I'll share with you why I started a Catholic lofi channel. We'll also look at what St Thomas Aquinas says are 4 characteristics of joy.
🎧 Catholic Lofi: https://youtu.be/FbsO3bgyH84
😊 Locals (Morning Coffee podcast): https://mattfradd.locals.com/
Aquinas on the four characteristics of joy:
Anyone who desires to make progress must have spiritual joy: "A cheerful heart is a good medicine" (Prov. 17:22). The Apostle touches on four characteristics of true joy;
First, it must be right, this happens when it concerns the proper good of man, which is not something created, but God: "But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge" (Ps. 73:28). Therefore, it is right, when there is joy in the Lord; hence he says, in the Lord: "'Me joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh.,8:10).
Secondly, it is continuous; hence he says, always, "Rejoice always" (1 Thess. 5:16). This happens when it is not interrupted by sin, for then it is continuous. But sometimes it is interrupted by temporal sadness, which signifies the imperfection of joy. For when a person rejoices perfectly, his joy is not interrupted, because he cares little about things that do not last; that is why he says always.
Thirdly, it should be multiple, for if you rejoice in God, you will rejoice in His incarnation: I bring you good news of a great joy, which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior" (Lk. 2: 10); and in your own activity: "When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous" (Prov. 21:15); and in your contemplation: "Companionship with her has no bitterness" (Wis. 8:16). Again, if you rejoice in your good, you will be prepared to rejoice in the good of others; if you rejoice in the present, you are prepared to rejoice in the future; hence he says, again I will say, rejoice.
Fourthly, it should be moderate and not flooded with pleasures, as happens in worldly joy; hence he says, let all men know your forbearance. As if to say: Your joy should be so moderated that it will not degenerate into dissoluteness: "The people continued feasting in Jerusalem before the sanctuary" (Judith 16:20). He says, let all men know, as if to say: Your life should be so moderate in externals, that it offends the gaze of no one; for that would hinder your manner of life.