Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22

Pentecost +17 - Year B

Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22

There is here an expansion of a joy to include others (the poor). It is an expansion of a one-day celebration into two days.

Given this process, what is the limit of expansion of a joy?

Behind this question is an idea that there is no limit but ourselves. Can you remember a time of great joy and relief to you? Is that not worth expanding through time and space? Can you imagine Mordecai expanding this feasting into a week, month, quarter, or year? Presumably it wouldn’t get acted on in the same way every day as some weeding of the ground and milling of the wheat and fermenting of the grape is important for feasting to continue. However, it might, nonetheless, be acknowledged that this seemingly ordinary day includes a celebration of some previous event and is part of its on-going gladness.

Might you take an important time in your life and reclaim it and consciously live today in its light? What would that do to your interactions with others and your engagement with the cultures of the world? You may still get it in the neck, but with new attitude and energy.