Joy

Fall time - Tree with red leaves

From Trust to Joy…

In The Return of the Prodigal Son, Henri Nouwen wrote, “Both trust and gratitude require the courage to take risks because distrust and resentment, in their need to keep their claim on me, keep warning me how dangerous it is to let go of my careful calculations and guarded predictions. At many points I have to make a leap of faith to let trust and gratitude have a chance. The leap of faith always means loving without expecting to be loved in return, giving without wanting to receive, inviting without hoping to be invited, holding without asking to be held. And every time I make a little leap, I catch a glimpse of the One who runs out to me and invites me into his joy, the joy in which I can find not only myself, but also my brothers and sisters.”

Take a moment now to reflect on where you’ve experienced the Lord this past week and to what degree trust was involved. How did or does your experience help you to trust or to have faith, placing hope in the Lord with regards to a situation(s)? What happens when you bring areas in which your trust has possibly shifted away, back into prayer and back to the Lord?

Continuing to contemplate your experience, what qualities or characteristics that you associate with the Lord, are most noticeable? And how do these same qualities inform, influence, and inspire you and your choices?

The Gospel for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 10:46-52) begins in a sea of people, from within which, Bartimaeus, the blind man, is calling out to the Lord. And despite others around him telling him to stop and to keep quiet, he keeps calling out, “Son of David, have pity on me!” (v. 48).

Imagine what Bartimaeus might be holding in his heart as he’s trying to get Jesus’ attention? How about Jesus? What might be in his heart as he navigates through the crowd? What qualities do they each seem to have that might be informing, influencing, and inspiring them? What do each of them seem to be focused on?

Next, notice how Jesus receives and responds to Bartimaeus, the blind man who has let his guard down and opened himself up to both chance and Grace.

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called the blind man, saying to him,
“Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”
Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.”
Immediately he received his sight
and followed him on the way. – Mk 10:49-52

Jesus is essentially saying: I’m here and I’m listening… I see you… I hear you… Come closer… Tell me more. And Bartimaeus, by coming closer and sharing more with Jesus, is able to receive peace, healing, and greater faith.

Take whatever you are focused on, to Jesus, the One who is, who was, and who will ever be—here for you, listening to you, seeing and hearing you, and always saying, come closer, tell me more.

Then, after a period of sharing and listening, envision Jesus saying the same to you as he did to Bartimaeus, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.”

The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. – Psalm 126:3

Holy, Holy, Holy…

Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. – Col 3:15a, 16a

The verses above are used for the Gospel acclamation for the Feast of the Holy Family (usually celebrated the Sunday after Christmas). Oftentimes, the nativity of Jesus and the spirit of Christmas can be accompanied by thoughts of serenity and peace as well as images of idyllic creches and decorations. In such a setting, it can be rather easy to allow the peace of Christ and the word of Christ to flourish within when riding the joy of Christmas or any other anticipated or celebratory day or event. Yet, reality is such that life is a mixed bag and the unexpected, sometimes the dreaded, can come along at any moment, making it more challenging to be open to or inspired by the peace and word of Christ.

Imagine the joy and astonishment of Mary and Joseph at the birth of Jesus and what they initially encountered in the aftermath of his birth as people paid homage. Are there times in your life that come to mind and to which you can relate this experience? Times that have given rise to great joy, overwhelming peace, and/or the feeling of being so amazed.  

Now, here we are, a week later, and in our liturgical celebration, we hear about Simeon and Anna paying homage to Christ and at the same time foretelling what’s to come (Lk 2:2-40).

“and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’.” (v.34-35)  

And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. (v. 38)

What’s it like to reflect on the fact that even though Jesus is the Christ, the reality is that it’s not going to be all roses and sunshine for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph either? It can be tempting to forget or to overlook reality, and to see the Holy Family as not only holy, but also as untouched. Take some time now to invite the Holy Family into whatever is happening at this time in your life. In what ways can you draw strength and inspiration from Jesus, Mary, and Joseph? What’s it like to consider that your experiences, your life, your family, and that of all those around you, are holy too?

Envision the peace and the word of Christ entering into the conversation and dwelling with, within, and all around you, drawing you, and all, closer to God.

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.  – Col 3:12-17

Peace thru the Goodness of the Lord…

In a year where the Fourth Sunday of Advent falls on the same day as Christmas Eve (with the Christmas Vigil Mass), and in a world where it seems that there is a constant push toward an absolute one way or the other, but rarely a celebration of a little here, a little there, or somewhere in between, there lies a reminder of a better way.

Each year the Season of Advent is thought of as a period of waiting and Christmas as a period of celebrating the arrival of Jesus Christ, our Savior. And while we remember and participate in rituals each year, it can be easy to overlook the essence of these practices and to get lost in the ways in which we have come to proceed through them. With this, the opportunity to fully receive what is Divinely offered can become less.

Oftentimes, the greatest desire that many of us hold is the desire for peace (inner peace, peace within families/communities, world peace, etc.). And it is not uncommon to move, knowingly or not, toward external things or activities and attach a sense of peace to them, rather than to the joy they might bring to us as well as the real source of that joy and the peace that accompanies it—the Spirit of God.

