“In Bethlehem, the angel announced tidings of great joy.  Jesus wanted to share his joy with his apostles and prayed that ‘my joy may be yours.’ Joy was the password of the first Christians.  In various ways, St. Paul repeats the refrain of joy:  ‘Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice.’ Remember, joy is not simply a matter of temperament, but of choice; it must be cultivated.”

~ Saint Theresa of Calcutta

For reflection:

1. Do I really believe Jesus wants to share His joy with me?  How can I be more open to this gift Jesus wants to share with me?
2. Do I see being joyful as a choice to be made or a feeling that comes and goes on a whim, dependent on external circumstances?
3. What ways can I cultivate more joy in my life?

“The best way to show gratitude to God and to others is to accept everything with joy.  One day, people brought us a man from the streets.  After we had washed him and given him a ticket to St. Peter, he said, ‘Sisters, I am going to God.’ That is joy.”

~ Saint Theresa of Calcutta

For reflection:

1. Do I accept everything with joy, even hardships?  Why or why not?
2. In what ways can my joyful actions lead others to God?
3. In what ways can I be like the man from the streets, accepting others’ joy and assistance in my own life so that I can go to God?

“Make an effort to radiate joy, which is the fruit of the Spirit and a characteristic mark of the kingdom of God.  God is joy.  We have no reason to be unhappy.  Christ, wanting to share his joy with the disciples, prayed that ‘my joy may be in you and your joy be complete.’ Jesus must have radiated joy and you should do the same, in your eyes, attitude, the way you walk, the way you listen, and your whole being.”

~ Saint Theresa of Calcutta

For reflection:

1. Would others say you are joyful?  Would you?
2. In what specific ways do I radiate joy?
3. When I speak of my relationship with Christ, can people sense the joy you have in loving him?

“The joy of the Lord is our strength.  Therefore, each of us will accept a life of poverty in cheerful trust.  We will offer cheerful obedience from our inward joy.  We will minister to Christ in the distressing disguise of the poor with cheerful devotion.  If our work is done with joy, we will have no reason to be unhappy.”

~ Saint Theresa of Calcutta

For reflection:

1. Have I allowed myself to perform works of mercy begrudgingly?
2. Do I see Christ in others, especially the poor and marginalized of our society?
3. Have I offered cheerful obedience to God, joyfully performing good works out of love of God and love of neighbor, and ever been unhappy doing so?

“May Mary be a mother to each of us, the cause of our joy.  May we be Jesus to her, the cause of her joy.  No one has learned humility as Mary did.  The handmaid of the Lord was completely empty of self and God filled her with grace, with himself. To be a handmaid means to be at someone’s disposal, to be used according to someone’s wishes.  It means to belong to someone without reserve, with full trust and joy.  Our Lady was a willing handmaid of the Lord.  Cheerfulness and joy were her strength.”

~ Saint Theresa of Calcutta

For reflection:

1. Have I allowed myself to be a handmaid of the Lord; been humble enough to be filled with God’s grace?
2. What things, people, activities, and issues keep me from belonging to God without reserve?
3. What can I specifically do to be more willing to follow the Lord and belong to him with full trust and joy?