Wednesday, Fourth Week of Lent

 WEDNESDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

The Joy of God’s Presence

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones. Isaiah 49:13

Money and success do not make us joyful. In fact many wealthy and successful people are also anxious, fearful, and often quite sombre. In contrast, many others who are very poor laugh very easily and often show great joy. Joy and laughter are the gifts of living in the presence of God and trusting that tomorrow is not worth worrying about. It always strikes me that rich people have much money, while poor people have much time. And where there is much time life can be celebrated. There is no reason to romanticize poverty, but when I see the fears and anxieties of many who have all the goods the world has to offer, I can understand Jesus’ words: “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Money and success are not the problem; the problem is the absence of free, open time when God can be encountered in the present and life can be lifted up in its simple beauty and goodness.

Dear Lord, whenever I begin to get anxious about money or success, remind me that your presence is greater than these.

Henri J. M. Nouwen

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