Joy

Neh 8:10

Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD is your strength!

Ps 126:5

"Those who sow in tears will reap rejoicing."

Ps 30:6

For his anger lasts but a moment; his favor a lifetime. At dusk weeping comes for the night; but with the dawn, rejoicing.

Ps 30:11

"You turned my mourning into joy; you took off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness."

Ps. 104:43

And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness.

(Isaiah 40:1)

Comfort, comfort my people.

(Isaiah 40:30-31)

Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles' wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.

Jer 29:10-14

¹⁰ For thus says the LORD: Only after seventy years have elapsed for Babylon will I deal with you and fulfill for you my promise to bring you back to this place

¹¹ For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future full of hope.

¹² When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you.

¹³ When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart,

¹⁴ I will let you find me—oracle of the LORD—and I will change your lot; I will gather you together from all the nations and all the places to which I have banished you—oracle of the LORD—and bring you back to the place from which I have exiled you.

Luke 2:10-11

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.

Mt 25:23

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.

Mark 9:24

"I believe; help Thou my unbelief."

(Heb 12:2)

For the sake of the joy that was set before Him, He endured the Cross, heedless of its shame.

Jesus' suffering did not annihilate His joy. It was because of His joy that He could endure His agonies.

(Phil 4:4-7)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Suffering is evil. We do not rejoice in the evil, but in the presence of the Lord, who is with us

in our suffering.

George Gordon Lord Byron

"All who would win joy must share it; happiness was born a twin."

Bl. John Henry Newman

"In consolation ever to be sober, in desolation never to despair."

Fr. Jake Randall, Notre Dame, early 80s

The last word is joy.

Julian of Norwich

"And all shall be well again, and all manner of things shall be well again, I know."

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love.

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

God is not bored, and God is never boring. He created us to be party animals, and He is the life of the party that will never end.

"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.

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."