| From the story of creation, here is an interesting look at the Creator - again this is from the chapter, "You Cannot Fool Your Nephesh" in his book "Mandate to Difference." And God rested! God had done enough. god was tired. It was the weariness of a kingly ruler who had spent a week issuing orders and edicts. It is a weariness of a caregiver who has been using energy to infuse creation with the energy of life. The fatigue of God is replicated by Jesus in the narrative of the woman who has hemorrhaged for twelve years: "Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my clothes?' And his disciples said to him, 'You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, 'Who touched me?' He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth." (Mark 5:30-33) Being a healer is costly to the one who heals. Being a creator is costly in the extension of blessing. Being a caregiver is costly, as every caregiver notices, because it entails the transmission of the self to the other. In a conversation yesterday, a woman told me about the the healing that she experiences as being a healer. Though we hear of this energy going out from God at creation and Jesus with this woman, what if there is energy that simply envelopes everyone. This does not mean there is no need to rest, rather it is a reminder that healing involves the energy of the community. Healing makes itself known on all who stand within the action of healing and making things new. It is too easy to feel the presence of destruction and brutality and despair. This is the way the world is too much of the time. I think we get used to it so that we do not let it touch us as it needs to. Then on the other hand, when we live in a world beat up and pushed around and neglected, it can be very, very difficult to sense the presence of healing. Could this be why some intentional rest is so important. In times of rest, we may give ourselves the time to look over the condition of our own lives and the life of the world. We are given the opportunity to breathe and contemplate on the welfare of all. Such an intentional time potentially lifts us out of our self-concern (that often leads to self-centered lives that can be quite uncreative) and enables us to see the healing that is taking place and the places that are in need of healing. The rest prepares us for more healing as it helps us acknowledge the healing God has already brought to our lives. Connection: Resting is a part of the week that is creative and healing and full of care. It is part of the essential flow of life that is so easily experience within a few moments of paying attention to our own breathing. Spirit of All Holiness, you bless your creation and invite us to be a part of that blessing that continues through time. We are stewards who are the active presence of your blessing. In and through all things of the day, your healing and creative power is upon us. Help us to release and use that power for the well-being of life - all life. Amen. |
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