No one can Take Your Joy From You.

Homily for May 11, 2018.

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.

When a woman is in travail she has sorrow because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world.

So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day, you will ask nothing of me. John 16:20-23.

Our short time on earth is like the nine-month period of carrying a pregnancy. It could be tough at times but when we are successful in carrying it to the end, the joy we shall eventually experience shall be so much as to make up for the sorrow of this present life.

Jesus did not say that there will be no moments of joy right here on earth. Rather, despite our righteousness and diligent obedience to his commandments, we are not to assume that there will never be some dull moments. So long as we live on earth, we are constantly going to be oscillating between moments of joy and moments of sorrow.

This was the experience of Paul in the first reading today. For a whole year and six months, Paul went about the city of Corinth preaching the Good News of salvation freely. God told him in a vision “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you.”

It is not God’s will that we should live in perpetual misery simply because we do not belong to the world as Christians. No! God ensured that Paul enjoyed a time of joy while proclaiming the message. But this time was limited.

Happiness on earth may be limited but happiness above is totally unlimited. So if we do not experience happiness as we so desire, let us not give up on God nor attempt to seek happiness from the world because the happiness which the world gives only amounts to perpetual sorrow in the life to come.

Finally, there is a point Jesus makes that needs some emphasis. It is a fact that many people do not know. He says NO ONE WILL TAKE YOUR JOY FROM YOU. Dear friends, happiness is up to you. No matter what people do to you, no matter what happens to you, you remain the final arbiter of your own happiness.

At times, we hear people say things like: “Don’t make me sad oh!” or “Mr A is the reason why I am unhappy today.” These statements are simply impossible! Just as no one can bring you happiness, no can take it away. We are the ones who give ourselves permission to be happy or sad. We do this so unconsciously that we don’t even realize it. You can choose to be happy no matter what others do or say to you. Just find a reason to be happy and stop assuming anyone has a control over your joy.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give me the strength to smile even when the world wants to see my tears. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday After the Ascension of the Lord. Bible Study: Acts 18:9-18 and John 16:20-23).