The reason is obvious. The joy that we get to know during Advent is that longer lasting warmth that changes things because we know Jesus is coming (and has already come), and with Him, all the pains and trials and crosses in this life are more endurable. The  first time we became aware a Godly life was a joyful life was 26 years ago while my husband made a silent retreat at a Trappist monastery near Oka, Quebec. Hundreds of images popped up featuring Buddhist monks laughing, but I had trouble finding a handful of photos or paintings of joyful Catholic monks and priests. Real Pain. ‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, Menu Home; Contact; Comfort, Courage and a Folding Chair. It was extremely dangerous. I do agree with the Holy Father that there are ‘pickle puss’ Catholics who are thinking more of how much they disapprove of evil than of the joy of Christ’s presence; oddly, the smiling or laughing Buddha’s or monks never seemed to me anything except the self-satisfied smile of someone who looks in all with the benevolent contempt of one who is no longer fooled. Real Life. Take 2 with Jerry and Debbie - 11/05/20 - Have you holiday plans changed because of COVID? ‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight. The way to joy is sanctity, loving God with your whole heart and your neighbor as yourself. Look at our pope, whose namesake is Francis; his very countenance radiates authenticity, kindness, joy and the love of God. In reference to crosswalk.com's "5 Ways to Fight Back with Joy When Life Seems Dark," Catholic Online has created five ways to stay positive despite the many curve balls life throws our way. Unshakable Joy. Plus discover how you can find joy in trials too with a free joy Bible study sample. Published December 17, 2013. No wonder he doesn’t know where he’s going in life and has no certainties at all; no wonder he has no real joy in life! He was walking quietly down a hallway, trying to be quiet and unobtrusive when a tall, athletic-looking monk threw his head back and let loose a full-out belly laugh. Real joy doesn’t come from life being easy, or from pleasure, or from riches, or from the praise of others, but from doing God’s will. Joy is the arousal of some sense of good. “HONEY FROM THE ROCK” Daily Reflections. “One of the more serious temptations which stifles boldness and zeal is a defeatism which turns us into querulous and disillusioned pessimists, “sourpusses”.” Actually the it’s the first time sourpuss is used in an encyclical or apostolic exhortation, The document was originally written in Spanish, which has it as cara de vinagre – literally, “face of vinegar”. It all came crashing down a few months later when I came to grips with reality and recognized the Catholic faith as wishful thinking and scrupulosity. We know that even the most mature of God’s people experience periods of joylessness. There is a wonderful joy and expectation throughout the house,” says Helene Kowal Langan of Schoharie, New York, one of more than 200 readers to participate in a U.S. Catholic reader survey on celebrations of Christmases past and present. Standing in her water-logged, heavy habit, she yelled at God, Did you ever wonder how the plain, hard-working, celibate, 17th-century Shakers got their name? Real Life Catholic. I am! If the Catholics believe so much in the Good News of Christ; why are so many of them going around as if they have a permanent bad smell under their nose? True fulfillment in life cannot be found for any human who is not living in accordance with this purpose. Lewis explains. Catholics were Catholics. you know I wanted to use girls. Scott Alessi. JOY OF THE CATHOLIC LIFE is a blog for Reflections and Articles to renew and inspire Joyful Catholic Living. When I take my eyes off myself, my faith, my religious practices,  my spiritual ‘progress’,  my sins and rather look at my Saviour, everything comes back into the proper perspective. But awareness that our eternal life has already begun is the daily bread that animates our souls, strengthens us through trials, and brings us true joy that not even death can take away. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, produced by God’s work in us, and it is part of God’s will for us. Published 10/09/17 Saint or Silent. In Catholicism, joy is a state of soul equated with happiness and it is also defined as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Traditional Catholic art has reinforced this impression. 2Kgs 2:1, 6-14; Ps 30:20-21, 24; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18. Angie, mom to three very fun kids, is the founder of Real Life at Home. ‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free It is because they shook under the power of God and they danced with joy! Angie, mom to three very fun kids, is the founder of Real Life at Home. The Catholic Faith is an incar­national Faith-i.e., the spiritual truth usually has an outward, physical manifestation. Tuesday, June 16, 2020. GENUINE HOLINESS! Recently I was looking for images of smiling or laughing monks. “It is very difficult to tell but usually it is accompanied by a wonderful sense of humour.”