Lent Guide 2023Sample

Wednesday -Schadenfreude

…be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep…

Rom. 12:15

Schadenfreude is a German word which has crept into the English language – maybe because the word describes a certain emotion so accurately and in such a nuanced way. Schadenfreude is an aggregation of two German words: Schaden, meaning damage / loss, and Freuden, meaning joy. It therefore literally means experiencing joy (pleasure) when someone else experiences pain through loss. There is something cruel and vindictive about it. Just think, if I’m jealous of you, in other words if I want something you have and I want you to lose it, then I’m happy if you lose it, even if I can’t have it.

It's so different to Jesus, who had deep empathy with everyone suffering loss. Even his enemies. This is why Paul says that a more appropriate reaction would be to weep with those who weep and be happy with those who are happy (Rom 12:15). Through schadenfreude we go against the deepest nature of our humanity, which can lead to feelings of guilt and shame. Schadenfreude is rife in our culture. We see it in politics, sports, and the films that we watch. It’s something I notice in myself, too.

It’s easy to be taken up with collective schadenfreude and, along with the group I belong to, be happy about others suffering, but that doesn’t change the fact that it doesn’t promote true connection with myself, the group, or the suffering party.

The question is if I want to be someone who is glad when others suffer loss, become ill and die, whoever they are?

Who do I really want to be like?

Grace:

Lord, I ask for the grace of a life free from comparison.