In Matthew 22, Jesus speaks of God’s reign as being like a banquet. We don’t always think of God in terms of feasting, but Jesus seems to believe God likes a good party. Especially when the feast can also include those who don’t always get an invitation, God’s invitation to the table can be an occasion of joy.
How do you practice joy in your life? Do you carve out time each week or even each day for joy? We can get so serious about our faith that we don’t always think of this, but a focus on joy is not frivolous to God. It is a core component of life in faith. I find it helpful to practice joy when on a walk, noticing and giving thanks for some gift I encounter. It might be a tree, a bird, an animal, another person, or the feel of sunshine on my face. Joy comes in humor, whether a story or joke or chance to laugh at life.
And then, I know it is fun to share joy with others. That’s part of the image of gathering at the table, and going out to the byways to invite others. God continues to want the invitation to go wider, and extend to those who’d been missed earlier. As illogical as it can feel, schedule some time this week for joy. Laugh, smile, listen. Even in the midst of hard times, I believe that God holds us with a joy more profound than difficulty.
Peace,
Hans
Three Holy Days
In our tradition, we make space on Maundy Thursday to remember central parts of our faith story. We hear about the...
