Reflection for Tuesday, September 7, 2010: 23rd week in Ordinary Time.
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Authors
Zuegner, Carol
Issue Date
2010-09-07
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Essay
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en_US
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Abstract
Joy. Delight. Do you recall when you last felt joy and delight? In a world where we are bombarded with life and all of its details, I think joy might escape sometimes, unheeded in our rush to finish our to-do list. We do have to get those things done. We have responsibilities to our families, to our jobs, to society. For adults, the moments of pure joy can be few and far between. And we probably take so much time trying to figure out if that moment actually was joy that we miss it. Maybe parents with children can more easily think of those moments when the toddler giggles uncontrollably at a simple game of peek-a-boo. The child is so completely in the moment, present, full of joy and delighted to be there.|Today's responsorial psalm made me think of this. "The Lord takes delight in his people. Let them praise his name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.|For the LORD loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory."|The Lord does take delight in us. We need to remember that when we are being less than delightful. The festive language of the psalm contrasts with a more stern reading from Corinthians, where we are told the unjust will not inherit the Kingdom of God. The list of those who will not inherit is pretty exhaustive and a good reminder to be true to God and to ourselves, to our true selves where there is joy.|How do we open ourselves up to joy? The Gospel gives us a clue. Jesus goes to the mountain to pray. Take time for yourself to pray even if your mountain isn't quite so mountainous. Quiet time, even if it's in the shower or in your car after dropping the kids off or late in the evening when you're loading the dishwasher or at your computer.|Jesus then came down from the mountain and chose the Twelve. Surround yourself with people who believe in you. You can't do it all yourself.|Be in the moment, be present and feel the power of joy. The Lord takes delight in his people.
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
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Lectionary number: 438