Listening

Wag This Way…

A couple of summers ago, while visiting family, we decided to go out for ice cream. As we opened the back door of the mini-van, immediately, and with great enthusiasm, the dog jumped in, and was ready to go. Unfortunately, the dog could not come with us, and needed to be escorted back out of the vehicle. As disappointed as he seemed though, when we got back to the house, his excitement upon our reuniting was as if his disappointment or hopes dashed prior to our departure, had never occurred.   

It is interesting how dogs, act and react, especially when they are excited. Perhaps, jumping and bouncing, running back and forth, and/or wagging their tails furiously at the approach of a favorite treat or as a loved one returns home. Then there are the other times, when they might plant their paws and growl, preparing to resist, attack, or defend against something non-preferred, or a threat perceived. Regardless of the situation though, what is often most striking is the capacity of dogs to love without abandon.

Moving from wagging tails to wagging fingers, there is the human frailty that causes hearts to bruise, egos to rouse, and hurt to linger. This, all the while, the silent plea, “Come now. Come down off your high horse,” echoes deep within. But, which will win?

Sometimes, it’s time to stop stopping. Stop standing still. When stubborn, yet again, the wagging, it begins. There it is. Getting in the way, determined to carry on, refusing to give in.

At what cost?

So many things, taking up space, too tightly held. How can the space between us do anything, but swell? Wider it becomes… bigger… stronger… bolder it grows. Drifting… fading… falling, tell me, what is so appalling?

One can’t help but wonder, when will this nonsense stop? When will we heed the warning that echoes deep within, “Come now. Come down off your high horse.”?

I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: love one another as I have loved you. – John 13:34  

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
                        — Mary Oliver, Wild Geese

From the Ground Up…

Taking a stroll… wandering to and fro… wondering and thinking.

Time goes by. Still strolling… still thinking.

Noticing the plants… flowers and shrubs… the sky above…

Drawn in more than one direction. Decision indecision.

Aim high? Aim low? Maybe somewhere in between?

No, not quite… No, not right… Oh, alright.

FromTheGroundUp

Going about each day, it is natural to take in what is immediately in front, ahead, or in the vicinity, while keeping stride from one minute to the next. It is often easiest to see or connect with what is received at eye level or perhaps sometimes what is above. Yet, oftentimes, what is of most value, and can be most helpful, can be found at a much lower height than one’s stature, position, or aspirations. Tempting though it may be, never mistake or forsake the importance of what happens, or what can be seen, at ground level, or below, at the roots. Remember, it is in the foundation of the soul—the heart—that Truth makes itself known, and then, the path that is best, is shown.

In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said: Whatever you ask I shall give you.

Solomon answered: “You have shown great kindness to your servant, David my father, because he walked before you with fidelity, justice, and an upright heart; and you have continued this great kindness toward him today, giving him a son to sit upon his throne.

Now, LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed David my father; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act—

I, your servant, among the people you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.

Give your servant, therefore, a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil. For who is able to give judgment for this vast people of yours?”

The Lord was pleased by Solomon’s request.

So God said to him: Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right—

I now do as you request. I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you.

– 1 Kings 3:5-12

Resonance…

Recently, there have been a number of times, when looking out the window, the birds that are usually fluttering and moving from one spot in the yard to another, have been awfully still. They have been hanging around in one area of the grass or perched on a branch much longer than usual. Then yesterday afternoon, another of our frequent visitors, a rabbit, was not just eating, but was also sprawled out, as if reclining on the grass as it was eating. I had never seen that before and found it rather curious. Then I thought, it must be hurt, but it wasn’t. After watching for a minute or two, I went off to do something else, and when I returned, the rabbit was in its more usual, upright position.

Today, sitting at the kitchen island, it is not long before I become aware of the ticking of the clock or the buzzing of messages received by cell. Even in another spot, not long before there is something else calling attention or looking to be tended to, remembered not forgotten. And while I may perceive these all as I go about my way, sometimes at a quickened pace, sometimes still, others passing through and moving on, it is only when I really stop and take the time to listen, that my heart can open up not only to hear, but also to remember, the Truth beyond the mission.

Earlier this week, I came across the following prayer. A great reminder of all the reasons why—The Reason why. It is by John Henry Cardinal Newman, whose motto was “Cor ad cor loquitur” or “Heart speaks to heart.” It’s about all that matters…

Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go;
Flood my soul with your spirit and life;
Penetrate and possess my whole being so completely
That all my life may be only a radiance of yours;
Shine through me and be so in me
That everyone with whom I come into contact
May feel your presence within me.
Let them look up and see no longer me—but only Jesus.
Amen.

