Third Sunday of Easter - Revelation Part 2

Many of you will know this song...

Or at least you've heard it somewhere.

By Pharrell Williams.

(play music)

Happy by Pharrell Williams. 

(clap along)

(do a twirl)

As he says in the song, if you listen to the lyrics,

he is going to be happy no matter what news you give him,

because as

Pharrell says "happiness is the truth"

I would say, "joy is the truth"

God wants us to be joyful, in all circumstances.

God wants us to celebrate and rejoice in all that has been made and done for us.

Joy has nothing to do with our circumstances or our current mood.

Joy is something deep inside

which is part of how we see the world.

Happiness is rather fleeting

and usually has to do with what is going on in our lives

or something we have acquired.

Joy has to do with knowing who we are and whose we are

and celebrating being alive.

Thankfully joy can be learned

and it can be practiced.

It starts by simple celebration for all the gifts God has given us.

It starts by finding joy in who you are and whose you are.

Practicing celebrating God in our lives

is no easy thing.

It is more than simply saying, yay, God! every once in a while

when something good has happened.

Celebrating God encompasses giving thanks for God's being

for God's gifts, for God's love.

I bring up celebration and joy this week 

because as we move along in Revelation, 

we hear John tell of seeing 

a throng of the community of saints celebrating

singing in praise of God around the throne.

Not just the humans, the heavenly creatures praising God,

but John notes that he hears every creature in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and in the sea,

singing in one voice

The birds, cats, dogs, mosquitoes, dolphins, earthworms! all joining in on the song.

I can't even imagine what an earthworm singing might sound like.

Interestingly, the sevenfold aspect of Revelations is so strong,

that it even goes into the song that the elders and creatures are singing.

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered

to receive power (1) and wealth (2) and wisdom (3) and might (4)

and honor (5) and glory (6) and blessing (7)!"

Sevenfold Celebration!

The vision John offered to the churches of celebration

would have been a good reminder to rejoice in the Lord.

Living in persecution and fear,

perhaps celebration would not have been their most natural way of being.

John shows them that those who have gone before stand in celebration of all that God has done.

Despite whatever has happened to them,

they rejoice in God.

John speaks of the elders, 

24 of them.

Twelve of the tribes of Israel,

twelve of the Apostles.

Both groups, the sons of Jacob,

and the twelve apostles,

faced and endured many pains and sorrows,

and yet, there they are

celebrating God. 

We need the reminder as well.

To celebrate what God has done in our lives.

The Episcopal tradition tries to make us remember to celebrate in our liturgy.

The leader of Eucharist is called the celebrant for a reason, 

the Sunday morning service is always a feast,

always a celebration of what God has done for us.

It is supposed to be a joyous occasion.

How often do we make it a somber and sad occasion,

even when we are singing the Sanctus,

the great hymn of praise from Revelation:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Revelation is full of praise hymns.

Another reminder to the churches

to celebrate what God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

have done for us. 

Brene Brown points out in her book series multiple times

that one of the ways we protect ourselves from feelings

is by robbing ourselves of the joy inside of us

so that we don't have to feel the joy

because joy can be a vulnerable feeling

it makes us light-hearted and open

and because we learn from our human brokenness so easily that disappointment can follow

so we think it is easier and better to not even feel joy

because then we won't be disappointed.

However, robbing ourselves of the joy simply reinforces the disappointment and pessimism

which drags our hearts down and keeps us from feeling the good things in life.

We block out the good so that we don't have to feel the bad.

None of which is healthy.

God created us to be able to celebrate.

God wants us to find joy in our lives.

God gives us joy in our lives.

And God wants us to celebrate it.

There are many ways to celebrate what God has done for us.

We can like the hosts of heaven, fall down and worship God.

We can like Pharrell Williams, dance around in joy, using the bodies God has made for us,

We can spend time together with community, friends and family,

enjoying the community God has given to us.

Dancing around 

clapping

twirling

or praising God with song or joyful prayer

or in community.

Join in with all the heavenly hosts of angels, prophets, apostles, martyrs, saints,

sing praises to the amazing inspiring graceful and loving God we have!

Our God is an awesome God!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Amen!