One of my dear friends is an atheist. She grew up in a big Catholic family just like I did, but between emotional trauma linked to the Faith and an intellectual journey still underway, she's separated from the Church right now. We were chatting about it one day, and she said something like, "I'm so jealous though. You're really lucky that you believe."
She's right, of course. Faith is the best gift we could ever get. The angels were trying to avoid the biggest understatement of all time when they told the shepherds they had "good news of great joy" -- but it's still understatement. There just aren't words. Even if you're an angel. And especially if what you have to say is, "He's not here. He's risen."
The Good News -- that's what the word Gospel means -- is fabulous news. Stupendous, astounding, staggering, unthinkable news beyond one's wildest dreams.
Do we consider that enough? We don't. Because it's impossible. We need an eternity of heaven to even get started. Still, it's good in our floundering ways to give it a shot now and then.
Here are 7 reasons from among the untold, unexplainable number, that the Good News is truly really good news:
1Our take on suffering
We're gonna suffer in this life and there's no avoiding it. Even just getting (or staying) in shape is hard work. "No pain, no gain," they say. But being able to offer up sufferings, great or small, is pretty amazing. Yesterday, my gym coach asked our HIIT group to share a mantra that keeps us going when the reps get excruciating. But no mantra can compare to knowing that even something as simple as another set of push-ups can do a bit to bring consolation to someone in Lebanon right now. The transcendence that every little thing can have is ... incredible.
2Being able to talk to our dead
People do all kinds of weird and dangerous things to try to connect with the dead. But we don't need any of that. We've got the Communion of Saints. You want to apologize to Mom for not picking up the phone on what turned out to be her last call? Just do it. She can hear you. You need Grandpa's help to find your keys? He likes competing with St. Anthony to see who can get them to you first. Ask him.
We should pray for our faithful departed -- we must! -- but we can also pray with them. Amazing!
We probably all know of people who don't have the comfort of knowing about the Communion of Saints, and what torture the death of loved ones is for them. Let's pray for them too.
(Of course, talking to the dead is just one facet of the fact that we believe they're not dead! And we won't be either! The Resurrection is too big of a part of the Good News to even mention, so we'll keep going with the smaller stuff, though of course the Resurrection is the cornerstone of the whole list.)
3Someone to thank
When the teenager's math test turned out great. When the sunrise over the ocean left you in awe. When you found a parking spot and got into the office seconds before the boss showed up. Who wants to thank "the universe" for the constant line-up of things that go right, hour after hour, day after day? We have so much to be thankful for. How great that we have a Father to hear us say, "Thanks! I really needed that. I wasn't expecting it, but wow, I appreciate it."
4No biggie at all
People make a lot of jokes about Catholic guilt, but come on, that's not the story at all. What about Catholic "no pasa nada"? Fell short for the 17 gazillionth time in the exact same way? Lost your temper? Lied? Something way bigger than that? No biggie. Confession whenever you want, as often as you want. Say the same thing over and over and over. Father doesn't care. He just absolves. And you walk out of there glittery clean. What's more, we have a sinless Mother who will take our hand and get us back with God.
At Mass the other day, the priest spoke of how Peter must surely have found Our Lady after he denied Jesus three times (his gloating and his "oh I'd never," up in smoke). She got him back on track and he is the first pope. She's got us, too.
5Never suffering alone
When my dad died almost three decades ago, I remember that one hug in particular was extra consoling -- it came from a friend who had just lost her mom. The hug represented shared grief and understanding. That experience is a small echo of how Jesus accompanies us from within our suffering. In taking on our sins and suffering, he identified with us in our most miserable moments, when we feel the abandonment of everyone, even God. While the feelings might not go away, the certainty of his presence and his understanding is an anchor.
God's presence beside us, and the Holy Spirit within us, is a truth that also brings extra joy to the joyful moments. We humans naturally look to share our joys and triumphs. We never lack a listening ear who will respond to our rejoicing with his own.
6Big decisions with less stress
How often we wish for a crystal ball! Whether in our own lives or in the unfolding lives of our children, so many decisions are hard to make. This school or another one? This career or another? Move now or later? Invest here or there? Or, simply, what to make for dinner tonight.
While God respects our freedom and lets us work things out on our own, there is a guarantee in Paul's Letter to the Romans, 8:28:
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
A footnote adds: "Other ancient authorities read God makes all things work together or in all things God works."
All things. Work together. For good.
Turn left or right. Take the road less traveled, or don't. Make the best decision you can with what you have at hand, and leave the rest in His hands. It will all be fine. And, as I just heard at this evening's Mass, the secret is to look for Christ's presence in whatever situation -- whether it's a failed night of fishing or not enough money to pay rent -- and you will find him.
7No need to control everything ... or anything
The human faculties of intellect and free will reflect our being made in the image of God ... we're made to know things and to choose things. But both these tendencies are affected by sin, and one of the common manifestations of it is our desire to know everything and control everything. It's really hard for us to accept that some questions don't have answers and some problems don't have solutions. And that the future can go in any direction. Thanks to our faith, though, we know that the one who does know everything has everything under control -- and he loves us.
Faith is a gift. And stopping to think about how much better it makes daily life (and death) is a good exercise. Feel free to share other elements of the "fabulous news" in the comments.
