Rejoice Always

Walking through the dark streets of Westchester on a cold and rainy night was not what we felt like doing. But our hearts were drawing us forward, to an encounter with the one who provides lasting peace. It had been a busy weekend of wedding tasks, and we were feeling good yet weary. My flight home was scheduled to leave first thing the next morning so an early night was planned after evening Mass.

At times it can be hard to be joyful when you simply don’t feel like it. Of course when life is good it’s really easy to live this way. It’s when the unexpected trials of ill health, grief, job loss and family issues come along, that I think we all struggle to rejoice always. I was reminded of something important during last night’s homily. The young priest said, “Good feelings come and go but real joy is not a feeling.” Lasting joy comes from the realization that with God everything will be okay, even if it isn’t at the present moment.

In his first letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul said, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” I’ve heard this quote many times during my life, but it has taken on new meaning for me over the past five years. Through the ups and downs of daily life – back surgeries, chronic pain and a premature end to my professional career as well as losing my beloved mom to cancer – I’ve come to realize that God wants me to be fully alive and happy (joyful) in this life. While things have not always gone in the way that I had hoped or imagined, I have come to honestly accept the way things are. This acceptance has allowed me to experience something new emerging in my life and while I am not entirely sure what this new thing is, I am confident that God has my back.

After tonight’s homily, I thought that perhaps this new thing has something to do with learning how to surrender my life plans for God’s better ones. I find myself living in different and purposeful ways not of my own design. I can only attribute this evolution of self to God’s merciful grace which has led me to a deeper prayer life and spirit of gratitude once unknown to me. I wake each day and silently utter a prayer of gratitude for the life I am blessed to have with my devoted husband and family, despite ongoing pain and worries of daily life. What I’ve realized is that God really does want me (and you) to live a life of joy each day – and it is achievable despite the way we may feel and the things going on in our lives.

Prayer + Gratitude = Joy. Experience has taught me that this simple plan does indeed lead to a happy life. Suffering may seem to get in the way of experiencing joy but as someone who has endured a bit of it herself, embracing pain while still persevering in prayer and giving thanks leads to a deeper joy than you can ever understand. I can’t explain it other than to say it must be the law of “spiritual physics” as defined by Bishop Robert Barron, which happens naturally as we draw closer to the God of love.

Walking home from the beautiful evening Mass, I looked over at my daughter and smiled. The falling rain had drenched our bodies but inside we were warm and full of joy. The words from scripture along with the gift of Jesus himself had transformed our mortal bodies into vessels of the Holy Spirit. We were ready to take on a new week no matter what would come our way. “Real joy is not a feeling.” This experience of peace reminded me of a quote by twentieth century Italian born saint, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, “Joy comes from within, and it is, therefore, within reach of everyone in the world.” As we approach the birth of the Prince of Peace, I wish everyone a blessed Christmas. Rejoice Always!