Tag: Joy

For Me, That’s Joy!

During the 1980s, a saying swooped into American culture that has been attributed to Malcolm Forbes; namely, that “The one who dies with the most toys—wins!” At face value, it implies that the most important thing in life is to collect playthings...

May the Lord Grant You Peace

The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace! (Numbers 6:24-25) We have heard these beautiful words at the beginning of each New Year, yet we quickly...

The Joyous Dance of Life

During my childhood, I was exposed to dancing on television because of my parents’ love of the Ed Sullivan Show. They also took me to the theater for a rendition of the Broadway musical Carousel when I was about seven. I can’t say I enjoyed the show...

Today, I must Stay at Your House

In a way, Zaccheus had it much easier than we. He knew viscerally that something was amiss; that’s why he had decided to go and see who Jesus was. He was so determined to see Jesus that he disregarded decorum by running and by climbing a sycamore...

St John the Baptist: A Strong Formator of Conscience

The feast of the nativity of St John the Baptist is certainly characterised by joy, which the Latin word for it is gaudium. Interestingly enough we are not talking about felicitas, happiness, but gaudium, joy. The collect for the Mass during...

Jesus: The Source of Our Lasting Joy

The most common word found in birthday cards is “special.” Happy Birthday to a special girl, a special boy, a special (fill in the blank). It is up to the person sending the birthday card to make the person celebrating his/her birthday feel special...

Lasting Joy

Brace yourselves for a huge understatement: every single human being who ever existed, exists or will exist has happiness as his/her ultimate aspiration. After a moment of reflection, some might wonder: “What about those who kill themselves; those...

Living the Joy of Christ

When we suffer trials and tribulations, we don’t feel joyous. In fact, we experience anything but joy. We may be in panic mode or simply a state of trying to survive. It is interesting to me that the Bible includes more than 500 references to joy...