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anon64350612
Guest
When did joyfulness become a requirement for being a good Catholic? Is anyone else tired of having their facial expression monitored for expressions of “joy”?
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TheAmazingGrace
Guest
It’s not a requirement, and people who assume it is are mistaken.
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DaveBj
Guest
I haven’t had this happen to me. Good thing, too, because joy is not something that I feel or can easily express. My facial expression is usually pretty much set in concrete.
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Tis_Bearself
Patron
On the one hand, evangelization doesn’t work well if Catholics seem unhappy or bitter about their faith.
On the other hand, there are a lot of legit reasons why someone might not have a happy face on all the time. Some people are dealing with grief, illness, job trouble, family difficulties or any number of tough life situations. It’s definitely NOT required that we put a happy mask on all the time to face the public. I am more interested in a faith that helps people face their troubles with strength, as Catholicism does, than one that would require everybody to act fake.
On the other hand, there are a lot of legit reasons why someone might not have a happy face on all the time. Some people are dealing with grief, illness, job trouble, family difficulties or any number of tough life situations. It’s definitely NOT required that we put a happy mask on all the time to face the public. I am more interested in a faith that helps people face their troubles with strength, as Catholicism does, than one that would require everybody to act fake.
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gcshapero
Guest
The word “joyful” is often misunderstood and used interchangeably with the word “happy.” You can feel intense sorrow and still have joy. To have joy and to feel joy maybe to very different.
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joeybaggz
Guest
Happiness, contentment, approval, and other such things can be expressed on the face with a smile or even laughter. Joy, on the other hand, is an internal satisfaction that is more than a momentary smile inducing stimulus. Joy is a product of one’s character, and character is not something that is physically expressed. Anyone thinking joy is walking around with a permanent smile on their face, really ought to be seeking joy in a hospital for the deranged.
One can experience joy in the midst of profound sadness. For instance, I was very sad when both my mother and father passed away, but knowing how they lived their lives and their relationship with God, While I am sure my countenance showed anything but happiness, I felt a profound joy inside with the realization that they were finally at peace and at home (and together again in their Savior). Best example I can think of for my position.
One can experience joy in the midst of profound sadness. For instance, I was very sad when both my mother and father passed away, but knowing how they lived their lives and their relationship with God, While I am sure my countenance showed anything but happiness, I felt a profound joy inside with the realization that they were finally at peace and at home (and together again in their Savior). Best example I can think of for my position.
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anon64350612
Guest
I love this answer!
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TheAmazingGrace
Guest
Some people don’t have much of either.
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joeybaggz
Guest
And how anyone who believes in the Christian faith can end up in that boat, is truly sad.joeybaggz:
Some people don’t have much of either.
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kill051
Guest
Ten characters
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Zaccheus
Guest
Yes.
We are told to rejoice always. We are not told to smile always. It’s good to know this and good to see others understanding it.An excellent example. I felt this way when my mother died.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
Well, that’s you, Joey, and I don’t think suggesting people who don’t share your concept of “joy” are “mentally deranged” is very helpful.
I too am happy knowing (via my own private revelation) that my deceased loved ones are resting happily in Christ and that I will see them again, but there are times when I sure don’t feel “joyful” about them all being gone and me being alone on earth here, and if you or anyone else thinks that’s wrong or abnormal, that’s your problem.
It’s fine to be sad or not “joyful” all the time. We can aspire to one day be more “joyful” even if that day is the one we get to see Jesus face to face. But imposing one’s own concept of joy on others doesn’t fly. No priest who has spoken to me in my bereavement has brought up the word “joy” or anything close, and that shows their wisdom because the average bereaved person would probably burst into tears or cry or throw things or yell, or worse yet beat themselves up internally for not being joyful enough.
I too am happy knowing (via my own private revelation) that my deceased loved ones are resting happily in Christ and that I will see them again, but there are times when I sure don’t feel “joyful” about them all being gone and me being alone on earth here, and if you or anyone else thinks that’s wrong or abnormal, that’s your problem.
It’s fine to be sad or not “joyful” all the time. We can aspire to one day be more “joyful” even if that day is the one we get to see Jesus face to face. But imposing one’s own concept of joy on others doesn’t fly. No priest who has spoken to me in my bereavement has brought up the word “joy” or anything close, and that shows their wisdom because the average bereaved person would probably burst into tears or cry or throw things or yell, or worse yet beat themselves up internally for not being joyful enough.
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Tis_Bearself
Patron
Sometimes just a tiny voice of hope whispering
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kill051
Guest
Just because someone suffers from ‘resting b****-face’, as the kids call it nowadays, does not mean they are not joyful. I myself am often accused of being morose by total strangers who yell ‘Smile!’ at me on the street. Yet my interior joy is profound and unshakeable. It just doesn’t happen to appear on my face.anon64350612:
I haven’t had this happen to me. Good thing, too, because joy is not something that I feel or can easily express. My facial expression is usually pretty much set in concrete.
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Crocus
Guest
I am joyful. Sometimes I even feel it and look it.
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anon64350612
Guest
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joeybaggz
Guest
Think you missed the sarcasm there. I suggest that if you walk around 24/7 with a goofy smile on your face, I think sooner or later the men in white suits will funny little pills will escort you to a room in the “rubber” Hilton."
There was no suggestion made or intended that people who see joy differently than me are “deranged” Anyone who is constantly smiling probably doesn’t really “get” life.
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DaveBj
Guest
Heh-heh. The father of the girl I liked in the church where I grew up had a face like that – very inexpressive. When I was taking German In HS, I called him “das Großesteingesicht(The Great Stone Face)”, after we had an exercise in making up compound words. Now, 55 years later, I’m the one who is das Großesteingesicht.
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SuscipeMeDomine
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kill051
Guest
Well, one outta nine ain’t bad. I’d better get cracking on the other eight!anon64350612:
At least since the time of Paul.
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