As the bit goes, “If you think money can’t buy happiness, have you ever seen somebody frowning on a jet ski?”
I’ve always thought this was funny because if you’ve ever been on a jet ski, it’s hard not to smile. But it’s a fallacy, and it barely scratches the surface of what true happiness is or what true joy is.
Several spiritual writers express the idea that joy is one of the Christian’s greatest treasures and it’s Aquinas who says, “Joy is the first fruit of love.” Or in other words, love is a prerequisite for joy, which is why the jet ski example breaks down. There’s no love in things.
It’s what the world gets wrong in chasing material goods, looking for happiness. True joy can’t be bought, but it does have a price. The price is love.
For me, I felt indescribable joy on my wedding day or holding my children for the first time. Those moments were joyful because they cost me something. It cost me years of laying down my life, of striving to be better, to grow in virtue, to be the man that my wife and children deserve, that God made me to be. Those moments then aren’t a fleeting feeling or a flash of light but a fire that’s been burning.
I’m sure there is a parallel to the priesthood or religious life. And the beautiful thing is that as that fire burns, as our love grows, as we mature and get better at loving, so too our joy grows.
To the point that the fire can’t help but bring light and warmth to those around us. And for those who live in cold darkness, there is no greater treasure than a warm fire.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, You are the giver of all gifts. Grant us the grace we need to love as You love, and let that love and joy radiate the world around us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Keep fighting the good fight. Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
