I've been reading a book on Fasting by Lynne Baab, Thomas Merton (still), and a bit in a commentary on the book of Ephesians by a guy named Klyne Snodgrass. And it's made me curious about what things I might want to fast from. What things rule me more than I'd like them too. And my need for things beyond me and beyond my every day needs and wants.
This morning the Thomas Merton reading was about a hermit who "just was" in his hermitige. When young Merton, I guess, was frustrated that this hermit never finished anything. Then when older he realized the importance of just being and the beyondness of God. Or at least that's what I took out of what I read.
Today I am aware of my need for this beyondness... in me, in the world. I am solely bereft with out it. Being myopic, only seeing myself, my wants, is flat, boring, and unsustaining.
And this beyondness is not just one step beyond myself to other people--I am old enough to know other people are not that beyond. And even the entire universe, that's a bit beyond, but still ...
Beyondness is what allows someone to live a blessedly incomplete life as a hermit or similar stripe, because being is enough. It's enough as a chosen way to live and enough when it's the only option for someone without the mental, physical, etc. abilities or resources to accomplish.
Klyne Snodgrass's commentary on Ephesians says... "we are diminished when we are separated from what is greater than us--God." And this morning after a couple days of feeling diminished by my myopic focus on things that are not beyond, I feel a bit more enlarged just thinking about beyondness.
Today if you asked me who God is I would say God is beyondness. And on valentines day it means God is beyond our human attempts at love. And that is good to know because it's usually on valentines day when most people realize how awful we all are at loving each other. Sometimes we just need a little help beyond us both to be loved and to love.
O and by the way, happy valentines day. :)
4 comments:
Happy valentines day to you too! This is one of my favorite days of the year. My mom would make a big deal out of valentines day each year - make a big dinner, buy all her children modest little gifts, an extra special dessert. I completely love the day for the memories she helped to imbue it with. It's all about love, but not "just" about romantic love. Even Secret Agent Dog is getting some special treat today. And I love you too. For me, valentine's day is better than Christmas because it's not fettered with religiosity and/or commercialism. It's just a time to be thankful for and celebrate the people who we love. May you be the joy that you seek in the world! - Zu!
Re: your question, "is that real?" Yes, most certainly, our daily sojourn.
zu, I love you too, BTW. :) My mom also made a big deal out of valentines day. She still sends me cards. It's sweet of her.
Of course you have a standing invitation. - Zu
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