Friday 4th week of Easter
"Jn 14:1-6"
Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way where I am going. Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me."
"Let not your hearts be troubled" doesn't mean that there won't be troubles. Our Lord also warned about them a couple of chapters later in the same Gospel: "In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33). Leave your troubles aside. Don't let them touch your heart. 'Sounds nice', someone might think, 'but how do I do that?' The answer is given by Jesus: "Believe in God." Faith!
You see? Gaudium cum pace [joy and peace], are fruits of the Holy Spirit. You don't get fruits directly from nothing. They come from trees or plants. From the tree of the virtue of Faith we get the 'fruits' of peace and joy. If we believe in God, we trust Him. If we trust, then we have peace and joy. You find these virtues together in the lives of the saints. They were in love and, therefore, happy. "May God protect me from gloomy saints," prayed St Teresa of Avila.
A four-year-old girl had a new baby brother. On the day he was born she was told that he was a "Gift from Heaven". But the sister found it a bit annoying that the baby was crying all the time. A few days later, seeing the baby crying again, she asked her mum, "Mum, is it true that the baby came from Heaven?" "Of course, sweetheart," replied her mother. "No wonder Jesus threw him out!" Even if it wasn't the true reason, it fits with the definition of Heaven that gloomy people aren't found there. Saints had many troubles and tribulations, but they never allowed these to affect them. It doesn't mean that they went around with a 'selfie grin' all the time. They just "believed in God", trusted Him.
Holy Mary, Cause of our Joy, pray for me that I may never lose my peace and cheerfulness.
