THE STATIONS OF THE JOY OF THE RISEN CHRISTThe Christian religion is, at its heart, a religion of joy. The Gospel is truly “good news.” Even if we sometimeslook as if we are coming from a funeral, we are meant to be messengers of joy, witnesses of the Resurrection.Joy is a command of Christ: “If you loved Me, you would rejoice… I will not leave you as orphans; I will cometo you… I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you… Ask, andyou will receive, that your joy may be full” (Jn 14:28.18; 16:22.24). This joy sets us apart from the world and isone of our strongest means of apostolate: “You will weep and lament, while the world rejoices; you will be sor-rowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (16:20). For Christ has sent us the Spirit, the Comforter, “whom theworld cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with youand will be in you” (14:17).Christ has made us custodians of His joy. But what have we done with it? Strangely, we have not grantedourselves the joy He gives. Most Christians are more ready to mourn with Christ than to rejoice with Him.When the 40 days of penance begin, days of sacrifice and self-denial, our spiritual life becomes active.But compare this zeal with the way we live the second 40-day period. For there are two “40-day seasons” in theliturgical year. Most Christians do not even know it. On Easter a second 40-day season begins. The 40 days ofpenance are a human institution, since Christ’s actual Passion lasted only a few days. But the 40 days, even 50until Pentecost, in which we have to awake joy in our hearts, are completely neglected, although they are a di-vine institution.On Calvary there were only a few believers as representatives of our sad race, some women and one man. Butat the Resurrection there was no one left. No one believed anymore; all were in despair. Jesus had to convertthem one by one to the reality of His joy.During Lent you made ...