Complete Joy

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator

This is the time of year when many things come to an end. This is especially true for students who are about to or who have already graduated. However, here in Chicago, we have just watch Oprah Winfrey complete twenty-five years as a popular talk show hostess. Mayor Daley completed twenty-two years as the executive of Chicago earlier this month. In addition to Oprah's last show, last night saw the completion of another season of American Idol. A day earlier the popular Dancing with the Stars crowned the latest celebrity nimble footed dancer. Chicagoans are also holding their breath today hoping that tonight will not bring the completion of the Bulls 2010-2011 basketball season as they trail the Miami Heat by a score of three games to one. I was struck by all of these "completions" as I prayed with this morning's Gospel. Jesus begins by asking us to remain in his love, and then tells us that his wish for us is a joy that is complete. Is there any relationship between the Gospel message and the various endings that we have witnessed in the past few weeks?

I admit that I have watched the talk-show queen's departure for the past three days. Last night, I watched her final show which did not involve any guests but provided one last platform for Oprah to preach her gospel. This morning's newspaper called it a lecture. It really was much more of a sermon, although I am grateful that my Sunday homilies are not interrupted by commercials. What struck me throughout her rambling final speech was the number of times she referred to God and God's role in her life. She graciously admitted that nothing that she had accomplished would have been possible without God in her life. She didn't use the jargon of the day and refer to the Deity as a higher power. She simply spelled it out, G – O – D. No matter what I or anyone else may think about her "Aha!" moments or life-changing moments, no matter whether our tastes in literature are similar to hers, no matter whether any of the "self-help" experts she has espoused over the years resonate with us or not, I was struck by the fact that she kept on coming back to God.

I am not an American Idol fan. My tastes in music don't correlate with much of the current music industry. However, this morning I caught the videos of the young man's journey from audition to being crowned the next American idol. What struck me (besides his beautiful baritone) were his graciousness and his humility. He was able to admit his mistakes. He was able to take constructive criticism. He came across as a talented but down to earth human being. He is a country-western singer who, as Steven Tyler pointed out, didn't rely on a cowboy hat.  I was struck by his answer to the inevitable "How does is feel?" question.  He said that the first person he had to thank was the Lord.

The story of Mayor Daley in Chicago is perhaps as well known throughout the country. However, I have to say that I have been struck by the number of times that he referred to his love for Chicago and its people in the weeks running up to his retirement and the inauguration of his successor. Mayor Daley is a practicing Catholic. I have even had occasion to mark his forehead with ashes at the beginning of Lent. His faith has always been evident during the twenty-two years he served as Chicago's mayor. Whether one agrees with his brand of politics or not, one cannot gainsay his love and devotion to the city and to his Church.

Jesus tells us that remaining in his love and obeying his commandments is the sure way to perfect or complete joy. I believe that I have seen some of that in the last few days. May your joy be complete as well.