Meditations 4 Misfits
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The Socratic Principle
In my morning reading of Merton I came across a passage where he argues for a need to embrace the wisdom of the Socratic principle. As Merton describes it, that means having great confidence in “dialogue” – trusting that truth develops in conversation. He writes,
“The Socratic principle means not only the willingness to discuss, but readiness to meet one’s adversary as an equal and as a sister or as a brother. The moment one does this, she or he ceases to be an adversary.”
As I tossed these words over in my time of prayer, I realized my dis-ease with our current cultural and political environment is our inability to dialogue anymore. Truth seeking conversations are almost non-existent. We have devolved into merely having monologues with witnesses. Two questions surfaced: “How long will we collectively continue to suffer and cause suffering by grasping onto our entrenched opinions before we actually hear each other?” and, “Am I willing to lay down my own judgmental swords so they might be transformed into plowshares?”
Navigating Change
Merton wrote these words over 50 years ago … and yet as I read them this morning I found them so helpful as I try to navigate the rapid changes going on around me. May grace guide you, peace surround you, and joy surprise you today. Fred
Instants
If I could live again my life, in the next – I’ll try to make more mistakes, I won’t try to be so perfect, I’ll be more relaxed, I’ll be more full – than I am now. In fact, I’ll take fewer things seriously, I’ll be less hygienic, I’ll take more risks, I’ll take more trips, I’ll watch more sunsets, I’ll climb more mountains, I’ll swim more rivers, I’ll go to more places – I’ve never been, I’ll eat more ice creams and less (lime) beans, I’ll have more real problems – and less imaginary ones. I was one of those people who live prudent and prolific lives – each minute of his life. Off course that I had moments of joy – but, if I could go back I’ll try to have only good moments. If you don’t know – that’s what life is made of, don’t lose the now! I was one of those who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, without a hot-water bottle, and without an umbrella and without a parachute. If I could live again – I will travel light, if I could live again – I’ll try to work bare feet at the beginning of spring till the end of autumn, I’ll ride more carts, I’ll watch more sunrises and play with more children, if I have the life to live – but now I am 85, and I know that I am dying … – Jorge Luis Borgas
Anamnesis
Today as we enter into the heart of Holy Week in the Christian tradition – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter – a theological word that has been swirling in my soul surfaced today: anamnesis.
Anamnesis has three primary meanings: 1) the remembering of things from a supposed previous existence (like a Déjà vu), 2) a patient’s account of their medical history, and 3) in the Christian church, the recalling of significant events from the life of Jesus.
The idea behind this third meaning isn’t simply to remember, as many of us will this week, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion of Jesus, and his Resurrection – but to enter emotionally into those events in this time and place. To imagine what it might have been like to be there then and watch the events unfold as they did, and most importantly to feel what it might have been like to be there. That’s Christian anamnesis.
A verse from the Bible that has also captured my attention is from John 1:11, “He (Jesus) came to his own people, and they received him not.” What disturbs me about that verse is what if it’s not just history? What if it’s prophecy? If Jesus were alive today would I recognize him? In all honesty, I’m not so confident I would.
At any rate, in the midst of all that is expected of us today, may the feelings and emotions of this special Week capture your heart and help you connect more with others, with God and with yourself.
Blessings, Fred
The Blessing
The other morning as I was out for a walk on the bike path near my home, I encountered a homeless man, an unhoused neighbor. He was walking my way, no shirt, bare feet, with a backpack and a big smile. As we neared he looked me right in the eyes and said with a big warm smile, “Health and long life to ya.”
I can’t tell you how wonderful that fellow pilgrim’s blessing made me feel inside. It made a beautiful day more beautiful. Such is the power of a blessing.
May you find someone to bless today.
Peace, Fred
Nearly 60 Years Ago
Nearly 60 years ago Thomas Merton wrote,
“What I am trying to say is, then, that it does us no good to make fantastic progress if we do not know how to live with it, if we cannot make good use of it, and if, in fact, our technology becomes nothing more than an expensive and complicated way of cultural disintegration … The fact remains that we have created for ourselves a culture which is not yet livable for mankind as a whole.
Never before has there been such a distance between the abject misery of the poor (still the great majority of mankind) and the absurd affluence of the rich … The problem of racism – is becoming a universal symptom of homicidal paranoia.
The fact that most men believe, as an article of faith, that we are now in a position to solve all our problems does not prove that this is so. On the contrary, this belief is so unfounded that it is itself one of our greatest problems.”
As I read these words I am struck by the notion that while human technology has made unimagined strides in the past 60 years, our shared humanity has not. Who was it who said, “Whatsoever you do to the poorest of my sisters and brothers you do to me?”
Rather than argue what will we do about this situation, I am troubled this morning by what will I do about it.
