Homily for the Memorial of Saint Athanasius

The Scriptures are filled with texts about joy and rejoicing. St. Paul teaches that such joy is the fruit of the Spirit. In the Gospel, Jesus expresses His desire for His joy to be in us. At the very core of the Gospel, this joy is a beacon of hope and positivity, as the word Gospel itself means 'good news.' On the eve of His Crucifixion, Jesus yearned for His joy to be in His disciples, a testament to the enduring power of joy in the face of adversity.

It may seem odd to think of experiencing joy in such a daunting situation where hostility and violent death are looming. However, Jesus' sense of joy stems from His unshakable knowledge that He is beloved by His Father. This joy also arises from His sharing of that love with His disciples and all of humanity. 

Joy is the great outgrowth of genuine love, which originates from God's love for us, and then our love for each other in His Name.