I am sorting and evaluating decades of my writings. It’s encouraging and embarrassing to look back! But certain threads persist, fibers of what William Blake called a “golden string” that, as we wind it up through our lives, leads us to glory, to “heaven’s gate.”
Winter Epiphanies
We celebrated one of those threads on February 2, the Feast of the Presentation. That is halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox. And around that time, I entered monastic life in 1975. Fifty-one years ago! I took the name David of the Presentation. I didn’t know it then, but the Presentation, celebrating Jesus’ consecration to God as a first-born son, is one of a series of epiphanies that churches celebrate between Christmas and Presentation. The most famous is the arrival of the three magi on the twelfth day of Christmas. Others include Jesus’ baptism and his transforming water into wine at a wedding in the town of Cana.
These are feasts of light in dark winter. Glimpses of Glory. But they include shadows, too. The magi bring myrrh, a reminder that all too soon, this little boy will die. And at Candlemas, the prophet Simeon intuits that this baby is “a light of revelation to the nations and the glory of God’s people” and a “sign of contradiction.” He will prove divisive in his mission to unite. And although Mary rejoices at the “great things” God accomplishes in her, Simeon warns her that a sword will pierce her heart.
I’ve always associated Glory with beauty. But a “complicated” beauty. As I wrote in my Christmas reflection, it isn’t “pretty.” John’s Gospel begins with celebrating a Light that came into the world, a light that darkness can’t overcome, but also a Light we don’t instantly recognize or accept. We wrestle with it. But when we do, it’s glorious. As Rainer Maria Rilke put it:
Winning does not tempt that man
This is how he grows, by being defeated, decisively
By constantly greater beings.
Beings such as thunderstorms or angels, according to Rilke.
From Glory to Glory
Gregory believed that in a way, we grow younger and younger because as we grow, we realize more and more how wondrous Reality is, how vast Love is, and it all keeps attracting us, now and forever. We don’t arrive. We strain forward forever (Philippians 3:13). The word Paul used for this ever-growth is epektasis, and Gregory loved it. Our own grasp of Reality is meager, and glorious as the present may be, Life and Love sweep us up into more awe and gratitude. And I believe at some graced point, we no longer strain, as Paul put it; we surrender to the undertow of Glory.
Who cares?
Who cares? I do, because a lot of religious people, certain in their convictions, persecute, detain, deport or even kill. I was rereading St. John of the Cross recently and was glad to be reminded that “Those who understand God more, understand more distinctly the infinitude which remains to be understood.” All we can do is stammer in awe. We don’t reject our understanding and faith as they deepen, but we are stunned by how limited they are.
We’re full of faith, but we’re also in the dark. St. John of the Cross knew that the deeper our faith, the darker it becomes. But this darkness is “more beautiful than the dawn.” It opens us to learning from others rather than dismissing and diminishing them. Or fearing them as threats.
As I mentioned at Christmas, Naomi Shihab Nye’s kindness may be one of the best demonstrations of beauty. Maybe even glory. Like Jesus’ kindness toward a woman about to be stoned by very religious people. I just learned that the wise Fr. Greg Boyle, author and founder of Homeboy Industries, claims that “Kindness is the only non-delusional response to anything.” I’ve been pondering that.
Kind and Troubling
Of course, we need to define kindness or maybe describe it. Might as well complicate it, too, along with beauty and glory. For example, the late John Lewis encouraged us to get into good trouble. It’s a kind thing to do. From February 11-14, the Repairers of the Breach are marching from Wilson to Raleigh, North Carolina. I’d say they’re marching for kindness, and they translate that into concrete demands, including expanded voting rights, living wages, health care, and an end to racist gerrymandering, ICE raids, and religious nationalism.
That sounds like a great way to celebrate love on Valentine’s Day. If you want to learn more about the Moral March from Wilson to Raleigh, North Carolina, watch this video. It puts today’s struggles for freedom in historic perspective. Complicated. Dangerous. Beautiful. Glorious.
Thank you for this thoughtful post and quoting people who are completely new to me. I must also ponder Fr. Greg Boyle’s, “Kindness is the only non-delusional response to anything.” And, I am grateful that you draw attention to the Repairers of the Breach who live what they preach, and are undaunted in standing up for and empowering low wealth citizens.