A Parade, a Kiss, a Conviction, and a Cross

A Parade, a Kiss, a Conviction, and a Cross

Palm Sunday and Holy Week may offer us an opportunity to be with our own suffering and joy, hurt and healing, betrayal and forgiveness, loneliness and connection. As we move through these sacred days, we may see how, as we enter into the Passion of Jesus, Christ has entered into our own passion too, this life we’re living, day by day and year by year.

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3rd Sunday of Advent: You Can’t Force Joy

3rd Sunday of Advent: You Can’t Force Joy

I can’t force joy. However, as the Letter to the Philippians invites, I can lay my difficulties before God and receive the love and care God offers. And, when God gifts me with joy, I can welcome it and give thanks for it, because in periods of sorrow, a moment of joy feels like an enormous relief, a glowing light in a pitch-black night. I’ve learned to honor whatever feelings I have; to do otherwise is to slip into avoidance, and that’s just not helpful. We’re invited to bring how we are – our petitions and prayers – before God. However, I never want to be so shrouded with sorrow or stress that I miss joy when it arrives.

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