I was going through an old pile of notes and letters and came across one from my husband’s godson who is now a monk at the Monastery of the Holy Archangel Michael in New Mexico. It is postmarked June of 2018. I don’t remember reading it. But possibly it was meant for me to read now instead. It find it very encouraging and wanted to share it with you.
Christ is in our midst! I was glad to receive your Pascha postcard and rejoiced that everything is well with you all. You wished me the joy of the resurrection and I am ashamed to say how easily that joy is forgotten within me. One of the desert monks of the 4th century wrote: “Prayer is the fruit of joy and thankfulness.” When I read that I first thought that the translator got it backwards. Is not the struggle for prayer first, and then the reward of joy and thankfulness? But now I am considering that perhaps the primary struggle is to maintain joy and be thankful, trusting that prayer will develop in a hidden way, like how the fruits form on the trees. I don’t know. Forgive me for taking up space with such musings.
I am glad he took up space with such musings! It has given me much food for thought.
Prayer is the fruit of joy and thankfulness.
Kindler of Joy! 