The lead piece is from "Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris. In this book she takes many of the words and images of the faith and attempts to put some reality and life to them.
ECSTASY
The root meaning of ecstasy is to put out of place, to lose one's stand. It is scary because it takes us out of a place we are certain of, into one that commands our full attention, but without offering the comforts of everyday distraction. It an ecstatic moment - making love is a vivid example - we are most ourselves, and yet not our ordinary self. Ecstasy is both resoundingly physical, and deeply spiritual.
At times, people say that they are surprised by someone when that person acts "out of character." I wonder of ecstasy is a bit like that. It may not have to be the "religious" ecstasy that some people associate with some churches or certain periods of time in church history. Whenever we take the risk to be "out of place", we are walking in an arena that may provide us new insights and new expectations. Ecstasy may be those moments when the smallest part of our world grabs all of our attention and we are completely swallowed up in the sheer wonder of a moment or an action. I remember seeing a flower blooming this spring. I did not have any recollection of planting it in the perennial garden...but there it was...delicate deep purple/blue flowers. I was pulled out of my routine and drawn into another dimension of experience...lost and yet in the middle of finding something new. Ecstatic gardening.
Connection: Who knows what will pull us out of place today...it may be good to let it happen and take in another side of the life we don't ever let ourselves enter.
Lord of New Life, you bring so many gifts into this day that we often do not take the time to glance at them and let our lives be filled with the wonder of your power and creativity. Pull us into the blessed peace and joy of your eternal reign. Amen
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