On this REJOICE Sunday, we’re faced with several life-changing moments in our readings today —

• in our Gospel, a man born blind begins to see
• in the second reading, the darkness is turned to light
• in the first reading, David is anointed king by Samuel

Sometimes something happens and JUST LIKE THAT everything is different – that’s what JESUS DOES!  He opens up new worlds, heals, HE IS POWERFUL! In an instant, everything changes

Now those examples are what most of us would see as happy and positive life-changing moments….

But what about more difficult changes, when things seem to fall apart?

• think of when a kid loses a basketball game, or gets a bad grade
• think of St. Patrick
• think of St. Joseph who was assigned to be the foster father of JEsus – though he had nothing – and had to lead the family in times of danger
• think of Job…we all know his story…Satan cooks up a plan to take his animals, his house, his land, his family….then he makes Job sick….and all the while Job praises the Lord

We praise God in all things!  Today is feast of St Meinrad:  “That in all things God may be glorified”

Our faith is built on redemption!  God takes a bad thing and turns it into a good thing

• like the cross
• like Patrick having been a slave….he brought the faith to Ireland
• like Job …. at the end, Job had a particular feeling of gratitude as he got everythign back TIMES TWO

This LIFE-CHANGING thing we’re dealing with now – it stinks – and for some it REALLY stinks- but God is at work

• God is stronger than a virus
• God is giving us rest, uniting us together (nothing unites like suffering), strengthening the domestic church, increasing our faith,

Pope Francis:

Tonight before falling asleep
think about when we will return to the street.

When we hug again,
when all the shopping together will seem like a party.

Let’s think about when the coffees will return to the bar, the small talk, the photos close to each other.

We think about when it will be all a memory but normality will seem an unexpected and beautiful gift.

We will love everything that has so far seemed futile to us.
Every second will be precious.

Swims at the sea, the sun until late, sunsets, toasts, laughter.

We will go back to laughing together.

Strength and courage!