JOY

22 TRANSFORMED BY THE GOSPEL T hose who follow diligently along the path of perfect virtue do not merely experience the joy of being liberated by Christ in the midst of the dangers present- ed to them. They also experience the joy of obtaining and possessing such blessings in their souls that they can say with much truth: The Kingdom of God is within you (Lk 17:21). As Saint Paul says, this Kingdom con- sists in having within oneself justice, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17). Such persons as these are so enthusiastic about what is just and good, and they love it so much that, if the laws of virtue were to disappear from books, they “ There is born a peace and a joy so complete that no one can understand them except the one who tastes them. ”