The joy of being Anglican

Transfigured with your joy - We are joined in joy.

O Raphael, lead us toward those we are waiting for, those who are waiting for us: Raphael angel of happy meetings, lead us by the hand toward those we are looking for. May all our movements be guided by your light and transfigured with your joy. Flannery O'Connor

Sister Michelle listens to a variety of podcasts. I tend to avoid them. My habit has been to read the news and watch British mysteries. But in recent years, she has gotten me to listen to a few.

Tonight I watched The State of World Jewry - Part 2, Rabbi David Ingber is interviewing Dan Senor. They mostly focus on the American Jewish community. The discussion covers a range of issues that Michelle and I write about in relation to us Episcopalians — cultural density, formation, and joy.

I invite you to listen to their conversation. As you listen allow yourself to reflect on how the issues in the Jewish community are much like those in our community. We can often see ourselves more clearly by looking through the experience of others.

Happiness is an attitude to life as a whole, while joy lives in the moment. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

The joy of being Anglican

There are a number of Jewish writers exploring “the joy of being Jewish.” It’s a sense of connection and belonging to a culture and history. It’s a call about repairing the world (tikkun olam), building a better world. Joy is known in practices of prayer, the Sabbath, kosher, and festivals. There is finding joy in adversity. An affirmation of life, hope, and resilience even in our suffering. “Simchah” is the Hebrew word for joy and is understood to be a religious obligation. Our counterpart might be in Saint Paul seeing joy as a fruit of the Spirit.

There’s actually a book, “The Joy of being Anglican.” It’s fifteen people telling what in our tradition gives them joy — the poetry and hymns, liturgy and laughter, the church seasons and the church buildings, relationships and vocation. One reviewer found it somewhat lightweight, but also significant.

This is a princely friendship of our courteous Lord, that He looks after us tenderly even while we are in sin. He teaches us secretly and shows us our sin by the kindly light of mercy and grace. ..Then our courteous Lord shows Himself to the soul with gladness and delight, with welcoming friendship, as if the soul had been released from pain and prison, saying tenderly: 'My darling, I am glad you have come to me. I have been with you always in all your sorrow, and now you see my love and we are joined in joy. Julian of Norwich

Over the years, in two or maybe three sermons I invited people to close their eyes and answer a question — “Raise your hand if you think the world would be a better place if more people were Episcopalians?” I didn't know what to expect. The first time I did it, I wondered if people would find the question itself to be inappropriate. I wondered if most people would simply not respond. When I looked out at the 120 people present, I was surprised that everyone of them had their hand up except for two people.

This is the secret of joy. We shall no longer strive for our own way; but commit ourselves, easily and simply, to God's way, acquiesce in His will, and in so doing find our peace. Evelyn Underhill

I'm suggesting that there is a relationship among a dense parish culture, rich and substantial adult formation, and joy.

This abides,

Brother Robert, OA

The Feast of Lydia of Thyatira, Coworker of the Apostle Paul