The very end of the section "New Spirituality: life against death" in The Source of Life by Jurgen Moltmann ends with what I think is a good way to begin the week. If we are seized by the Spirit of the resurrection, we get up out of our sadness and apathy. We begin to flower and become fruitful again, like the plants and trees in the spring of the year. An undreamed-of love for life awakens in us; we drive out the sweet poison of resignation, and our painful remembrances of death are healed. We encounter life again like children, in eager expectancy. This is not a questioning "if". It is an "if" that is more like a "since" or a "considering the fact that". It is what is. The Spirit of the resurrection does seize us. We may fight like hell to get away from it and crawl into another life that seems like it will be best for us but that does not stop this Spirit from residing among us. When I am within the bounds of the land of sadness, I know that there is a short step into the domain of apathy. I do not like to be there. And yet, when I am dragged there - I go there. It is overpowering and it can take the best of the day or life and make it all seem worth-less. And yet, we are told again and again that the Lord of all hopefulness is eternally available to us for life. The life has a shape to it even when we are are sinking so low we do not want to wear its baptismal robe and rise again to new life. Only the Spirit can heal us and cleanse us when that 'sweet poison of resignation' is pressing in and will not stop. When those tears filled with fear and sadness and an unknown despair that makes no sense and is yet so real - are at hand, it is time to breathe. Breathe simply for the purpose of taking in this promise of healing and wholeness and child-like joy. Connection: What do you do when you are being sucked dry and there doesn't seem to be any specific reason or any specific way of stopping the sucking? Maybe step one is to acknowledge that it is real....and wait to see what the Spirit throws out into the way. Renew us, O God. Breathe life into us, O God. Restore us, O God. Bring your Reign of peace among us and within us. Amen. |
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