Rejoice Always
In today’s 2nd Reading, St. Paul reminds us to “Rejoice Always!” At times in our life it might seem particularly hard to rejoice. In the wake of the terrible events that took place in Connecticut on Friday it might seem almost inappropriate to be told to “rejoice” this weekend. Yet we have to be careful not to confuse joy and happiness. St. Paul is not telling us to be happy in the face of evil, but rather to rejoice. Joy and peace are possible even in the darkest times. St. Paul certainly knew that in his own life. It is precisely when things seem most grim that we need to be reminded why we have cause to rejoice. Today’s homily attempts to bring St. Paul’s perspective to bear on what might seem like a present situation of gloom.
2 comments
Awesome, Father Shawn. I hope that all who heard your homily at mass today or listened to the podcast, have renewed hope in the darkness of this world or sadness in a personal loss. May God continue to bless your work. Thank you!
Thank you for this homily, Father Shawn. I think it helps us to more correctly order our perspectives. We are indeed called to rejoice in the midst of trials, otherwise, we would have no need to do so. It is always comforting to know that we endure them, not alone, not just with each other, but with our heavenly Father.