Our language goes just so far. From there the real journey seems to begin - from "In-forming the Body of Christ."
Christian rhetoric about religious identity is frequently wrapped up in the guise of certainty, and if not certainty then ethical integrity. Mainline Protestants do not tend to find language for the fact that our entanglement with God is a body-penetrating mystery. Mystery is a footnote to who we are; sometimes it is a dumping ground for how so many awful things can happen when a loving God is supposed to be in charge. Mystery can also be a way to describe the faith aspect of religious belief - that we do not have to figure everything out, we just believe because we have faith.
I would end this section differently. Rather than include 'we just believe because we have faith.' I would end it with 'we do not have to figure everything out.' To me, ending as she has it seems to keep us in control about this 'faith' thing. Rather, we really do not have to figure it out. We live on the power of promise. That is what pulls at us and will not let us go. It is a part of the mystery that may make us look foolish - like Jesus on the cross maybe. Even when it appears to be over there is life that we cannot control or figure out or put good words to it. I love the words 'a body-penetrating mystery.' This is not mystery that floats through the air, it is concretely available no matter where we are or who we think we are. The mystery of God's promise takes us on and wrestles with us - it involves all of life. Like Jacob wrestling with God. Nothing is left out of the grappling and nothing is able to be controlled. So - we wrestle until we have literally been changed from one person into another.
Connection: Mystery is not an excuse to give up or go home, it is an invitation to keep going and continue the journey. Frightening and yet it tickles us into new life.
Though you seem to be so far off, O God, here you are. Praise to you, O God of Wonder and Amazement. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment