Because Jesus is the joy of our salvation, we are called to respond by choosing joy rather sadness.  “How necessary it is to cultivate a spirit of joy. It is a psychological truth that the physical acts of reverence and devotion make one feel devout. The courteous gesture increases one's respect for others. To act lovingly is to begin to feel loving, and certainly to act joyfully brings joy to others which in turn makes one feel joyful. I believe we are called to the duty of delight. (Dorothy Day)

“The greatest honor you can give to Almighty God is to live gladly, joyfully because of the knowledge of his love.” (Julian of Norwich)

Joy is the one of the fruits of our  life in the Spirit.”The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but of justice, peace, and the joy that is given by the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17). This joy is not the consequence of a passing high, or singular event or fleeting moment or temporary relationship. This joy is rooted in the reality of God’s perfect love for me and my imperfect, but real, love for him. As nothing but sin on my part can separate us from God’s love, then nothing but my sin can separate us from the joy of being loved by God. Even though God’s love continues to be poured out upon me, sin places a block to my receiving that gift of love. Sin causes an emptiness in my life, an emptiness which deprives me of joy.  But “the soul of one who loves God always swims in joy, always keeps holiday, and is always in the mood for singing.” (John of the Cross) For “Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.”(George Bernanos

Praise be Jesus Christ who is the source of our joy, the joy of our salvation! In him we live and move and have our being. “To him whose power now at work in us can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine–to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations. world without end. Amen. (Eph 3"20-21).