Friends of our feelings
Scripture
One day when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Why is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of fasting while the bridegroom is still with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they could not think of fasting. But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then, on that day, they will fast. (Mark 2:18ff)
Reflect
There is much sorrow in the world, in our lives. There is much that fills us with sadness, much that causes concern. We may look around us and feel the world is out of control, and ask what possible difference we could make. From these moments of madness, those timed of sadness, can often emerge cause for joy and inspiration, and many blessings can be caught if only we look for them. Why should Jesus’ disciples fast when he is with them, he asks. There will be time for fasting later. If you are happy, now, rejoice in your happiness. If you are sad, now, then it’s worth remembering that it’s ok not to be ok. We can learn to be sensitive to our sadness, value the times of happiness, befriend our feelings, and bring them to God. Both in our sadness and gladness, God is doing something new, he is always close. He is never far away.
Prayer
God our loving Father, help us to befriend our feelings, and to seek your presence in all that we do and all that we feel so that, sad or glad, we may be recognise the presence of Jesus your Son who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
