As Jesus was entering Jerusalem prior to his passion, a crowd of his disciples began to praise God joyfully in loud voices for all the “mighty deeds” they had seen.  Their exuberant and unrestrained praise caused some Pharisees in the crowd to complain to Jesus, asking him to rebuke them, but he responded, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40).   

All of creation had been awaiting God’s personal and physical visitation to make things right upon the earth.  That visitation was now taking place in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah and Son of God.  Jesus is saying that if those who recognize his visitation and miracles are restrained in their joy and praise, even the stones, though inanimate objects, will cry out.

As current day disciples, are we joyful and loud in our praise of all the good things God has done in our lives, or are we restrained in our cool and sophisticated ways?

Many years ago, I was prayed with for the release of the power of the Holy Spirit by some nuns from the St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton House of Prayer at an evening of renewal program in Briar Cliff Manor, New York.  I experienced a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and my faith was renewed.  It was a mountain top experience.  I remember driving home in a blinding snow storm on the hilly and curvy roads of upper Westchester County, New York.  I could hardly see beyond the hood of my car, but it didn’t matter, for I was brimming with joy and praise of God for his visitation and the changes that he was bringing about in my life.  Even the blizzard, like the Pharisees, could not restrain my joy and praise. 

Today, with five older children and thirteen grandchildren, many Christian friends, and the Lord’s faithful presence, this space is not sufficient for me to acknowledge and praise God for all his works and miracles we have witnessed in the past forty-five plus years.  But if you stay tuned to this blog, I promise that I will share some of the stories in the weeks ahead.

Do you hold back your praise of God for the blessings and miracles in your life?