Spontaneous Joy
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Have you ever had a moment, or a few minutes, that you felt very peaceful and joyful, and you couldn't explain why? I thought that was only possible in religious life. I didn't think I could have these spontaneous joyful moments anymore now that I am a lay person again. I probably have had several of those moments but was never quite aware of it. There are many times just after praying the Liturgy of the Hours for the day, beginning with Morning Prayer, and sometimes Office of Readings on a special feast and/or solemnity... there comes a point during the Intercessions, just before the Our Father, that I start thinking about people I've promised to pray for. It is at those times I find myself often completely relaxed and very peaceful, and very often I just doze off for 10-15 minutes. It used to be, I think, because I was genuinely tired when I got up because I never slept very well. But lately, I sleep considerably better, and there seems really no reason for me to have a nap during prayer.
Some people will tell you that these 10-15 minutes are contemplation. That is possible. But nevertheless, these are moments of spontaneous joy. I wrote this in 2008, and now in 2026, I am sure these were contemplative moments, because they occur more often.
One Sunday morning, I was driving north to the next town, about a 35 minute drive, and I was pretty much alone on the road, which was in itself unexpected. I was on my way to celebrate a friend's 50th Wedding anniversary and the husband's 25th Anniversary as a Deacon in the Catholic Church. For those who are not Catholic, Deacons in our Church may be married, but if they are widowed after Ordination, they must then live a Celibate life. And, if they wish, then they may become priests or remain a celibate Deacon.
In any case, here I was about halfway there, and suddenly I began to think about Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and thus our Mother as well. It was a very pleasant, joyful, and bright thought, and I began to sing some home-made hymn to the Blessed Virgin. Singing in choirs, I love to sing when I am driving, but I remember tunes more often than the words to these tunes, so I sort of make them up as I go along. And they are always in the form of a prayer. Anyhow, it was such a peaceful moment of Grace, I felt Mary looking at me, and I felt her presence strongly. This led to spontaneous joy and peace. I don't recommend these great thoughts while driving. Do that when you are safely at home.
Many people become aware of a Saint or a Blessed, or a relative who is in Heaven, or of Jesus and/or Mary around them as if they are angels. I have no family anymore, except for a couple of cousins I haven't seen or spoken to in years (we write each other during "the holidays" (none of them are Catholic) but of course I mean Christmas!). Instead, I have many friends and sisters/brothers in Christ, most of whom are Secular Franciscans. They are my family now. But so is Jesus and Mary. They are family because all of us are sisters or brothers of Jesus. Let me explain for those who require a further explanation.
When Jesus hung on the Cross, just before he died, his Mother Mary was standing beneath the Cross with the Apostle John. Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. [John 19:25-27]. We are also disciples of Jesus, and therefore, Mary is our Mother, too.
We have this special relationship with the Mother of God as her children, and therefore God the Father is our Father, and Jesus, the Son, is our Brother. And since the Holy Spirit rounds out the Holy Trinity, one God in three Persons, that sublime love between Father and Son now guides us toward His Heart, and to recognize His mother as ours. Therefore, there is good reason to be joyful, for what better relationship could we have than the Father, Mother and Brother to God! The very thought brings me spontaneous Joy and Peace! I pray that this Joy and Peace will come to you, too, when you're praying deeply with adoration for Mary our Mother and Jesus, the son of God.
God bless you today +
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
09/24/2008 rev. 07/03/2026