“Happy are
the people whose strength is in you! *
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way.”
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way.”
Psalm 84, Sunday Lent Two, Evening
Prayer, the Daily Office Book, Year One
It has in
many ways been a difficult time over the past year, very challenging on all
levels of living: spiritually, emotionally and materially. It has been a year
of at times feeling frustration, self-doubt and of mourning loses. Honestly, my
feelings have carried a lot of sorrow.
On my recent
birthday, December 1, I was officiating a funeral for another elder friend of
mine. While making the drive to the memorial gathering and meal, I was adrift
in the thoughts of losses over the past year, and of beginning my new year
putting another friend into the ground. I was feeling down. At the gathering of
family and friends, come together to celebrate the life of my friend and break
bread, a dear friend came over and sat down next to me, and knowing how the
past year has gone, she asked me, “Brother John, tell me, are you happy?”
“Yes!” The
word jumped straight from my heart and out of my mouth, and to my surprise, I
must add. I think for the first time in my life I have truly been intentional
and focused on God’s love, both knowing it and growing it. Giving myself to
God’s compassion and accepting it, being
vulnerable to it has become the strength which has brought forth joy and
happiness. Deep down inside me and at the core of my being, in my heart, I know
deep joy. In spite of all the difficulties of the past year, I am happy.
This has been
the foundational year for the Society of Jesus Compassionate. We are heart-set
on the pilgrim’s way. More and more for me, the pilgrim’s way is the way of
vulnerability, first to receive and accept God’s judgment, of myself and
everyone else, as being compassionate, and to then extend that same compassion
into the world. We are, all people, called to be companions of compassion for
each other. Likewise we are all called to know joy, to be happy. Open your
hearts, minds and hands and join in the joyful journey.
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