Grace Notes: Finding Joy - Part 1

Finding Joy – Part 1
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Most of us could stand to have a little more joy in our lives.  In fact, St. Thomas Aquinas said that man cannot live without joy. And if he does not find authentic joy, he will inevitably be drawn to carnal delights (pleasures of the flesh) and the innumerable addictions that derive from them. Pope St. John Paul II speaks of joy this way, “God made us for joy. God is joy, and the joy of living reflects the original joy that God felt in creating us.” 

Actually, the joyful mysteries of the rosary give us some deep insights into the fundamental sources of this joy.  Simply put, joy comes from contact with God.  Increasing contact with him leads to increasing joy.  Ironically enough, the deepest sufferings can also lead to the deepest joy because they are the point of deepest contact with Christ.  Let’s look at what the mysteries show us. 

The Annunciation shows us that the announcement of a child is a cause for joy.  The contact with God here is clear.  Every couple who has ever conceived knows that a child's conception is in God's hands.  When a child becomes present, one must go through God and touch God to understand the great mystery the parents are participating in.  This mystery manifests that moving in God’s will brings joy, as shown in Our Lady’s immediate response, “My Spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”

The Visitation also shows sources of joy.  Centuries before, David danced for joy before the Ark of the Covenant as it was carried through the streets. In this mystery, John the Baptist dances and leaps for joy in the womb of his mother, Elizabeth, in the presence of the New Ark of the Covenant, Mary, carrying the Christ Child. 

Yet another point of joy is displayed in Our Lady's charity toward her aged cousin.  She goes out immediately to help.  “Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me.”  The joy this generates is something that becomes observable outside the religious sphere. 
Oftentimes, people who are depressed are encouraged to go outside of themselves to help others in some way.  Why?  Because we feel good when we help others.  It’s somehow built into our psychic structure.  We are created to care for others.  It’s part of our being made in the image and likeness of God. 

The birth of a child at Christmas is undoubtedly a universal source of joy and has been for the last 2000 years.  All births are meant to bring this kind of joy.  Upon seeing, touching, and holding their newborn, parents often feel overwhelmed by a kind of love they have never felt before.  That love is a source of deep joy because there is something divine about it. 

The nearness of God in the little child whose angel directly sees the Face of God is sometimes palpable.  And to be entrusted with the life of that little one who, with his/her immortal soul, will live forever, takes you out of yourself, beyond yourself into mysteries of God that cannot necessarily be articulated but which are very real. God’s joy, which we can participate in, is particularly intense with the birth of a child, especially his own son. 

The Presentation, the fourth joyful mystery of the rosary, lines up with baptism/consecration as another source or wellspring of joy.  How can we not be joyful when we know baptism removes that little one from the kingdom of darkness and brings him/her into the kingdom of God, brings them into the family of God and makes them a child who now belongs to God?  Again, life in God is the source of real joy. 
The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple gives us a straightforward lesson:  finding Jesus anytime, anywhere, under any circumstances, causes great joy.  Certainly, this was the case for Mary and Joseph.  But we can see this in other ways as well.  Think particularly of converts or reverts.  They are often so excited, so full of joy at finding Jesus, that they perhaps can become a little over-zealous.  But nonetheless, the joy is real. 

Christ is the remedy for joylessness. If you want more joy, peace and security in your life, draw near to him. Pray more, spend time in adoration, find ways to be with him, and keep his presence.

Watch for Part 2:  Suffering and Joy