A Reflection On Loneliness by Mother Dolores Hart

If the price of loving Him is the pain of having to look for Him, then the price of not finding Him is the pain of having to share His loneliness in the Garden of Gethsemane. Loneliness is the worst suffering, and if we can endure this in faith, we have as won our way to Him.
 -- Mother Dolores Hart, The Ear of the Heart.

Two Songs by MercyMe: Joseph's Lullaby and Bring the Rain

St. Augustine on "How to Live Well"

The earliest known portrait of Saint Augustine 
in a 6th-century fresco, Lateran, Rome.

To live well in nothing other than to love God with all one's heart, with all one's soul and with all one's efforts; from this it comes about that love is kept whole an uncorrupted (through temperance). No misfortune can disturb it (and this is fortitude). It obeys only [God] (and this is justice), and it is careful in discerning things, so as not to be surprised by deceit or trickery (and this is prudence). -- St. Augustine, De Moribus Eccl. 1, 25, 46:PL, 32, 1330-1331

Priests Are Called To Sacrifice

Father Steven Scheier's Judgment Experience

The Third Way from Blackstone Films on Vimeo.

The Nut Brown Maid -- British Ballad: a story of woman's unconditional love: "If I have here been partner with you of joy and bliss, I must also part of your woe."

Man: Be it right or wrong, these men among   
On women do complain; 

Affirming this, how that it is   
A labour spent in vain 
To love them well; for never a dele         
They love a man again: 
For let a man do what he can   
Their favour to attain,
Yet if a new to them pursue,   
Their first true lover than  
Labors for naught; for from her thought   
He is a banished man.  

Woman: I say not nay, but that all day   
It is both written and said 
That woman's faith is, as who said,  
All utterly decayed: 
But nevertheless, right good witness   
In this case might be laid 
That they love true and continue:   
Record the Nut-brown Maid,  
Which, when her love came her to prove,   
To her to make his moan, 
Would not depart; for in her heart   
She loved but him alone.  

Man: Then between us let us discuss  
What was all the manner
Between them two: we will also   
Tell all the pain and fear
That she was in. Now I begin,   
So that ye me answer:  
Wherefore all you that present be,  
I pray you, give an ear.
I am the Knight. I come by night,   
As secret as I can, 
Saying, Alas! thus stands the case, 
I am a banished man.  

Woman: And I your will for to fulfill
In this will not refuse; 
Trusting to show, in words few,
That men have an ill use— 
To their own shame—women to blame,   
And causeless them accuse. 
Therefore to you I answer now,  
All women to excuse— 
Mine own heart dear, with you what cheer? 
I pray you, tell anyone; 
For, in my mind, of all mankind  
I love but you alone.  

Man: It stands so: a deed is do   
Whereof great harm shall grow: 
My destiny is for to die   
A shameful death, I trow; 
Or else to flee. The one must be.   
None other way I know 
But to withdraw as an outlaw, 
And take me to my bow. 
Wherefore adieu, mine own heart true!   
None other rede I can: 
For I must to the green-wood go,
Alone, a banished man.  

Woman: O Lord, what is this world is bliss,   
That changes as the moon! 
My summer's day in lusty May   
Is darkened before the noon. 
I hear you say, farewell: Nay, nay, 
We depart not so soon. 
Why say you so? Where will you go?   
Alas! what have you done? 
All my welfare to sorrow and care   
Should change, if you were gone: 
For, in my mind, of all mankind   
I love but you alone.  

Man: I can believe it shall you grieve,  
And somewhat you distrain; 
But afterward, your pain's hard 
Within a day or two
Shall soon aslake; and you shall take   
Comfort to you again. 
Why should ye ought? for, to make thought,   
Your labour were in vain.  
And thus I do; and pray you to,   
As heartily as I can: 
For I must to the green-wood go,   
Alone, a banished man.  

