As we pass through these difficult times as a ministry, we are committed to our mission to be the compassionate presence of Jesus to one another. We remember that Jesus called for people to love their neighbors as themselves. This love invites each of us to reflect on how we care for others. One way to care for others is through practices that promote joy. Joy is a deep, abiding appreciation and acceptance of God’s love for us, a love that brings peace, gratitude, and hope, even in times of adversity and loss. This activity promotes practices to increase joy in our lives and the lives of others.

Extending the compassionate ministry of Jesus calls for joy.

Throughout scripture, people who experience joy immediately want to share it with others. After the visit of the angel Gabriel, Mary goes with haste to visit Elizabeth. When Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb and encounters Jesus, she hurries to the disciples to share the good news. The gift of joy God shares is not solely for personal use; it is given only to be shared. As with the ancient Jews and early Christians, God continues to invite us to experience the joy that flows from being in right relationship with God, self, and others. But, God also calls us to share the gift of joy with others, especially to those who are poor, vulnerable, and marginalized by economic and social inequities. Sharing the gift of joy is a critical dimension of extending Jesus’ compassionate ministry to all those we encounter. Our practices can help us respond to Jesus’ call to share joy with all those we meet.

·       Have a Joyful Conversation – Take 15 minutes with a family member, a co-worker, a gym buddy or even a stranger while waiting for the bus, asking them what brings them their greatest joy.  Watch their faces light up, and in turn take note of how you feel during the conversation.

·       Although this article was written around a holiday season, it gives us a few wonderful ways on how to spread joy to others: Why Spreading Joy to Others Will Bring You Happiness.

·       Are you stressed?  Studies show that joy relieves stress, even when the joy is coming from others.  Kelly McGonigal shares her thoughts on this in How to Overcome Stress by Seeing Other People’s Joy.

o   The Benefits of Positive Empathy

o   Search for Small Moments of Joy

o   How to Catch Joy

·       Alison Pidgeon reminds us that sharing joy is not only needed, but necessary in fostering positive experiences with others.  Enjoy her short article on The Joy of Sharing Joy

o   More Positive Experiences

o   Lean to the Negative

o   Lift Others Up

·       In his article, Sharing Happiness and Joy: The Magic of Interconnected Happiness, Erric Solomon walks us through a practice of “Sharing Joy and Happiness.”  

·       Joy is about being connected, and as Joy and Well Being explains, its purpose is to reinforce the importance of relationships with others.