J-O-Y. That is just a little word that is probably not often used in everyday conversations. We know the definition of joy usually includes words like happiness or delight. How often do we say, “I’m joyful?”
Perhaps joy implies a deeper or different dimension to happiness. If we think back over our lifetimes, there probably have been events or experiences that we might describe as “joyful,” a little more special than “happy.” There might even be a spiritual dimension. Joy is something we savor. It makes a deep impression on us.
Making our first Holy Communion could have given us a feeling of joy. We have been freshly taught the true essence of receiving the sacrament. Other sacraments can give us joy in our soul. Seeing a new baby in the family can be a very joyful experience. There are many other times that feel almost sacred to us.
In today’s liturgy, we read of Mary Magdalene arriving at Jesus’ tomb and not finding him there. As she is asking a man whom she takes to be the gardener where he had taken Jesus, the man—who is Jesus—says her name, “Mary!” He tells her not to hold on to him but to go and tell the disciples that she has seen him and that He is going to his Father (John 20:11-18). Maybe Mary felt joy when she saw the living Jesus. Wouldn’t we all feel joy if the Risen Christ were standing in front of us?
Every time we receive Holy Communion, we should be very joyful. Think about it. Our Redeemer, the Son of God, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, under the appearance of bread and wine unites with us. In our mouths, that we use to eat, talk, and smile, we are actually allowed to hold the Savior of the world for a very short time! Unworthy as we are, Jesus unites with us in a very intimate way. We can say, “Rabbouni!” as Mary Magdalene did, and ask him to teach us; we can quietly sit and savor the marvelous gift of Our Lord. We can slow down our metabolisms and overflow with gratitude and joy. We should bask in the wonder of his love and generosity! We really should take our time and worship Him!
We can experience joy in our private prayer time at home. Below is a personal, joyful summer poetic inspiration.
Jesus invited me to sit on my front porch with him.
A gentle spirited breeze passed by now and then.
The summer sky was punctuated with cottony clouds.
A small bird eavesdropped from a power line above.
Occasionally a car would go by on the way to somewhere.
The thorns on the rose bush next to the porch served only
to protect the lone salmon-colored blooming rose, not to hurt my Lord.
My Savior’s love warmed me comfortably,
much better than the humid summer afternoon air.
The wood of the porch step on which we sat
supported us, unlike the wood of Jesus’ cross used to punish him.
There we were:
open
simple
familiar, refreshing, consoling
forgiving, smiling, sharing
holy
friendly
joyful
serene
There, on my porch, Jesus and me, together. Amen.
†††
Photograph by Preslie Hirsch on Unsplash.
Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.