Woman: Now, if that you have showed to me 
The secret of your mind, I shall be plain to you again,  
Like as you shall me find. 
If it is so that you will go,   
I will not live behind.  
Shall never be said the Nut-brown Maid   
Was to her love unkind. 
Make you ready, for so am I,   
Although it were anyone: 
For, in my mind, of all mankind  
I love but you alone.  

Man: Yet I you ready to take good heed   
What men will think and say: 
Of young, of old, it shall be told   
That you be gone away 
Your wanton will for to fulfill,   
In green-wood you to play; 
And that ye might for your delight   
No longer make delay 
Rather than ye should thus for me
Be called an ill woman 
Yet would I to the green-wood go,   
Alone, a banished man.  

Woman: Though it be sung of old and young   
That I should be to blame, 
Theirs be the charge that speak so large  
In hurting of my name: 
For I will prove that faithful love   
It is devoid of shame; 
In your distress and heaviness 
To part with you the same: 
And sure all tho that do not so
True lovers are they none: 
For in my mind, of all mankind   
I love but you alone. 

Man: I counsel you, 
Remember how   
It is no maiden's law 
Nothing to doubt, but to run out   
To wood with an outlaw. 
For you must there in your hand bear 
A bow ready to draw; 
And as a thief thus must you live   
Ever in dread and awe; 
Whereby to you great harm might grow:   
Yet had I liever than 
That I had to the green-wood go,   
Alone, a banished man.  

Woman: I think it is not but as you say;   
It is no maiden's lore; 
But love may make me for your sake, 
As I have said before, 
To come on foot, to hunt and shoot,   
To get us meat and store; 
For so that I your company   
May have, I ask no more. 
From which to part it makes my heart   
As cold as any stone; 
For, in my mind, of all mankind   
I love but you alone.  

Woman: For an outlaw this is the law, 
That men him take and bind: 
Without pity, hanged to be,   
And waver with the wind. 
If I had need (as God forbade!)   
What socours could you find? 
Forsooth I trow, you and your bow   
For fear would draw behind. 
And no mervail; for little avail   
Were in your counsel than: 
Wherefore I'll to the green-wood go, 
Alone, a banished man.  

Woman: Right well know you that women be   
But feeble for to fight; 
No woman had it is, indeed,   
To be bold as a knight: 
Yet in such fear if that you were   
With enemies day and night,
 I would withstand, with bow in hand,   
To grieve them as I might, 
And you to save; as women have
From death men many one: 
For, in my mind, of all mankind   
I love but you alone.  

Man: Yet take good heed; for ever I dread
That ye could not sustain 
The thorny ways, the deep valleys,   
The snow, the frost, the rain, 
The cold, the heat; for dry or wet,   
We must lodge on the plain; 
And, us above, no other roof 
But a brake bush or two: 
Which soon should grieve you, I believe;   
And you would gladly than 
That I had to the green-wood go,   
Alone, a banished man. 

Woman: If I have here been partner
With you of joy and bliss, I must also part of your woe   
Endure, as reason is: 
Yet I am sure of one pleasure,  
And shortly it is this— 
That where you be, me seem, pardon,   
I could not fare amiss. 
Without more speech I you beseech   
That we were shortly gone; 
For, in my mind, of all mankind   
I love but you alone. 

Man: If you go thither, you must consider,   
When ye have lust to dine, 
There shall no meat be for to get, 
Neither beer, ale, no wine, 
No sheets clean, to lie between,   
Made of thread and twine; 
None other house, but leaves and boughs,   
To cover your head and mine. 
Lo, mine heart sweet, this ill diet
Should make you pale and wan: 
Wherefore I'll to the green-wood go,   
Alone, a banished man.  

Woman: Among the wild deer such an archer, 
As men say that you be, 
No may not fail of good vitals
Where is so great plenty: 
And water clear of the river
Shall be full sweet to me; 
With which in hele I shall right wele   
Endure, as you shall see; 
And, or we go, a bed or two   
I can provide anyone; 
For, in my mind, of all mankind 
I love but you alone.  


