What is joy? Is it a feeling or an emotion? Is it an attitude or an outlook that you can choose to experience through an active decision? Is it a gift that’s beyond your own decisions and efforts? How do we find it? A sermon by Fr Stephen Wang
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No – I don’t believe we are happy when we get what we want . . . I believe That ‘getting what you want’ is a superficial fickle delight momentarily fulfilling us with pleasure.
I believe we are truly happy when we are met unawares by a wonder which we recognise as ‘familiar’ ~ a mysterious knowingness – usually met in a previously unknown place, which we recognise as something similar in a place that has touched us and filled us with wonder once before. This inspires us and draws us forward in more wonder ~ which is where your/the church’s interpretation of eternal Longing is described.
However truly it is not in the Longing but in the Being ~ in the Stilling ~ in the Knowing ~ in the Oneing, in the Now.
Whereas Joy ~ I believe ~ is a naturally gifted innate characteristic – which Graced with ~ despite life’s devastation, adversity, and cruelty ~ surfaces again and again and again and again ~ like fruit appearing regardless, on the trees each year. A Fruit of the Spirit. A gift from God.
And if we Love ~ Truly Love all the little wonders of life ~ then we are inspirited ~ & Joy becomes our Spirit.
Have a warm & merry Chris†mass Stephen xxx