– Saint John Henry Newman

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Lines in the sand…

In the process of taking in and pondering the events that have been unfolding in the country and across the world over the past few months, memories of experiences come to mind. Most prominent, have been a couple from childhood. One was an instance in first grade. It was the beginning of the school year and we were outside for recess. After the summer months and spending a lot of time exposed to the sun, the tone of my skin was much more pronounced. My appearance, seemingly foreign, became the object of focus and made me the recipient of the taunting of a few classmates. Another experience, the sole girl joining in among boys and a few fathers playing basketball becoming the subject of ridicule as the tom-boy and for not standing on the sidelines and watching as all good little girls do. In the first situation, there was a classmate who stepped in and stood with me. He had often been the recipient of teachers’ reprimands for not paying attention. Yet, when it really mattered, he was paying attention and, not only that, he spoke up, he took action.

Thinking about these childhood experiences and the impact they had on me, as painful and confusing as they were, I know they are just the tip of what fellow human beings have experienced and continue to experience at the hands of lines drawn in the sand out of ignorance or self-interest, or perhaps both. As I think about back then, over 40 years ago, and then now, a couple of more recent situations come to mind. In particular, the response of the person in charge of a local organization to concerns expressed and experiences shared. It was along the lines of an “I see, but that is not what I am hearing from the people who talk to me. My experience is…”

In that moment, I just listened as I thought, “But you don’t see. Of course your experience and what you hear in your little circle of privilege would not be representative of the entire body of Christ.” Afterward, it occurred to me that not once did this person seem to even consider what I had shared. It was as if he wrote it off and dismissed it, as he immediately jumped to his experience in the vacuum of his comfortable existence. I left the experience feeling like it had been a waste of time trying to speak with this person. For me it was a tipping point after many efforts. A final straw. A reminder about recognizing when the time has come to shake the dust off one’s sandals and move on from places that are so insulated and blinded from Truth. For it is impossible to converse and have dialogue when there is no openness or room to truly sit with, and consider, the experience of others.

While these experiences were certainly not life threatening and may seem relatively harmless or even insignificant to some, they are the sorts of things that often lead to blind spots and greater or bigger injustices. In chapter 10, verses 37-42, of the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus says,

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,
and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
and whoever does not take up his cross
and follow after me is not worthy of me.
Whoever finds his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
“Whoever receives you receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet
will receive a prophet’s reward,
and whoever receives a righteous man
because he is a righteous man
will receive a righteous man’s reward.
And whoever gives only a cup of cold water
to one of these little ones to drink
because the little one is a disciple—
amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”

In this passage, Jesus is speaking about the dangers of strongly identifying or fervently aligning oneself with anyone, or anything, other than God. Why? What is wrong with loyalty?

Nothing is wrong with loyalty as long as it is, first and foremost, to God. Oftentimes though, it can be tricky to distinguish when something that seems good starts to separate from being of God and slowly turns into something altogether different. In the Bible, there is account after account from the Old Testament through the New Testament that show the way people thought about God and how things ought to be, only for things to change or evolve, always expanding, becoming wider and more inclusive, and truly for the better.

How could it be any other way? God is constant, without being static or motionless, and with God, there are no barriers. For the one, great calling of all creation is toward embracing diversity and standing united.

… the imitation of Christ does not mean to live a life like Christ, but to live your life as authentically as Christ lived his, then there are many ways and forms in which one can be a Christian. ― Henri J.M. Nouwen

LinesInTheSand

Something new… something old…

With all the volatility throughout the world right now, it can be difficult to wade through differences of opinion and the debates, sometimes heated, that come from them. Socrates said, “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.”  

Oftentimes, in situations that engender competing factions, the best way to proceed is by laying aside one’s own point of view, at least temporarily, and trying to understand the experience of others.

Earlier this week, I received an email that contained statistics that were not the most recent statistics available. However, beyond the numbers, the message contained some examples of social injustice in areas that I am not sure I had previously considered. What shined through loud and clear was that it can be easy to become isolated or insulated from the experience of others. More often than not, there is a greater tendency to try to find the place where one fits in, and then, to comfortably live and stay there. Inevitably, by doing so, diversity and openness become lost more easily, and learning lessens. The voices and the experience of others… those on the edges or completely outside of the place where we have come to reside, become invisible or simply “not my experience,” so they may be dismissed, without much consideration.

This is the crux of the matter… of many matters. When there is little or no room for consideration, or an unwillingness to separate from what is comfortable, preferred, presumed, or seen as “known,” there is also usually little or no room for true dialogue or change—something more than superficial. Without open and honest listening and sharing, without coming together, how can we possibly come to understand?

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. – 2 Cor 13:13      

SomethingNewSomethingOld

Blown by the Wind…

As the waves rose to the height of their ascent, each carried a line of mist as the force of the wind surfed across the top. Water and wind driving against each other, competing, wave after wave. Which would win? … As if only one could.

