These
are my thoughts on the beautiful gift of joy.
Joy can come from acceptance. I
get joy from accepting there are just some things I just cannot change. Whatever happens is meant to happen. If it is intended for evil God will use it
for good. Anxiety or sadness over
something we cannot change or control will only decrease our joy. God is in the driver’s seat so relax and
enjoy the ride. It is also important to
accept people the way they are. There
are no two people exactly alike and there never will be. There is beauty in our differences. I cannot
expect someone to always act the same way I would, or have the exact same likes
and dislikes as me. Everyone is a unique
and perfect creation of God just the way he intended them to be. Why would I want to change something it is
exactly the way God wants it? A rainbow
would not be as beautiful if it were just one color. Wouldn’t the world be boring if we were all
alike? When we accept one another’s
strengths and weaknesses we are stronger as individuals and as a unified
body. So much can be accomplished when
we joyfully work together. Some people
make the mistake of thinking they will be happy as long as things are the way
they are. As long as they are healthy,
young, rich, or any other thing they think will make them be happy. Things can and
will change. True joy come from having
faith that God’s will is being accomplished in any circumstance. Some people make the mistake of thinking they
would be happy if only things were different.
If only they had a new car, a different job, more money, or nicer clothes. Anyone who is always waiting for the next big
thing will never be truly happy. One of
the keys to being joyful is to appreciate the present moment. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have,
count your blessings. Be joyful
now! This may seem shocking in today’s
world, but life is actually not about being happy. It is about doing the will of God which will
ultimately lead to a joyful union with him in heaven. If the Lord wills something in your life to
change, he will give you the inclination and ability to change it. If you cannot change something that bothers
you offer up your suffering to God. Take
joy in knowing that there is always a purpose to your discomfort. When there is a purpose to your suffering you
may see it more as God’s gift to you than a sacrifice to him. There is no greater gift than to be united
with the suffering Christ for the sanctification of yourself or others. A normal person may wonder what they did to
deserve trials. A holy person wonders
what they did to deserve blessings. Joy
comes from seeing everything as blessing, even suffering. No suffering lasts forever. God’s will and ultimate plan is for all of us
to be happy in heaven with him. The only
way this will not happen is if we choose to go against God’s will and do not
want to be with him. If someone prays
for God’s will to be accomplished and has faith that it will, they are
following the right path. Of course joy
cannot exist without love. To me love is
the willingness to sacrifice anything except your soul for the one you love
because they are more important to you than yourself. Love is sacrifice and sacrifice is the root
of true joy. No joy can compare to the
joy of giving. It is especially
important for those in religious life to be joyful so we can draw others to
Jesus, and perhaps even to a vocation. In today’s society a life of sacrificial love is almost
inconceivable. Religious witnesses to
joy and let people know that sacrificial love is possible and it can give them so
much joy! A pure unadulterated joy that
cannot be replaced by the shallow, temporary, happiness received from material
things. It is so important for people,
especially young people, to be able to see priests and religious men and women
as visible witnesses of a joyful spiritual union with God. As Religious we are called to surrender our will, possessions, and bodies to God as Jesus did. Through this sacrifice we will bring joy to
our troubled world and draw others to ourselves and the way of our Lord, Jesus
Christ.
Dear Sister Hope, This beautiful posting fills me with so much joy! I remember when I would meet the different groups of Sisters you were discerning with that they always had such beautiful joy....and how attracting and uplifting that was. Really indescribable. Just being in their presence for a short amount of time was like getting a boost of energy! What a gift to know we can always have the joy of the Lord (that surpasses all understanding) no matter what our circumstances. One of the things people always comment about to me is the joy that they see in all the photos of the Carmelite Sisters. I always say how true this is and to be around them is better than they can ever imagine....which is why I keep bringing friends to the Rosary rally every year....so they can really see and know. It is a beautiful experience for all of us. "The joy of the Lord is my strength." The older I get the truer this becomes. The beautiful thing about joy is that it proceeds from the deepest trust which is such a great gift also, and a living testament to loving faith. It is so true that people are drawn to this...they are being drawn to the living presence of God in a soul....irresistabe! You know I was considering becoming a Discalced Secular Carmelite before I got cancer....and even had the contact name of the community. I thought I was pretty much ready. Of course then everything went on hold.... I see now that I was given even more of a gift through being so sick because I never really understood or experienced the "body of Christ" in such a profound way. The prayers, and kindness and love that carried me on like a little leaf blowing across the wavy waters was so profound and joyful...then the final facet on the jewel of my vocation was meeting so many Sisters and seeing the joy of their community. I never really knew that, or understood it or even thought about it. I was thinking more about the contemplative prayer, Our Lady...the Carmelite saints, etc. that attracted me to Carmel. Every time I was around the Sisters I had this profound peaceful joy that stayed with me for months and I didn't understand it. It was the attraction of joyful community! So God has perfect timing for everything and I have to thank God, you my beautiful daughter and all the Carmelite Sisters for their joy! My joy is always increasing....thanks to God. Peace and joy to you all from the world's oldest living Aspirant....Love and prayers, Mamma Jo
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