JOY

23 THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL SAINT JOHN OF ÁVILA (+1569) was a Spanish priest and a Church reformer. He is a Doctor of the Church. would be found written in their hearts. This is not be- cause they know them by memory but because the res- olute love of their hearts is exactly what the law speaks from outside. Their will is already so transformed by love of the good, and through putting it into practice with such love and delight, that to follow their heart’s desire is to follow virtue and to flee from vice. They have become the living law and measure of human actions that Aristotle was aiming at. From here there is born a peace and a joy so complete that no one can understand them except the one who tastes them. This is because, as Isaiah says, the peace of such as these is like a river and like the waves of the ocean (cf. Is 48:18). Saint Paul says that this peace of God surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7), and Saint Peter says that this joy is unspeakable (cf. 1 Pt 1:8). It is hidden manna that is given to the one who manfully overcomes himself. No one can taste it except the one who receives it.