Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you.”

Significant events in our lives have both joyful and painful aspects. On second thought, leave out the significant. On third thought, all that seems too great a generalization. There are moments -- a walk in the woods on a beautiful fall day, a musical performance that sweeps us off our feet, a good dinner with congenial people -- when everything seems perfect for the moment, when no pain mars the occasion.

In the other direction, maybe the same thing: lying in bed with pain pounding away in the joints, we are totally miserable, feeling completely out of sync and out of sympathy with the situation to the point of tears.

But so often pain or joy which seems to be in control is possible only because we forget for the opposite momentarily. The people who are enjoying time in the hot tub under a starlit sky are content because the difficulties with the fifteen-year-old have been put aside, the painful situation at the office is forgotten, as is the disappointing outcome of the basketball game that evening.

 Our work might be really satisfying, something that challenges and rewards, but it too has irritating aspects. We can probably see the value of enjoying those great moments untroubled by the thought of pain elsewhere in our lives.

But how do we face the primarily stressful and even agonizing moments? Is perspective the key? Reminding ourselves that this is only one of the experiences of an otherwise happy life.

“In some things all, in all things none are crossed;

Few all they need, but none have all they wish;

Unmeddled* joys here no man befall,

Who least, hath some; who most, hath never all.”

(Robert Southwell).

 (*Unmeddled = unmixed.)

Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”

Reply to Fr. Don at: DTalafous@csbsju.edu

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