I’m not sure what your first reaction is when you hear the words “spiritual disciplines”? Maybe you feel immediately something negative, something you have to do; a chore or practice that you know might be good for you but you actually hate. Something like jogging or not eating chocolate in Lent. But I want to emphasize the joy of the disciplines, and one in particular. There are many spiritual disciplines that we are called to practice and which help shape our lives, and hopefully transform us internally. Richard Foster in his book “Celebration of Discipline” share 12 disciplines, yet the one he says undergirds the others is the discipline of celebration itself. Foster says: ‘Without a joyful spirit of festivity the Disciplines become dull, death-breathing tools in the hands of modern Pharisees.’
The Christian church, particularly in the West does not do celebration well. I’m not talking about hyped up Pentecostal worship services; we have those in spades. I’m talking about a deeper celebration that envelops all of life and particularly bubbles up in the marking of seasons and events in life where God’s goodness and the joy of relationship is front and centre. Yet even in these moments we tend to be reserved and measured rather than allowing unbridled joy to overflow. Many other faiths party much better and more authentically than Christians do. Events like the celebration of the end of Ramadan, the festivals in South America celebrating the day of the dead, and many others are times of music and feasting and festivity which are probably more in line with the festivals the Israelites celebrated in the Old Testament. Western Christians have forgotten how to party, or maybe have forgotten that Jesus loved a good party and even supplied the wine – and really good wine at that! Jesus likened the kingdom of God to feasting, weddings and parties; and he regularly celebrated with people from all backgrounds, especially those on the fringe who were regarded as unclean by the religious leaders.
As we approach Easter this year I was reminded that this is the greatest source of joy and festivity for us both individually and communally. Yet most years we just don’t celebrate and party like we should. If Jesus has conquered death once and for all, and our sins are washed away, and we have life eternal with him - then we should kick off our shoes, dance, and get a bit joyous! In some traditions, Easter tide is a season of celebration and partying that last for seven weeks, with many families in different places holding parties and dinners and dancing every weekend for seven weeks in response to Jesus resurrection. Once we pass through the sorrow of Good Friday and the silence of Easter Saturday; the culmination of this festival is the celebration of resurrection Sunday! In the churches I grew up in we might sing a few songs and maybe declare “Christ is risen – he is risen indeed”; but we don’t party like we should. So this Easter at Parkside we are going to try and lift the mood a little and kick back on Easter Sunday morning with a bit more of a celebration. It might take us out of our comfort zone, but that is why it is included in the disciplines. If we can’t party and celebrate like we actually believe this is the best news ever, then maybe we actually haven’t entered Easter and Easter Sunday at all. Kids love a party, they love party games, they love to dress up, and they love to dance. Jesus said that unless we become like a child then we will never really grasp or fully enter the kingdom of heaven. So prepare to celebrate this Easter maybe a little more freely, and let yourself get caught in the joy of resurrection.
Grace and Peace - Garry