You love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad; daughters of kings are among your ladies of honour; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. (Psalm 45: 7-9)

The world is often a tragic place. The misery of many should challenge our comfort. The injustice of the powerful should keep our attention. We are called to see with the eyes of God and be the hands of God.

But this should not lessen the joy with which we receive the gifts of God. Even in the midst of tragedy, I have been blessed beyond measure. I have been anointed with shemen sasown: the oil of gladness. It is not my place to wash it off.

Rather, I should accept the invitation to be led into gladness and rejoicing. I should join the feast, drink the wine, laugh, sing, dance with abandon, and give thanks. There is much that requires our serious attention. I should not take myself too seriously.

Above is a painting by a Balinese elephant named Ramona. Her keepers have named the painting Dance with Me.