…He must increase…I must decrease.

Some time ago Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J (Pope Francis has removed the monitum on him) wrote of human suffering. He was a seminarian conscientious objector in the First World War, so was assigned as a stretcher bearer in the trenches. At night he would write by lantern-light.

 

As we prepare to enter into our Lenten season, what he says might surprise us. He reminds us that in our youth we are very busy. We teach, minister, care for our families; we are “on the move.” But in our later years, “We just can’t do what we used to do.” Guilt builds up. How can I be of service now? What good am I when I just don’t have the energy I used to have? We are diminishing, and this causes us sadness.

 

Then he turns this on its head. Pointing to the strange flow of Jesus’ life, he points out that Jesus had only three short years of active ministry. Then comes the diminishment of the passion. This is certainly not the way we would do things. But it is in that diminishment that Jesus is most effective. He really was not successful in his active life. He was rejected by religious authorities and manipulated by crowds to work more wonders. He was misunderstood in what he said.

 

Chardin’s point is that once Jesus comes to grip with what is being asked of him in the struggle of the garden, he enters into the downward spiral of diminishment. His intent is to go there if that is what his Father wants, and that is exactly what happens. He is executed. His exaltation is to be raised up on the gibbet of the cross. As he is stripped not only of his clothing but his own will, he accomplishes the high point of his active ministry. It is by this diminishment of his passion that he redeems. All that goes before is a preview of coming attractions.

 

What if it’s the same for us? What if our lack of energy, our illness, our weakness of any kind is to be the high point of our humble lives? How would we begin each day, when full of aches and pains, we fully intend “to bring to completion what God has begun in us.” What if our loving intentional acceptance of our diminishment will bring more healing to our world than any project we’ve ever been involved in? What if this Lent we were convinced of this and acted on it? Could it be my prayer? Could it be my fasting from guilt and sadness? Could it be the ultimate almsgiving?

 

Challenge.

Tough and Teasing.

Amazing, Involving, and Demanding.

Melt my Resistance.

OK?

 

Ready to be transformed…?

 

Our newly expanded Mission Statement first identifies a gate, a doorway: “Through a communal and contemplative presence…” The word through surrounds you, like a blanket in a chill wind. It’s a way to be.

 Next we identify our Dominican-ness: “Rooted in God’s transformative Word.” A subtle play on the meaning of the French word, Racine, yes? And take note, Word is capitalized. That means more than the scriptural word, although that is a primary place we find the Word-in-person. The Word here is the One who has come to be with us. The Word is Christ Jesus.

How do we stay “rooted” in a person? Being rooted means being where your life-source is. It means you lose your life if you get “uprooted.” It means we have identified our life-source, the reason for our existence. We have also used an important adjective in front of it. This Word does not stand still. It moves. It moves in us and transforms us day to day. That means we are itinerant in the deepest meaning of the word. We are ready to move, ready to be transformed, ready to be today what we weren’t yesterday. We are ready, not only to change locations, but to become different who we are. This Word has a plan, and we are part of it.

 We have entered a New Year. The cultural scene can look pretty grim. But this Word has a plan. It’s a plan to give us a future. Are you ready? Check where your feet are planted. Fasten your seat-belts. Are you ready to be transformed?

 

‘Tis the Season of Light…

The winter solstice has come. The light has shifted. Now the days grow longer. Light has won out, and the darkness slinks away, getting ready to return another time. Lights are everywhere. Christmas lights are still up, filling the night cold with multicolored beauty.

 

We are celebrating the greatest Light of all. The words of Genesis ring in our ears: “Let there be…Light!” Did you ever wonder how there could be light when, according to the ancient account, there was as yet no sun? What is the Light? Could it be the very Wisdom of God made manifest, and from this Wisdom, this very substance of God self-expressing in a Word, all creation spills out? Is it all made from Light?

Now lest you think this is mere new age jibberish, scientists seem to be moving in this same direction. They keep looking for the most primary particle. So far the most basic they have found they have named the quark. And what is this very basic element in the universe? They have identified it as a form of light energy. Interesting!

More interesting still, Someone once said, “I am the Light…” Then surprisingly this One said, “You are the light of the world…” , and he also said, “I am in you, and you are in me.” Very interesting. Sounds to me like we are being told we are made out of light from the One who is Light itself. That starts to make sense as we ponder what has happened to our loved ones who have died, and indeed, what is in store for us. Light changes form. Will we change form too? Will we shine with the light our love has produced? Will that be the only thing that counts? Will we be light from Light, chip off the ol’ block? Ponder that the next time you look in the mirror.

 

Holy One,

You have entered our dark world

Flashing your baby smile

As if you knew a secret that fills you with joy.

Shine on us

Locked in the darkness of our unknowing.

Has that baby finger spun us all

Light from Light

To chase away the darkness

As we ourselves become light-bearers in a blinded world?

What is the mystery that your Spirit whispers in our hearts?

Do we suspect all along that we are made to shine?

Come, Hope-Child, make your home in us.

Teach the world to smile.