“Nobody can go off to battle unless he is fully convinced of victory beforehand… Christian triumph is always a cross, yet a cross which is at the same time a victorious banner borne with aggressive tenderness against the assaults of evil” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 85)
Do you remember the Beatitudes? “Blessed are the pure of heart.. Blessed are those who mourn… Rejoice and be glad!”
Lent invites us to confront the sorrowful realities of life, but Easter reassures us that these tribulations are passing.
What endures, in the end, is a lasting and radiant joy.
This joy is expressed in something as simple as choosing to smile, especially when we serve. Cheerfulness does not deny suffering; rather, it is a deliberate choice made even in the midst of difficulties. To be cheerful is itself a sacrifice – an act of love.
In what small way can I choose joy today, even if life feels heavy?