God’s joy, even during Lent

Witnesses to God’s joy

The saints – those who were true disciples, such as Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Paul and Blessed Mother Teresa – have a profound experience of the joy that God brings. God’s joy was so strong within Saint Paul that nothing could prevent him from following Christ.

He gave up everything for Christ. Nothing was worth more than following Jesus. He said: ‘For me, to live is Christ.’ Yet all those things which were gains to me, I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ‘Indeed, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have lost all things; I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ’ (Phil 3:7–11).

Unfortunately, many people are still dragging their feet and do not want to follow Jesus, or else allow themselves to be distracted in their spiritual lives. Some are involved in a sinful relationship that they would never give up for anything in the world. Others have bad habits they are unwilling to fight against or give up for Jesus’ sake. Still others are addicted to television, harmful reading material or bad friends, even though these things prevent them from loving Jesus, praying or sharing the Gospel. St Paul says that he counted everything as rubbish, as loss, so that he might gain Christ. This is because he experienced the love and joy of Christ. “At your right hand are pleasures for evermore; before your face is fullness of joy” (Ps 16:11).

In our marriage, we have experienced the happiness of loving one another and being together. But without God, our happiness is not great and is very fleeting; at times, it is even under threat. God is the one who gives me true joy. Deep joy. In fact, all the beautiful words of love songs apply best to Jesus, who brings joy. ‘It is you who make me happy; you fulfil my life; without you I cannot live; who will make me forget so many sorrows (God more than anyone else)? With you I have known love and happiness; with you I am so at peace’.

Committed Christians, the regular members of the group, bear witness to the fact that they experience, even if only a little, the joy that Jesus brings.

Joy, even in suffering

It is true that we might ask ourselves: if God gives joy, why do we face so many difficulties in life? I can experience God’s joy even in times of trial. Saint Stephen bore witness to Jesus. He was brought before the court. He was tried and condemned. All those sitting in the court had their eyes fixed on him, and they saw his face as the face of an angel. As they were killing him, he beheld the glory of God and said: ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God’ (Acts 7).

When we love someone and suffer for them, the suffering is eased. If I love Jesus, my difficulties will be eased. Even in the midst of difficulties, if I love Jesus and live with him, I can experience his joy.

Jesus wants us to be joyful

The joys the world offers, provided they are not rooted in sin, are good, but they do not last. The joy derived from a satisfied desire gives way to another, ever more demanding desire.

The joy of Jesus begins here and is eternal. Jesus says: ‘I give you peace; I give you my peace, not as the world gives it.’ God’s concern is that people should be joyful. ‘The glory of God is man standing upright,’ said Saint Augustine. Jesus seeks our joy; he wants us to be joyful. ‘You have made their joy abound; you have increased their gladness. They rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest’ (Isaiah 9:2); ‘I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete’ (Jn 15:11); ‘Until now you have not asked for anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete’ (Jn 16:24). Yes, God is truly the source of deep joy. In his presence, joy abounds. That is why he urges us to follow him. This is the good news of Jesus (Luke 2:10). Let us pray and ask Jesus to enable us to experience his joy.

Henri Bayemi