Editorial

Mar-Apr '23
How to Turn Sorrow Into Joy
When you begin to rejoice in Christ, the course of Your life will phenomenally shift

Don’t you remember the first question that the Risen Christ asked, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (John 20:15). The question was posed to Mary Magdalene who lingered at the tomb of Jesus. She responds that someone has taken her Lord away.

Mary had lost so much in life- her good name, purity, innocence… It was Christ, the Savior, who shone rays of hope and joy in her soul. And thus, His death shattered her. She knew that a life without Him would be extremely difficult. Mary, who had once lost all joy, rediscovers it in the Risen Christ, who is the source of all joy.

What is it that is worrying you at the moment? When our thread of hope is tied to the transient things and people of this world, we are bound to be disappointed. Remember the promise of Christ: “your pain will turn into joy” (John 16:20). Every sorrow turns into joy when Christ comes into our life.

To regain a person’s joy, three factors are necessary. Someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for. These are fulfilled in their totality when Christ comes into a soul. Over the years, Mary had been approached by so many; all of them used her and moved on, but none loved her. None except Christ, who reclaimed the lost purity of her love.

The day she met Him, the seed of a mission was planted deep inside her – an inspiration to share the story of the joy she received. Hope shone in and through her forevermore. Yes, once you have received the joy that only Christ can provide, you can never go after the cheap, immediate pleasures of the world.

A few years ago, the cover story of “The Economist” magazine read: UNHAPPY AMERICA. The light of the Liberty statue on the ground, and numerous articles citing that despite having everything, none could experience joy… Health, wealth, and security are all necessary for man, but amidst all that, if you fail to receive the joy and peace that Christ offers, everything else is in vain.

If your joy feels broken, injured, or incomplete, turn back to Christ, and abandon the places you went in search of joy. You cannot receive the gift of God if you are unwilling to part with whatever you have attached your happiness to. When you begin to rejoice in Christ, the course of Your life will phenomenally shift. When Christ becomes your wealth, losses can no longer shatter you.

The wheel of fortune turns every day. But it does not have the power to threaten your inner peace. “No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that rock I am clinging”, goes the lines of a famous song. What else did Mary cling to, if not the rock of Christ? Her mourning was turned to joyful dancing.

The Risen Christ will give us joy; that is the surety we have in Him.

Prayer:

Jesus, grant us the wisdom to realize that the distance to true joy is the distance to You, and make us worthy to ardently search for You. Amen.

Fr. Roy Palatty CMI

Spiritual Director

Latest Editorial

Date

Mar-Apr ’24

A Thirsty God at the Cross
An Archbishop in Paris started his homily by sharing a rather strange story: A group of boys came to Notre Dame Cathedral a few years ago, and stood outside the confessional, betting who was brave enough to make a mock confession. One of them took up the challenge, and confessed some of the most heinous sins that a man could ever ...
More
Date

Jan-Feb ’24

The Key to Happiness
Isn’t happiness something that we all wish to attain? But the methods we use to achieve it are so diverse. There is a small book named Happiness, written by the Dalai Lama, where he outlines three tips for lasting happiness. Primarily, “There is a big difference between appearance and reality.” It is a misconception that achieving certain things is bound to bring joy. ...
More
Date

Nov-Dec '23

The Night that Dispelled All Sorrows
The other day, a Nigerian family recounted their heartrending experience of persecution to me. The five-member family was robbed of everything, imprisoned, and tortured physically and mentally. Brutal terrorists set their house on fire and even molested their daughter.  Two days before Christmas, they were finally released from captivity. The family was wearied by the pain and despair of having lost everything. ...
More
Date

Sep-Oct '23

When God is Silent
Have you ever felt that God is turning His face away from you, hiding from you, or abandoning you? This perceived distance from God happens when we feel tired and fed up with life. However hard we pray, it seems as though God isn’t listening! “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of ...
More
Date

Jul-Aug '23

The One who doesn’t quench the smoldering wick
A priest in Venice was suspended for drug addiction. Punishments had brought about no substantial change in him. One evening, while sipping a drink in a bar, someone came and told him that the new Archbishop was waiting for him outside. Ignoring it as a prank, he went on to pour himself another drink when he felt a gentle hand resting ...
More
Date

May-Jun '23

When God takes you in His arms
When a person is touched by God, a real qualitative change becomes apparent. I am reminded of two women. One is the Samaritan Woman in the Gospel, and the other is Gloria, whom I met during a spiritual conference. The Samaritan woman went to Jacob’s Well at noon to fetch water (John 4). Jews and Samaritans were poles apart both socially and ...
More