Feast of Feasts
Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany
with St. Francis
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Epiphany – Joy
The only thing Saint Francis was interested in achieving was to live his life in as close an imitation of Jesus as possible. And he was able to do this with a “perfect joy” that came from letting go of his ego.
Theologian Adolf Holl noted that Francis was born just as people began to measure time by clocks instead of by church bells. So, Francis stopped counting when the Church started counting. Instead of continuing the church system that used merit (buying indulgences, etc.), Francis moved to a different system—the immeasurable economy of God’s grace. God gives fully and without reserve.
As the world settled into a downward spiral of production and consumption that would lead to a pillaged and plundered Earth, Francis decided instead to love Mother Earth. He chose to live simply and barefoot upon her, cherishing God’s creation, and finding joy in everything.
Francis, and Clare, fell in love with both the humanity and the humility of Jesus. They felt that Jesus was someone to imitate and not just to worship as the Son of God. Francis put his emphasis on action, practice, and lifestyle, which was revolutionary for the time and remains so to this day.
Questions for reflection
What is an action, practice or something in your lifestyle that brings you joy on a daily basis?
Sunday – A Franciscan Story
Francis aspired to an experience of joy that was tied to being faithful to God rather than delight in one’s circumstances. Saint Francis dictated the meaning of true joy to a fellow monk:
“What true joy is: A messenger comes and says…that my brothers have gone to all the unbelievers and converted all of them to the faith; again, that I have so much grace from God that I heal the sick and perform many miracles: I tell you that joy does not consist in any of these things.
“What then is true joy? I return to Perugia and arrive there in the dead of night; and it is winter time, muddy and so cold that icicles have formed on the edges of my habit and keep striking my legs, and blood flows from such wounds. And all covered with mud and cold, I come to the gate and after I have knocked and called for some time, a brother comes and asks, ‘Who are you?’ I answer, ‘Brother Francis.’ “And he says, ‘go away; this is not the proper hour for going about; you may not come in.’ And when I insist, he answers, ‘Go away, you are a simple and stupid person; we are so many and we have no need of you. You are certainly not coming to us at this hour!’ And I stand again at the door and say: ‘For the love of God, take me in tonight.’
“And he answers, ‘I will not. Go to the Crossiers’ place and ask there.’ I tell you this: If I had the patience and did not become upset, there would be true joy in this and true virtue and the salvation of the soul.’”
Question for reflection
Francis wanted to conform his life to God’s will in such a way that even cruelty of a fellow brother of the religious order he founded could not take away his joy. He felt that if he could find patience even in the midst of suffering, he would find the key to finding joy in all things. Have you found joy beyond the circumstances of life or is your delight always tied to things going your way?
Monday – A Prayer
Life-giving God, fill us with that inexpressible and glorious joy that is found in you, that with Blessed Francis, we may find that delight in you even in the midst of a fallen world. As we put our trust in you more and more may we overflow with that hope of the Spirit that others may see and feel our joy and so be drawn to your son, our Savior, Jesus. This we ask in the Name of the one who came that we might have life, and have it abundantly, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.
There are nearly 270 references to joy in the Bible, many of which are in the psalms. And, of course, we cannot forget that joy is a Fruit of the Spirit named in Galatians 5:22-23: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
And yet it is a very human condition to think of joy as something that brings one an overwhelming sense of happiness like gazing at the face of a newborn child or grandchild. But, as with most everything, joy is best consumed in moderation. Mountaintop experiences are amazing and should not be forgotten, but in the quotidian, joy should be found in the simple things—that first sip of coffee or tea in the morning, a Scripture reading that seems to speak directly to one’s current situation, the scent of a flower, a cardinal splashing merrily in a birdbath, singing along to a favorite hymn in church. The list goes on and on and varies from person to person.
Day Twenty Eight – The Third Note: Joy in the Principles of TSSF says:
“Tertiaries, rejoicing in the Lord always, show in our lives the grace and beauty of divine joy. We remember that we follow the Son of Man, who came eating and drinking, who loved the birds and the flowers, who blessed little children, who was a friend of tax collectors and sinners, and who sat at the tables of both the rich and the poor. We delight in fun and laughter, rejoicing in God’s world, its beauty, and its living creatures, calling nothing common or unclean. We mix freely with all people, ready to bind up the broken-hearted and to bring joy into the lives of others.”
And that is why every day, no matter how I feel (tired, grumpy, down, happy, blessed, you-name-it), I try to find something of note to bring me joy. Sometimes it can be as simple as one of my cats wanting some attention or wishing my daughter luck on an exam or presentation. Sometimes it is enjoying the bounty of the beautiful vegetables and fruit in my weekly Farm Bag or the satisfaction of finishing a project.
Joy can be found in so many places and in so many things. Some people have the practice of writing down one thing they are thankful for each day. I would add to that. In addition to something one is thankful for, also note something that has brought joy that day.
“The devil is most happy when he can snatch from a servant of God true joy of spirit. He carries dust with him to throw into the smallest chinks of conscience and thus soil one’s mental candor and purity of life. But if joy of spirit fills the heart, the serpent shoots his deadly venom in vain.”
