While many of our efforts throughout life concentrate on seeking happiness, most of us realize happiness is always fleeting and is often contingent upon our mood and surroundings.
God promises us something much more permanent through a new life in Christ – the gift of joy.
Joy is the anchoring, sustaining sense of peace we encounter knowing we abide in the heart of love itself as adopted sons and daughters of God. Jesus, addressing his disciples in John 15, goes to far as to say, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”
Listen to Monday’s first reading from the book of Isaiah, chapter 65
"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress
You were created to be a joy. Do you cultivate a heart of joy, keeping the garden free of the weeds that would choke it out?
Father of Grace and Mercy – thank you for the gift of joy. Let that gift root deeply into our souls, that we would abide in it no matter our trials, and radiate it out to all we encounter. Amen.
#lent #joy