Christianity & Joy St. Mary and St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church Youth Meeting

Everyone wants JOY There is one thing everyone wants, which is to have joy – to be happy There is one thing everyone wants, which is to have joy – to be happy God created us for joy – and Christ came to restore to us the joy we lost God created us for joy – and Christ came to restore to us the joy we lost

Wrong impression People outside Christianity have the wrong impression that Christianity has no joy People outside Christianity have the wrong impression that Christianity has no joy Sometimes we ourselves convey this image – when we feel that everything in Christianity is a burden Sometimes we ourselves convey this image – when we feel that everything in Christianity is a burden

Christianity as a revelation & proclamation of JOY When Christ was born, heaven rejoiced and the angels came to the shepherds and said When Christ was born, heaven rejoiced and the angels came to the shepherds and said –“Behold, I bring you good news of great JOY” There is a natural attraction between God and the human soul. The slightest contemplation of the divine brings us pleasure. We are created in God’s image There is a natural attraction between God and the human soul. The slightest contemplation of the divine brings us pleasure. We are created in God’s image

Christianity & joy St. Clement of Alexandria wrote, St. Clement of Alexandria wrote, –“Our whole life is one festival. Persuaded that God is with us, we cultivate our fields praising, and we sail the seas singing.” Another Father said Another Father said –“Christianity has been the proclamation of joy, of the only possible joy on earth.”

The resurrection & JOY The JOY of the resurrection is the fundamental characteristic of the Orthodox Christian worldview The JOY of the resurrection is the fundamental characteristic of the Orthodox Christian worldview The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith, and the solid foundation of our faith and rejoicing The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith, and the solid foundation of our faith and rejoicing

The resurrection & JOY The deepest foundation of the hope and joy which characterize Orthodoxy and which penetrate all its worship is the Resurrection The deepest foundation of the hope and joy which characterize Orthodoxy and which penetrate all its worship is the Resurrection Look at the icons of the martyrs in the church – what do you notice? Look at the icons of the martyrs in the church – what do you notice?

The Eucharist and JOY When the early Christians gathered for worship, it was for them a time of joy, and they experienced the living Lord When the early Christians gathered for worship, it was for them a time of joy, and they experienced the living Lord We come to the church wounded and tired, earthly and sinful. We come thirsty and hungry. We return after being fed with the food of eternal life, and after tasting joy and peace in the Holy Spirit We come to the church wounded and tired, earthly and sinful. We come thirsty and hungry. We return after being fed with the food of eternal life, and after tasting joy and peace in the Holy Spirit

Trials and JOY Joy does not depend on outer circumstances. Joy does not depend on outer circumstances. The following is a true story of a 70-year-old Romanian priest who was imprisoned for his faith during the communist years The following is a true story of a 70-year-old Romanian priest who was imprisoned for his faith during the communist years –He was thrown in prison along with his family –His son died in prison –His daughter was sentenced to 20 years –His sons in law were also put in jail –His grand-children did not have anything to eat Yet, he was joyful Yet, he was joyful

Secret of Joy One day, he was asked, “How can you rejoice?” One day, he was asked, “How can you rejoice?” He replied “I fulfill the word from the Bible which says “rejoice with all those who rejoice” He replied “I fulfill the word from the Bible which says “rejoice with all those who rejoice” –I sit in jail, and I rejoice that many are free –I cannot go to church, but I rejoice will all those who can go –I cannot take communion, but I rejoice for all thoise who can Here is a person who was full of love !!! Here is a person who was full of love !!!

Sources of JOY A Hindu once asked a Christian “What medicine do you put on your face to make it shine so?” The Christian answered smiling, “I do not put anything on my face, I just have Jesus in my heart”. A Hindu once asked a Christian “What medicine do you put on your face to make it shine so?” The Christian answered smiling, “I do not put anything on my face, I just have Jesus in my heart”. Through Jesus Through Jesus –Our sins have been forgiven –The burden of my guilt has been lifted –Joy enters our hearts, and we have peace of mind

More reasons to rejoice Christ has made this earthly life an entry way that leads to heaven Christ has made this earthly life an entry way that leads to heaven Our greatest joys here are but the first fruits and foretaste of eternal joy Our greatest joys here are but the first fruits and foretaste of eternal joy We rejoice because our Lord Jesus Christ has overcome the world We rejoice because our Lord Jesus Christ has overcome the world We rejoice because Christ has given us victory over sin, suffering and death We rejoice because Christ has given us victory over sin, suffering and death We rejoice because Christ loves us and has given us everything We rejoice because Christ loves us and has given us everything

Repentance and JOY Sin is equivalent to having no joy Sin is equivalent to having no joy Through repentance, the joy of God’s salvation is restored to us Through repentance, the joy of God’s salvation is restored to us There is joy in heaven and on earth when we repent There is joy in heaven and on earth when we repent

Prayer & joy Here are some sayings of the Church Fathers Here are some sayings of the Church Fathers –“When we are beginners, prayer is like a fire of joy kindled in the heart” –“If, while you are praying, you feel inwardly moved, a certain joy, at some word or other, then dwell on it longer. It is a sign that our angel is praying with us” The saintly bishop Makarios and prayer The saintly bishop Makarios and prayer