Meditation for March 2008

In January and February of 2008 we meditated on the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Last month, February, we focused on the Spiritual fruit of love and, in this month of March, we will take a look at the next fruit of the Spirit, which is joy. Perhaps it is a little difficult to think of joy in a month when we are reaching the climax of the Lenten season but, Christ reminds us that when we fast, not to look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18.

In March of 1955, over a half-century ago, I received The Bible Reader’s Encyclopaedia and Concordance. I still use this book today. Under the heading of Joy it is written that in no other religion is joy as conspicuous as in Christianity. Joy, it says, denotes the satisfaction of the soul at attaining its desire.

It has been said that some Christians go around in a gloomy disposition. I don’t know why we should do this. Jesus himself was a sociable person. We see him at a wedding; being entertained at meals; talking to women, to Samaritans, to Romans, to Tax Collectors, to Sadducees, and to Pharisees, among others. Jesus was anxious to heal people of their physical illnesses and sinful natures. Jesus wants our life to be abundant and our joy to be full (John chapters 10 and 16).

Joy, as we have seen, is one of the Spiritual fruit, and it is a fruit that we can cultivate. In order to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit we should set our minds upon it. St. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, says, Those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit…to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8: 5, 6).

That on which we set our minds will grow and flourish within us. When we think and meditate on the fruit of the Spirit, e.g. Joy, it grows and matures. In The Oprah Magazine for January, there was an article called Awakening Joy, in which it was said that whatever you focus on will grow.

So, think about Joy; practise Joy; look for Joy in whatever situation you find yourself. A friend of mine told me that that is her intention for 2008, to find the joy in everything that happens to her. And, she says, it works! The Spiritual fruit of Joy is growing in her and it makes her feel good. Why don’t we join her in this endeavour?

 © Judith Lawrence 2008