Reflection from your Co-Pastors - February 3, 2022

We are the Light of Christ

Yesterday was the feast of the Presentation, also Candlemas Day, when parishioners would bring their candles to church to be blessed, and following that, today is the Feast of St. Blaise, the day cradle Catholics remember as the ‘Blessing of the Throats.” All these days are connected to the Presentation and holiness and health. Blessing throats was to ward off illness and disease: a priest would hold two beeswax candles that were in the shape of a cross under our throats and ask St. Blaise to bless us. This could go on for hours. This tradition was carried on from those early days when a sore throat could mean death. Today, a sore throat can still be a harbinger of considerable illness and death for some. I mention this as a way to point out the stress that has made its home inside our bodies from almost 3 years of Covid19 as we hold on to hope. We yearn for that day when we are together to pray, to gather around God’s Table, to socialize without masks, and to just take in the loveliness of each other’s beingness. We may wonder if we can even be aware of the depth of the impact of prolonged stress.

There is talk in many centers about how anxious and irritable folks are, how the children are behind in school, how parents are making demands, how pastors are burning out, how teachers are exhausted, and the list goes on. We know that when outside of our awareness, the effects of suffering can seep out in unexpected ways, sometimes quietly and sometimes with a shout or bang (think Carl Jung and the shadow self)! Yet, we believe in the Light. We are the Light.

I am hearing a lot about the Light too: “Where is the Flame of Easter?” “Who am I to bring the Light?” “Who brings the Light?” “How do I bring It?” “Am I worthy?”

We are the carriers of the Flame, the Flame that is our Source. We carry the Light by our presence. Our centeredness and focus on what is important creates a path for others to rest in our Light, to find hope there. Our candles are lit.

Pastor Steve of Unfolding Light writes today:

“ ‘When Simon Peter saw it,

          he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying,

          “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man! "

Luke 5.8

Don’t believe the voices you hear

coming up out of the grave in your head,

snaking around you from the shadows,

saying you are not worthy.

Yes, a miracle shimmers under your feet,

yes, you draw wonders from dark mysteries,

yes, you hold the shoals of heaven in your hands,

yes, glory you can’t yet see is more than we can bear.

Yes, and you are worthy,

you are worthy.

The miracle beneath the surface

is not yours to hide.

Open yourself, and be astounded.

Then get up off your knees and come.

The world needs that light.

(with permission)

Deep Peace to you today as you bring the Light.