A few minutes ago, a minivan pulled up in front of my house. I might not normally have noticed such a thing, except that I happened to be by my kitchen window washing dishes, and my dogs alerted me to potential visitors.
Six well-dressed folks poured out of the van and started walking around. Jehovah's Witnesses. Two women came to my door and read me a short bible verse. God wants us to be happy and at peace. I let them leave a couple of magazines with me, and then they left. I sure don't mind a well-meaning person reading me some scripture, wishing me a good day, and departing. I always try to be as polite as possible to door-knockers of all forms, because I know that many people prefer to just slam the door in peoples' faces (how rude!).
I really am not a fan of evangelicism. Not a bit. However, I believe in the power of the words of the bible being spoken aloud, and it was quite a nice midday reminder of God's love. These particular people, along with missionaries, are doing what they can to be witnesses to God. They believe that one way of doing this is sharing the good word. I can respect that, whether or not I'd choose to do it myself.
The other night I went to KFC right before they closed (late-night craving, what can I say?). I held the door for a man lugging some chicken wings and a suitcase, and he said "God bless you." This man was probably homeless- he had an unopened can of beer on him, and had clearly been imbibing some already, and was dragging his belongings around him in not such a nice place in town. What if he deeply meant this? Someone who, on many unknown levels, has seemingly not been blessed can still warmly wish well upon others. I thought about this on my way home, in my warm car, to my house full of food that I was ignoring in preference to fast-food. I have been blessed in many apparent ways: all of my basic human needs are being met. I have a home, a job, an education (whether I'm using it or not in my employment...this is something I really need to get over), a family, and a loving husband.
Obviously, this man doesn't know any of this about me when he wished God's blessings upon me...The Witnesses today did not know that I already have God in my life and don't wish to join their church...But those things are irrelevant. In both scenarios, these people are being witnesses to God's love. They are wishing well upon others, wishing happiness and peace, despite (probably) being ignored by others and viewed as pests.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Epiphany
There are two different priests who conduct mass at my local church, each with their own style. Father Steve, the older (?) of the two, has been doing most of the masses for the last few months (at least the ones I've attended). Father Steve is a major word-nerd. He very much enjoys the richness of etymology, and will often explain the historical, spiritual, and cultural significance of words that come up in the readings.
Today was no exception. Epiphany comes from an ancient Greek word meaning, 'to show.' This word (and its significance in The Epiphany) is expressed through the Platonic ideal that there are forms that contain a deeper significance that remain hidden to individuals until there is a moment of light when understanding is gained (an epiphany, if you will). That is to say, in such a moment one can see "how things really are." Good old fashioned metaphysics are at hand, here.
The classic example of an epiphany is "the moment of clarity" experienced by an alcoholic when he or she realizes that drinking has become a problem and it's time to quit. An epiphany calls for a fundamental lifestyle change. Even if the addict doesn't make a complete turnaround at that point, it's impossible to truly turn back and silence the understanding gained during that moment. That addict will know that the behavior is wrong, that it isn't healthy, and will not lead to anything good.
The epiphany of advent is that God is with us. Love is with us. Love is a force governing and existing in the universe, even in the face of evidence pointing to the contrary. There were over 2,000 emergency calls made in Manchester, England on New Year's Eve; 33 of those calls were to report stabbings. There is a shocking amount of violence in the world.
I've had "moments of clarity" in my life, several of them with the same epiphany. I don't think that the message I'm receiving is falling on deaf ears. I have not been as successful as acting on this message as I would have hoped, but I recognize that it is a slow, slow process. On different ocassions, I have realized that I do not show love to myself the way I do to others. I have, at different times in my life, engaged in self-destructive behaviors, while still maintaining friendships wherein I displayed great concern for the other person but very little for myself. I have come a long, long way to correct this, and realize that I am at a much healthier place now than I ever have been.
I go through phases of wanting to eat healthy, exercise daily, and do all sorts of very health-nutty things. Due to a recent event (which I will share in about a month), I have actually started working on this more actively. I have eaten brown rice and whole wheat bread today--something utterly unprecedented in my life! This recent event is still (mostly) rooted in loving another, but since I am also the benefactor of this caring and healthy lifestyle change, I will embrace it as a good thing.
Things really are good. God is with me. At any point, I can always pick-up, try again, and be healthy and wish goodness upon myself. I can show love towards myself by making healthy choices. I am excited for these small, good changes.
Today was no exception. Epiphany comes from an ancient Greek word meaning, 'to show.' This word (and its significance in The Epiphany) is expressed through the Platonic ideal that there are forms that contain a deeper significance that remain hidden to individuals until there is a moment of light when understanding is gained (an epiphany, if you will). That is to say, in such a moment one can see "how things really are." Good old fashioned metaphysics are at hand, here.
The classic example of an epiphany is "the moment of clarity" experienced by an alcoholic when he or she realizes that drinking has become a problem and it's time to quit. An epiphany calls for a fundamental lifestyle change. Even if the addict doesn't make a complete turnaround at that point, it's impossible to truly turn back and silence the understanding gained during that moment. That addict will know that the behavior is wrong, that it isn't healthy, and will not lead to anything good.
The epiphany of advent is that God is with us. Love is with us. Love is a force governing and existing in the universe, even in the face of evidence pointing to the contrary. There were over 2,000 emergency calls made in Manchester, England on New Year's Eve; 33 of those calls were to report stabbings. There is a shocking amount of violence in the world.
I've had "moments of clarity" in my life, several of them with the same epiphany. I don't think that the message I'm receiving is falling on deaf ears. I have not been as successful as acting on this message as I would have hoped, but I recognize that it is a slow, slow process. On different ocassions, I have realized that I do not show love to myself the way I do to others. I have, at different times in my life, engaged in self-destructive behaviors, while still maintaining friendships wherein I displayed great concern for the other person but very little for myself. I have come a long, long way to correct this, and realize that I am at a much healthier place now than I ever have been.
I go through phases of wanting to eat healthy, exercise daily, and do all sorts of very health-nutty things. Due to a recent event (which I will share in about a month), I have actually started working on this more actively. I have eaten brown rice and whole wheat bread today--something utterly unprecedented in my life! This recent event is still (mostly) rooted in loving another, but since I am also the benefactor of this caring and healthy lifestyle change, I will embrace it as a good thing.
Things really are good. God is with me. At any point, I can always pick-up, try again, and be healthy and wish goodness upon myself. I can show love towards myself by making healthy choices. I am excited for these small, good changes.
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