The function of faith is not to reduce mystery to rational clarity, but to integrate the unknown and the known together in a living whole, in which we are more and more able to transcend the limitations of our external self.
"Listen, I bring you news of great joy." Joy is the transparency of grace, the overflow of Christ's presence into us, into the lives of others. Joy is a gift, the fruit of the Holy Spirit. "Christ's joy is the sharing in the unfathomable joy, both divine and human, which is at the heart of Jesus Christ glorified." The deep, quiet joy of the gift of goodness of life, of one's family and friends, of loving and being loved, of holiness, of the Eucharist. We were created for joy!