Man: Lo yet, before, you must do more,   
If you will go with me: As, cut your hair up by your ear,   
Your kirtle by the knee; 
With bow in hand for to withstand   
Your enemies, if need be: 
And this same night, before daylight,   
To woodward will I flee. 
If that you will all this fulfill, 
Do it shortly as you can: 
Else will I to the green-wood go,   
Alone, a banished man.  

Woman: I shall as now do more for you   
Than 'longeth to womanhood
To short my hair, a bow to bear,   
To shoot in time of need. 
O my sweet mother! before all other   
For you I have most dread! 
But now, adieu! I must ensue 
Where fortune does me lead. 
All this make you: Now let us flee;   
The day cometh fast upon: 
For, in my mind, of all mankind   
I love but you alone. 

Man: Nay, nay, not so; you shall not go,   
And I shall tell you why— 
Your appetite is to be light   
Of love, I well espy: 
For, right as you have said to me, 
In likewise hardily 
You would answer whosoever it were,   
In way of company: It is said of old, 
Soon hot, soon cold;   
And so is a woman: 
Wherefore I to the wood will go,   
Alone, a banished man.  

Woman: If you take heed, it is no need   
Such words to say to me; 
For often you prayed, and long assayed, 
Or I loved you, pardè: 
And though that I of ancestry   
A baron's daughter be, 
Yet have you proved how I you loved,   
A squire of low degree; 
And ever shall, whatso befall   
To die therefore anon; 
For, in my mind, of all mankind   
 love but you alone.  

Man: A baron's child to be beguiled, 
It were a cursed deed! To be fellow with an outlaw—   
Almighty God forbade! 
Yet better were the poor squire   
Alone to forest yede
Than you shall say another day   
That by my cursed ready 
You were betrayed. 
Wherefore, good maid,   
The best ready that I can, 
Is, that I to the green-wood go,
Alone, a banished man.  

Woman: Whatever befall, I never shall   
Of this thing be upbraid: 
But if you go, and leave me so,   
Then have you me betrayed. 
Remember you well, how that you dele;   
For if you, as you said, 
Be so unkind to leave behind  
Your love, the Nut-brown Maid, 
Trust me truly that I shall die  
Soon after you be gone: 
For, in my mind, of all mankind   
I love but you alone.  

Man: If that you went, you should repent;   
For in the forest now 
I have purveyed me of a maid   
Whom I love more than you: 
Another more fair than ever you were   
I dare it well avow; 
And of you both each should be wroth 
With other, as I trow: It were mine ease to live in peace;  
 So will I, if I can: 
Wherefore I to the wood will go,   
Alone, a banished man. 

Woman: Though in the wood I understood 
You had a paramour, 
All this may naught remove my thought,   
But that I will be yours: 
And she shall find me soft and kind 
And courtesy every hour; 
Glad to fulfill all that she will   
Command me, to my power: 
For had you, lo, one hundred more,   
Yet would I be that one: 
For, in my mind, of all mankind   
I love but you alone.  

Man: Mine own dear love, I see the prove   
That you be kind and true; 
Of maid, of wife, in all my life, 
The best that ever I knew. 
Be merry and glad; be no more sad;   
The case is changed now; 
For it were ruth that for your truth   
You should have cause to rue. 
Be not dismayed, whatsoever I said   
To you when I began: 
I will not to the green-wood go;   
I am no banished man.  

Woman: These tidings be more glad to me 
Than to be made a queen, 
If I were sure they should endure;   
But it is often seen 
When men will break promise they speak   
The word is on the spleen. 
You shape some wile me to beguile,   
And steal from me, I ween: 
Then were the case worse than it was,   
And I more wo-begone: 
For, in my mind, of all mankind 
I love but you alone.  

Man: You shall not need further to dread:   
I will not disparage You (God defend), if you descend   
Of so great a lineage. 
Now understand: to Westmoreland,   
Which is my heritage, I will you bring; and with a ring,   
By way of marriage I will you take, and lady make, 
As shortly as I can: 
Thus have you won an Earl's son,   
And not a banished man.   

