T hroughout his brief career the Lord healed hundreds, perhaps thousands of people. They were not miracles as much as signs of God's compassion for his sad, unfortunate people; and especially for the forgotten and neglected. And, so immediately upon taking up the mantle of prophecy from Jesus his disciples began their healing ministry.
Luke describes the joy of the lame fellow as he began to walk, jump, and dance around; and the excitement of the crowds in the temple precincts who saw and recognized him. But we can also imagine the delight of Peter and John as they saw the authority that had been given to them. Peter's speaking to the fellow and his command to rise and walk may have come as an impulse. Suddenly the Spirit rushed upon him and he knew precisely what he should say and do. From this moment on the disciples will preach the good news in season and out of season with a joy their enemies find insufferable!
Luke's duology, which might be called "The Acts of Jesus and the Acts of the Apostles," is filled with the healing, invigorating Spirit of joy. We remember Elizabeth's delight upon welcoming the young Virgin Mary to her home. Despite her own excitement over her late-life pregnancy, she was thrilled to welcome "the mother of my Lord!" to her home. We had to notice the joy of the angels as they announced the newborn Messiah and Lord to the shepherds; and their eager search for a baby in a manger. Luke's infancy stories of Jesus are saturated with the joy of salvation.
That happiness will continue as the Lord heals, delivers, and protects people -- especially the poor and lowly -- from oppressive religious and civil authorities. We saw it too in the Lord's chiding his terrified disciples when he stilled the stormy waters of the Galilean Sea, "Why were you frightened, O ye of little faith?"
The joy of the gospel is evident also in the Wedding Feast of Cana and the freedom of Jesus's healing the wounded servants ear, and the comedy of his appearing to the bewildered disciples on the road to Emmaus.
I have long believed that faith and humor are very nearly the same thing. Faith is that ability to trust in God and laugh at both myself and my fears. When Isaiah recounts the Lord description of Jacob as a worm and Israel as a maggot, we hear God teasing his frightened children. "How can you be afraid? You know I have everything in hand, and will always protect you!" The children who take such teasing seriously may complain of abuse because they have yet to discover that their experience, history, and being are not All That Important!
If the Gospel does not inspire us to joy, we're missing the point. The eight solemnities of Easter, as we sing or recite the Gloria each day, must leave us with a deep, trusting, patient, and joyful spirit.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.