, so I love you. Live on in my love. You will live in my love if you keep the commandments…. All this I tell you that my joy may be yours and your joy may be complete.” What a wonderful gift for all of us. May God grant you much peace and joy!
Bishop Skylstad’s Schedule
April 24-May 4: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting, Rome 10: Confirmation/First Eucharist, 10 a.m., Assumption Parish, Spokane 11: Confirmation/First Eucharist, St. Paul Parish, Eltopia; St. Vincent Parish, Connell 12: Communications Committee 13-16: Diocesan Priests’ Retreat 16: Candidacy Mass, Bishop White Seminary 17: Sisters of Providence Jubilee Celebration 17-18: Confirmation/First Eucharist, St. Patrick Parish, Pasco 18: Confirmation/First Eucharist, 6 p.m., Holy Family Parish, Clarkston 19: Confirmation/First Eucharist, Immaculate Conception Parish, Colville 20: Trinity School Donor Luncheon 21: Finance Council 22: Business Breakfast
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The Easter season is easily associated with a spirit of joy. Lent is over. We experience the joy-filled liturgies of the Easter Vigil and Easter Day. There are many special celebrations of the sacraments after Easter – Confirmation, and First Eucharist. These, too, are joyful events. We hope lifelong memories are set in the lives of those who are fully initiated into the Church.