Said a puppy to an old dog, “I’ve been told that joy lies in my tail. Thus, I’m chasing it; and when I catch it, I’ll be joyful.” The old dog mused, “True, joy lies in our tails. Yet, I’ve realised that when I chase it, it eludes me.
But when I go about doing my duty, it follows me.” Joy, bliss or ananda is God’s gift associated with the Easter season that Christians currently celebrate. The Bible has over 400 references to joy.
Though used synonymously with pleasure and happiness, joy is different. Pleasure comes from bodily sensations that arise from, say, eating delicious food or getting a relaxing massage.
Happiness comes from external stimuli that create a sense of well-being: Securing a job, falling in love, excelling in exams, etc. Biblical joy doesn’t depend on externals. It is an inner disposition and a spiritual gift which energises. The deep joy that Jesus’ disciples experience after his resurrection transforms them totally.
Francis Gonsalves is a professor of theology. He can be contacted at fragons@gmail.com
