Florida Catholic | Sunday Word

The Sixth Sunday of Easter

The Christian’s gift of joy

April 27, 2008 :: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20; 1 Pt 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21

SISTER SALLIE LATKOVICH

If we who are baptized into Christ have one important gift to give to our world, it is JOY!”

When I would visit the classrooms of the primary children at St. Francis Xavier Elementary School in Fort Myers, we would always prepare to hear the Gospel for the coming Sunday. As such, we would always begin by singing, “Alleluia!” I had explained to them that alleluia comes from the Jewish word, “Hallel,” which literally means “hooray!” So, our alleluias meant that we were singing, “Hooray” for the good news of God. The children, of course, sang their alleluias with gusto. Several observant little ones commented that “no one ever looks that happy at church.” Indeed.

The Scriptures we are given to hear on this sixth Sunday of Easter, drawing near to both the feast of the Ascension and of Pentecost, are full of joy. From Acts, we hear of the evangelization efforts of Philip in the city of Samaria. He proclaimed Christ to them and there were many healings.

Allow me to divert here for a moment: I once did some retreat work with the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation, who administer several small hospitals in rural North Dakota. One of the sentences in their mission statement says: “We are always called to heal, in the manner of Jesus; sometimes to cure, but always to heal.” I find that a profound distinction and one that we can all practice.

Now, back to the text of the first reading. Following the acceptance of Christ and the healings, we hear the observation: “There was great joy in that city.”

Hmmmm. That simple sentence causes us to reflect on what exactly brings joy to our own cities and towns. Sports teams’ successes? The opening of new buildings or roads? The addition of new malls or restaurants? Newly elected officials? Perhaps we need to reflect on exhibiting the joy of our faith.

The psalm response is taken from Psalm 66: “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy!”

The First Letter of Peter picks up on the same theme: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.”

John’s Gospel is a grand summary of the reason for our joy and our hope: We live because Christ lives; and we are loved and called to love. The first hearers of the Gospel may have experienced fear in the experience of Jesus’ ascension; and so, Jesus promises to send the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth to be with us always.

I recently experienced the joy and hope of just such an advocate in my life. I had heard of a false rumor that was being spread about me and shared this with a priest who is my pastor and friend. He immediately became my advocate, supporting me with truth and seeking to put the rumor to rest. I felt great relief, support, love; indeed, an advocate who sought and spoke the truth in my behalf. I now have new understanding of the very text with which we reflect.

If we who are baptized into Christ have one important gift to give to our world, it is JOY!

We know our God and Savior, and we know the “end of the story” of our lives, with the Holy Spirit, the Advocate who is with us always!

Sister Sallie Latkovich, Sisters of St. Joseph, is an assistant professor at the Blessed Edmund Rice School of Pastoral Ministry in the Diocese of Venice, a part of Barry University of Miami.

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