Chiara Lubich quotes St Francis and his “perfect joy”. When faced with the pain of  something we must give up, a detachment, a trial or an illness, she invites us to experience the full meaning of the words, “You are Lord my only good”. One day St. Francis, who was truly in love with his Lord, while traveling barefoot and half frozen towards Assisi, explained to Brother Leo where “perfect joy, perfect happiness” could be found. It was not so much in working miracles and raising the dead; nor was it in prophesying and speaking all languages. It was to be found in keeping charity while bearing with the abuse they would receive from their brothers in the Friary they were going to. Because, he said, “Above all the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit, is that of overcoming oneself and suffering willingly, for the love of Christ, all pain, abuse and hardships”. That, for him, was “perfect joy”. Let’s try to do the same. When we realize that a suffering is approaching (something we must give up, a detachment, a trial, an illness) let’s say with St. Francis, “Here is perfect joy”. This is the fullness of what we mean when we say, “You, Lord, are my only good.” It’s a very challenging thought, isn’t it? But it is with actions such as these that we can make progress, indeed, we can fly ahead in life, leaving behind a trail of light and bringing many others with us.

Chiara Lubich

  Perfect joy, CH Conference Call – Castel Gandolfo, 17th December 1998