What Is Joy?

We talk much about joy in the Church, but how can we rejoice when it seems like the pressures are building up as life gets harder? We seem to have so many things to do, bills to pay, and too many schedules like they were supposed to be done yesterday! Perhaps, what is going on around us, in reality, begs the question, “What gives us joy?”

Where does our joy come from? If we are not joyful, what are the things that take our joy away? What can we do to change things (that are changeable) to instill and find joy in life?

Even though we have seen many people posting on social media pictures and stories that make one envious of their lifestyle and make things look so great and happy, too many people are hiding behind their perfect personas, struggling with anxiety, depression, and being alone all around us. To be honest, I can somewhat sympathize with the natural loneliness and its struggles that arise within our life journey. Oftentimes, I like to go to the mall, shopping, or gathering places on my day off from office work. In the sea of many people, especially ones with their family members, the natural sentiments of, “What would my children look like if I have a family?” often arise.

It can be hard and challenging at times, yet I also know that I am blessed with so many people who have permitted me to be a part of their families. I find fulfillment in giving my life as a spiritual father, even though it can sometimes be hard. The vocation of spiritual fatherhood and its commitment to celibacy are my gifts to the Church because I want to give everything to you. And even though it is challenging at times, this is a vocation — as with any vocation — that is filled with true joy and its naturally challenging blessings. Therefore, we need to take time to sit down, pray, reflect, and see the bigger picture when we are feeling down, tempted, or tested in thinking that our lives are miserable to see the real manifestation of God‘s loving grace and faithfulness therein.

Sometimes, we cannot see the hidden, long-term fruition of our works. For those times, the Sacred Scriptures remind us to be patient, just like the farmer who waits for the precious fruit of the earth, oftentimes through both the trying early rains and late storms. The Prophets reminded us that, even when Israel was forgetting God and abandoned their covenant with Him, hence incurring for themselves the fruits of their iniquities, the Lord was still faithful to His promise. His covenant for them is real, personal, important, and full of hope — even when they did not see or wanted it. God will always remain faithful and deliver us in our real times of need! Even though we might not know how or when the hour of our deliverance will come, He is always at work, and in Him, we put our trust with personal commitment, patience, and trust.

When life is trying, and things get hard, it is natural for our faith to begin to wane, but do not lose hope and love for yet, for the Lord is faithful and just! He will judge and repay us for what we have done and how we have struggled to stay faithful and committed. When life gets hard, remember that we are not alone! Remember the people around us, the ones who stay and are with us through everything, and those who pray, love, and lift us up even without us knowing. I want you to know that… and this is a personal commitment and promise to you… no matter what, the Church and I will not abandon you in your time of need!

I remember a few years after we arrived in America, I wanted to ask my parents for something I desired so much: a new pair of sneakers because I saw many of my classmates having new ones for Christmas. We were wearing our shoes from a local charity thrift store, and I thought I could be like my friends with new kicks. I began to plan what I would say all day, but when I saw my parents come home tired… I could not bring myself to ask. I then noticed, too, that a few months earlier, my dad had suddenly given up smoking (perhaps to save money since we had very little). I could not find the courage to ask for what I wanted because of how much they sacrificed for us. I knew I had what was needed despite not having what I wanted.

Joy is knowing that we have what we need, which is enough! Joy is hard to attain because we struggle to find, think, and be content with what we have in front of us. Furthermore, the Sacred Scriptures remind us that our joy is fixed on God. It is joyful to see the wonders that God is doing around us, not just for ourselves but for the greater world at large, too. St. Ignatius of Loyola once said: “For it is not knowing how much, but realizing and relishing things interiorly, that contents and satisfies the soul.” Hence, we are called to recognize and relish the blessings and gifts to us in our hearts, just like the Blessed Mother, who had little to nothing in life but was always full of God‘s radiating love. This is the cause of our joy, to be content and satisfied with what He has given us with the simplicity of heart.

One cannot grow spiritually if one does not want to be humble, persevere, and choose to be faithful to God even in hard times. He cannot be the center of our lives if we do not will to die to ourselves, be willing to let go of lesser matters and appealing goods, and make difficult choices to live for Him first and foremost! This is extremely hard and counter-cultural because we are taught to only care about ourselves and what is best for us first. As a matter of fact, to put our egocentric self second and God first requires a lot of personal sacrifices, humility, and obedience. Over and over again, spiritual masters reminded us that the hardest part of the spiritual journey and real growth comes when we die to ourselves, be humble, and willing to conform to His will through proper discernment. Therefore, let us not lose heart but try our best to choose and desire holiness, the truth, and to love God above all things daily. There will be days when we are weak and fail or lose heart, but no matter what, let us seek, desire, and give our lives to Him totally and completely. Truly, to love Him, to be loved by Him, to embrace His commandments, and to live in His eternal truths are our mission, purpose, and self-worth.

The Lord Jesus Christ as in the Gospel that we are called to proclaim what we have heard and saw, that through the power of grace, the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. The Almighty is doing miracles all the time, but I do not think many of us have seen them! He is doing miracles through the gifts of creation, how we care for one another, and at each and every Mass when bread and wine are transformed and given to us as His Body and Blood. WOW! All these things are causes for joy, which come from the heart of simplicity and gratitude for those who are able to see and taste the goodness of the Lord.

Therefore, I think it is important for us to look at God and one another, especially the people and things that have been given to us out of love, and simply say, “I am blessed to have you. You are more than enough for me!” No matter what, do not let anything or anyone steal our joy away from us because they cannot if we do not permit them.

May the joy of the Lord be with you.