For you are the joy that my soul longs for
While walking around the bookstore at the Sisters of St. Francis (where I was last week) I found a book about the life of my Confirmation Saint, St. Rose of Lima. I just finished the book last night. It’s been a real eye-opener about the life of St. Rose. There was so much about her that I had no idea about! The one thing that really struck me while reading this was her joy. She did a lot of penance for other people. Practically starving herself, wearing a crown of thorns under her habit, wearing a chain around her waist, interrupting her sleep by waking up at like 2am to pray, all sorts of stuff to do penance for all the sinners around her. But even with all this stuff that if I were to do, would make me very grumpy, she was filled with joy. Complete and total joy! She even had joy when she was told to do stuff she didn’t want to do (like back off a little on the penance). She knew the day of her death years before it happened. And every time that day would arrive, she rejoiced! The reason for all this joy - Jesus. I wish I could just come close to having that complete joy. When things don’t go my way - joy. When I’m being persecuted - joy. When things seem hopeless - joy. I know the source of this joy (Jesus) I just need to tap into that power!
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