Joy

"The last word is 'Joy!'" (Fr. Jake Randall, Notre Dame, early 80s).

"And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness." ~ Ps. 104:43.

"Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring news of great joy a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today, in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11).

"All who would win joy," George Gordon Lord Byron once remarked, "must share it; happiness was born a twin."

"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master" (Mt 25:23).

We are called--and empowered!--to "rejoice always."

"The joy of the Lord is my strength."

"The Lord takes delight in his people"

Psalm 149

¹ Hallelujah!
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.a

² Let Israel be glad in its maker,
the people of Zion rejoice in their king.

³ Let them praise his name in dance,
make music with tambourine and lyre.

⁴ For the LORD takes delight in his people,
honors the poor with victory.

⁵ Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,
cry out for joy on their couches,

⁶ With the praise of God in their mouths,
and a two-edged sword in their hands,

⁷ To bring retribution on the nations,
punishment on the peoples,

⁸ To bind their kings in shackles,
their nobles in chains of iron,

⁹ To execute the judgments decreed for them—
such is the glory of all God’s faithful.
Hallelujah!

Resistance to joy

In some of the twelve step programs, members are advised to "identify, not compare" when listening to others' accounts of "experience, strength, and hope." Something in me resists identifying with Jesus. It says, "He can't understand me. He never sinned. He did not know the anguish of shame, guilt, and depression. He is so different from me that he can't help me." The twelve step people call this "terminal uniqueness." When I'm in my right mind, I see that it is good that Jesus is "like us in all things EXCEPT sin" (Heb 4:15). That enmity in me to my savior is as stupid as a drowning man saying, "That man who is walking on the water can't help me. He has no idea what I'm going through. He isn't drowning. He is safe and secure. What good is he to me?" Jesus didn't come to "feel our pain." He came to destroy that which is destroying us. His joy is the rock that saves us.

Links

• "When Christmas Isn't Christmas." Reflections on and antidotes to those who are having a "Blue Christmas."