6 December 2004

Some pickings from “A Passion for the Possible” by William Sloan Coffin.



Of all Michelangelo’s powerful figures, none is more poignant than the man in the Last Judgment being dragged down to hell by demons, one hand over one eye and in the other a look of dire recognition. He understood, but too late. It’s a familiar story, isn’t it? Rarely do we see the truth that stares us in the face until it is validated by disaster. Michelangelo was right: hell is truth seen too late.



Is this “hell” a place to which one goes or is it the realization of the journey one has and maybe is walking? I am more and more convinced that as our God calls us beloved, the life at hand and the life to come is an opportunity to be a beloved person in the presence of others. To be beloved is to have no fear of what may come because there is nothing that is able to erase what God calls us and how God creates us. But as we all know, we will trust almost anything…even the opinion of the day about an issue…rather than trust that I am beloved and that eternal status gives all of us the wonderful possibility to live a new life even when we are caught in what seems to be an endless cycle of death and all of its friends. Even the person in the painting who sees “truth too late” is not without hope. Yes, there is the painful recognition of missing out on a gift of life and having to face just how often we live according to the advice of the many gods of our lives, but this God who charges the day with the possibility of love abounding will remain that same God beyond our expectations and considerations. Even today, it is painful to recognize how often I allow myself to live contrary to the loving Reign of God…I do it without second thought. And yet, today begins a love that is able to transform us. From moment to moment -after we see ourselves living as though our status of being beloved by God is forgotten or we happen to forget that others also are brothers and sisters who status before God is just as life-giving and renewing- the truth presides over life and we are not outside its power. Remember, no other power can overwhelm the power of God’s love for us. Isn’t that a bit of the meaning of the incarnation?



Connection: We need to stand with one another and chant the vision of God’s loving-Reign. The chant may be heard within a touch…a glance…a sharing of some thoughts…a bold statement or action that is quite contrary to the prevailing winds of a conversation or an action. Chant the truth you who are beloved…for we all long to hear it in many and various ways for there is no need to waste a day…and there is always the need to be pulled back into God’s gracious possibilities for life.

Creating Lord, you wrap us up with your endless love and transform us into a compassionate people. Though we do not know what the day will bring we know that you will lead us and put into motion the marvelous wind of hopefulness that will sweep us up so that we can see the brilliant horizon of your gift of life. Amen.