I have just finished reading Pope Francis’ Message for the 88th World Mission Day, to be celebrated on October 19 and once again, the spirit at the heart of the Holy Father’s message is Joy.
Surely Joy is emerging as one of the key motifs of his pontificate so far.
The Pope’s message for World Mission Day offers a beautiful meditation on the Gospel of Luke, 10:21-23, where Jesus sent out the 72 disciples two by two into the cities and villages to proclaim that the Kingdom of God was near. The Holy Father reminds us that when the disciples returned, they were full of joy. Jesus warned them that the joy they were feeling was not because of their own power, but because God loves them and wants them to go out and share that divine love.
Unless we are overflowing with the joy that comes from knowing we are loved by the Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – we can never hope to share that love fruitfully and attract others to partake in it.
The Pope’s message of joy is always a challenge to us, but never more so than when we experience tough times. Our Province has suffered terrible sadness in the last month when a mini-bus accident killed 13 young Vietnamese people travelling to our parish in Nong Bua Lamphu in Northern Thailand to take part in a youth camp organised by our confreres. Just a week or so later, we learnt of another traffic accident outside a school where one of our confreres works, in which seven children were killed and others injured.
In the face of such tragedy, as we pray for the victims, their families, our confreres, and all affected, our overwhelming emotion is deep sadness. And yet, Pope Francis calls us to be filled with joy. At first glance it appears to be a major contradiction.
But when we look below the surface, we understand that the joy of the Gospel, of which the Pope speaks, is in fact what sustains us in times of tragedy. To be joyful doesn’t mean to be always happy. We are human, equipped with all the emotions that allow us to live life to the full, as Jesus promised. Sadness in the face of terrible tragedy is not only understandable, but necessary to be fully human and to reach out with compassion to others who are suffering.
No, joy is a much deeper disposition. It is the gift that comes from knowing that we are deeply loved by the God who created us, the Son who redeemed us and the Holy Spirit who guides us. It is unshakeable. This is the joy that we can’t help but share. This is the joy that reaches out to others, even in their suffering and envelops them in love so that they know they are not alone when they encounter dark times.
As we continue to walk with our grief-stricken friends in Thailand and Vietnam, perhaps there is someone in your life who is doing it tough at the moment. It doesn’t take much to draw on that deep well of Christian joy and help them through with a warm hug, a home-cooked meal or a listening ear.
God is love. God is joy. Let’s be generous in sharing that love and joy with others.
That’s what Mission is all about.
Yours in the Divine Word,
Fr Henry Adler SVD,
Provincial
