Blessed are those whose Strength is found in the Joy of the Lord

I’ve spoken to many different people about their experience in Africa and one of the most common things I hear, “They are so happy with so little. It makes me really appreciate all I have at home.” One of my dear friends and I have some conversations - struggling to understand the meaning of this kind of take away perception Americans experienced in Africa. Are people who have less truly “happier” people and is it because they have “less”? Yet this poses the wrong question - it matters not whether one has less or more that affects their true happiness- that which is Joy. What Americans may experience when they visit this continent is the vast number of people who are blessed –because their strength is found in Joy of the Lord alone – regardless of how much or little they possess – because it all belongs to God.

My heart is joyful because it is the same strength of Joy in the Lord I have already experienced at home – with family, friends, Dominican Sisters of Peace, and the Newman Center Community. Those whose strength is found in the Joy of the Lord are truly a blessed people – and it is no different here in Africa or in America – it is the same Joy because it is the same Lord! Those who place their hope in the Lord journey through life with joyful hearts – regardless of how much they have materially, emotionally, physically – their Joy stems from their spiritual life and blessed are they – all nations, all social classes, all races, all ages! It wasn’t until mass (mostly in Bemba) that I began to see clearer …I couldn’t understand the language but I understood that those who Love the Lord wholeheartedly are truly a blessed people.  It made me wonder whether Africans attending a typical American mass would know the same. Could an African walk into an American mass and say to me, “I don’t understand the language but I understand you Love the Lord wholeheartedly?” May we all find strength in the Joy of the Lord and may all our words and actions give praise to the Lord who is the unchanging, day to day, on every inch of this beautiful earth!