SD-43: The physical world and the spiritual world - that's how some of the art separates life. It was a description I did not like.
The 'otherworldliness' of religious life is the perfect way to take us away from everyday living that is free from coercion and threat and rewards. When we separate one from the other and say that we all eventually go to the 'spiritual' realm (heaven or hell) our focus too quickly sends our eyes to another place. In many paintings, the two realms were obvious. Demons and angels were running or flying around the characters who were moving through everyday scenes (although even the everyday scenes seemed more grand or perverse than what is ordinary).
Spiritual does not mean 'some other place' or 'some other reality' or 'some other influence.' It has to do with the fullness of our humanity. It is the everyday that is seen with new eyes. It is when we so honor and respect everyday living that we find in that living a fullness of life that can capture our hearts and our minds and our imagination. For example, I seem to think that Gandhi saw in the middle of poverty - the beauty of each person. He then made sure that such beauty was no crushed down by any power that claimed to be able to rule over and direct life. I may be wrong here, but the act of 'bowing and bending" (shaker song) is part of the journey of life that is essential the spirit of our humanity. Jesus also made the common and ordinary like the most sacred of places. Therefore, birth in a manger - death as a criminal - becomes how we see the depths of what it is to physical and spiritual - that is, whole.
Connection: What is a part of your everyday life that reminds you of how connected you are to the whole of God's creation and the grand vision of life that is handed to us as human beings in the image of God. If you were a painter, when would you put in "other" images to make that moment seem connected to that which is not seen?
Blessed are you, Maker of all that is and all that will be. We give you thanks for what is close by and the many ways we see how gifted we are as your children. Amen.
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