joy – Word, Life, Light

Joy, a Fruit of Charity, Rooted in God

By Carey | December 26, 2025December 20, 2025 by Carey

“Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” – Colossians 3:15/16 Merry Christmas! I hope you’re still listening to Christmas carols, turning on the sparkling lights, and celebrating with family and friends, because it’s still Christmas! So many favorite Christmas hymns proclaim God’s joy: “Oh come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant…” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman,” with its “tidings of comfort and joy,” and of…

Finding Joy and Strength in God

By Carey | January 24, 2025January 21, 2025 by Carey

Have you ever felt far away from God? Perhaps you can relate to the Lost Sheep who wandered away from the Good Shepherd or the Prodigal Son who exiled himself and then returned to the Father (see Luke 15). Maybe you have found your way back to Him through a friend or by encountering the Lord in a new way. Call to mind this feeling of “exile” or feeling far away from God as you…

An Advent Song of Joy

By Carey | December 13, 2024December 15, 2024 by Carey

With strings of hope and harps of peacemy song continues on. My heart bursts forth with notes of joyon this Gaudete day. A day of joy, for Christ is close; a bright and happy tune. The pipe does play a merry liltso sweet and pure and true. Christ comes to us, the joy He brings; I need not strive nor plod. His yoke is light, and too, my heart. The rose candle burns bright still.

The Precious Blood That Cleanses, Redeems, and Cheers Us

By Carey | July 12, 2024July 12, 2024 by Carey

In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. Ephesians 1:7-8 Stand with me at the foot of the cross, like St. John, St. Mary Magdalen, and the Blessed Mother. See the Precious Blood of the Lamb of God flowing, poured out for us (Matthew 26:28). His blood was shed for us from the moment His Passion began: “And…

Overjoyed By Christ’s Light

By Carey | January 5, 2024December 22, 2023 by Carey

“They were overjoyed at seeing the star.” – Matthew 2:10 What does it mean to be “overjoyed?” It strikes me that in the King James translation when the magi saw the start they were so filled with joy that St. Matthew emphasized it twice: “they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (KJV). The Greek words used here are chairo (rejoice) and chara (joy). To rejoice means to feel or show great joy or delight. Interestingly, another…

An Advent Magnificat

By Carey | December 15, 2023December 4, 2023 by Carey

“My soul rejoices in my God.” – Isaiah 61:10 Spotless Mary, conceived without sin, pray for me that I might have a heart like yours, one that seeks to magnify the Lord. Pray that I may have a joyful heart that rejoices in God and praises His name above all others, especially above my own name. May I always seek to glorify Him and not myself. Pray for me that my heart may be grateful…

What is Your Reason for Hope?

By Carey | May 12, 2023May 5, 2023 by Carey

Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope… (1 Peter 3:15) Easter is a season of joy and hope. During Lent I was focused on allowing God to bring me to healing in a couple of areas, but as Easter approached I felt Him moving me away from that work and toward joy and hope. I think He knew I needed a break from the…

Keeping Christmas in my Heart

By Carey | January 13, 2023December 20, 2022 by Carey

“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. -John 1:32 Christmas has passed, the parties have ended, and our Christmas lights and decorations have likely been put away. Epiphany and the Christmas star that shone over the manger have passed: “The star burned brightly over Him for awhile, though it then faded away” (St. John Henry Newman). Sometimes I experience a let-down at this time of the year.…

Receive God’s Joy

By Carey | December 9, 2022November 22, 2022 by Carey

Happy Gaudete Sunday! Gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin. We rejoice this week because Jesus is coming soon. We will celebrate that Jesus, the Life (John 14:6), came to us through the Blessed Virgin Mary. We rejoice and thank Mary for her “yes”–her fiat. We rejoice and give thanks to God the Father for giving us the gift of His Son (cf John 3:16). We rejoice in Christ, the Light (John 14:6) who is coming into…

Reside in Christ’s Peace

By Carey | December 2, 2022November 22, 2022 by Carey

Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more.- Psalm 72:7 During the first week of Advent we focused on the gift of hope, which is connected in a deep way to this week’s gift: peace–pax in Latin. St. Paul taught that God is the true source of our peace: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound…