One with the Mystery of God
Mary Jacks of Redmond, OR, USA
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross. -Philippians 2:5-8
Mary! Mary! I heard my name lovingly called. I was giving blood at the Red Cross for the fourth time and had just finished. All of a sudden, while they were putting a bandage and red wrap around my arm, I passed out for 30 seconds or so. They sat me up, offered me fruit juice, and I was able to leave after a few minutes of observation.
Two days later I woke up in the early morning from a dream in which I was dying, and folks were coming in and out of my bedroom attending to me, saying my name so endearingly. I felt such love. I remember saying to myself, “I can do this! I can say ‘yes’ to this! I am going to be all right!” There are many meanings to dreams and, yes, I am going to look at literally dying in a different way now. There is also a symbolic way to look at dying. I can take this dying of Mary metaphorically.
As I look at moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One, this Lenten season, I see myself dying. Jesus certainly calls me to a dying to self, that ego or individual self: “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies…” (John 12:24).
After this dream, I became aware of new ways of being and doing in many of the simplest things of life. I didn’t get upset at someone whom I was dealing with at the bank due to his mistake. I looked at his heart and knew God called him beloved just as I was beloved. I didn’t get frustrated when I had to drive back to the bank and connect with him again when phoning wouldn’t work, wasting valuable time on a blustery, snowy day. I became aware of an area where I was still racist and had a deep desire to learn from it. I was surprised at myself! These were just two of the many little everyday experiences I encountered. I became aware of being and doing differently. I am letting go! I am dying! I can do this!
I am reminded of today’s scripture from Philippians 2:5-8. Jesus emptied himself; he let go! I am letting go more of my ego self, my individual self, and hopefully seeing a more abundant and generous true self where the “other,” including the earth, is so connected to me as we are one in this year of 2021 (twenty twenty-one), and as I follow Jesus, the peaceful One. I am grounded; I am safe with God! And nothing can take this away no matter what will happen to me! I can risk and step out with courage. The pull of God seems like an ocean wave coming in, capturing me, and receding on the seashore, constantly pulling me toward God, urging me, luring me to be “home” or one with the mystery I call God! Yes, I stumble sometimes just as I do on the beach when a wave comes in and then pulls me to the sea, yet I am changing!
Prayer Phrase
Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?
Spiritual Practice
Gospel Contemplation (Mark 1:9-11)
Each week during Lent, you are invited to pray with a different gospel story from the life of Christ. Use your senses and imagination to enter the text. Allow it to come to life in you, observing details, noticing interactions, even engaging in dialogue. Notice where you find yourself in the story and how you feel about what is happening. Notice what it evokes in you or invites of you. Take time to journal or enter silent prayer to reflect on your experience and to sense where the Spirit may be leading you through this scriptural encounter.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
