Spirit of Joy

When we look at the life of St. Francis of Assisi, many are always struck by the inner joy he kept, even when he faced difficulties, uncertainties and opposition. To quote St. Francis himself in his universal peace prayer, "where there is sadness, let me bring joy", but what makes St. Francis stand out is he did just that, he brought joy to all he met.

Joy is different from happiness, in that happiness is a fleeting moment, a transient feeling here today and gone tomorrow. For instance if a loved one gives us a gift we are happy, if a friend compliments us that makes us happy. But what if everything we love was removed from us, would we be happy?

The difference between happiness and joy is in gaining and giving. When we gain something this brings us momentary happiness, but what happens if we lose it? Whereas if we give something this brings us joy, which then brings joy to another, for it is in giving that we gain.

St. Francis is the quintessential example of what true joy epitomizes, for Francis gave of himself, without need of a receipt, he gave love without demanding it be returned, in essence he gave up all that belonged to him including his inheritance and in doing so he gained everything.

Francis had learned that true joy springs from within and not without, for joy lay neither in what we gain nor what we think we have achieved. Instead joy is reliant on what we have given, not from our abundance, but to give until it costs, without need of acknowledgment.

Joy is Spirit, it reinvigorates the tired soul, it re-energizes the spirit for at the heart of joy one finds the Triune Spirit, for every good deed we do and every good action we take has its source in God. Joy lives in the heart that is obedient to God, it flourishes even amidst the greatest turmoil, for hidden in the soul lay the knowledge that true joy can only be found in the Cross.

Whereas happiness may be temporal, joy is eternal, when we understand and embrace the Cross with the knowledge that God will give us what we need to persevere through all trials in a spirit of joy.

It is the joyous soul who reflects and leans on God that has this inner joy which springs from the wellspring of joy that is the Triune Spirit. A joy filled soul does not rely on man's opinions to validate its sense of worth, the soul instead becomes the reflection of the Divine which shines from within and becomes the face of Christ to all they meet.

For St. Francis teaches us that every good thought, every good deed and every good action has its source in the Divine, therefore no acclaim is needed to the soul who recognises it's nothingness and gives Praises to the Source of its own goodness which is the indwelling Spirit. And through the Word Jesus also reminds us, " Just at this time, filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, he said, ' I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children...."

It is this spirit of joy which is embraced by those who are obedient and with the innocent trust of little children they then share their joy with acts of kindness to all they meet on the journey of life.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2005 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.