You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11
“A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love. Joy is not simply a matter of temperament, it is always hard to remain joyful — all the more reason why we should try to acquire it and make it grow in our hearts. Joy is prayer; joy is strength; joy is love. She gives most who gives with joy…
To children and to the poor, to all those who suffer and are lonely, give them always a happy smile; give them not only your care but also your heart. We may not be able to give much, but we can always give the joy that springs from a heart that is filled with love…
Joy must be one of the pivots of our life. It is the token of a generous personality. Sometimes it is also a mantle that clothes a life of sacrifice and self-giving. A person who has this gift often reaches high summits. He or she is like a sun in a community.”
Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 27-29.
Do you bring light and joy to a community like the sun in the sky? What a word picture! And notice that the one gives most who gives with joy. What about you? Do you give with joy?
Perhaps after reading the verse from Psalms for today and this post it’s time to pause. Ponder not so much the amount of your giving but the level of joy with which you give.
Father in heaven, fill us with your love so that joy abounds in us and blesses everyone we touch. Amen.