A LIFE OF JOY

“The Seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a lightning flash. Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm you. However, don’t rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’ In that same hour He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure.'”      Luke 10:17-21

Centuries ago, St. Francis was a wealthy man who gave up everything to live a life of self-imposed poverty, suffering and service. Yet, he celebrated with great joy each and every day of his life! In fact, nothing separated him from the joy he found in the Lord. Even we he faced rejection by his family, or hardships among his friends, or poverty, his life remained a song of praise and thanksgiving!

How? St. Francis understood the real reason that Jesus rejoiced when his disciples returned from their successful preaching tour. Remember, these were simple fishermen and tax gatherers who had just performed miraculous healings and cast out fearsome demons all across Israel. But, like children whose boundless energy needs to be channeled in the right direction, Jesus had to make the disciples recognize where their joy truly lay. So He made it very clear that no matter what incredible deeds they performed or power they had commanded, nothing compared with the fact that their names were written in heaven.

Then Jesus brings the disciples, and all of us, even further into this journey of joy. He continues by demonstrating the kind of rejoicing that should be expressed by His followers. He says, “Thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants.”

Jesus is rejoicing in the Holy Spirit because “infants” like us had opened their hearts to the Father’s love and all of heaven was opening to receive them. It is exactly this experience of an opened heaven that is meant to move you and me to exuberant praise and rejoicing as well. Yes! Knowing that God has you in the palm of his hand will lead you to a whole life of joy!

At this very moment, be opened to God’s joyous revelation in your heart. Allow yourself to experience the very tangible potential and power of your life as God sees it in Heaven. When you open your heart to the open doors of heaven, you will find yourself rejoicing in the beauty of the sunrise, the face of a newborn child or in the loving relationships surrounding you.

If you allow yourself to see your name written in heaven, this will be the most joyous moment in your life. It will change your life forever. And that joy will never end.

This Week’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me rejoice in the love you pour out upon me. May I live my life in exuberant praise as you surround me with your presence. Show me through your Holy Spirit that my name is written in your heavenly kingdom. And remind me to be ever thankful for the blessings you have provided me. Amen.