There are times when I sit down to write a reflection and realize that someone has already said it better than I could even hope for. Such is the reality when I reflect on our monthly theme of Joy. So here is a piece, “On Joy and Sorrow” from The Prophet by Khalil Gibran. I find his words engaging and uplifting – I hope you will also.
Then a woman said, Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.
And he answered:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treassure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.
April’s spiritual practice is to bring joy, especially to places and times where we think joy is needed. For a video on how to “Bring the Joy!”, see: tinyurl.com/bringjoy. Where will you bring joy? Where do you need someone or something else to bring joy? Let’s talk about joy together! I can be contacted via phone (412-327-3731), e-mail ([email protected]) or in person at TPUUF (Thursdays, Sundays I preach & other times by appointment).
With Joy,
Rev. Andrew L. Weber