‘A spiritual joy is the greatest sign of the divine grace dwelling in a soul’ (St. Bonaventure).
St Bonaventure refers to joy in God and for God’s sake, and identifies it as the surest sign of divine grace in man. Indeed, where could this joy come from if not from grace? It is not merely a natural joy, however beautiful that may be. There are people with a very cheerful temperament and a positive attitude towards life, which can be very attractive to others. But this is not yet the joy in God.
On that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. But Saul laid waste the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to a city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.
