This story is told about St. Francis: One day he and Bro. Leo conversed as they went from village to village. They discussed what would constitute perfect joy. Bro. Leo had walked with Francis for many months, so he knew that perfect joy was more than a good meal and a bottle of wine. He suggested some other possibilities:

“To preach a sermon and have people change their lives.

But Francis said that would not be perfect joy.

To heal the sick and drive out demons.

But Francis said that would not be perfect joy.

To have a hundred brothers living in harmony with a common mission.

But Francis said that would not be perfect joy.”

As they walked, Bro. Leo tried to think of what would be perfect joy. Night fell and they arrived at a monastery. They knocked on the door and asked if they could spend the night. But the porter said, “No, you are false friars, living off the goodness of others.” Bro. Leo began to protest, but Francis said, “Thank him, Bro. Leo, for he sees us as God does.”

It started to rain, so Bro. Leo in desperation knocked on the door and begged to be let in. The porter opened the door. In his hand he held a stick. “Stop bothering me, you lazy frauds.” Then he swung his stick at them. Bro. Leo and St. Francis fell back into the mud. As they lay there, cold and wet and hungry, Francis turned his head to Bro. Leo, “This,” he whispered, “is perfect joy.”

This story, although it contains elements of legend, illustrates what Jesus tells us today: “Blessed are the poor ... blessed are they who hunger and thirst ... Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Jesus, like St. Francis, teaches us the way to beatitude (to have a good attitude), to perfect joy: Not in everyone admiring us and treating us well, but in seeing ourselves as God sees us. It may not lead to immediate comfort, but it will lead us to what matters: “Your reward will be great in heaven.”

We sometimes say those works casually. We even joke about a “heavenly reward.” But when you think about it, life offers only one tragedy: to not become a saint. A saint is someone who achieves perfect joy here on earth by putting God ahead of any comfort, honor or satisfaction – and thus opens his soul to the endless joy with God forever.

The bottom line for this week and the rest of our lives: Life offers only one tragedy: to not become a saint. A saint is someone who achieves perfect joy here on earth by putting God ahead of any comfort, honor or satisfaction – and thus opens his soul to the endless joy with God. That is Perfect Joy!