Here at The Little Rose Shop we are winding down with Christmas and heading into the season of Ordinary time. This time can be a bit of a let down, less lights, less décor, but the Church in her wisdom gave us the Ordinary seasons with the seasons of fasting and the seasons of celebration.
This entrance into Ordinary time is a time for us to reflect and a good time for us to practice finding joy in the mundane and in the everyday.
These beautiful quotes are a gentle reminder of our constant need and search for joy, especially in the seasons of ordinary.
Joy is the deep and constant reminder that is born in faith in Christ. It is more than a fleeting feeling nor does it mean there will not be suffering. It is a state of knowledge and awareness of Christ's love and goodness.
Here are some reminders from the saints of what joy is and how we pursue that as Christians.
"The soul of the one who serves God always swims in joy, always keeps holiday, and is always in the mood for singing." - St. John of the Cross
This beauty from St. John of the Cross tells us to always keep holiday and joy even during the ordinary seasons of life, and to top it off, be in the mood for singing. Love it!
“We who are Christians have a further cause for joy: like Jesus, we know that we are loved by God our Father. This love transforms our lives and fills us with joy. It makes us see that Jesus did not come to lay burdens upon us. He came to teach us what it means to be fully happy and fully human. Therefore, we discover joy when we discover truth–the truth about God our Father, the truth about Jesus our Savior, the truth about the Holy Spirit who lives in our hearts.”
– SAINT POPE JOHN PAUL II
No need to say more on this one.
“God made us for joy.”
– SAINT POPE JOHN PAUL II
No wonder he is called St. Pope John Paul the Great…
"Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter.”
St. Padre Pio
A beautiful quote from Padre Pio, telling us the related nature between joy and charity.
"Joy is prayer–Joy is strength–Joy is love–Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls…. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love. Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of the Christ risen.”
– SAINT MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA
We hope these five powerful and truthful quotes from the Saints speak right to your heart, just as they do for us.
May you have a blessed beginning to the start of Ordinary time.
The Little Rose Shop Team
