Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Chick-a-chick-a-bing-bong


Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God. Joy blossoms from a compassionate heart. The 15th century mystic named Julian of Norwich said, "The greatest honor that you can give to Almighty God, greater than all your penances and sacrifices and mortifications, is to live joyfully because of the knowledge of his love." When you understand that God is love, not only that He is love but unchanging love, that He is constant in his love for us, and that it is possible to trust Him in all circumstances, there is a certain relief that comes; a relief from needless anxiety and worry and fear and guilt and shame because the mercy of God comes upon all those who ask for it.