1. PRAYER
- A Choice & Surrender: Joy isn't just feeling good; it's an active choice to see the good and a deep surrender to life's unpredictability, welcoming God's presence.
- Not About "Things Going Well": Cosmic joy comes from elsewhere, allowing saints to rejoice amidst suffering, a paradox of simultaneous deep suffering and intense joy.
- Beyond the Ego: It involves letting go of the small, separate self (ego) and its constant need for validation and control, moving towards a larger, unified "True Self".
- Luminous Darkness: In the latter half of life, one develops a capacity to hold suffering and joy together, finding peace in "luminous darkness," a hallmark of spiritual maturity.
- Participatory Experience: True joy is a participation in God's own happiness, a resting in something bigger than ourselves, found through emptying out, not achieving.
- The Body of Christ: Joy is communal, a shared journey where we walk together, supporting each other through tears and laughter, becoming one sacred family.
- The "Yes": Each step in life becomes a "yes" to God, to letting go, and to walking with others, a profound affirmation of life.
- Practice Gratitude: Acknowledge simple things to shift focus from lack to presence.
- Embrace Awe & Wonder: Slow down to see the divine in nature and daily moments, resisting the addiction to constant busyness.
- Sit with Suffering: Don't run from pain; learn to hold it with grace, recognizing it as part of the path to deeper joy.
- Be Present: Let go of controlling the future and find joy in "now," in the simple act of being.
Dear God...
We ask for joy in our lives. Help us to find happiness in the simple things and to share our joy with others. Let our laughter and smiles be contagious, spreading positivity wherever we go. May we find joy even in the midst of challenges.
Thank you for the moments of joy that brighten our days. Help us to cherish them and to seek out more opportunities for happiness. May we find joy in our relationships, celebrating the connections we have with family and friends. Help us to recognize the beauty and wonder in the world around us, finding joy in nature and the everyday miracles of life.
Guide us to be sources of joy for others, bringing light and happiness into their lives. Let us approach each day with a joyful heart, grateful for the opportunities and experiences that come our way. Thank you for the gift of joy. Help us to embrace it fully and to spread it generously to those around us.
Amen.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice."
- Philippians 4:4
8. SONG
https://youtu.be/_LFpy9tRTw8?si=B1zgrks27iflh5n0
