The problem is that in society, at times even within in the church, and in our personal lives there may currently be a great deal of joylessness.

When we look at societies over the past months and years, there is so much joylessness. There is a deep sense of emptiness, and here and there, even within our own church, we encounter joylessness. We need only look at our own lives: there are situations we face that are simply dreadful.

Yet you can sense it everywhere: “We want joy!” The people around us, societies, congregations—and even we ourselves, in our own personal lives—we want joy. We all have a deep longing for joy. But the question is: how does it work? Apostle Paul gives the answer: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4: 4)

The joy of which Apostle Paul writes is a very deep, beautiful, and simple joy. It is about closeness, trust, love, feeling at home, and open arms. This joy endures forever and ever. It springs from our relationship with God, or better said, from God’s relationship with us.

Food for thought from a divine service by the Chief Apostle

November 2026