Thus says the LORD:
Lo, I am about to create new heavens
and a new earth;
The things of the past shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness
in what I create;
For I create Jerusalem to be a joy
and its people to be a delight;
I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and exult in my people.
In the first and last chapter of the Book of Revelation, we hear the Lord declare, "I am the alpha and omega." In the alpha book of the Bible we encounter God's pleasure in creation; and in the these omega days we hear again, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
I met a fellow, a former Catholic, who described his religion as "politics." He kept tabs of several news media and collected the pearls of wisdom and insight so readily cast by politicians and pundits. The poor fellow appeared harassed and unhappy, and I wondered why he'd lost faith in God.
Despite it all, our God is pleased with everything he has made, and wants us to be pleased also. The truest form of penance is being happy. Here in the middle of Lent, practicing awareness of our sins and profoundly aware of Original Sin as it manifests itself in public and private, the Lord reminds us of his satisfaction.
"It is finished!" Jesus said with his dying breath. If we have not seen that wholeness of healing yet, nor the reconciliation of enemies, nor the completeness of creation, they are assured. We have God's word for it.
We have arrived in the latter half of Lent; most of the gospel readings will be taken from Saint John. We will be continually reminded of Jesus's uncompromising demand, we must believe in him. We must take him at his word. His teachings are reasonable to believers but incomprehensible to skeptics.
Several years ago, I was informed of a crisis in my family. Far from home and powerless to do anything, I poured out my anguish to a counselor. She said, "Ken, you have a choice. You can be optimistic or pessimistic. You don't know what will happen; it could go either way. Which attitude feels more comfortable to you?"
It was an easy choice. The crisis resolved eventually, several years later. And no one was the worse for it.
We have God's word: "It is finished." and,
The things of the past shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness
in what I create.
Why not be happy?
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.