A Time Like No Other

Tags

assess, coronavirus, Jesus, love, patience, surrender, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

It is not lost on me that we are in a situation – a world crisis – the like of which has never presented itself in the entirety of my life. At the same moment I recognize that we are moving deeper into the season of Lent, a moment of opportunity to come to a more conscious understanding of the meaning of surrender.

I don’t want to talk about the coronavirus because facing it might call me to pay attention in a way that I am unaccustomed to functioning. I cannot, however, disregard all the warnings simply because I am a healthy person. While that is a true fact and I am aware of the great blessing of that reality, I cannot ignore the fact that I am approaching my seventy-second birthday and although I would like to ignore the implications of that in this situation, I do it at my peril. I need to pay attention to what I am eating and how much sleep I’m getting, etc. — if not for my own benefit, for the welfare of the three women with whom I live and for others with whom I interact.

In addition, I need to assess which of my activities I am willing to let go, rather than ignoring the risks because I am not likely to contract the disease. One might not see the connection between the spiritual and practical considerations in such a moment as this but to me it is quite clear.

Patience and love, willingness to surrender for the common good are the virtues needed now by each of us. “What am I willing to surrender?” I ask myself this morning. I would do well to look to the example of Jesus for the answer.

Re-up!

Tags

Advent, assess, hearken, Luke, make straight His path, psalm 80, shepherd, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, wake up

So…here we are at the mid-point of Advent, even a little past. The Scriptures are getting a little more emphatic. The refrain for Psalm 80 calls out to the heavens, “Shepherd of Israel, hearken! (A word we don’t use much any more but which is the equivalent of Listen to us!) Rouse your power and come!” (In other words: Wake up and show up!) Perhaps I exaggerate but the point is well made. We need help here. But the Alleluia verse pulls the responsibility back to us. “Prepare the way of the Lord,” it says. “Make straight his paths.” (LK 3:4)

So my thought today – as often – is one of assessing where I’ve come to in my intention toward the deeper birthing of Jesus into my life and the re-energizing my resolve of readiness. At least I’m awake and moving at 7:20AM on a Saturday. That seems a good start!