The Gospel of Jesus Christ gives access to the Father of glory and the joy that can be known in His Presence. True joy does not attach to earthly things or experiences. It belongs to God alone. And we can know it. Today’s reading from The Gospel of the Kingdom is from pages 59, 60:
“The Gospel of Jesus Christ is associated with joy. From the announcement of the angels to the shepherds, through all the healings and good works of His public ministry, to the joy of the disciples on the Emmaus Road, the experience of joy features large in the accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry. The Kingdom of God, moreover, is ‘righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,’ as we have seen. We should therefore expect joy to have a large place in our lives as the followers of Christ and citizens of His realm.
“But what is joy? From where does it come? How can we know it, and what happens when we experience joy? How much should we expect joy to be part of our experience of the Gospel and its benefits? These are some of the questions we need to answer if we are to understand clearly, and experience increasingly, this most fundamental Gospel affection. True joy belongs alone to those who know the Lord and walk according to the counsel of His Word. That joy not only enriches and sustains them; it also enables them to reach out to others with the offer of joy through the Gospel of the Kingdom.”
For reflection or discussion
1. Where do you think people turn in our day to know some joy? Are we a joyful people?
2. How would you explain the experience of the true joy that comes from the Lord?
We have not known true joy until we know it in the Presence of God. All other “joys” are fleeting and unreliable. Fixate on finding joy in things and experiences and you’ll end up disappointed every time. Share today’s podcast with a friend, then get together to discuss it. Order your copy of The Gospel of the Kingdom from The Ailbe Bookstore.
T. M. Moore
