This past Saturday morning, I sat in a barber’s chair across from a little boy.

His daddy brought him in, reassuring his son as he lifted him up into the chair.

The little boy must have been 4 or 5 years old.

As soon as his barber swung a cape around him the little boy scrunched his shoulders up tight and began giggling. The barber struggled to cut the boy’s hair because he kept squealing that it tickles, scrunching up his shoulders and tilting his head as he laughed. He looked so little in the big barber shop chair.

I enjoyed watching the little guy. He exuded pure joy.

It was 8 o’clock on a Saturday morning, so everyone else there were quiet and sleepy looking. Within 5 minutes of the boy being there all the sleepy faces were smiling, and a good energy filled the place.

Pure joy.

That is a profoundly powerful thing. 

“…for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!" Nehemiah 8:10b

That last verse from this coming Sunday’s First Reading made me think of that little boy, of his pure joy.

When I left the barber shop, I was smiling and felt happy.

I still had tough things weighing on my heart and there was still stress about things I needed to get done, but I was happy.

Just like the verse says, it felt like that bit of pure joy gave me strength.

Pure joy like that connects me with God.

It makes me smile.

It makes me grateful for God’s blessings.

It makes me rejoice in His love for me.

And yes, it gives me strength.

Today is holy too. Look for pure joy. Let it connect your thoughts to God.

Rejoice in God’s loving presence and let it give you strength.

You can find it in the words of the Bible, in the great Gift of Jesus at Mass, and in the pure joy that comes from a child.  

Blessings of rejoicing in the Lord!