One and At The Same Time
I do believe you are right Rick, we must claim the joy that is ours. If not we may be simply walking around with a “claim check” hoping the coat (joy) checker will find us. Whether we are found, or whether we claim joy, it is all grace.
So then, what do we say to this world living in despair? How do we speak of this joy? How do we witness to a different way of being without being discounted or called “poly-anna” or out of touch with the world? I don’t believe any of you are advocating simply singing in the streets, “I’ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart….”
What do we say to the grieving mother who’s child has just been killed by a drunk driver? How do we respond when we walk the 9th ward in New Orleans and see total destruction and another hurricane season coming? What do we do when our only black parishioner’s nephew is on trial for rape? Yes, we run from easy answers. We lament that happiness may be nowhere to be found, but how do we respond?
Sometimes I must confess that I am overwhelmed by the suffering of my immediate community and the tragedy of the world. I pray, yes. But I do spiral into despair—even though I know that joy is mine (and theirs) for the claiming. I do not believe there is a shortage or limited amount of joy, but the fatigue of discouragement and death squelch my joy.
I am praying that God will transform me and enlarge my heart so that I can at once hold sorrow and joy. I am praying God will increase my faith so that in the midst of despair, I can see and share light even though the dangers of night are all around me. I want to be authentic in acknowledging my pain and accompanying those who suffer and at the same time be buoyed up by the grace of inexplicable joy. I know it may be gift then. But I can I be about the practice of this now? I can I help others in my community practice authentically “putting on joy?” What spiritual discipline will help shape me in this desire? Lord, hear my prayer.
So then, what do we say to this world living in despair? How do we speak of this joy? How do we witness to a different way of being without being discounted or called “poly-anna” or out of touch with the world? I don’t believe any of you are advocating simply singing in the streets, “I’ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart….”
What do we say to the grieving mother who’s child has just been killed by a drunk driver? How do we respond when we walk the 9th ward in New Orleans and see total destruction and another hurricane season coming? What do we do when our only black parishioner’s nephew is on trial for rape? Yes, we run from easy answers. We lament that happiness may be nowhere to be found, but how do we respond?
Sometimes I must confess that I am overwhelmed by the suffering of my immediate community and the tragedy of the world. I pray, yes. But I do spiral into despair—even though I know that joy is mine (and theirs) for the claiming. I do not believe there is a shortage or limited amount of joy, but the fatigue of discouragement and death squelch my joy.
I am praying that God will transform me and enlarge my heart so that I can at once hold sorrow and joy. I am praying God will increase my faith so that in the midst of despair, I can see and share light even though the dangers of night are all around me. I want to be authentic in acknowledging my pain and accompanying those who suffer and at the same time be buoyed up by the grace of inexplicable joy. I know it may be gift then. But I can I be about the practice of this now? I can I help others in my community practice authentically “putting on joy?” What spiritual discipline will help shape me in this desire? Lord, hear my prayer.
- Julie
posted by Rick at 9:53 AM
1 Comments:
Dear Julie,
I try to read these postings without knowing who wrote them. I was quite surprised to find your name at the bottom of this one, sure that is was either Ger or Rick.
I dont know you except by reputation (Anna Carter Florence thinks you're swell)and by your written/electronic words. Over these past couple of months I have been impressed by your serene inner strength. You possess such a well of spiritual depth, practiced over time, that I felt I could only admire from afar, but never personally approach.
In this piece, however, your searingly honest account of your own wrestling with joy and joyless pain gave me an entirely differnt view. One closer to my own experience; one with which I can relate. So, again I am impressed. Now with a real person. Thank you.
It probably adds nothing to the discussion, but onthe same day I read your posting, I read an article in the Christian Century, an interview with Robert Jenson in the May 2, 06 issue. At one point he is asked what he thinks about the current state of the ecumenical movement. All he could see was stagnation and a total lack of enthusiasm. He cited the new pope in declaring that a fresh initiative of the Spirit was necessary to make something happen in ecumenism. This is what we should pray for, Jenson said. And then this: "prayer is the most optimistic act a creature can perform." One might edit his comment to "hopeful act" rather than optimistic one, and maybe Jeson would, too, upon reflection. But either way it says something.
Are you 100% positive that you have to stop blogging with us? Please say it aint so. Pretty please? With sugar on it? We will miss you terribly.
Dee
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