Part II

One of my first encounters with Joy as something spiritual was during a flight from Spain to New York. I was 16 and I was returning from nearly two weeks abroad with my Spanish club. We had the unique experience of being in Madrid when the Pope died. As a result, much of our trip was affected by the shadow of the death of the late Pope, and our flight home was filled with nuns. They where everywhere, as though we flew out of the Vatican itself.

These nuns where not mourning as I may have anticipated. These nuns seemed to carry a different countenance than those heavy with the weight of death. These nuns carried themselves with what I now recognize as beautifully and intentionally developed Joy. Their presence filled the plane as these young and old ladies of the robe giggled with a twinkle in their eyes. I remember staring at them and wondered what could make a grown woman giggle like a 13 year old with a crush. It was infectious. It was a Joy deep within, overflowing.

Surprisingly, my next significant encounter with Joy was also while staying at a monastery in rural New Hampshire.  After a long day of prayer and cleaning and teaching the local children; after eucurist and more prayer and ritual and reading; after preparing and sharing and cleaning from a meal, I followed into the night 10 women with ages ranging from 18 into their 70s. We journeyed slightly into the woods where I expected we would discuss the need for me to be baptized Catholic prior to receiving salvation through the Eucharist. Instead, we shared marshmallows, roasted golden with the warmed of a fire. We sang, not hymns, but silly songs of old. And we laughed. Oh, we laughed. We danced and we watched the stars, and we cultivated Joy… Joy in community.

I will admit that these encounters have promoted many hours of thought that I need to take of the Eucharist and associated practices. But over 10 years and much prayer and though later, I find myself not seeking a set of rules to draw me closer to the deep Joy of the Kingdom, but seeking the One that reveals truth and wisdom in its time. And is well over my time; that is, it’s well time that I put weight and value upon a Joy that stands as a foundation for the Kingdom.