Light and Life

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Signed up for today a month ago.

It's been a hectic few weeks since then so it wasn't until after the service on zoom last Sunday that I sat down to look over the lectionary.

Found passage we just heard from John.

My immediate reaction was to notice how John's origin story differs from the traditional Christian framework I grew up with.  

I grew up with the theology in line with that I had just heard in the lessons and carols service.

First reading of the service God encounters Adam and Eve in the Garden - one origin story about the relationship of God and humanity.

Part of what I hear in this story is a foundational separation between God and humanity - God forbids Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The first theme is disobedience when they do so.  But looking deeper why was eating from the tree such an issue? Verse 22 "And the Lord God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil".---becoming more like God is seen as a problem.

For many this traditional origin story is compelling.  But where it is not, important to highlight the diversity of viewpoints we find in scripture. 

This passage from John is one of those other viewpoints -

in the beginning-- This is an origin story

I hear it pointing to a mystery present from the very beginning of time:  God and what John calls the Word.   Cannot easily describe what is "the word" - a few images: the deep order of things at the heart of the universe -the outpouring or communication of this order into the world -

This outpouring Word, one with God in all time

This energy continually birthing all created things into being-- each filled with life and light.

All creation emerging from God as life and light.

And in Jesus, this Word made flesh.  That alone is a remarkable assertion.

But many read here an incarnation - word made flesh--that extends beyond just Jesus...incarnation extends also to every one of us.

Writing about Meister Eckhart, Cyprian Smith writes "Questions about Jesus are always at the same time questions about ourselves because he is the archetypal human being the basic pattern which we are all more of less faithful copies of."

  

We are - according to this understanding - all manifestations of this eternal Word.

 

I think this idea would not be foreign to John.

John 14:20  "On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you."

The word made flesh not just 2,000 years ago but in every moment. 

Humanity not barred from the knowledge of good and evil but rather gifted with this profound knowledge as part of the basic fabric of our being.

  

Over time this origin story has increasingly framed my understanding of what life is about at the deepest level.

 

At our core, a oneness with God that cannot be lost-- a light that no darkness can overcome.  However, challenging our circumstance this foundation remains.

Profound mystery at the core of our being - not something we can know in just an intellectual sense but rather a mystery explored with heart knowledge... intuition more than logical thought. A reality to be experienced from within.

 

Of course, while we can never lose this foundation, we can ignore it. Acting from this core identity is an ongoing choice.  Many things can block us from grounding here.

So for me the central focus in the spiritual life - and part of my daily prayer - is seeking to connect ever more fully to this deepest reality at my core.

 

Every day explore, How can I let this life and light at the core of my being ever more fully shape my way of being in the world.

A key teaching from the mystics: Path is to let go of what blocks us.

This is core of Meister Eckhar’s teaching.  To connect with God's inner light and life - let go - detach - from everything that is not God.

A process of subtraction that gradually reveals the inner masterpiece.

Legend has it that Michelangelo was asked by the Pope how he was able to create what is considered to be one of the greatest sculpting masterpieces of all time.  The statute of David.

Michelangelo responded by saying: It's simple. I just removed everything that was not David.

It is hard to release our grip on parts of our lives which are not God.  Important but fleeting aspects of our lives--Our status, our money, our skills-- often give us our identity.  It is hard to live into a new vision of who we are when old hurts, stories about ourselves as less than enough, fears and so much more have been built into our way of thinking for our whole lives.

But our tradition gives us a vision of what is possible and practices that can help release the grip of what distracts us for the inner light and life.

  

Part of my resolve for the New Year is to continue engagement with these practices.

Cultivate more inner silence. Meditation as a path to quite my often-overactive mind.

Continually renew my commitment to make internal space before acting.  Notice when I'm reacting from habit and relax to make enough space to allow for a response from a more grounded place.  Continually asking "How can I respond to this situation in a way that can minimize suffering and optimize capacity to live a fuller life for myself and others".

New in the coming year--Grounding myself more fully in bodily wisdom--lived experience of the present moment-- rather than in stories I tell myself about the world.

In closing I just give thanks for the remarkable gift I have received from our tradition, from those who have walked this path before me and for all the strength I have gained from the companionship of others such as this church.

There is light that the darkness cannot overcome.

Amen