December 1987

Rejoice always (1 Thess. 5:16).

These words of encouragement are found at the end of the first letter to the Thessalonians. The invitation to be joyful often recurs in St. Paul's letters. It is one of the themes of his preaching. When writing to the Philippians he says: 'Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice' (Phil. 4:4).

There is no doubt that for St. Paul joy is one of the most beautiful expressions of Christian life. One could say it is the most distinctive mark of the Christian life and that it is also the most effective means to witness it. Nothing impresses and attracts people more than someone who is truly joyful.

Rejoice always.

At first view what is striking is the form of invitation or rather command that the Apostle uses. We might ask, 'can you command someone to be joyful?' Besides we know that life is full of problems and worries, which don't exactly help us to be always joyful. You can encourage a person to accept what happens in good spirit... but joy is something different. Joy is a feeling that springs spontaneously from the soul.

Rejoice always.

Yet for St. Paul there is reason we should always be joyful, despite all the difficulties. It is a consequence of taking the Christian life seriously. Through this life Jesus lives fully within us and with him we are bound to be joyful.

Jesus is the source of true joy, because he gives meaning to our life; he guides us with his light, frees us from every fear both regarding the past and also what is still to come; Jesus gives us the strength to overcome all the difficulties, temptations and trials that we may meet.

Rejoice always.

There is a secret to always being joyful. It is to concentrate on Jesus, so that he may always shine out on us.

We know the path to take. Jesus lives in us if we try to put his word into practice, in particular if we love him in each brother and sister, ready to give our life for each person, as he did.

If then our brother and sister loves Jesus in us, then our joy will be full (cf. Jn. 15, 11) because Jesus will shine in our midst too.

This month the Word of Life helps us to witness to this joy - the joy of Christmas - and helps us to communicate it to the world around us.

Chiara Lubich