Daily Readings: Psalm 126; Habakkuk 3:2-6; Philippians 3:12-16

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. Psalm 126, NRSV

In this hymn, The Song of Ascents, the psalmist effusively describes the joy of the Hebrew people emerging from exile. He also describes their immense gratitude toward God for answering their prayers. There is a relationship between gratitude and joy. One begets the other. As Brene` Brown explains, “Leaning into joy depends on actively practicing gratitude.”

Like the Jews coming out of exile, it is easy to practice gratitude when everything in our life is going well. Yet, we know much of life is about trial and suffering. As our gaze turns to the conflict in the Middle East, we observe that the Hebrew people may have been brought out of exile, but they landed far from a utopian homeland. What’s more, the displaced modern-day Palestinians remain in exile. We watch in horror as the political conundrum inflicts unfathomable pain and suffering, taking thousands of innocent lives in “collateral damage.” 

Closer to home, many of us decry the dystopian domestic politics that surrounds us. Away from the political stage, many of us wrestle with our own demons, health challenges, financial struggles, loss of significant relationships, or profound existential hopelessness.  

HOW DO WE FIND JOY IN THIS SEASON OF JOY?  Perhaps it’s not so much about finding joy as it is being joyful. Yes, we beseech God to set things right in our lives (meaning being comfortable and avoiding suffering). We have been programmed to believe we need things to go well in our lives before we can be joyful. But perhaps our prayers should more often be prayers of gratitude: gratitude for the warmth of the sun on our faces; the smell of rain in the air; that first sip of hot coffee or tea in the morning; the loving touch of a significant other; a baby’s cry for attention; a pet’s unconditional love; or listening for the simple, holy beauty in Christmas carols. GK Chesterton said, The world will never lack for wonder; only wonderment.

Brother David Steindl-Rast wrote, Joy is the happiness that doesn’t depend on what happens. He goes on to explain, The invitation lies in developing a practice that we can return to as a touchstone, even in the most challenging times. In this way, we leave the door open for joy. We build our capacity to hold, simultaneously, life’s sorrows and its gifts.

If you’re unfamiliar with Br. David’s work, I invite you to browse his website at www.gratefulness.org. He explores the relationship between gratitude and joy and provides glimpses of God’s miracle that is life given to us for which the only authetic response is gratitude. 

Blessings and Peace.

May both shadow and light guide you to God-With-Us.

Offered by Bryan Fredrickson