First Sunday after Pentecost. All Saints Sunday. Our Venerable Father Onuphrius the Great (c. 337); Our Venerable Father Peter of Athos (892); Krystonopil Icon of the Mother of God
Hebrews 11:33-12:2; Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30
Read Hebrews 11:33-12:2
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Happiness is an emotion. When you are happy your feelings can be mild like satisfaction or intense like bliss. Joy is stronger – think of seeing someone or you being selfless to the point of personal sacrifice or feeling spiritually connected to God or people.
Happiness is tied to earthly experiences and material objects; joy comes from spiritual experiences, caring for others, and a capacity for gratitude even amid troubles. Happiness is experienced in an outward expression of elation, joy by inward peace and contentment. Happiness is temporary, tied as it is to external circumstances; joy is lasting, founded on an internal state. Happiness can be experienced through any of the goods of this world; joy is the result of a way of living.
Our reading today calls us to, “(Look) to Jesus…, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,” so that we would lay aside sin and persevere in the life our Lord sets before us. But here’s the thing: for Jesus’ example to be a source of motivation and strength for us we must love who and what Jesus envisioned before Him that gave Him that joy. We must ask ourselves, what gave Jesus joy on the cross and would that give me joy too?
What gave Jesus joy on the cross is this: us with Him, presented to God the Father – “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” (Isaiah 8:18 quoted in Hebrews 2:13) If we want what gave Jesus strengthening joy to also give us strengthening joy, we too must cultivate having that vision before our eyes.