JOY is an Inside Job - Rachel Devine
We hear people refer to it all the time: “The joy of Christmas.” Most people try to find joy outside of themselves in various ways, such as shopping, eating, being with friends, and a slew of other activities. And sure, these activities can invoke happiness, but they cannot invoke joy. Joy is an inside job.
The joy of Christmas does not come from a present or even a Christmas event. The joy of Christmas comes from the Spirit of God within. This Spirit gives us joy beyond understanding and beyond anything the world can offer us. It is the joy of being connected to this Spirit that joy erupts from our being. It is the type of joy that, no matter what is happening in the outer world, the inner world is at peace and filled with joy.
In this profound story of St. Maximillian Kolbe, the beacon of joy is profound:
The Story of St. Maximilian Kolbe - A Beacon of Joy in the Holocaust
St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan friar, was known for his extraordinary act of self-sacrifice during the Holocaust. Arrested by the Nazis in 1941 for his anti-Nazi activities, Kolbe was sent to Auschwitz, one of the most infamous and horrific concentration camps.
In a tragic turn of events, after the escape of a prisoner from his barrack, the Nazi guards decided to punish ten men by starvation. Among those selected was Franciszek Gajowniczek, who cried out for his family. In an act of profound love and courage, Kolbe volunteered to take his place, saying, "I am a Catholic priest from Poland; I would like to take his place, because he has a wife and children."
Despite the dire circumstances, Kolbe's spirit remained unbroken. He continued to minister to the other prisoners, offering them comfort, hope, and spiritual guidance. His joy was not from the external world but from his deep faith and commitment to his beliefs. Even in the starvation bunker, Kolbe was reported to have led prayers and hymns, maintaining a demeanor of peace and joy that contrasted sharply with the surrounding despair.
Kolbe's life ended when, after two weeks, he was one of the last to survive, leading to his execution by lethal injection. It was reported that as he was led to his death, he had a calm glowing spirit of peace radiating from his face, which was from his inner faith. His sacrifice allowed Gajowniczek to survive the war, and Kolbe's story became a powerful testament of love and resistance against hate.
The joy Kolbe exhibited was not one of happiness from circumstances but a profound inner peace and love for God and humanity, shining through even in the darkest moments of human history. This joy was rooted in his unwavering faith, making his story not just one of martyrdom but of a joyful witness to the power of love and sacrifice. In 1982 he was canonized a saint in the Catholic Church.
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Of course, most of us will never achieve the type of joy and unbroken spirit as Saint Maximilian Kolbe. Nonetheless, just to be aware of the fact that our inner joy comes from our faith in God is enough to carry us through life, as we wallow in the notion of unwavering joy. And to truly know that outside influences have no power of you, unless you let it. Because joy is truly an inside job.
Some ways to achieve inner joy would be through prayer, meditation, peaceful music, sacred reading, nature and gratitude practice. Staying focused on gratitude each day is such a profound way to appreciate life and all that you have and in doing so your inner world starts to respond with much peace. Instead of looking at what is lacking, appreciate all that you have. Of course, going to your place of worship is another way to find joy and inner peace. Joy is something that builds over time. The more you nourish it, the more it will grow. The key is to nourish it daily.
Christmas, or the sacred birth of Christ, is the focus for pure joy. It’s really not about the outer part of Christmas, the joy comes from the inner Spirit of our Lord and Savior that resides in each and everyone of us.
Wishing all of you a very blessed and Merry Christmas and for those who celebrate Hanukkah, a very blessed and Happy Hanukkah.