Keeping in mind that peace is not possible without an openness to coexistence and unity, in what ways is your heart and mind open to peace? What strengths/challenges do you experience with regards to coexistence and unity in various situations? Where does this come up in your prayer life, and how is your sense of peace affected?  

In a few days, when the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve (with the celebration of the Christmas Vigil Mass) share the day, envision it as an invitation to unity and, through it, peace. Take some time to reflect on the notion that what you desire is what you need, and what you are waiting for is already, in a sense, here. Then take some time to celebrate the goodness of the Lord.

Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. – Psalm 89:2A

Discovering Joy…

The 3rd Sunday of Advent is referred to as Gaudete Sunday, as we move closer to Christmas, anticipating the joy and celebration of the birth of Jesus, the new Adam. The readings for this Sunday (Isaiah 61:1-2A, 6-7; Responsorial Psalm – Luke 1:46-50, 53-54, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, and John 1:6-8, 19-28) call upon us to embrace and rejoice in the Spirit of the Lord. What does that look like? How do you know when you’re embracing and rejoicing in the Spirit of the Lord?

In the Gospel, John the Baptist is asked by priests and Levites, “Who are you?” (John 1:22). Part of John’s response is, “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’” (John 1:23). Reflecting on John’s response, what do you imagine it was like for him? How would you respond to the question, “Who are you?” In what ways would your response be the same or different depending on who asks the question?

What’s it like to ponder that the same God who created John and inspired his words and actions, desires to do the same for all of us?

Continuing to consider this, in what places or situations do you desire your words and actions to be influenced more by God? What are the places or situations where you experience peace, joy, and a sense that your desire and God’s are united?

Prayer: Gracious and merciful Lord, over the course of the next few weeks, with all the busyness of the Advent and Christmas Season, help us to be open to your inspiration and to cooperate with the glue that is your Grace, so that we might discover that there is joy in each moment.

“Man is born broken; he lives by mending. The grace of God is the glue.” – Eugene O’Neill

You Were There…

There were dancers,
Dancing as they do,
Faces aglow with joy,
Balleting here and there,
Everywhere…

There were singers,
Singing as they do,
Reaching notes both high and low,
In every piece and in each act,
Throughout…

There were actors,
Acting as they do,
More than lines upon a page,
Evoking thought and feeling,
From within…

Beautiful to the eye
And moving to the soul,
Through their feet they worshipped,
Through their words they prayed,
Great strength exercised with ease.

With movements so fluid,
Gentle and precise,
Everywhere and throughout,
From within, there is no doubt,
You were there.

I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. – Ps 27:13

Signs and Wonder…

Approaching the intersection of two busy streets, cones and temporary stop signs come into view, and then fallen lines disrupting service to the traffic lights that normally direct cars safely from one side to the other. It’s interesting how in driving or using other forms of transportation, one not only learns to look for signs, but also to be guided by them in reaching destinations safely.

Similarly, as one journeys through life, guidance comes, and prayers are often answered through signs, coming in various forms of interaction with God and others. Sometimes, in both times of light and times of darkness, whether personal or societal, it can be easy to miss signs, lose sight of, or take for granted, experiences of grace. The scripture readings throughout Advent and Christmas, remind us of God’s faithfulness and guiding presence, especially to Mary and Joseph, leading up to and beyond the birth of Jesus.

Through allowing or inviting God to be the source of their path and the sustenance of their hope, Mary and Joseph were not only drawn into their God-given purpose, but they were also led all the way through to its fulfillment… teaching us that the path can be difficult, the road uncertain, but that there can also be great joy when we embrace the spirit of Christmas—a heart full of light, and hope in the Lord.

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. – Psalm 98:3c

A Christmas Prayer: Lord, help me to remember your faithfulness, and to be open to the signs and guidance you place along my path. Turn my gaze always toward you, Emmanuel, as the source of all hope, that my heart may faithfully embrace the spirit of Christmas all year long, leading me to notice and appreciate the beauty and goodness of all creation, and the heart and soul of those I encounter each day.

Leave Room…

On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, we read about the experience of Paul and Barnabas touching the hearts of the Gentiles (perhaps seen as the outsiders) while enraging those considering themselves more as chosen, but of a different persuasion. Things seem to get off to a good start, but then the atmosphere changes. However, despite the change to an overwhelmingly inhospitable environment, the disciples hold firm to the Way even as they are being thrown out of Antioch. We read, “So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium” (Acts 13:51).

It’s interesting that Paul and Barnabas left Antioch, a city whose name means, “resistant, holding out against” and went on to Iconium, which means “City of the Image,” where they were more well-received, at least for a little while, before being led on to other territories. As with Jesus, with the disciples, there is always room for choice; they do not practice coercion.

We also read in this section of Scripture, “The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:51-52). What a combination! What’s it like to consider this disposition on the heels of them being expelled from Antioch? In what ways do you see the influence of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in the reactions and responses of Paul and Barnabas, and their willingness to be led by the will of God, which is not rigid, and they cannot, and do not, know ahead of time?

