This past Sunday afternoon, a large group of joyful families and friends gathered together in the Cathedral of the Incarnation to celebrate an outpouring of the Spirit as over 50 individuals were either received as Episcopalians or confirmed and sealed with the Holy Spirit. The Cathedral was completely full. People were literally spilling out over pews while others stood in the side aisles or pulled out folding chairs. Excitement, anticipation, and a bit of nervousness filled the air.
There were also giggles in the air, maybe even especially emanating from the Redeemer section as our 7 young people being confirmed and 3 adults being received were surrounded by over 40 family members, friends, and fellow parishioners who had come to support and celebrate with them. This was a joyful celebration and I think we all knew it.
It honestly surprised me how much of a joy it was to be there. Don’t get me wrong, I love liturgies like this as much as the next priest, but there was something special about this liturgy. Sure, I did get to sit next to some hilarious friends who can make anything fun, but more importantly, I got to see these 3 adults and 7 young people, who I have gotten to know and be a part of their journey leading to this sacramental moment, take such a significant and grace-filled stance in their lives of faith. They doubled down on their baptismal promises, and the church around them committed to support them in living these promises in their daily lives. Together with the Easter proclamations, the spirited hymns, the sharing of the Good News, the sacramental invocation of the Holy Spirit, and the giggles coming from the Redeemer section, 10 of our fellow parishioners said aloud who they are at their core.
And as Rev. Steven Holt, Rector of Guardian Angels Parish in Hampden, said in his sermon that afternoon, it is precisely there, at our core, where we are most ourselves that the hope, the light, and the love of God is to be found. He reminded us that our world is in desperate need of these gifts and it is only by authentically being ourselves that we can be and bring the hope, light, and love of God to others.
Just moments after this, our Redeemer group came forward to the sanctuary. We literally spilled into the side chapels and down the center aisle as we laid hands on and prayed for our 10 fellow parishioners. It was powerful and joyful for me to be present, seeing tears roll down the faces of proud parents, wide and curious eyes fixed on a much-loved cousin, and bright face-filling smiles surrounding a fellow chorister. It was warm. It was fun. It was sacred.
During my seminary studies, I encountered a line that curiously has been attributed to so many people (mystics, theologians, and spiritual writers of various traditions and communities) that I sort of think of it as just a shared insight of humanity. It says that Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God. If this is true, then I have no hesitation in saying that this past Sunday was an authentic experience of God.
So I wonder, where are you experiencing joy; that is, where are you experiencing God? Is it at church or in school? Is it at work or at home? Is it in a relationship or a friendship? Is it deep within you, residing in hope, light, and love? Where are you experiencing joy? Call your joy to mind. Name your joy. And hear God laughing with you.
Love,