We all have ups and downs in life. We all have moods, some of them cheerful and some of them the opposite. Now moods are infectious, and one of the ways of getting out of a miserable mood is to visit someone who is cheerful and optimistic. . . It is surprising what an effect on us a very lively, cheerful, and sensible person can have when we are feeling low in spirits. There are some people whose company always makes us feel more alive because they are so lively. It is good for us to have some friends like that, and it is an act of charity if we can be like that for someone else. . .
We have, however, one Friend Who is always near to us. We have one Friend Who is always cheerful. We have one Friend Who is always completely understanding and sympathetic. We have one Friend Who always knows what to do. It is not unwise to put all our hope and expectations and trust in this Friend. He is a Man, it is true; that is why He understands us and we can understand Him so well. But He has already died once and can die no more. In fact, having been through all the worst things that can befall a man, He has died and is now alive again. His is not less alive than He was before He died but incredibly more alive. He was full of life before He died, a Man very much alive indeed, with a vast appreciation and enjoyment of the good things God gives, but He is much more alive now, alive in a new and fuller and more communicative way. He is alive with glorified human life and with infinite divine life. He did not just come back to life. He rose from the dead transformed. He did not just stay on earth but ascended into heaven. He is of all men and women the most alive of all, and He is alive in this new and outstanding way simply for your sake. He lives for you. That is why He is alive. You could almost say that in our regard His life consists in giving us life. He came and died and rose again so that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
Our Lord wants to fill us with joy and to increase our life in every way that is good. He does not do this as if we were mere playthings of His, or as if we were puppets. He has given us the dignity of being independent persons, and our contact with Him is a voluntary one. We can, if we want to, reduce or increase contact with Jesus, and among the many ways of increasing it and so coming under His influence more and more is that of remembering His presence. This is not the same as remembering a past event or past acquaintance. Under the influence of faith, we need to make ourselves realize that Jesus is here with us and is alive. He is in contact with us. He is overflowing with life. He gives life to everyone who opens the door to Him. Our great Friend is alive here and now and is knocking at the door. If we open the door, He will come in; His life will come in; His morale will come in; His joy will come in. Our constant Companion is alive now. Our Savior is alive now. Jesus is here, and He is full of life and joy, and He radiates it on all who open themselves to those rays. Speaking about the Good News He came to earth to bring us, He said, “I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be full.” He means us to be full of joy, and we should try to be so as we remember His presence and His new life of glory. . .
Our whole outlook on life should be based on the true fact that Christ has conquered sin and death and has overcome the world. He is our life and our joy, our reason for living. There are tragedies and, of course, they make us sad on the surface where our ordinary experiences are felt, but deep down we must know that God will bring good out of all evil and so not be disturbed in those depths within us where God dwells. The tragedies in this world, not only our own but those of other people, will pass away. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, and the poor and suffering and helpless people of this world will find that Jesus has a very special place in His heart for them. . .
We can have perfect confidence in Christ, because, as Saint Paul tells us, He has done three things for us: He has redeemed us . . . He has reconciled us with God, and He has justified us and made us holy.
Let us not look at ourselves and our miseries too much . . . but let us look at our risen Lord and His glory and His joy, which are to be ours, and be full of joyful faith and expectant hope.
. . . The bodily resurrection of Jesus . . . links our life with His risen life, now and forever.
