Paschal Joy

Paschal Joy
By Fr. Joseph Evinger

Paschal Joy! Alleluia! Jesus is alive! “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” (John 16:20) The mystery of Christ’s resurrection can never be exhausted. This mystery of faith continues to pour hope and joy into people of good will. In fact, it is so intertwined with the mystery of Good Friday that at Mass they are one and the same. “The Mystery of Faith” the priest calls out at every Mass immediately following the words of Institution. A great mystery of sorrow and joy and mercy!

Christ is made present to us in the Holy Eucharist broken and wounded, pouring His love and life out to us in His blood so that our old self may die and we may be born anew. At the same time, having been raised from the dead, His divine glory shines into us through His Eucharistic Face bringing us hope and joy. It is the mystery of our faith indeed. The Face of Love on the cross and the Face of Glory are one and the same, the God of sorrow and joy. Yes. He is the God of sorrow because we have wounded Him by our sins, and He is the God of joy because He burns and thirsts for our hearts that we may experience His love and life within us. He and we become one. Though sorrowful, today our hearts are filled with hope and joy when we unite to Him.

It is this God, our God who on Good Friday and Easter offers Himself to us so that we may receive His tender love and mercy. He desires and makes us capable of renewing with Him the new covenant in His blood in the Holy Mass.

Let us say “Amen” to this Gift of Salvation and let us celebrate His victory over the serpent, sin, and death. Let your sorrow turn to joy because He who was dead is risen and alive! Alleluia!! Easter joy indeed!