I've been really taken with the stories about Rabbi Akiva, 1st century martyr, who, by defying the Roman prohibition on teaching Torah was sentenced to death was full of joy at the prospect. Incredulously he was asked, "How, at a time like this can you be happy? How at this time can you be reciting the Shema?"

(The Shema, said twice daily, begins:
"Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.
Blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.")

And Akiva replied, "All my life I've wondered how I could possibly fulfill this commandment to love God with all my soul. Now, finally, I have the chance."


The quality - and some see this as a commandment, a mitzvah - of joy at all things, the joy with which we delight in our God - runs Franciscan-like through the stories of Akiva, whose pet phrase seems to have been, "All that God does, God does for the good." And "Beloved are sufferings" (as they are a source of growth.)

May you discover and delight in God's many gifts to you today, welcoming them from wherever they emerge, trusting that you are beloved.

How lovely, Alison. Thank you for posting this tid-bit of joy that fills all things. Carlo

Alison, what touches me is that across all traditions, women and men are willing to die for their understanding of "faith.". What a gift they share with all of us... Especially as a ecumenical gathered community. What a heritage we have to share, and our Franciscan links deepen us.

Greg

Thank you for sharing, Allison! I praticed and studied Judaism for a time in the early part of this decade. It enriched me greatly.