Here may you see that women be   
In love meek, kind, and stable; 
Let never man reprove them than,   
Or call them variable; 
But rather pray God that we may   
To them be comfortable; 
Which sometime proves such as He loves, 
If they be charitable. 
For if men would that women should   
Be meek to them each one; 
Much more ought they to God obey,   
And serve but Him alone. 

Interesting 1950's Tips

I stumbled upon some old 1950's films. While some of them are corny, the underlying theme among them is personal moral responsibility-- a quality that I find lacking in the movies/clips made for the youth today.


Dating Advice For Women:



Improve Your Personality:


Facing Reality:

Ubi Caritas - Donald Brinegar Singers

Latin Text
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.
Exsultemus, et in ipso jucundemur.
Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum.
Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero.

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Simul ergo cum in unum congregamur:
Ne nos mente dividamur, caveamus.
Cessent iurgia maligna, cessent lites.
Et in medio nostri sit Christus Deus.

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Simul quoque cum beatis videamus,
Glorianter vultum tuum, Christe Deus:
Gaudium quod est immensum, atque probum,
Saecula per infinita saeculorum. Amen.

English Translation
Where charity and love are, God is there.
Love of Christ has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice in Him and be glad.
Let us fear, and let us love the living God.
And from a sincere heart let us love one.

Where charity and love are, God is there.
At the same time, therefore, are gathered into one:
Lest we be divided in mind, let us beware.
Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease.
And in the midst of us be Christ our God.

Where charity and love are, God is there.
At the same time we see that with the saints also,
Thy face in glory, O Christ our God:
The joy that is immense and good, Unto the
World without end. Amen.

What Wondrous Love Is This?

The Dark Night of the Soul (Poem) - St. John of the Cross

Although, I have previously posted a version of this poem (click here),  I also enjoy this version which is translated by Josephine Koeppel, O.C.D. from "The Science of The Cross" by Edith Stein (St. Teresa of the Cross):

One dark night, as love's yearning did enflame me
I escaped unnoticed
O happy fate!
I escaped unnoticed
When my house lay at rest so still.

Quite safe within the dark,
Disguised and on a secret ladder,
O happy fate!
In darkness and concealed,
Still my house lay at rest so still.

In this night so full of chance
In secrecy, since none caught sight of me,
Since, too, I was aware of naught
And without light or guide
Save that which in my heart was burning.

And this conducted me
Far surer than the light of the brightest day.
Thence, where for me eagerly was waiting
He whom I know so well,
Aside, there was none who could part us.

O night that was a guide!
O night, more lovely than the rosy dawn!
O night, you that united
The most beloved with her Lover
Transforming the beloved into her Lover.

At my blossoming breast
Which has reserved herself for Him alone,
He gently fell asleep.
Softly I caressed him
The stir of waving cedars brought coolness.

As morn's wind with lightest touch
Playfully began to lift his hair
With gentle hand
He encircled my neck
All my senses vanished.

In silence and forgetfulness
I leaned my head on the Beloved,
All things drained away from me,
Vanished was the fear
Buried neath lilies into oblivion.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


An artistic/musical interpretation of this prayer:

Pope Francis' Five Finger Prayer For Lent

As Bishop of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis gave this talk for Lent:

1. The Thumb:  the thumb is the closest finger to you. So each day pray for those who are closest to you, your family, religious community, your closest friends. To pray for those we love is either  a sweet obligation of love or a deep seated prayer that they might change immediately. 


2. The Index Finger: Pray for those who have taught you, instructed you, or healed you. Pray for those who are presently teaching, instructing and healing you by their word or example. They always need your support, care, concern, gratitude and shared wisdom, so that they know that others are open to them as they are to you.


3. The Tallest Finger: It reminds us of our leaders, authority figures, presidents, governors, mayors, and any who have authority over us. They need God's guidance. 


