Becoming women of joy

Last Saturday afternoon, the Woman to Woman Ministry organized a talk by Maria Vadia who had been invited by the Archdiocese of Singapore’s Office for Young People, in partnership with ICPE Mission Singapore, to teach at the School of Witness, a nine-week faith formation programme for Catholic youth leaders.

 

The event was such a success in terms of attendee numbers that I asked S, someone I knew, what attracted her to the event? She replied the word joy (the theme had been Becoming Women of Joy).

 

I am not surprised. And yet, at the same time, we should already know how to be joyous. We should be, as Maria put it, be happy Catholics, for joy is our inheritance.

 

It does not mean that we will not experience pain, loss or suffering, but if we are rooted in the reality of Christ's salvific love, then we should experience a deep, abiding joy even in the midst of protracted trials.

 

Maria offered a simple yet winning approach to becoming women of joy (men, this is for you, too) found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: Give thanks in everything.

 

We should constantly be singing songs of praise and thanksgiving. Even when things seem to go wrong, instead of whining about it, or giving vent to anger and frustration in a negative, destructive way, we should thank God for the situation.

 

She reminded us that: Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits from Proverbs 18:21, so we must be careful how we use our tongues. Our words have a spiritual effect therefore strive to always speak words that are life-giving, and do not grieve the Spirit.

 

Maria shared stories of miracles that happened to people she had prayed with, and who then commenced to move in thanksgiving, as she directed:

 

A journalist jailed for writing a story deemed inappropriate was set free inexplicably, much to the joy of his wife who had stopped praying for her husband’s freedom and instead began to give thanks. 

 

A man who chose to attend a seminar Maria was leading despite worrying about his crop was informed that rain had ended the dry spell and his livelihood was protected. At the seminar he had learned to praise God. 

 

A failing paint shop suddenly saw three customers in a day who bought enough paint to pay the rent for that month, and thereafter business continued to pick up. This happened when the owners changed the way they prayed.

 

These "success stories" came about because the parties involved began to emulate Jesus, doing as He did, which brought Lazarus back to life: Then, lifting his eyes, Jesus said: Father, I give thanks to you because you have heard me. John 11:41

 

If we want to be full of joy, Maria emphasized, we must change the way we speak and see life. We must change the way we pray. Give thanks and praise for answered prayer, even before we see the results.

 

Thank the Lord for what He has in store for us. As He tells us in Jeremiah chapter 29, verse 11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
 

Life may not always be predictable, but if we believe this promise made to Jeremiah, then we will open our mouths and let our tongues move in praise and thanksgiving. We will rejoice always, and thus become women of joy, as Mary and Elizabeth were.