Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
What cause do we have for joy? What cause for grief? In the first reading the Lord assures Paul that he may continue his preaching in Corinth. “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.” (Acts 18:9-10) The presence of the Lord is all that Paul needed. To know the presence of the one called Emmanuel, God is with us, was enough.
St. Ignatius of Loyola wanted to give clear definitions of what should give us joy and grief. From his own life he could write that what promises delight may not be from God, and what leads to struggle may be a sign that we are on the right path. So he could call ‘consolation’ whatever leads to a greater love of God (even tears!), and ‘desolation’ whatever tends to lead us away from our Creator and Lord.
While we wait for the day when the sight of Christ will give our hearts a joy that no one can take away, let us seek in this life to have our joy settled more surely on Jesus. With him we have no reason to fear or to grieve.