4. The Ring Finger:  It may surprise you that the ring finger is the weakest of all fingers. Yet we wear a ring of commitment, love and eternal loyalty to it. So we need to pray always for what that ring symbolizes. Also we should pray for the weak, sick, poor, homeless, hungry, and those who face difficult problems and personal issues.


5. The Pinky Finger: Your smallest finger is to remind you to pray for yourself.  When you have finished praying for others and are grateful to them you should be able to see your own needs in a better perspective and not become self-centered.

My Beautiful Woman - Wacoal

http://www.mybeautifulwoman.org

Incredible - Celion Dion

When I hear this song, I think of Mother Teresa and her love for the poor.

"Preach always, but use words only when necessary…"- St. Francis of Assisi.

Ash Wednesday

What to do for Lent?

"My advice is that henceforth we live no more in ourselves, but that in heart, intention, and confidence we lodge forever in the pierced side of the Saviour." - St Francis De Sales

How do we do this? 

By living in joy.

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.…" - 1 Peter 4: 12-14

Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium - 1.5

The Gospel, radiant with the glory of Christ’s cross, constantly invites us to rejoice. A few examples will suffice. 

“Rejoice!” is the angel’s greeting to Mary (Lk 1:28). 

Mary’s visit to Elizabeth makes John leap for joy in his mother’s womb (cf. Lk 1:41). 

In her song of praise, Mary proclaims: “My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Lk 1:47). 

When Jesus begins his ministry, John cries out: “For this reason, my joy has been fulfilled” (Jn 3:29). 

Jesus himself “rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” (Lk 10:21). His message brings us joy: “I have said these things to you, so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (Jn 15:11). Our Christian joy drinks of the wellspring of his brimming heart. He promises his disciples: “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (Jn 16:20). He then goes on to say: “But I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (Jn 16:22). 

The disciples “rejoiced” (Jn 20:20) at the sight of the risen Christ. In the Acts of the Apostles we read that 

the first Christians “ate their food with glad and generous hearts” (2:46). Wherever the disciples went, “there was great joy” (8:8); even amid persecution they continued to be “filled with joy” (13:52). 

The newly baptized eunuch “went on his way rejoicing” (8:39), while Paul’s jailer “and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God” (16:34). 

Why should we not also enter into this great stream of joy?

Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium - 1.4

The books of the Old Testament predicted that the joy of salvation would abound in messianic times. The prophet Isaiah exultantly salutes the awaited Messiah: “You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy” (9:3). He exhorts those who dwell on Zion to go forth to meet him with song: “Shout aloud and sing for joy!” (12:6). The prophet tells those who have already seen him from afar to bring the message to others: “Get you up to a high mountain, O herald of good tidings to Zion; lift up your voice with strength, O herald of good tidings to Jerusalem” (40:9). All creation shares in the joy of salvation: “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth! Break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones” (49:13).

Zechariah, looking to the day of the Lord, invites the people to acclaim the king who comes “humble and riding on a donkey”: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he” (9:9).

Perhaps the most exciting invitation is that of the prophet Zephaniah, who presents God with his people in the midst of a celebration overflowing with the joy of salvation. I find it thrilling to reread this text: “The Lord, your God is in your midst, a warrior who gives you the victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing, as on a day of festival” (3:17).

This is the joy which we experience daily, amid the little things of life, as a response to the loving invitation of God our Father: “My child, treat yourself well, according to your means… Do not deprive yourself of the day’s enjoyment” (Sir 14:11, 14). What tender paternal love echoes in these words!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the joy which we experience daily, amid the little things of life, as a response to the loving invitation of God our Father: “My child, treat yourself well, according to your means… Do not deprive yourself of the day’s enjoyment” (Sir 14:11, 14). What tender paternal love echoes in these words!

 We can only do this by existing in the nunc, in the now.  If we love each moment, and the people who are in each moment, and are fully present in this moment, then we will partake in the day's enjoyment. 

