Overwhelming Joy!
CS Lewis said it best: "Joy is the serious business of heaven."
Blaise Pascal is renowned for his contribution to science, mathematics, and as the inventor the first elementary digital calculator and syringe. Pascal famously said, “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.” What is not so well known is the joyful encounter Pascal had with the Holy Spirit on November 23, 1654, at the age of 31. He wrote the mystical experience down (Night of Fire) and carried it inside his coat until the day of his death.
Blaise Pascal is renowned for his contribution to science, mathematics, and as the inventor the first elementary digital calculator and syringe. Pascal famously said, “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.” What is not so well known is the joyful encounter Pascal had with the Holy Spirit on November 23, 1654, at the age of 31. He wrote the mystical experience down (Night of Fire) and carried it inside his coat until the day of his death.
Here is an excerpt of Pascal’s words… “Joy, joy, joy…Let me never be separated from him. He is only kept securely by the ways taught in the Gospel. Renunciation, total and sweet. Complete submission to Jesus Christ and to my director. Eternally in joy for a day’s exercise on the earth. May I not forget your words. Amen.” [1]
The shepherds also felt joy like Pascal’s in their exuberant response to the angel’s announcement in the Christmas story. They were inspired to visit Jesus by their awe-filled angelic worship experience. After that, they joyfully told everyone what they had seen upon returning to their flocks (Luke 2:8-20). That same joyful worship empowers the church to go and make disciples everywhere. We are thrilled in our Mission Canada work to see post secondary students responding to Jesus’ invitation to follow Him on Canada’s campuses and grow as disciples. I often share these stories in our newsletters.
As a little guy, our youngest son Paul regularly burst into refrain at our dinner prayer times singing “Joy to the world, the Lord has come.” The challenge for us would be ending the hymn after he would launch into singing all the verses!
Paul woke up from his coma after 30 days. Following months of rehab, we received our severely brain damaged son back from the hospital just before Christmas. Many PAOC friends who journeyed with us joined in rejoicing. You would not know that Paul had experienced a severe brain injury ten years ago if you met him today. He is currently moving closer to achieving a Master of Divinity and working part-time in campus ministry for Mission Canada. Paul’s faith in Jesus is vibrant, and the joy of the Lord shines brightly in his life.
Advent reflections shared by John Engels, Mission Canada SERVE Campus Coordinator.
As a little guy, our youngest son Paul regularly burst into refrain at our dinner prayer times singing “Joy to the world, the Lord has come.” The challenge for us would be ending the hymn after he would launch into singing all the verses!
Paul woke up from his coma after 30 days. Following months of rehab, we received our severely brain damaged son back from the hospital just before Christmas. Many PAOC friends who journeyed with us joined in rejoicing. You would not know that Paul had experienced a severe brain injury ten years ago if you met him today. He is currently moving closer to achieving a Master of Divinity and working part-time in campus ministry for Mission Canada. Paul’s faith in Jesus is vibrant, and the joy of the Lord shines brightly in his life.
Advent reflections shared by John Engels, Mission Canada SERVE Campus Coordinator.
[1] https://insidethevatican.com/news/newsflash/letter-106-2023-mon-june-19-pascal-night-of-fire/