Be driven, not aimless, or as if by wind.
Be driven, not reckless… ruthless, or by tide.
Be driven, not fearful… anxious, or by mind.
Be driven by heart, soul, and Spirit combined.

WindBlown

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied,
‘My child, remember that you received
what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go
from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father,
send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers,
so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'” – Luke 16:19-31

Reserved Seating…

Beginning in the early years of life, one comes to see that seating can be tricky, sometimes even turning contentious. From a very young age, many children are introduced to musical chairs. To be first (often synonymous with best) and beat out others in securing a coveted seat, of which there are too few, is the goal of the game. If you do not get a seat, you’re out of the game—eliminated.

Across the years as well as across various different areas of life, securing a “good” seat seemingly remains a key to many things. Whether one is attending an event related to school, sports, dinner, entertainment, travel, the celebration of milestones, etc., it seems human nature to aim for a seat with a prime view. In the Gospel according to Luke (chapter 14: 7-14), Jesus encourages us to refrain from this way of being and not to take the coveted seat, or hold it for those who are held in esteem or known to us.

Rather than aiming to obtain a particular spot, or slide into a position, we are to trust that what is passed up or given away, if it is truly for us, will come back to us. In addition, Jesus instructs us to be gracious, making room physically, as well as in our hearts and minds, for others. Calling us to look at and examine our reservations. What are the spots being held back or blocked off? What is preventing seating for all?

FerrisWheel

He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
‘Give your place to this man,’
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’
Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For every one who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Then he said to the host who invited him,
“When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” – Luke 14:7-14

Continuing Education…

“I have been a seeker and I still am, but I stopped asking the books and the stars. I started listening to the teaching of my soul.” –Rumi

Recently I attended a show where one of the scenes had a song about parents and teachers who were not listening to the voices of the children. It was as if in trying to teach and steer their children, they had become closed off to the fact that maybe there were things that they needed to learn too. The show and that scene were striking, calling to mind this Rumi quote and making me think about teaching, learning, and the role of prayer.

After having retreated to spend the night on the mountain, praying to God (Luke 6:12), Jesus returned. It was then, and only then, after prayer, that Jesus took action. Perhaps the most appealing qualities of Jesus are that his words and actions match, and that he teaches with a motivation that comes from wisdom and nourishment received through prayer.

While his disciples and countless others seek to listen to his words, to see what he is all about, and to receive healing from him, Jesus, in his ministry, never seeks to elevate, separate, or cut himself off from others, outside of retreating to pray. In the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-26), Jesus stands on level ground as he teaches… as he ministers.

Throughout Scripture, and throughout the ages, Jesus is always in the midst of those who seek him. As we strive, struggle, and overcome, Jesus is one with us. And we are to be one with each other.

However, just as in Scripture, in order for this to occur, we must be honest, having within our hearts and minds an openness to healing, a resistance to complacency, and a desire to keep learning and to grow closer to God each and every day. Doing so allows for a life that is not only just and honorable, but also faithful.

And he came down with them
and stood on a stretch of level ground.
A great crowd of his disciples
and a large number of the people
from all Judea and Jerusalem
and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon
came to hear him
and to be healed of their diseases;
and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured.
Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him
because power came forth from him and healed them all.

And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
for the kingdom of God is yours.

Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.

Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.

But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.

But woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.

Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.

Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.

– Luke 6:17-26

Waiting to Arrive…

Looking out at the thin ice in the quiet stillness of early morning, I think, “How fragile life is.” As I sit and watch, I feel tired… stretched thin. Until this moment, it has been so busy… too busy.

I survey the area. It seems motionless. I think, “The time is now.” Everyone…everything must wait.

While time continues to tick, I linger, allowing more than just a chance to be still and listen. With each minute that passes, I feel a calm and steady strength growing from deep within. How resilient Life is.

ThinIce

My eyes are ever upon the LORD, who frees my feet from the snare. – Psalm 25:15

For example…

As I looked around, I saw so many faces. Some were familiar and some were new, but all were listening with great interest and intrigue. I felt overwhelmed with a sense of joy and gratitude. How good it was to be in a place that seemed to be filled with openness and a deep desire for good.

As we all listened, we were reminded of ways in which God is ever-present. Not only is God always with us, but also constantly emanating a love for all creation… a love that is boundless, alongside mercy and compassion that is endless.

We sat and listened to experiences that were shared and our hearts were touched as we marveled at the manner in which God brings people together for more than the good of just a select few or a particular group. Again, reminded of a Love that is not only beyond limit, but also beyond compare… a Love in which we share.

It was good to listen and to remember, but perhaps most important, it was liberating.

It is amazing what the power of example can do when there is openness to receiving it. Sometimes it helps to ask, “What am I holding onto? And how is it affecting me, and those around me?”

Let go and let God. Oftentimes, that is all that is needed.

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If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.

Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works.”

If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.

— Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9.