God meant us to be happy. If we are stuck in the past or worrying about the future, happiness will pass us by. Let this not be our fate. Look around you. Take in the positive. Respond to it. Be a light where you are, right now, to whomever you are with. You will light up yourself.

“Remember that there is only one important time and it is Now. 

The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion. 

The most important person is always the person with whom you are, who is right before you, 

for who knows if you will have dealings with any other person in the future? 

The most important pursuit is making that person, the one standing at you side,

 happy, for that alone is the pursuit of life.” -- Leo Tolstoy

Family Portrait - Pink

To be torqued or not to be torqued, this is the question...

Just recently one of my friends asked me a question that challenged me: "Have you ever been so torqued that you acted out in revenge?"

The question was not novel; I have been asked this before, but never have I heard the word, "torqued" used in this way.

I understood in context, but the word struck me as highly intriguing.  As soon as I was able, I looked up its meaning.

torque

  [tawrk]  Show IPA

noun

1.

Mechanics . something that produces or tends to produce torsionor rotation; the moment of a force or system of forces tending to cause rotation.

2.

Machinery . the measured ability of a rotating element, as of agear or shaft, to overcome turning resistance.

3.

Optics. the rotational effect on plane-polarized light passing through certain liquids or crystals.

4.

Also, torc. a collar, necklace, or similar ornament consisting of a twisted narrow band, usually of precious metal, worn especially by the ancient Gauls and Britons.

verb (used with object), torqued, torqu·ing.

5.

Machinery . to apply torque to (a nut, bolt, etc.).

6.

to cause to rotate or twist.

verb (used without object), torqued, torqu·ing.

7. to rotate or twist.

Origin: 
1825–35;  < Latin torquēre  to twist; (def 4)  < French torque  < Latintorques torques ( torc  perhaps < Irish  ≪ L)

I think that this word is phenomenal especially in the way my friend used it, because there is a impetus innate in it that is not in "pissed", "angry", or in similar words. It more appropriately explains what is happening.

The emphasis in torque is on the undergoing of the soul in the moment of relationship. In other words, there is a turning or twisting in me in a single instant; I am touched in such a way as to be taken from rest into (e)motion. To be "torqued" is to have had enough "external force" applied to me to pivot me around my base (fulcrum) of stability, my comfort zone, to change my frame of perception or even ability "to act".

(Do I fly into emotion with the lightest touch?  How much resistance do I have to the actions, judgments, etc., of others? Can people get into my head and mess up my game, simply by a look or a comment?)

The way that this was used was initially to imply a negative emotion, but I think that I can also be brought from rest into positive emotion-- and the word torque is likewise, equally effective.

(What touches me now that will cause me to turn in a positive rotation? What is my moment of force? Or do I have such a hardness of heart that nothing will pierce me and impel me to act?)

Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium - 1.3

(*Nota Bene: emphasis mine.)

I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”.1 

The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Now is the time to say to Jesus: “Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace”. 

How good it feels to come back to him whenever we are lost! Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy. Christ, who told us to forgive one another “seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22) has given us his example: he has forgiven us seventy times seven. Time and time again he bears us on his shoulders.

 No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire more than his life, which impels us onwards!

1 Paul VI, Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete in Domino (9 May 1975), 22: AAS 67 (1975), 297.5 

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Joy is a byproduct of love; this fact is common to our experience, yet made explicit by St. Thomas Aquinas:

Now it is evident from what we have said about the passions (FS, Q[25], AA[2],4) that love is the first affection of the appetitive power, and that desire and joy follow from it. Hence the same virtuous habit inclines us to love and desire the beloved good, and to rejoice in it. But in as much as love is the first of these acts, that virtue takes its name, not from joy, nor from desire, but from love, and is called charity. Hence joy is not a virtue distinct from charity, but an act, or effect, of charity: for which reason it is numbered among the Fruits (Gal. 5:22).

If we love God, we will desire Him and our joy will be from Him. So. . . let us, AT THIS MOMENT make an act of love to our Beloved. 

God is waiting. . .