"No Sad Christians!"

"During the 50 days of the Easter season culminating on Pentecost, Ignatius of Loyola encourages disciples to pray daily for the charisma of "intense gladness." Clearly he does not mean a giddy cocktail party gaiety or a brave attempt to smile through the tears, but a deep seated joy in the ressurection triumph of Jesus Christ...
If this prayer is heard, I shall have found a source of Joy that is unassailable, for whatever happens, the Lord is always risen. Contingencies cannot suffocate this deep joy. Whether the day is stormy or fair, whether I am sick or healthy, whether I feel like a dirt ball or a butterfly, whatever comes cannot alter the fact that the Lord is risen."
~Brennan Manning