So, have you ever felt like you are going to die after you get a paper cut or stub your toe? Me too. But blessed Chiara Luce Badano, a contemporary teenage saint of the church, teaches us how to have joy amid suffering. She contracted a rare form of cancer as a teenager. But amid her suffering, she knew that Jesus had already won in her heart, and she did not have to be afraid.
Today, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, the church saying, no, you have to be joyful. Even if your life sucks, you can still choose joy. We know and are convicted as Christians that Jesus Christ has won. Pope Francis said joy is the air we breathe as Christians, no matter what happens. You can have joy because Jesus has claimed us. My favorite thing that blessed Chiara said was, I’m going to die, but I still have my heart. And with that, I can love.
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