In the Gospel according to John, Jesus says:

“My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.” – Jn 10:27-30

Contemplating the Gospel as the living Word of God, if someone told you a story about an inhospitable experience, perhaps one that caused them to pick up and leave, how would you receive what they shared? What if their experience occurred in a place where your experience was more, or only, positive? How open would you be to giving an honest look to the situation? And what would you be most interested in learning about their experience?

Keeping in mind, we are all created in God’s image, and we all belong to the sheepfold, how do you accept the invitation to trust that the same God who loves you, loves them, and that the same God who guides you, guides them, even if their choices and experiences may not be the same as yours?

In what ways, are your responses to people and situations a reflection of the Good Shepherd, and a heart that is filled with joy and the Holy Spirit?

Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga
and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats.
Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism
followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them
and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.

On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered
to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.”

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them,
and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. – Acts 13:14, 43-52

Rising From the Splinters…

“The heart’s affections are divided like the branches of the cedar tree; if the tree loses one strong branch, it will suffer but it does not die. It will pour all its vitality into the next branch so that it will grow and fill the empty place.” – Khalil Gibran

The cedar trees of Lebanon are known for characteristics such as their strength, beauty, and fragrance. They are also named in various Bible passages. In Psalm 29, they are referred to amid verses that describe the voice of God. However, in these verses, they are not described in terms of their beauty, fragrance, or formidable strength, but rather in terms that focus on and describe the strength of God’s voice.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord, over the mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is power;
the voice of the Lord is splendor.
The voice of the Lord cracks the cedars;
the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon… – Psalm 29:3-5

What’s striking here though, is that the nature of God’s voice, or God’s will, is much more than the power to crack and splinter the magnificent cedar tree. Not only does God break through and penetrate the tree, or whatever it may be, but as described in the verse that follows,

Makes Lebanon leap like a calf,
and Sirion like a young bull. – Psalm 29:6

God opens and escorts the way to joy and newness (or fullness) of life, making it possible for something greater and more meaningful to come to the surface. And in this process, although there may be suffering, there is not death, for what is born of God is eternal.

In this new year, on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, as God’s beloved, striving to listen to the voice of God in turbulent times, let us pray for the wisdom and strength to follow the example of Jesus, with a desire to be led by the grace of God, and to learn how to rise from the splinters of all that is broken.

When the kindness and generous love
of God our savior appeared,
not because of any righteous deeds we had done
but because of his mercy,
He saved us through the bath of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior,
so that we might be justified by his grace
and become heirs in hope of eternal life. – Titus 3:4-7

Solemn Joy…

“Among the tales of sorrow and of ruin that came down to us from the darkness of those days there are yet some in which amid weeping there is joy and under the shadow of death light that endures.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

The above quote seems so apropos for the world of today despite it being written many decades ago. Interesting how in every age there are things about which one can say, what’s old is new, and what’s new is old, or in other words some things are timeless.

Entering the 3rd week of Advent, the readings invite us to avail ourselves of God’s promise,

The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
he will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals. – Zep 3:17-18a

To step over the darkness of our times,

God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the Lord,
and he has been my savior. – Is 12:2

And into the ever-present joy and light of the Lord.

Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. – Phil 4:4-7

As we wait in hope for the coming of the Lord, in what ways does the wisdom of God’s word resonate? How is the Spirit of the Lord present in these moments of waiting? In what ways do they create inspiration? And where do they spark peace and love… joy and light?

The crowds asked John the Baptist,
“What should we do?”
He said to them in reply,
“Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
“Teacher, what should we do?”
He answered them,
“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
Soldiers also asked him,
“And what is it that we should do?”
He told them,
“Do not practice extortion,
do not falsely accuse anyone,
and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people. – Luke 3:10-18

Remain…

In a few weeks, my oldest child will be turning the page toward a new chapter in his life, as he graduates. So many years have passed and so much has transpired since his birth, yet it’s still hard to believe that this milestone is already here. As I think about the journey as a parent, I recall moments of feeling joy and pride as well as moments of feeling fear and uncertainty. What an awesome responsibility… what an awesome privilege. But then, isn’t that what love is all about? Being present, holding on, lifting up, letting go, and along the way, being drawn toward the balance that lies between?   

In the Gospel according to John, Jesus says:

“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.” (15:9)

How do we do that?

We remain in love, by choosing to live in Love. When we choose to be present to each other and creation, we are also choosing to be present to God, and God’s love for us. This is the source of joy, and it can only be complete when it is shared and flowing freely among us. So often though, things get in the way, distracting us, and pulling us apart from each other, as well as from God.

When we remain in God’s love though, we can see things for what they are more readily, and withhold the judgment that seeks to lead us against one another rather than bring us together. What an awesome responsibility… what an awesome privilege. But then, isn’t that what love is all about? Being present, holding on, lifting up, letting go, and along the way, being drawn toward the balance that lies between?

Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.” — Rumi