How do you define joy? In a country designed to offer instant gratification to those who can afford it, joy could be understood as something that we all can acquire if we work hard enough. However, once our basic needs of food, shelter, security, and sense of purpose are met, does the acquisition of more “things” truly bring us joy? Rather than “joy” being yet another word for “happiness,” the spiritual path of Jesus, and the teachings of prophetic leaders such as Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama reveal to us that true joy is a spiritual practice that helps us see joy in all the complexities of life.

This Sunday we will explore what joy is. Can joy be sustained or is it just momentary feelings? While joy is a feeling, the Christian tradition teaches us that it is also influenced by the way we choose to view the world. How might being open to the perspectives of others offer insight into what it means to be joyful? Join us as we explore how the story of the Good Samaritan teaches us that changing the way we see the world can help shift the way we feel, think, and act, which in turn changes the world itself.

This series is inspired by the writing of Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, particularly The Book of Joy.