CHRISTIANS MUST ALWAYS NOURISH in their hearts the fullness of joy. Try to do that, sisters and brothers. I have tried it many times, and in the most bitter situations, when slander and persecution are at their worst, I have united myself intimately with Christ as my friend, and I have tasted a sweetness that all the joys of earth cannot give. It is the joy of God’s intimacy, the profoundest joy the heart can experience, even when people don’t understand you.
Romero, Oscar. The Scandal of Redemption (Plough Spiritual Guides: Backpack Classics) (p. 35). Plough Publishing House. Kindle Edition.
6 In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith— being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire— may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:6-9
Harper Bibles. NRSV Bible with the Apocrypha (Kindle Locations 87282-87287). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.
becoming flame 
4 replies on “Profound joy”
Beautiful words inspired by the Spirit of our Lord. I identify with Peter and Mary Magdalene and the sinful woman who anointed Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. They were profoundly sinful people who knew they were sinful and worshiped at the feet of our Lord. And he loved them. They exemplify hope and salvation.
Oh, by the way, I like the NRSV, too.
–Pam
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m really enjoying this book of Oscar Romero’s journal entries and sermon excerpts. His time and experience in El Salvador is becoming less distant and different from ours, I’m afraid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know. This morning my husband and I took the Lord’s supper at our home–just the two of us. I’m becoming somewhat jaded–not by Christianity–but by so many manifestations of it. It’s disheartening. So many of my Christian brethren interpret the scriptures as such: Christ said (I’m paraphrasing) If anyone harms a child, it would be better for him to be thrown in a river with a millstone tied to his neck than to meet his judgement. They enthusiastically point to this scripture in anti-abortion rants and rightfully so, but they ignore the pertinence of this scripture as it applies to immigration.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is not always easy, but well worth it, when we are able to share that joy with even one other person
LikeLiked by 1 person