HOLINESS IS JOYFULNESS

Memorial of St. Philip Neri, Priest
Jn 16:20-23

We celebrate today the memorial of St. Philip Neri. Born in Florence, Venice, Philip was born in 1515. Tired of commercialism and lack of Christian principles in his uncle’s business, he fled to Rome. For several years, he lived as a layman but, answering God’s call to the priesthood, he was ordained in 1551. His zeal for reconciling sinners to God through the Sacrament of Penance was outstanding. Biographies about Philip all agree that he was a catechist by nature – gathering groups for prayer and study – and a spiritual guide of extraordinary charism. He founded a congregation of diocesan priests who lived in common and devoted themselves to prayer and preaching. At the age of 80 years old, Philip passed away in 1595.

It is said that Philip was a very happy person at all times. Joy naturally flowed out from him. His joy was contaminating. His joy was also warm. Literally, it is said that there was a light emanating from where his heart was. His temperature was often literally high. It was as if his heart was burning within him.

This kind of joy, we pray to have. We ask the Lord for a joy that naturally flows from deep within us, for a joy that contaminates those around us, and a joy that is ever warm in the midst of a world turned cold by hatred, indifference, selfishness, and malice.

Sanctity is not sadness. Saints are not people with long faces. Holiness is joyfulness. We are all called to be joyful apostles of the Lord even as we are sent forth as the Lord’s apostles of joy. May our joy be the joy – as the Gospel today describes – that turns sorrow into joy. May our joy be the kind that cannot be stolen from us. That kind of joy, only the Lord Jesus can give.