Monday of the 4th Week of Lent

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;
Isaiah

In today’s passage from Isaiah God rejoices in what he has created and finds his “people to be a delight.” It’s the way I feel when I see people coming to spend a few minutes of prayer in church on Sunday or going to Confession in the Chapel in order to maintain the “6 foot “quarantine space. It’s the way I feel when strangers come to church to help give food to the poor. It’s the way I feel talking to our elderly who have self-quarantined but long to be on the front lines volunteering.

Just as God rejoiced in what he had created, we need to open ourselves to small moments of delight in our own worlds.

Since today’s news is often far from joyful, we may need to work at combatting negativity. Pope Francis offers guidance in a wonderful piece called “Do you want to fast this Lent?” I especially like his suggestions that we “fast from pessimism and be filled with hope” and “fast from worries and trust in God.”

Thank you to many who are sharing pictures or stories of their children that bring a smile to the reader. If you call friends, try to keep the conversation positive!

Rejoice in God’s people and creation. And don’t worry! God has our backs.