Mysterious Joy
I was thinking tonight of the great movie "Babbette's Feast" and how her wonderful meal took a bunch of dower Puritans and gave them joy.
Joy in the Christian context is a most mysterious thing, indeed. Much of the time it makes no sense not only to those who do not believe, but to others who do believe. Here are a few examples of joy that are abiding no matter the circumstance:
Remember the last words of Bishop Hugh Latimer to Nicholas Ridley as they were being burned at the stake? "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle by God's grace in England, as I trust shall never be put out."
Or who could forget the book attributed to Francis of Assisi, The Little Flowers of St. Francis? Page 29 of that book sites a most joyful moment. Frances says:
"When Brother Bernard reached the final hour of his departure, he had them sit up, and to the bretheren standing round he said:
Dearest brethren, I do not wish to say much to you, but you should bear in mind that my condition now will be yours some day, just as you hold the same vocation. I found in my soul that I would not have renounced the service of Christ for a thousand worlds like this. For every sin I have committed, I accuse myself before my Saviour Jesus Christ and you, I beg you, dearest bretheren, love one another.
"After these words...he lay back on his bed, and his face shone with a great joy, astonishing all about him. and in that happiness that joyous soul, with the victory before promised him, passed to the joys of the blessed. To the praise of God."
Finally, I recall a piece by the Catholic saint, St. Claude Colombiere. A nun was fearful of facing God at the end of her life and Claude told her something to this effect: "Do you know what I would do if I were so close in giving an account to my Lord? I would be joyful in knowing that God's grace was so powerful. A soul who knows no sin does not show the greatness of the Lord." It's a paraphrase, but nonetheless what he said.
I know the joy of salvation...and I know the holiness found in death (having been with many in their dying). But there is a depth and a richness to Christian joy that escapes my words and in part, my understaning.
I'm not sure who said this, but I recall reading once that "We do not comprehend the sacraments; they comprehend us!" I feel the same way about the mystery of joy give by God's spirit. It comprehends us, not we it.
Yours for the reign of God,
Ron
Joy in the Christian context is a most mysterious thing, indeed. Much of the time it makes no sense not only to those who do not believe, but to others who do believe. Here are a few examples of joy that are abiding no matter the circumstance:
Remember the last words of Bishop Hugh Latimer to Nicholas Ridley as they were being burned at the stake? "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle by God's grace in England, as I trust shall never be put out."
Or who could forget the book attributed to Francis of Assisi, The Little Flowers of St. Francis? Page 29 of that book sites a most joyful moment. Frances says:
"When Brother Bernard reached the final hour of his departure, he had them sit up, and to the bretheren standing round he said:
Dearest brethren, I do not wish to say much to you, but you should bear in mind that my condition now will be yours some day, just as you hold the same vocation. I found in my soul that I would not have renounced the service of Christ for a thousand worlds like this. For every sin I have committed, I accuse myself before my Saviour Jesus Christ and you, I beg you, dearest bretheren, love one another.
"After these words...he lay back on his bed, and his face shone with a great joy, astonishing all about him. and in that happiness that joyous soul, with the victory before promised him, passed to the joys of the blessed. To the praise of God."
Finally, I recall a piece by the Catholic saint, St. Claude Colombiere. A nun was fearful of facing God at the end of her life and Claude told her something to this effect: "Do you know what I would do if I were so close in giving an account to my Lord? I would be joyful in knowing that God's grace was so powerful. A soul who knows no sin does not show the greatness of the Lord." It's a paraphrase, but nonetheless what he said.
I know the joy of salvation...and I know the holiness found in death (having been with many in their dying). But there is a depth and a richness to Christian joy that escapes my words and in part, my understaning.
I'm not sure who said this, but I recall reading once that "We do not comprehend the sacraments; they comprehend us!" I feel the same way about the mystery of joy give by God's spirit. It comprehends us, not we it.
Yours for the reign of God,
Ron
Comments
not quite as old or as profound as your quotes but true nonetheless - - -
"I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart......"
I sing that to myself often and it reminds me that no matter what I have great reason to always be joyful!!