The Gospel is a hymn of joy, a happy news. If the sources spring from deep and pure subsoils, the water that emanates from there is purity and freshness. The Gospel is a hymn to joy because its message emerges from that remote inner region of Jesus, inhabited by the welcoming fatherhood of God.
In that inner lake, his words and actions were born, covered with confidence and serenity and we have the impression that God was an immense maternal bosom that would envelop all humanity warmly. And we feel Jesus himself surrounded by flames, fresh flames of joy.
That day Jesus went up the mountain and released the new code of happiness to the wind. He told them that those who have nothing would have everything; that those who go to bed with tears will be visited by consolation; that there will be a feast and plenty for those who are hungry; that those who, stone by stone, raise the building of peace will be crowned with the title of children of God, and that, finally, tears will be transformed into stars and lamentations in dances.
He told them that the disciples should be amidst the world, a mountain of light and salt to condiment the banquet of life; that the Kingdom is like a precious stone, like a new wine, like a fabric fresh from the loom; that the Father dresses every morning all the daisies and feed the sparrows; that for the Father to forgive is a party and that the last shall be the first.
This is the inner temperature of Jesus from which such message emerged, that filled the world of joy. He told them, no one should be afraid; that any vulgar murderer can destroy the body but not even the tip of a spear can touch the human soul because it is secured in the hands of the Father. It is possible that the infamy befalls the children like a handful of mud, but why be surprised? The same fate had the prophets.
Once, a man, while climbing a mountain, found a gold mine. jumping from Joy he returned to his home, sold he’s assets, and bought that land. The same happened to that merchant very knowledgeable in precious stones who, when passing through a market, saw a pearl of great value. Excited, he returned home, sold his properties, and bought that treasure. This is the Kingdom.
The mustard seed is a tiny seed, almost invisible. They plant it, its head rise and rises into the air, until it becomes a bush so tall and so powerful that the birds of the air can comfortably place their nests in its branches.
The Sower went out and threw a handful of wheat into the field. The wheat field sprouted, it climbed the heights and, when summer came, that was like a sea of golden spikes. The Word is like that.
Today you are happy because with the strength of your spirit you have subdued the snakes and the demons. But that’s nothing. There is another much greater reason for joy, and that is that your name is written with letters of gold in my Father’s heart. Congratulations, congratulations!
The love of the Father spreads over the earth like an immense wave and, with its protective wings, envelops and embraces all creatures. This is the definitive reason for the joy of the children of men.
And Jesus deployed a multicolored fan of parables, tales, and comparisons to show that the Father loves us freely. Such an optimistic message could only spring from a joyful heart and, therefore, we are always affirming that the Gospel is a hymn to joy.
Taken from the book “The Art of Being Happy” chapter 6 section: “Joy and pain” father, Ignacio Larrañaga.
