The Joy of Life

The recommended water intake is about eight glasses a day to prevent dehydration and avoid adverse effects on the body. Drinking water revitalizes. This taking in applies to a spiritual life on the verge of dehydration. The symptoms are lethargy, ambivalence, and doubt. The analogy of drinking water and having the joy of Christ within us gives us pause this day to remember the goodness of life – the goodness of God’s word and the goodness of his joy that completes us. Without the joyful water, how can we experience life as God asks us to be good people to share this Christ-given joy? Being anything else gives us guilt, despair, and even hatred. However, the spiritual waters began to flow at baptism. If we go with this flow, we are reminded by Pope Francis in his exhortation in The Joy of the Gospel that “… no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.”

We are not Christians of a Lent without Easter’s message. It is one of joy. Hopefully, we can carry that joy in our spiritual water skins, sometimes sipping and at other times gulping down what Jesus will give us – the joy of God.

Again Pope Francis – “Let me say this once more: God never never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.”

There is a disclaimer. That fine print that gets lost in the ‘come on’ message: God is always there for us – always. And in small print: by acting upon said message, it will be understood that any action will be freely consented to.

Dial in and take advantage of this offer.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, we shall draw water joyfully from the fountain of salvation and sing your praise. (adapted from Isaiah 12:3)