“The devil rejoices, above all, when he succeeds in snatching joy from the heart of a servant of God” (St. Francis of Assisi)
Today’s phrase refers especially to the joy we have in God, which the devil cannot bear, just as he cannot bear sacred music or anything that glorifies God. Therefore, he will always try to take advantage of our melancholy, intensifying or provoking it himself. The Desert Fathers speak of the pernicious “tristitia,” which clouds the soul, and they associate it with the work of the Evil One. The “joy of the devil” mentioned by St. Francis consists primarily in taking pleasure in the harm of others, a perversion that, unfortunately, wants to manifest itself also in our human life.
Therefore, we must be vigilant and cultivate the sources that give us access to joy in God. Our Heavenly Father has opened many sources for us and invites us, above all, to speak openly with Him so that an intimate friendship may arise between Him and us. This friendship will become a source of inexhaustible joy because it will allow us to know God more deeply and enter into His heart, which is as sensitive as our own. We must be careful not to seek too many earthly pleasures or to attach our hearts to fleeting things. Ultimately, they leave the soul empty, and then it is not so easy for it to rise up and seek true joys.
Joy in God can become a permanent state. If this happens, it will be difficult for the devil to divert our attention from God or even approach us. “Rejoice in the Lord always,” advises the Apostle Paul (Phil. 4:4). Moreover, joy in God is a wonderful testament to His goodness. We can ask the Lord to grant us this joy!