Today’s Readings: Psalm 38; Ecclus. 7:4-14; Rev. 8:1-13; Luke 10:17-24
In the Southeast come football season practically everyone has a “dog in the fight.” Some of us may act as though that “dog” means as much to us as our first born. You know who I mean. When their team wins the flags come out, the comments on social media explode and bragging rights seem to have no limit. Some even take an excessive amount of pleasure when a rival team loses. Either type of joy can swing far afield from humble, grateful joy, and therein lies the problem.
This past weekend, my husband and I took our AU vs UGA game watching positions – me in our bedroom with the sound off working on a sermon and he in the den. We try to be respectful of the other’s team but every once in a while, the score gets the best of us and one or both of us lets out a scream. By the third quarter I had turned the TV off, so when I heard a restrained but celebratory yell from downstairs, I knew UGA was no longer undefeated. Oh well, life goes on and I still had a sermon to preach the next morning.
In today’s gospel, Jesus is cautioning the disciples, that in their excitement they don’t wander astray and find themselves knee deep in prideful joy. They’ve returned from a successful mission trip and are elated by their new power over demons. Their joy is edging towards pride in what they’ve accomplished with not much focus on what God has accomplished through them. Jesus warns them,”20Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Some events evoke a level of joy that we experience with humility and gratitude. Like the birth of a child or receiving an all-clear report from a medical scan. However, joy that is a product of pride is less about true joy and more about personal triumphs. We can all fall into the same trap. Pride versus joy creeps up quickly and we can become lost in the excitement. When we are enveloped with true joy, if we are present to the moment, opportunities to catch glimpses of God’s hand at work often appear. We can see the presence of Christ in the people and events that surround us – this is where we find true joy.
I told Bp. Kee once that I was hesitant to celebrate a milestone in my health journey and he replied I think a small “Woo Hoo” would be appropriate. Our moments of joy are a gift from God, and even though I believe there’s not enough joy in the world, I cringe at joy which celebrates without gratitude. There are so many things that can threaten to steal our joy. Joy welcomed with thanks and a humble but appropriate “woo hoo,” Is the best kind of joy. By the way, to my husband’s credit, he didn’t gloat even a little bit and who could have blamed him if he had!
Faithfully,
Sally+
Questions for Reflection and Challenge - Looking back, if you were to take an honest assessment, when was “thank you” the first thought when you realized the joy of good news? Reflect on those moments you have experienced true joy and say thanks, for all the ways God has been present.