"Look to Him that you may be radiant with joy..." ~Psalm 34:5
This amazing verse is found in our responsorial psalm today, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. It really stood out to me as I read the readings this morning. Christ lives out joy in the fullest possible way. When we look to Him and He fills us with His joy, we are radiant with it, and in turn, shine His light to the nations.
There is a distinct difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is fleeting. It is a moment of pleasure, quickly replaced by other feelings. Joy is permanent. Joy is positivity, confidence, trust, and love, even in sad or frightening situations. Joy, true joy, is only possible in Christ.
I'm willing to bet that Sts. Peter and Paul were some of the most joyful men to ever live. They knew Jesus, talked to Him, served Him, loved Him. They looked to Him for their every need, trusted him completely, even when faced with some of the most difficult situations one could imagine. How could you not be completely radiant with joy when you are that close to Jesus?
What is the difference between us, today, and Sts. Peter and Paul? Why are we not as joyful as they were? We can be with Jesus, in person, in the Holy Eucharist. Though His image is not present to us, He is there, physically present under the form of bread and wine. We can talk to Him, both when sitting with Him in person or in our hearts, wherever we are. We can trust Him, abandoning our lives to the providence and love of God. Why would we not be joyful?
We can be just as radiant with joy as the saints if we only look to Him.
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