–Saint Francis in Thomas of Celano’s, Second Life of Saint Francis
Questions for reflection
How easy is it for your joy to be snatched away? When faced with adversity, do you shy away from it? Sink into depression? Worry and lament until you are ill? Flounder in the stress and anxiety it causes? Or can you face adversity as a challenge, rising to the occasion, confident that with God’s help you can see it through?
Francis took the concept of joy to the extreme, even rebuking one of his friars for his sad and gloomy countenance as they were walking along a road. He told the friar to keep his sorrow between himself and God and to pray for the healing that would bring joy.
“But in front of me and others show yourself as always having joy,” Francis told him. “For it is not fitting for a servant of God to show sadness outwardly, or to have a clouded face.”
Strong words, but fortunately we know so much more today. Was the friar just feeling down at the moment or was he actually depressed? Perhaps he could have used someone to speak to honestly about his pain or even an antidepressant.
Regardless, it is not a bad idea to remind ourselves daily that God’s unconditional love for us is something that should be a cause for joy and that nothing, not even a bad day, will separate us from the love of God.
Joy should not be confused with happiness, which can come and go, and that is why it is so important to find the joy in little things.
After Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah, she went to see her cousin Elizabeth to share her joy. Also miraculously pregnant, Elizabeth felt the child within her womb leap with joy. When was the last time you leapt with joy (if not literally, figuratively)?
Think back over the past few months to the times when you felt joyful. Was the joy caused by something that was brought about by another person? If so, write a letter/ email/text to the person who brought you joy, thanking them for having brought a moment of joy into your life.
Joy is, in my experience, the sneakiest Fruit of the Spirit. Joy is a breath-taking gift from God when a moment proves to be more full of meaning than seems possible. One of the most wonderful surprises in being the Bishop of Georgia has been the many occasions that have sparked deep joy. But to explain what I mean, I will have to let you in on what this vocation is really like from the inside.
Picture me in the museum-quality cope and mitre given by the Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Japan to Bishop Albert Rhett Stuart in the 1950s. I would like to tell you I feel holy. Instead, I find myself slipping into imposter syndrome again, sure that I do not have what I need for this call.
At a practical level, I am trying to not get in my head, simply stay focused on the words of the liturgy, meaning the words as I pray them. I look at the name tag and say the name of the confirmand, assisting her in kneeling, and pray, “Strengthen, O Lord, your servant Susan with your Holy Spirit; empower her for your service; and sustain her all the days of her life.” Being fully present with the person I am praying for in the moment has to be, and surely is, enough.
One afternoon, I felt that creeping sense of not being enough as I drove to an in-home confirmation for a homebound parishioner in Hospice care. She sat on the couch next to her husband with 20 friends gathered in their living and dining rooms. “All the days of her life” seems too short a time-period. Yet I was given the grace to see that this prayer is not for this life alone as her life in Christ will continue beyond the grave. The joy of that moment is beyond words.
At my first in-person convention as bishop, the day was cold, windy, and rainy with news reports saying the flooding was near hurricane levels. More than 200 people arrived damp and cold for the Convention Eucharist in a tent in the field at Honey Creek. With everyone in, we dropped the sides, cutting back the wind, and the tent warmed and Jesus showed up. Then we enjoyed some good Southern cooking with fried chicken, collard greens, and macaroni and cheese.
A DJ provided music, and we danced as the rain continued. Watching the people of the Diocese delighted to be with each other was life giving. Then the Rev. David Wantland and I ended up taking over the dance floor as all gathered around watching us dance to Abba’s “Dancing Queen.” I am not a dancer by any stretch, but I could follow as he led, spinning me across the floor. What a surprisingly joyful moment.
I am at peace with not having what this call needs as that keeps me dependent on God. When I think I can rely on my own gifts, I fall flat. But when I can get out of my head and let the Spirit do as the Spirit will, I find myself surprised by the joy in those moments of grace.
Question for reflection
When have you been surprised by joy?
It almost seems like a no-brainer to write about “joy” as an aspect of worship. After all, if attending church didn’t bring us some comfort, happiness, connection, joy, we probably wouldn’t go at all. Or, at least, we might find some excuse not to be there as often as we might if we had friends or family that would question our absence.
But I think it is possible to become so accustomed to the order of service that you might miss things that once brought you joy. So, I am going to suggest an experiment. The next time you attend church, pay attention to every aspect of the service.
Before the service, look at your surroundings. Is there some aspect of your church’s architecture that brings you joy? What about the windows, whether stained glass or clear? Just take a look around and reflect on why you return to this space.
Watch the Processional carefully. Is there someone (a choir member, an acolyte, a lay minister, the priest, deacon) that seems to be truly enjoying their role?
Listen to the hymns. Is there one that you particularly enjoy singing?
Focus on the readings. Is there a line or word that has particular meaning for you?
During the Peace, look around to see who is enjoying the connection with other worshippers and who is alone.
When you partake of the Eucharist, participate completely.
Try to make a habit of finding joy in worship every week so that if you have a difficult day in the week that follows, you can reflect back on how you felt on Sunday.