Joy

In our prayerful ponderings during Advent, in the quiet gray days, or even in the hectic, event-filled days, we inevitably will enounter the living God, and the joy which ensues from this meeting. We often don't even realize that we are experiencing joy, because we equate it with happiness. Samuel Gordon writes that "joy is a distinctly Christian word and a Christian experience. It is the reverse of happiness, which is the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy has its spring deep down inside, and that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jesus gives that joy. He had joy, singing its music within, even under the shadow of the cross." Deep beneath our frustrations, our anxieties, our fatigue, joy abides as long as we remain connected in prayer with Jesus. Mary shows us the way: in tune with God, focused on her Son, and willing bride of the Holy Spirit. The long road to Bethlehem, and further to Egypt, the return, the quiet uneventful days at Nazareth, the itinerant years of Jesus, his passion, death and resurrection, none of these could dislodge her joy, her union with God. "Mary, help me to find true joy in your Son."
Bro. Rene