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JOY

By Mary Jeppson

      This third Sunday of Advent is one for rejoicing.  St Paul tells us to “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Phil 4:4) And in the first reading Zephaniah 3:14 tells us “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel!” We are being reminded of the joy to come and to be joyful.  Blessed Mother Teresa defined joy as “God is joy, joy is prayer. Joy is a sign of generosity.”

      Several years ago, I was listening to someone on television define joy. I don’t remember who it was, however their definition stuck in my memory. JOY is Jesus, Others and Yourself. If you put them in that order you will have joy in your life. Many of us might say, “Excuse me, why am I last? If I don’t take care of myself first, then how will I be able to care for others?”

      At our parish mission, Deacon Thomas Kinnick talked to us about having a relationship with Jesus…to be in full communion with Jesus. An example given was Blessed Mother Teresa. She and her Sisters of Charity would begin their day with morning prayers, Mass, followed by an hour of Eucharistic Adoration before they started their work day. It is the time in prayer which gives them the strength and love to go out and serve the poorest of the poor. It was imperative they have joy in their hearts to do the work. The joy comes from being in communion with Jesus.

      So, the answer is, we can find our joy by loving Jesus and building a relationship which brings us into full communion with him. Then we can serve others with joy in our hearts.  Now that is taking care of “yourself”!