ACCEPTANCE AND SURRENDERING

 

Joy is a state of being independent of passing situations.  
Joy is sustained by the truth of God

JOY OF THE LORD - of acceptance, surrendering

Dad recently started using a walking stick & I wrote my thoughts two days ago.

"Dad is 87.  Thankful he embraced the use of the walking stick without much protest, regaining the spring and confidence in his stride.  Isn't it true that many things in life turn positive as soon as there is acceptance?  Do we foolishly rob ourselves of the peace and joy of the present because we remain in denial or choose to live in past glory?"

Mass reading was from the sermon on the mount (Luke 6:17, 20-26, the Beatitudes).  And Deacon Clement in his homily spoke exactly the same theme about acceptance.  

"Jesus tells us that we need to develop a sense of acceptance and surrender, and humbly make peace with situations in life that we encounter, that we might not understand or cannot control.  Only when we are open to accepting and surrendering, and committing ourselves to fix our eyes on the eternity can we see the Kingdom of God in our midst."

Deacon Clement also shed light on Luke 6:20 -  Blessed are you who are poor, yours is the kingdom of God. 

"Poverty is simplicity, a detachment from material things, of not being dictated by possessions. The Beatitude does not mean wealth is bad, but it means to be mindful not to be distracted by material possessions.  Those who are blessed are those who use our blessings so that others are blessed."

Deacon pointed out the difference between happiness and joy within the Christian context.  

• Happiness is an emotion we experience, in response to a situation or something that happens. When that "happy moment" goes away, happiness disappears.
• Joy is a state of being independent of passing situations.  Joy is sustained by the truth of God, related to One who is always there, God who is love, and His love is ever constant and reliable.  

May we keep our eyes on Jesus, see all our worldly situations through his lenses, invite Him to enter our boat, leaving the "how" and the "when " in His great wisdom.  And on our part, may we experience sustained joy with acceptance and surrender - deep joy that is unchanged and independent of any passing situations -  because it is sustained by His constant and reliable presence and love,