<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figcaption>Mary and Elizabeth share the overflowing joy of motherhood at the Visitation</figcaption></figure>

Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, not a special gift given to a select few;  it is simply a by-product of living in God.

Nehemiah 8:10   Do not be grieved (sad, sorrowful), for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Thomas Merton, was asked if  it was possible to tell if someone had truly undergone  inner purification, becoming transformed into the image of Christ.

“It is very difficult to tell but usually it is accompanied by a wonderful sense of humour.”

“What is Christian joy?  In its essence, Christian joy is supernatural in origin, which is to say it is something beyond our natural powers.  Christian joy is anchored in Jesus Christ.  “Christian joy,” wrote Pope Paul VI in his encyclical on joy, Gaudete in Domino, “is the spiritual sharing in the unfathomable joy, both divine and human, which is in the heart of Jesus Christ glorified.” ( Catholic.org, An Anatomy of Christian Joy)

So.. what is your word for 2020? I choose Joyful!

Hear the joy of Mary’s Magnificat… “Holy is His Name”

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