Fr Alvan Ibeh: It Doesn’t Cost to Smile

Fr Alvan Ibeh reflects on the power of a simple, sincere smile to uplift others and express inner joy, encouraging us to share this small but profound gift — even in the face of life’s challenges.

Just a few weeks ago, I went to celebrate Sunday evening Mass at one of our Mass centres. During the liturgy, I noticed a young lady who kept smiling — especially during my homily. After Mass, as usual, I stood by the door greeting those who had attended. After a few minutes, the young lady appeared, still smiling. She was with her father, and it turned out they were staying at a nearby holiday park and had decided to join us for worship that Sunday. It was, of course, their first time attending Mass in our church. They are Catholics.

When she came out and I reached out to shake her hand, she said something that touched me — and inspired this month’s article. It wasn’t that I’d never heard it before, whether sincerely or not; what moved me was that it came from someone who had just met me for the very first time. As I shook her hand, she looked straight into my eyes and said, “You are such a happy person.”

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting that from a teenager. Many young people are often shy when it comes to speaking to a priest, especially one they’ve never met before. But the confidence this young lady showed was exceptional. It was clear she genuinely wanted to share how she felt. Her words made me pause and reflect.

I know I tend to smile a lot — it’s something I’m used to, so I don’t usually think much of it. But you can imagine the impact that simply smiling during Mass had on this young lady. She left not just feeling happy, but truly joyful. I was even tempted to ask if it was the first time she had seen a priest smile — it certainly felt like it, judging by her reaction. She looked quite amazed.

Do you know that just your smile — without saying a word — can make a real difference in someone’s life? You don’t need to be happy to smile. You don’t need everything to be going perfectly in your life to offer one. There’s a saying: “Smiling doesn’t always mean you’re happy — it means you’re strong.” It takes real strength to smile when it feels like your world is falling apart. That’s why the prophet Nehemiah declared, “The joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

In a world full of chaos, pain, and uncertainty, one simple but powerful act remains universally accessible: a smile. Smiling is more than just an emotional expression — it’s a sign of God’s joy flowing through us. As Proverbs 17:22 tells us, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” For the Christian, a smile is often an outward sign of an inward joy rooted in faith and trust in God.

Though Jesus was known as a man of sorrows, He was also someone who welcomed children, dined with friends, and brought joy to weddings. His presence brought peace, and surely, in those moments of compassion and healing, He must have smiled. A genuine, heartfelt smile — not a forced or artificial one — can be a reflection of divine love.

Of course, life doesn’t always make it easy to smile. Illness, loss, financial struggles, broken relationships — these can make joy feel distant. And yet, some of the most inspiring smiles come from those who choose hope over despair. Think of someone battling illness who still welcomes visitors with warmth. Or the exhausted mother, working long hours, yet smiling at her child at the end of the day. These smiles don’t deny pain — they rise above it. They are signs of resilience, faith, and the remarkable strength of the human spirit.

In your family, your community, your school or workplace — and even on social media — wherever you find yourself, let your smile be a source of joy. In a time when negativity spreads so easily, be one of those who spreads warmth and encouragement, not with arguments or debates, but with a simple, sincere smile.

So — smile today. Smile often. Smile at strangers, at loved ones, and even at yourself in the mirror. It may just be the miracle someone else is waiting for.

Shalom.

Follow me on social media—TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram: @voiceofhopefamily

And on YouTube: Fr Alvan Ibeh SMMM

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