Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Deb Cordes.
Joy and peace to you.
Joy in church was not something I grew up with. One was not to talk in church, focus on reverent prayers – meaning hand in the church position, eyes down in humility and on your knees in supplication. Semons had no jokes but tons of admonishments to live properly and one was to listen intently for God’s message to soak in.
Going to a Catholic grade school the requirements to be a good student included all of the above. Don’t speak unless spoken to, school was serious business, and if you disobeyed the rules, punishment included being sent to the Mother Superior’s (think principal) or worse yet, church to pray on your knees for forgiveness.
My God was one of sternness and, sometimes, retribution. I rarely, if ever, succeed in any of the above. I was a bad Christian. I talked in church. I liked to look at the statutes of Jesus, Mary and Joseph while praying. I fidgeted from boredom. My behavior in school wasn’t much better. I was bored, noisy, challenged the status quo – not an ideal student. BUT the best was being sent to church to pray for forgiveness on my hands and knees. What? That’s when Monsignor would show up. A smile on his face, an invitation for cookies in the office and a chance to chat about a different God who laughed at jokes, loves to bounce children on his knees (I saw the picture) and who died to bring salvation and JOY to the world.
That’s the God I’ve related to all my life. My prayers have been and continue to be to allow me/us/the community and the world to find that God of infinite love, laughter and caring. If I spread his love to the those in need; if I laugh with the children and just love them; if I share my story about God in my life; if one person feels cared for, loved, honored from those small things, I have succeeded in being a steward of God. I believe God wants us to be joyous in our love for others, Amen.