As we come to the end of our lenten journey and the end of our book study of Max Vincent’s “Because of This I Rejoice,” I wanted to say a bit about Vincent’s final thoughts regarding Good Friday and reflect on the study of joyful Christian practices throughout Lent. Although “joyfulness” and “lenten disciplines” are not two images that are commonly connected, I think Max Vincent has presented a thoughtful and spirit-led discussion for walking through Lent in this way. I also appreciate his use of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, as the Apostle Paul has written most often and most powerfully of the importance and centrality of the cross in Christian belief and practice. The joyful letter to the Philippians served as the perfect outline for Vincent’s discussion of the Christian virtues and a life centered in the saving grace of Christ’s cross and resurrection.

Vincent closes his book with some thoughtful insights about the cross of Christ, pointing directly at the suffering and sorrow of that cross, and helping us to reflect on the truth that God never looked away from the tragic sight of Christ hanging from the cross. We can imagine God weeping at the depths of human brokenness as God faces the reality that human pride has hoisted the Messiah on the tree of death. Yet, in this moment of sorrow, God has the final word – the power of love and the goodness of creation prevails over human sin, and the Christ is resurrected to new life. For this truth of God’s goodness, we should be filled with joy! Vincent says it well when he writes, “In raising the crucified Jesus, God overcomes suffering and death. The cross then becomes the ultimate sign of victory and a source of joy in Christian living. We can now accept hardship with joy because we know that Christ already has confronted the worst, and God did not abandon him. Thus, the cross serves as a Christian sign of joy in any circumstance. The cross keeps Christian talk about joy from slipping into wishful thinking or denial of reality.” I think Vincent’s last sentence here is very important: the “joy” we experience from the saving grace of Christ is not a disconnected, shallow emotion that is dependent on a “happy outcome” or a “God will answer all your prayers” in a way that you will find personally fulfilling. The “Christian joy” that Vincent describes is a joy that comes from the deep well of relationship with God through Christ, an intimate relationship developed through prayer and praise of God. This “joy” is the joy that knows no bounds because it is a joy that is nurtured and nourished in the confidence and hope that God’s goodness and love will always prevail. I pray your Lenten journey has helped you discover this joy because it is a joy that fills the heart and soul and helps us to know the grace of God.