"It is more blessed to give than to receive," says the old adage. A new twist is presented, however, in the summer issue of WITH ONE ACCORD. We are invited to consider the generosity of receiving. Editor, Lucinda M. Vardey, introduces the theme of RECEPTIVITY and provokes our thinking with this anecdote from Mother Teresa:
As she walked along a Calcutta street one day, a beggar beside the road noticed her coming and took the only coin that was lying in his bowl, leapt to his feet, and gave it to her. She hesitated receiving it as she pondered the situation. Here was a person who by having nothing, had few opportunities to give anything. Rejecting his gift would be worse than accepting it. So she thanked him and the wide grin on his face was confirmation that she had done the right thing. "If we don't receive," she said, "we deny the joy of the giver." Perhaps the joy in giving is where the blessedness begins, but undoubtedly it is completed by being received. Beyond a plain transaction of giving and receiving, respect and love unite the two as relationship.
Mother Teresa's example prompts me to rethink the opening adage and ponder anew my basic relationship with a generous God and the outpouring of God's love, particularly in the person of God's Son, Jesus.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
(Philippians 2:7)
Saint Paul uses here the Greek word,kenosis, meaning “to empty," or, alternately, "to set aside." Theologians have since spilled much ink on the meaning of this word, a lot of it to do with the both/and nature of Jesus as divine and human. Butkenosis is not only about Christ.
Jesus came to reveal to us the true nature of the Father and his act of kenosis, self-emptying, shows us the heart of divine love, the very nature of God. We see this first in the generative act of Creation when God, who had no need of creation, nonetheless, generously chose to “give away” the gift of life itself. The created universe resulted, a munificent manifestation of God’s glory.
Just as it is the very nature of God to give and as we see this most perfectly in the outpouring of the Son, so it is that at the heart of our nature as God’s beloved beings, that we are meant to receive.
Mary is, of course, the perfect example of such receptivity. Her “yes,” to God’s giving of self made the Incarnation of Christ possible. In this turn of seasons, I find myself as usual, looking ahead to Advent and thoughts on Mary are at my elbow. I am particularly drawn to Caryll Houselander’s phrase for her as Reed of God.
(art: He Qi, "Annunciation")
In allowing the Breath of God to fill and blow through her, Christ is given to the world. That generosity is mirrored in the natural world this time of year as nature conspires to reinforce this message of God outpouring and our receiving. The fullness of summer turning to a harvest of abundance writes boldly across fields and sky that God “so loves the world.”
Is it enough then, to allow ourselves to be so loved? Is it enough to accept a relationship of non-mutuality, one where we cannot outdo God in generosity? Can we luxuriate in the warmth of sun’s ray or breathe deep of mown hay and receive it as reminder of this great truth, for God so loves…?
In another season born of out of winter’s darkness, we will turn our attention to God’s other great giving beyond Creation, beyond Incarnation. We will turn to the Cross, the reality and confrontation of God’s love in suffering, our redemption, and eternal life. But let us start here. Let us be present to the now and the awareness of invitation, whatever our walk in life. Let us accept the gift of God's companionship. In that companionship there is mutuality. Giver and receiver are united. And amazingly enough, the God of Creation, the Christ of Kenosis, the Breath of Life ask only this of us, that we accept such a gift.
Steve Garnass-Holmes says it well in his poem:
Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?”
(John 6:6-67)
love this little glimpse of Jesus,
for the moment not testing the disciples,
not handing out difficult teachings,
but wanting friends, hoping not to be alone.
(photo by pexels: dasha@omycotton)
To “go away” is not just to fail at faith,
or disagree with his theology;
it's to leave him companionless.
The human Jesus, right on the edge of his own hurt.
For all the love that flowed,
his was still the loneliest job.
Maybe what Jesus most wants is not your religiosity,
not your fervent prayers, or your profound faith,
but just you. Your company.
Your willingness to be with him.
Maybe he doesn't want your piety.
He just likes having you around.
Imagine that as joyful as the father is
to receive the prodigal son,
the Beloved is that happy to have you.
Maybe even a little sad without you.
You don't have to do anything heroic.
Just keep him company.
I tell you, there are times
he will want that more than anything
For further consideration...
There is always much that is thought provoking in every issue of WITH ONE ACCORD. To read more about the theme of Receptivity, particularly in the context of the feminine, you can access the summer edition by clicking here: WITH ONE ACCORD
That same edition brought to mind Caryll Houselander and her book, The Reed of God. Written in1944, it is a Christian classic. I remember it on my mother's dresser when I was a young child which explains a good deal about the depth of her love and spirituality. You can find it on Amazon if you want to take a peek: THE REED OF GOD
When we look at the way artists have portrayed this scene, we will see that the "others" can be many.
The Advent preparations that occupy my time these days are for an online retreat in partnership with RETREAT, REFLECT, RENEW in December. I am excited and privileged to partner with them in ministry and cannot say enough about the marvelous resources they offer for fostering your spiritual journey. Details will be forthcoming about the retreat soon, but you may want to check them out now for the MANY opportunities they offer by clicking here: RETREAT REFLECT RENEW
I have used the poetry of Steven Garnass-Holmes before. If you'd like to see more of his work, you access a treasure trove of poetry at his website or order his new book of poetry at: Unfolding Light
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As some of you are aware from our Summer Enrichment, my assistant, Cari Krippner, is right now on pilgrimage hiking through France and northern Spain on the Camino del Santiago. I'm sure we will be hearing much about it upon her return, but if you'd like to check in with her progress there's an app that will allow you to do that. I am very much enjoying being right there with her. Just go to: Cari on Camino
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