“Let the joy of your mind burst forth. Let words of thanks break from your lips.” (Saint Peter Damien).
I have been reflecting on the things that bring us joy.
For me, watching a child learn is possibly the most fulfilling thing I could ever be involved in. Watching a child move from one idea to the next and formulating their next steps and their way forward is one of the ways that I have found great joy in life.
Knowing that I have had some part in helping a child understand something that they could not previously understand is a fulfilling and wonderful experience and one that allows me to reflect on my contribution to the world. And yet, it is not what I am doing, but the attitude with which I am doing it that distinguishes my work.
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta said that it is not great works but great love that God is looking for. And Saint John of the Cross said that the more perfect the love the less mingled with thoughts of praise in this life and the more joy would be found in the next life.
Saint Bernard had a vision of the angels one night when he was at Matins. He saw some angels making note of the merit of the works of each of the monks. The monks who were fervently praying had their merits recorded in gold, those who were less fervent in their prayers were recorded in silver, those who meant well, but had no love for God were noted in ink, and those who were sleepy and lazy were noted in water. The monks in a state of sin, or who were voluntarily distracted, had nothing written down for them – though the angels lamented their blindness.
Saitn Peter Damian said, “Therefore, my brother, scorned as you are by men, lashed as it were by God, do not despair. Do not be depressed. Do not let your weakness make you impatient. Instead, let the serenity of your spirit shine through your face. Let the joy of your mind burst forth. Let words of thanks break from your lips.” For Saint Peter understood the importance of the eternal joy that cannot be measured in this world. Just as Saint Paul the Apostle understood it when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, “Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God.”
For there is a joy beyond the boundaries of this world, and it is from God. Only from God…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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