Beyond Ritual

In an ongoing reflection of hitting a full year in which the world was asked to sit still, I can’t help but highlight the incredible insights of the late Abraham Joshua Heschel:

Religion is not what man does with his solitariness. Religion is what man does with the presence of God.

Honestly, this past year has raised the glaring insight that the American life struggles with both. The average person didn’t know what to do with solitude, or what to do with the presence of the Divine.

Christianity, as a religion, situates the Divine as a relationship, which is so very beautiful. And yet, for the American church it has long been situated to a Sunday get together, which was hindered at best and quite effectively closed at worst.

It was here that many either cried persecution for having to pause, or disobedient pacifism to the church that did pause. And we all lost because of the infighting and competitive posturing.

I am again and again invited to return to the rhythm of what is known as the Beatitudes, or Blessings, which kick off he seminal “Sermon on the Mount,” by Jesus.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Pause. The first four are statements of being met in our lack. It is about being met in our less than and lostness, while being loved, embraced, filled and refreshed. Not because there was an ounce of deserving, but because the Divine offers grace in a way that is wholly unnerving.

Ok, hit play on the second four.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see the Divine.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of the Divine.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of right living, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

As we are met in our nothingness and lack, the second four invite us to extend that same love and grace to others… in their complete lack.

In our lack we are loved. Which heals the heart and prepares the person to be given to others in their depleted state. We have now been given eyes to see the Divine in others, not to judge and determine whether others are worthy of the Divine.

This is the school I enter each time I enter into the Presence. What a brilliant and beautiful, overwhelming and all consuming education. I cannot be the same when the heart is constantly and consistently reshaped.

May that be true for you as well, because you are loved right here, right now. And may this love catapult you into loving the world anew.