{"id":2044,"date":"2017-12-17T00:59:53","date_gmt":"2017-12-17T00:59:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brendans-island.com\/catholic-citizen\/?p=2044"},"modified":"2021-01-07T18:35:02","modified_gmt":"2021-01-07T18:35:02","slug":"rejoicing-anyway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brendans-island.com\/catholic-citizen\/rejoicing-anyway\/","title":{"rendered":"Rejoicing Anyway"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/p>\n

If I thought my faith depended on feeling cheerful, I’d be worried.<\/p>\n

Since I’m a Catholic, I think faith is willingly and consciously embracing “the whole truth that God has revealed.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 142<\/a>–150<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Faith is easier when my emotions are in sync with my reason. So is acting as if what I believe matters. Emotions can tell me that something needs attention, but “…conscience is a law of the mind….” (Catechism, 1777<\/a>–1782<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Believing won’t do much good unless I love God and my neighbor, and see everyone as my neighbor. As Jesus said, it’s “the whole law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37<\/a>–40<\/a>)<\/p>\n

<\/a>Feelings and Quirks<\/h4>\n

<\/a>I haven’t been feeling all that cheerful lately: hardly surprising since I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in over a week.<\/p>\n

The last two nights were as close an approximation as I’ve achieved. Maybe tonight will be better.<\/p>\n

The good news is that the family hasn’t had a major medical incident over the last week or so. Stress can help folks experience insomnia<\/a>. “Help?” Never mind.<\/p>\n

I’m still dealing with habits and response patterns developed during decades of depression. That gets me back to faith, feelings, and making sense. Sort of.<\/p>\n

Depression, the sort I still deal with, is a disorder; not a choice. There’s a ‘spiritual’ angle to it, but ‘exorcising demon depression’ doesn’t make sense.<\/p>\n

Taking care of my health, within reason, does. (November 26, 2017<\/a>; November 19, 2017<\/a>; October 8, 2017<\/a>; May 7, 2017<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Depression isn’t my only psychiatric issue. PTSD has been part of the mix since I was 12. Today’s parents or family doctors often spot signs of autism spectrum long before kids reach their teens.<\/p>\n

Add congenital hip dysplasia, and by some standards I’m a mess. (November 19, 2017<\/a>; March 19, 2017<\/a>; October 16, 2016<\/a>)<\/p>\n

<\/a>“Rejoice Always”<\/h4>\n

<\/a>This Sunday’s second reading has good advice: more like an instruction, actually.<\/p>\n

“Brothers and sisters:
\nRejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
\nIn all circumstances give thanks,
\nfor this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus….”
\n(Thessalonians 5:16<\/a>–24<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I quoted the first part in September. (September 24, 2017<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Psalms 118:24<\/a> and Philippians 4:4<\/a> say that rejoicing is a good idea, too.<\/p>\n

I don’t feel like it sometimes. Physical and psychiatric issues could seem like excuses for griping, grousing and grumbling. But I can remember reasons for rejoicing, no matter where my emotions are at the moment.<\/p>\n

Living in this wonder-packed universe is near the top of my list. So is the best news humanity’s ever had. God loves each of us, and wants to adopt us. (John 3:17<\/a>; Ephesians 1:3<\/a>\u20135<\/a>; Catechism, 52<\/a>, 1825<\/a>)<\/p>\n

<\/a>“Pray Without Ceasing”<\/h4>\n

<\/a>I’ll probably get back to prayer and all that, but not today. That may wait until I’m more nearly awake.<\/p>\n

I can, however, say something about prayer. It’s a gift of grace, and something I can’t do unless I decide it’s worth the effort. (Catechism, 2725<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Prayer is also a battle against attitudes I’ve learned from snags and snares dating from when time did not yet exist. My own shortcomings, too. (Catechism, 391<\/a>–395<\/a>, 2725<\/a>–2728<\/a>)<\/p>\n

More-or-less-related posts:<\/p>\n