"The earth was radiant with the presence of God, and in the light of it the community of the disciples could walk the roads, share the lives of their land, and await the future with confidence. It was this joy, this sense of being within the life of God, this source of inward gaiety and outward fortitude, which stirred the stem and disillusioned world of Rome to wonder [...]. Here was surely the light that illuminates every man and is his life. Jesus had come unto his own; and at first they recognized him". -Charles E. Raven
Lovely quote heh? I live and worship in the city centre of Durham. We’ve got some cool Harry Potter bookstores within the precincts of the cathedral that sell books full of quotes like these. I personally find the characters who purchase these books a bit sinister and I avoid them like the plague (instead of loving them as I should). So why would I include this quote in here, among heart wrenching videos and more serious concerns?
Quite simply because if you attempt to claim that joy without changing your life, it will kill you. The more you seek to experience it in the comfort of your own stylish home, the less you will relate to it. You may try to turn up the volume, listen to the world’s greatest music, hear the most inspiring preachers, it will never work. At some point you will long for a genuine emotion, you will go on pilgrimages to holy islands. You will feel less and less. You will be gone.
This is the joy of Francis, who would give away his only blanket just so he would never lose this joy. This is the joy of those who long for Christ to dwell among them, no matter what it will cost them. And it is possible to experience this joy while at the same time wishing for the welfare of Bangladeshi workers. The point is, you want them to share in it so much that you just can't sit still and you mind goes in overdrive trying to find solutions. This is the joy of those who want to claim it now, for everyone.
Joy is explosive. If you're not ready for it, don't seek it. When you meet joy, it either kills you, or it changes your life.
Lovely quote heh? I live and worship in the city centre of Durham. We’ve got some cool Harry Potter bookstores within the precincts of the cathedral that sell books full of quotes like these. I personally find the characters who purchase these books a bit sinister and I avoid them like the plague (instead of loving them as I should). So why would I include this quote in here, among heart wrenching videos and more serious concerns?
Quite simply because if you attempt to claim that joy without changing your life, it will kill you. The more you seek to experience it in the comfort of your own stylish home, the less you will relate to it. You may try to turn up the volume, listen to the world’s greatest music, hear the most inspiring preachers, it will never work. At some point you will long for a genuine emotion, you will go on pilgrimages to holy islands. You will feel less and less. You will be gone.
This is the joy of Francis, who would give away his only blanket just so he would never lose this joy. This is the joy of those who long for Christ to dwell among them, no matter what it will cost them. And it is possible to experience this joy while at the same time wishing for the welfare of Bangladeshi workers. The point is, you want them to share in it so much that you just can't sit still and you mind goes in overdrive trying to find solutions. This is the joy of those who want to claim it now, for everyone.
Joy is explosive. If you're not ready for it, don't seek it. When you meet joy, it either kills you, or it changes your life.
Painting by Alonso Cano
2 comments:
Wow all I can say is that you are a great writer! Where can I contact you if I want to hire you?
Good evening
Just wanted to show my appreciation for your time and hard work
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