Father George DePrizio was in Rome years ago for a gathering of bishops. They discussed among other things why the church has lost the youth. One of the bishops, an American, rose and said, “My brother bishops, we have been busy bringing forth many reasons why we have lost the youth. I would be bold enough to give perhaps the first and real reason: it is our lack of joy. We have failed to witness to the joy of the Lord. Look at us! Supposedly, we are the official proclaimers of the Good News and we look like we have never had it ourselves.”
If you are going to church more and enjoying it less, there’s something wrong with either you or your church. When Jesus comes into our lives, he brings joy, real joy … the joy of forgiveness, of hope and of peace. Receive him and let your joy show – even in church.