Moment of Oneness June 25, 2025 - Prepared by Dennis McDonald

 

Reading 1: Joy is the human’s noblest act by Matthew Fox

That “joy is the human’s noblest act” might amaze us. Really? Is Joy our noblest act? Why not fighting for justice or dying for a noble cause? Aquinas reminds us that even justice exists for the sake of joy—a just world is a balanced world and is therefore conducive to joy for the many, not just the few. Justice is not an end in itself, but joy is. To remain in joy through hardship and loss, disappointment and struggle, is no small thing. It demands a deep spiritual life. A depth of soul. Working for justice in order to share the joy, renders joy more available to more people.

Furthermore, joy is part of compassion. As Eckhart, faithful disciple of Aquinas that he was, put it: “What happens to another whether it be a joy or a sorrow happens to me.” Eckhart is defining what compassion is—it is, on the one hand, a celebration of our common joy; on the other hand, however, it is an acknowledgment of our common suffering as we fight the good fight for healing and justice (so that joy can return). As we have seen, it is the playing out of our interdependence.

Both Eckhart and Aquinas say that “God is compassion.” It follows that to become compassionate is godlike, as Jesus noted: “Be you compassionate as your Creator in heaven is compassionate” (Luke 6:36). Thus joy and compassion are indeed our noblest acts—our most godlike acts.

Aquinas teaches that “love is the cause of joy,” and he offers proof: “Everyone takes joy in their beloved,” and “love and joy constitute the basis of all attraction—love is the origin and joy is the end result” (118, 433). Thus love and joy go together, so both love and joy constitute our noblest acts. Aquinas reminds us that “the only person who truly has joy is one who lives in love” (116). The consciousness of God is about love and joy, and the same is true of human consciousness. A call to love is a call to joy. And a call to joy is a call to love and sharing that love.

(Fox, Matthew. The Tao of Thomas Aquinas:     Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times)

Pause for Reflection

Music Reflection: Joy in Our Hearts by Karen Drucker

https://youtu.be/QRBSdrI1MBI 

 

Reading 2:

 

Prayer of Gratitude

With gratitude I remember the people, animals, plants, insects, creatures of the sky and sea, air and water, fire and earth, all whose joyful exertion blesses my life every day.

With gratitude I remember the care and labor of a thousand generations of elders and ancestors who came before me.

I offer my gratitude for the safety and well-being I have been given.

I offer my gratitude for the blessing of this earth I have been given.

I offer my gratitude for the measure of health I have been given.

I offer my gratitude for the family and friends I have been given.

I offer my gratitude for the community I have been given.

I offer my gratitude for the teachings and lessons I have been given.

I offer my gratitude for the life I have been given.

Please offer any expression of gratitude that you have this day. 

Just as we are grateful for our blessings, so we can be grateful for the blessings of others.    (from the Grateful Living Files)

 

Closing Prayer: Dear God, help me to find joy in my own heart. Help me feel the joy that is around me. Help me be a messenger of joy in my family. Help me become a beacon of joy in the lives of others. Amen.  (Maria Shriver)

 

Closing Song: Joy by Jonny Diaz

https://youtu.be/pn_ZSR6QWYM?si=dL0yKkg5HVWZbKyR