How necessary it is to cultivate a spirit of joy. It is a psychological truth that the physical acts of reverence and devotion make one feel devout.

How necessary it is to cultivate a spirit of joy. It is a psychological truth that the physical acts of reverence and devotion make one feel devout. The courteous gesture increases one’s respect for others. To act lovingly is to begin to feel loving, and certainly to act joyfully brings joy to others which in turn makes one feel joyful. I believe we are called to the duty of delight.

DOROTHY DAY
FROM THE DUTY OF DELIGHT: THE DIARIES OF DOROTHY DAY, EDITED BY ROBERT ELLSBERG (MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY PRESS)

Why joy? … Loving God is finding one’s happiness in the happiness, the joy of God; it is, therefore, possessing complete and total joy, for God is immutably happy. The normal, persevering attitude of a baptised person is the high noon of joy; those who belong to God, who live by God, are given over to joy. Since we are with the Lord, and he with us, how do you expect our life not to be a life of joy, of exultation? … Peace for the present, hope for the future, and as the fruit, joyfulness, happiness, perfect joy.

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