Lora Cox was inspired by Philippians 4:4-7 and she penned the poem Rejoice in the Lord, writing;
Rejoice in the Lord always,
Do not worry about tomorrow.
Go to God in humble prayer
And give Him all your sorrows.
Rejoice and let your needs be known
For God is faithful, just and kind,
And His peace that surpasses understanding
Will guard your heart and mind.
Rejoice in your laughter,
Rejoice in your tears,
For in your rejoicing
Comes strength for your fears.
Rejoice in the Lord always,
His loving kindness we can’t measure.
Rejoice and be thankful for His love,
You’ll have no greater treasure.
Sr. Joan Chittister cited a Navajo saying “We felt like talking to the ground, we loved it so.” She also quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote, “The earth laughs in flowers.” Each year on Palm Sunday, I am stuck by Jesus’ declaration to the religious leaders who warned him to quiet the crowds who cheered his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus responded, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Luke 19:40 A few days later when the people deserted him, nature itself did quake and cry out as He gave up His Spirit on the cross. Just as the psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Psalm19:1
We are blessed. Our worship pours out of us as we realize the greatness of our blessing. Our love swells in our spirit because of the great love of God that continues to pour into us. When we can no longer contain our joy, we cry out in worship because we love Him so! Benedict directs us to shout Alleluia always. The only exception is during the solemn penitential season of Lent.
This is the praise of Christ’s disciples. In the fourth century, St. Augustine wrote, “We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song.” John Paul II spoke to the crowd in Harlem and said, “Are not those words of Jesus still true today? If we are silent about the joy that comes from knowing Jesus, the very stones of our cities will cry out! For we are an Easter people and “Alleluia” is our song. With Saint Paul, I exhort you: “Rejoice in the Lord always, I say it again, rejoice” (Phil 4: 4).” What wonderful joy is reflected in a single word, Alleluia!
