Tags
alive, Carl Sagan, energy, hope, Howard Thurman, test of faith, The Sophia Center for Spirituality
With all the “bad news” (inconceivable, really) of what has been revealed during this past week in our country, one would think that faith of any goodness would be hard to find…and yet…and yet: I received a text – a beautiful, colorfully crafted image of dancers—shadowy figures swirling around each other with the words, Somewhere something incredible is waiting to be known. (Carl Sagan). In the same hour I came across a quote from civil rights leader, Howard Thurman, whose theology of radical non-violence was a key influence on civil rights workers in the 20th century. Thurman’s advice was the following:
Don’t ask what the world needs; ask what makes you come alive and go do it because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
It will be a test of faith, I think, to believe in those two short quotes enough to get through this day but I need something to move me to prayer and useful work so I will summon all my energy and move into this day with hope. I invite you to join me.
We all come to God in our own time and in our own way. Whether we are born into a religious tradition that nurtures our faith in an organic way for the duration of our life or have a moment of recognition brought on by an extraordinary event, our life journey is as unique as our thumbprint and just as special.
I got out of bed this morning at the exact moment of the summer solstice: 6:07 AM! Had I known, I would likely have stood before my bedroom window and bowed, at least, in honor of the great light that brings so many benefits to our days – including the energy that often gets me out of bed. I am aware of the turning of our world today and the ability of scientists through the ages to discover things like the exact moment when the sun is at its highest in the Northern Hemisphere. I’m thinking as well of my cousins in Australia for whom the winter solstice has just happened as they mark the darkest part of the year.
I never liked the task of pruning. Even removing the suckers from tomato plants seemed too destructive and painful (for me as well as the plant!) People told me it was important for the plant that I remove the suckers – and even branches from growing trees. I thought it was just to make everything look neat and even beautiful. It was my least favorite task in outdoor work until I read an article that told me “the sucker should be removed to prevent it from sucking away the plant’s energy.” (
Yesterday at the meeting of our “Wisdom Practice Circle” we were missing two of our members, one of whom was our “token male.” We never think of Don as “token” and spoke clearly at the end of our gathering about the fact that there was a slightly different feel in the energy of the group this time. Of course we also missed Estelle’s deep and meaningful reflections, as we do when any one of us is absent, but it was instructive to notice a subtle, unexpected shift that seemed due to Don’s absence, because his participation in the circle is always comfortable, seamless. As I think about that, however, I realize that his perspective on points of discussion is often dissimilar – one might say “fresh.” Perhaps therein lies the beauty of a complete circle that manifests both the similarity (peaceful presence, in this case) and difference (male perspective, for us yesterday) of human possibility.
When I stumbled into the kitchen this morning for my coffee, everyone was there and all three were wide awake. Someone commented that “the early bird catches the worm” to which another replied, “Ah, yes, but the later one gets the filet mignon!” (Cheery repartee for 6:30AM!)
I keep having conversations lately about the importance of conversation. I’m not talking about chatter but rather deep and meaningful conversation. It isn’t always necessary to know where the conversation will lead; it’s more important just to engage and stay open to possibility.
I am unable this morning to sort through the many thoughts running through my head to find coherence. Everywhere my eye falls or a synapse fires, another topic appears like a small rivulet that cannot find the stream, so I call on Joyce Rupp for a word suitable for this day. Here is what she offers:
Thinking today about a song dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus (Gentle Woman), I am reminded of her wonderful role in the lives of many women through the centuries, especially mothers. As the song sings praise to Mary, it opens out in a lovely last verse with the words: Blessed are you among women! Blessed in turn all women too! Blessed are they with gentle spirits; blessed they with peaceful hearts…Mary knew very early her role in life. Her consent was required, as is ours. Today I offer three quotes that speak to me of the fullness of her consent even while not knowing what God would ask of her going forward. I suggest we all (men too!) think on these things in light of our own willingness to consent to God’s action in our lives.
In Luke’s gospel account of Jesus with a blind man, it seems the lesson is that the man had to be clear about what it was he wanted in order for Jesus to heal him of his infirmity. We are at the beginning of a new season in the political life of our nation and need to be much clearer than we have been about what is possible and how we might effect the best possible outcome in the circumstances that exist now. I find it interesting that the first lectionary reading for today is the very beginning of the Book of Revelation and the response to that is the first in the Book of Psalms. So we begin anew to deepen our intention, not only for endurance but for the love that has been assaulted in the events of the past year.
The Sophia Center for Spirituality 