“This is precisely what the blessed life consists of: rejoicing in view of You, in You, and for You” (St. Augustine).
St. Augustine is right! This blessed life is already foreshadowed here on Earth, beloved Father. As soon as we wake up and shake off our sleep, Your grace is already with us, moving us to dedicate our first thoughts and words to You. Throughout the night You have watched over us through Your angel. And the new day that dawns awaits us with its task.
“This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Ps 118:24).
It is Your day, beloved Father—the next step on our journey toward You in eternity. If we walk each day of our lives by Your hand, how much more will our hearts begin to long for You each day, to rejoice in You, and to yearn for the Eternal Day to dawn soon—that day which knows no sunset! “[There] night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.” (Rev 22:5)
And You, beloved Father, are our joy. We rejoice in You and in Your immeasurable love and wisdom. For Your sake, we will strive to do everything that pleases You, simply because You are You. That is enough!
But even more, we are Your joy! When You see how, despite all our weakness and limitations, we strive to please You, You rejoice greatly: “The Lord your God is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zeph 3:17).
And Your joy, beloved Father, is our delight!