I’ll keep this short, considering that this is the shortest day of the year (or is that tomorrow?)
Anyway, both of today’s readings contain the image of leaping. In the Song of Songs, Solomon refers to his Lover as a gazelle or young stag, leaping across the hills. In the Gospel, Elizabeth feels the infant in her womb leaping for joy at the sound of Mary’s greeting.
So as I prepare to let go of the busyness of the day, I ask myself where did I seek joy today, and where did I find it? To be honest about my day, my work had me scrambling, feverishly trying to pound out a draft of a conference paper before the university closes for the holiday, needing to use library databases that are only available on campus, working in my office where the heat had already been lowered for the Christmas break, wondering at 3:00 why I was so cold and hungry and then realizing that I had forgotten to eat the lunch I had packed…
So, I missed the mark a little today. Not the end of the world by a long shot, especially when I look at the alternate first reading from Zephaniah and imagine God dancing for joy because of me!
Where is the joy in your life?
