Before time itself was measured, the Voice was speaking.
The Voice was and is God.
This celestial Word remained ever present with the Creator;
His speech shaped the entire cosmos.
Immersed in the practice of creating,
all things that exist were birthed in Him.
His breath filled all things
with a living, breathing light—
A light that thrives in the depths of darkness,
blazes through murky bottoms.
It cannot and will not be quenched.
(Jn 1:1-5)
Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
(Mark 1:35-39)
Somewhere we know that without a lonely place our lives are in danger. Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, without distance closeness cannot cure. Somewhere we know that without a lonely place our actions quickly become empty gestures. The careful balance between silence and words, withdrawal and involvement, distance and closeness, solitude and community forms the basis of the christian life and should therefore be the subjects of our most personal attention. Let us therefore look somewhat closer, first at our life in action, and at our life in solitude. (Henri Nouwen, Out of Solitude)
Prayer
Lord, grant me a taste for solitude so that I might find in my heart the holy place where you live and can tell you truthfully how I am feeling. Grant me also an understanding of when to act in response to your call to me. Amen.
Advent Action
Our Lord went out to a deserted place to pray before he started his journey throughout Galilee to proclaim the message of the Good News. Look back on your past life and identify as active moments. also examine the times of solitude you have experienced. Assess how you functioned under both conditions. Make sure that in the midst of Advent season there is a balance between the two aspects of your spiritual journey.
(from Advent and Christmas Wisdom of Henri Nouwen)
I like the phrase, "immersed in the practice of creating." This brings to mind an imagining of what my life would be if I were immersed in the practice of creating like my Father.
ReplyDeleteI also like the phrase, "a light that thrives in the depths of darkness," because it makes me think of being in the King's Palace at Carlsbad Caverns when every single light is out and the darkness is so complete that you can't even see a hint of movement from your hand in front of your face... then one small candle is lit, and every eye is immediately drawn to it's the piercing light. We think of light as all around us on a hot summer's day, far removed from us as the sun is setting, or in our homes where it is such a casual part of our lives. But in that moment of exhaustive darkness, the exquisite, keen light is our desperate relief from fear.
In the prayer, I think the phrase, “that I might find in my heart the holy place where you live” brings it all together. If I can emulate Jesus by finding a solitary place to pray… and there find the place in my soul where I can see that precious saving light and become immersed in the practice of creating with my Father, I feel like I would truly become just a little transformed into more peace and joy.
I can see where the practice of creating good things in our lives may also be the holy place where we experience God dwelling in us.
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