(Fall, 2006)
by Sister Marie Vianney, CMRI
“And these things we write to you, that you may rejoice, and your joy may be full.” (1 John 1: 4)
Generation X, the culture of death, gang warfare, terrorism—these and other familiar phrases of our day reveal a sad, hopeless world. Yet such is not the natural state of man. In his famous book Orthodoxy, G. K. Chesterton writes, “Man is more himself, man is more manlike, when joy is the fundamental thing in him… melancholy should be an innocent interlude, a tender and fugitive frame of mind; praise should be the permanent pulsation of the soul.”1 Hopelessness and despair, then, are unnatural and make us less human. It is joy that makes man most truly human and shows his true nature.
Since joy is a fruit of the Holy Ghost and is not based on the emotions or temperament, it has a sense of depth like a firm anchor that nothing can dislodge. Joy is based on a deep childlike trust in God that remains firm regardless of whatever stormy conditions may occur outside. This deep part of joy makes us understand why Chesterton calls it man’s natural state since it comes from within the depths of the soul.
Joy also possesses a sense of brilliant radiance like the sun, shining forth to all. It is the radiant aspect that makes us see, appreciate and respond to joy in others.
Can you imagine a sad St. Francis of Assisi? A melancholy St. Teresa of Avila? A morose St. Francis de Sales? A dejected St. Philip Neri? Even a cursory knowledge of the lives of these great men and women and others like them, brings to mind thoughts of deep happiness, contentment, and joy. Their lives were not easy: their world was not at peace. St. Francis lived during the Crusades and the others lived during the 16th century when the Protestant Revolt was tearing Europe apart. How did they acquire their joyful spirit in the midst of the evils of their times—and how can we do likewise?
Discouragement, depression, and despondency often make life extremely difficult. Daily cares and worries of life can drag us down and oppress our spirit. Psychologists and self-help books often advise sufferers to reduce stress, get sufficient rest, exercise, eat properly, and do something to assist others. In some cases prescribed medications are also very helpful.
As a farmer leaves his fields fallow from time to time in order to permit the nutrients to return to the soil, so we need to give ourselves proper rest and relaxation. This is not pampering self, but an honest recognition of our physical limits. Machines, too, are often built with multiple parts, each of which operates at different intervals, to keep any one from being damaged through over use.
St. Francis of Assisi was known for his joyful and buoyant spirit.
Applying the same principles to our own lives is important and productive of much good. With some thought, everyone can do simple things such as the following:
• Sit down and eat as a family.
• Choose activities your family can participate in together, rather than running every member in different directions.
• Attend Mass or make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament as a family.
• Pray the Rosary together.
• Replace uncharitable thoughts with memories of the good others have done, and think of what you can do for them.
• Spend as much time reading a good book (lives of the saints, recreational reading, etc.) as you do reading email.
• Turn off your cell phone, computer, and television and go for a walk.
• Take time each week to do something relaxing.
• Go for a short outing or just spend some time relaxing at home to recharge. This will help relieve stress and give you a new perspective on life.
• Laugh often, like a child. With some thought, everyone could do a few things of this sort.
All this is simple prudence, but it lays the foundation for building an approach to life that can be filled with joy.
The spiritual aspect must also be attended to since humans are composed of both body and soul. “In All for Jesus, Father Faber says: ‘Of all the fruits of the Holy Ghost none seems more desirable, because none is less earthly or more heavenly than joy; and it is just this fruit which Our Blessed Lord bestows on such as devote themselves to intercession [prayer].’“2 Our Lord seems to confirm this when He said: “Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16: 14). Joy necessarily follows when we remain close to God by speaking to Him daily in prayer and thereby keep His commandments.
The wonders of our world—both large and small are all around us and often remain unnoticed: the colors in the sunset, the smile of a child, the magnificence of a snow-capped mountain, the quiet of morning. Seeing and appreciating such things naturally leads to contemplation of the God who made them. This is prayer at its simplest. Thoughts such as these reveal the quality of joy mentioned earlier—depth, found in the awareness of God’s presence and providence. The Bible advises us to “Be still and see that I am God.”3 While our modern world ceaselessly draws us into its frantic, frenzied pace, it takes conscious effort to step out, reflect and wonder at the incredible world God created for us. Only when we do, can we dispose ourselves for the spirit of true inner joy.
Whether conscious or unconscious, joy is the desire of all mankind. The Bible is filled with references to it as the word joy occurs nearly 250 times! Music sings its praises and the saints lead us to it. St. Augustine says: “Following after God is the desire of happiness; to reach God is happiness itself.”4 St. Thomas Aquinas writes that: “Happiness is the ultimate achievement of rational nature.”5 Blessed is he who knows it, seeks it, and finds it. When we learn to live like this we will agree with Chesterton that “Joy… is the gigantic secret of the Christian.”6 But it is a secret we should eagerly share, rather than keep!
In closing I would like to convey the words of St. Paul that are read at Mass on the Third Sunday of Advent: “Brethren: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety, but in every prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God. And may the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”7
Footnotes
1 G. K. Chesterton, p. 242, Shaw Books, Colorado Springs, CO, ©2003.
2 C.J. Woollen, The Twelve Fruits, p. 19, Joseph Wagner, Inc., New York, ©1950.
3 Psalm 45:11.
4 De Vita Beata, 4, 35.
5 Quodlibets, 10, 8, i.
6 Chesterton, 243.
7 Phillipp. 4: 4-7.
–Taken from the Reign of Mary Quarterly Magazine, Issue 124