. Menu Home; Contact; Comfort, Courage and a Folding Chair. Find God’s purpose in the present, in everything you do, and you will get out of self and find real joy. Are you one of those people who just want to crawl into bed and call it a day before you even get done with dinner? Most deeply, everyone wants joy. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Published 10/09/17 Mercy-Fairness. Liturgical Day. This ap­peal to our senses certainly is cause for joy. It is a supernatural life. a kindness but you my friend have been carrying her all day.. great message in that story- As Christians we are blessed with the key to surrender our burdens, sin, obsessions to Christ. One of my absolute favorite movies is Life is Beautiful, starring Roberto Benigni as a humorous, joyful, hopeful husband and father through one of the history’s darkest times, the Holocaust.When I found out that this movie was Saint John Paul II’s favorite movie, it made total sense. Posted On October 19, 2018 Jennifer Smith 0 Share Tweet ... giving away money, giving away time, giving away talent, giving away your life, for the sheer joy of it in this life, and for the hope of the stored-up treasure that awaits us in heaven. When God’s people were in exile and they were about to come home and rebuild their fallen city of Jerusalem, they were going to be attacked by all the neighboring nations. And when we find ourselves in the place just right, I t’s been at least two months since I posted. Join us as we explore th… You can also visit the following links to access more resources from Pastor Jack’s library. Breaking the most cardinal rule of their order (touching a woman) he swims across the river with her on his back. According to Christian theology she conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit while still a virgin. But both these feelings may differ from each other based on the reasons causing the feeling and the nature of the feeling. Toggle search field. with his fellow monk who derides him for his action all the way to the monastery – "CATHOLIC LIFE", "DAILY REFLECTIONS", DAILY HOMILIES, CATHOLIC REFLECTIONS, PONTIFEX, PAPAL TWEETS, PAPAL MESSAGES A Blog about the Catholic Faith. As C.S. That’s what holy laughter does; it ignites the joy of the Lord in others. Humour, the ability to laugh and not take ourselves too seriously, puts the grueling process of inner transformation into perspective. Often, the only thing standing between young people and a life of faith is that they haven’t heard the invitation of Jesus Christ in a convincing way. The gospels of Matthew and Luke in the New Testament and the Quran describe Mary as a virgin. Roadmap to Joy. For the last 72 hours, I have been in the hospital with my 22 year old daughter. Melanie Jean Juneau serves as the Editor in Chief of Catholic Stand. • Luke 15:7 — I say to you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance, more than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance. JOY OF THE CATHOLIC LIFE is a blog for Reflections and Articles to renew and inspire Joyful Catholic Living. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. She blogs at, Copyright © A.D. 2018 Catholic Stand | Powered by Astra. Joy in Real Life Featured Slider. however, true Catholic spirituality is a journey into freedom and joy because the Comforter is always with us in power. VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Joy should be the hallmark of a Christian's life, a reflection of knowing that one is loved by God, saved by Jesus Christ and committed to leading others to him, Pope Francis said. Koreaboo Let’s Meet The Cutest We Got Married Couple or Better Known as Bbyu Couple, Btob’s Sungjae and Red Velvet’s Joy. and special education (M.S.Ed. Check out the Real Life media ministry for radio and video programs. Joy and happiness are both emotions where a person has feelings of contentment or satisfaction. Joy isn’t found in the places where most people would think to look. The Catechism refers to the Eucharist as the "source and summit of of the Christian life." When we malign and obscure good, we malign and obscure joy. Real Life. When we meet St Peter he will not check if we have callous knees because of hours on end praying. Rather, it takes possession of the soul of the religious and gives them that special ability to manifest joy in the world. Catholic Social Services: 704-370-3262; Good Counsel Homes: 1-800-723-8331 (24 hrs Hotline) Birthright: 1-800-550-4900 ; 1st Way Life Center: 1-800-848-LOVE; Post Abortion: 1-800-5-WECARE ; Lenten Prayers. Here are four inspiring stories about finding faith and joy during trials—everything from job loss and unemployment to parenting issues and life-threatening illnesses. