Joy

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said,
"I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
'Make straight the way of the Lord,'"
as the prophet Isaiah said.

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints Mary Magdalen and John the Baptist

BUGLIARDINI, Giuliano di Piero di Simone

1510-15

Tempera and gold on wood

Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York, USA

This well-preserved altarpiece, which dates from about 1510–15, came from the church of Santa Maria Maddalena all'Isola at Incisa, in the Arno valley south of Florence. The synthesis of space, light, and gesture makes it one of Bugiardini's finest essays in the High Renaissance style. The influence of Raphael and Fra Bartolomeo is especially evident.

The frame (not seen here) is evidently the original one and was probably designed by the architect/wood worker Baccio d'Agnolo and painted by Andrea di Cosimo Feltrini. On the base of the pilasters are the arms of the Altoviti family of Florence.

http://www.metmuseum.org/collections/search-the-collections/110000257

(Thank you, Joan!!!)

Joy does not simply happen to us.
We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.

~ Henri Nouwen

There is no value in life except

what you choose to place upon it,

and no happiness in any place

except what you bring to it yourself.

~ Lin Yutang *