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! For the last 72 hours, I have been in the hospital with my 22 year old daughter. Try some of these blogs: Dynamic Catholic, Life Teen, Real Life Catholic, or This Catholic Life. Morality is the roadmap to joy. Learning Paul-type joy, John Piper. ‪The thought of THIS joy blew my mind this 1st Sunday of Advent. Search for: Home; Articles; Media; About; Contact; Home; Articles; Media; About; Contact ; The Challenge of Living a Life of Joy and Vulnerability September 23, 2016 / Greg Garda. However, when people think of a Catholic saint, the first image that comes to mind is a sad, pale, thin figure, often tortured and in pain, or looking as if he was wearing a hair shirt. Real Life Catholic Description Chris Stefanick dives into the everyday life of everyday Catholics, who are working, serving, building, and exploring the world with their faith at their side. It is time to allow God to change our mentality and spirituality into one that embraces the Resurrection and Pentecost, not just the Passion. now. Echoes of the Divine and Oopsy Daisy, and coauthor of Love Rebel: Reclaiming Motherhood, Pastoral Sharings: "Fifth Sunday of Easter” | St. John, The Ongoing Incarnation: A Christmas Meditation, Answering a World of Lies with the Fifth Advent Candle, Eugenics in America: The Legacy of Sanger and Gates, A Countercultural View About Women in the Church, Religious Life – A Gift to the Church and Society. Chris Stefanick is back for Season 2 diving into the everyday life of everyday Catholics, who are working, serving, building, and exploring the world … Just like when King David danced before the Lord with complete abandonment. So when I see these decorative signs that shout JOY… I remind myself that for us, this Joy is about the warmth and nearness of His presence. Joy should be a characteristic of all Christian life, but especially for those who have given up what the world considers important to follow Christ should radiate that particular joy which is never skin deep. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. The message of the Gospel is the love we’re made for, the glory we’re destined for, and the hope we’re longing for. Remember how God reacted  not only to David but to his wife Michal; [2 Samuel 6:17-22]  As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. We spent the first 48 hours in the ER waiting for a bed to open up on the cardiac floor. In the second section of the apostolic exhortation Evangelli Gaudium (Pope Francis) he hits the nail on the head in describing the Joy of The Gospel as stolen by “the self-absorbed promethean neopelagianism” of those who “feel superior to others because they observe certain rules or remain intransigently faithful to a particular Catholic style from the past” with “a narcissistic and authoritarian elitism”. Sister Linda lives at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery in Phoenix. So “sourpuss” is basically an accurate translation, if not just a tad colloquial! I always took images representing suffering to be expressive of interior truth rather than a literal depiction of the appearance. A list of beautiful and transforming Catholic prayers for daily use. 2. There are many amusing stories about the saints which illustrate their joy. You’re right Melanie. Published 10/09/17 Do you host a podcast? Live your faith with confidence. Wednesday, 17th June 2020. Our daily circumstances seem to conspire to rob us of our joy. we have moved Thursday, October 22, 2020. we have moved . “The sisters really seemed to be happy,” she said. Real Life Lyrics: It ain't like you hearing it and it's like moving you / You know music is, and the music you making is life / And it's like new life / It's important to me to understand the state While on a journey to visit one of her convents,  a donkey dumped St. Teresa of Avila  into a stream of freezing cold water. Joy is not to be understood as something superficial or immature. When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”, David answered his wife , “I will celebrate before the Lord. 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. In Evangelli Gaudium, Pope Francis clearly addresses the lack of joy which is quite pervasive in our world: p85. Another Trappist, Thomas Merton, was asked if  it was possible to tell if someone had truly undergone  inner purification, becoming transformed into the image of Christ. I am filled with joy, the joy of the Lord. The unrighteous presence of envy, in this case, corrupts true joy. His joy is an unstoppable force joys. • Luke 15:7 — I say to you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance, more than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance. Somehow the average Catholic does not associate joy with holiness but believes holiness is synonymous with misery. Joy doesn’t depend on a change in your circumstances, but a change in YOU. Then, there’s the tale of two Buddhist monks on their way and encounter a woman who is in desperate need to be with her sick mother on the other side of the river. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I’m not sure which images the author was viewing, since all my holy cards show either thoughtful or gently smiling saints. Real Life Catholic- Steamboat Catholic. Joy is life-changing and life-giving. Yet Catholics are more focused on the Passion than on Pentecost while Pentecostals are more focused on, well, Pentecost. 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