Remember to Look Up

From Brenda Hoelman

Perhaps you've seen Kenneth Snelson's Needle Tower on the Mall in Washington, DC. Viewed horizontally, it's a beautiful example of science and engineering. However, viewed vertically, despite disclaimers to the contrary, one sees twelve Stars of David. To me it's powerful example of perspective:  the thoughtful pedestrian sees the work of mind; the seeker of God sees a stairway to (and from) heaven - God reaching down to us with the gift of the Covenant fulfilled in Christ. Remember to look up! 

 

Google Needle Tower for more.

The Gift of Love ~ Roxanne Wright

The Advent Season

The Gift of Love

By Roxanne Wright

After listening to the news report concerning the death of Michael Brown and absorbing the grand jury’s decision not to indict Darren Wilson, I started to not write about the Advent season.  I was thoroughly disgusted with the judicial system, the politics of it all, and the eternal race-divide. I sat on my bed, watching the story on one of the national networks, I forget which channel, as thousands of indignantly irate protestors declared the injustice of it all. Then slowly, oh so slowly, with some restraint, I began to alter my thinking. 

At first, I pondered over the meaning of the advent season, contemplating the application of its meaning during this moment in history and more poignantly, how it applied to justice? Does the Advent season lack substance because Mercy, Compassion, Reconciliation seem to be blindsided by power, greed, and the love of money?  Or does hope overpower life’s tribulations?

Just as the light in my mind began to fade with frustration, the old hymn, “Love Lifted Me” penetrated my thoughts as thousands of people from all ethnicities stood together in unity reminding me that faith the size of a mustard seed embraces God’s love and faithfulness. Just as the anticipation of this extraordinary gift, the Son of God, adored by the heavens, proclaimed jubilantly by the angels brought joy and hope into the world, excitement and preparation for the birth, the Son of God, so human and yet…not, has brought peace and unity.

The Advent, I believe, will continuously reveal God’s offering of unconditional love. A love that is more precious than gold, more delicate than pearls, sweeter than honey from the honeycomb that removes the sins of the world and offers eternal harmony between God and humanity. And yes, the cries of injustice for the Michael Browns, the tears of suffering for the Angela Navarros will be heard. 

And Mercy, Compassion, Reconciliation, along with Justice will continue to strive forward as love’s arms embrace us.  Patience…the earth cries out.  Pray…the angels exclaim.  Stand…the heavens demand but God whispers…listen…the Advent is here.

Know that the wheeling heavens are turned by waves of Love:

were it not for Love, the world would be frozen, stiff.

How would an inorganic thing transform into a plant?

How would living creatures sacrifice themselves

to become endowed with Spirit?

How would the Spirit sacrifice itself for the sake of that Breath

by which Mary was made pregnant?

Each one of them would be unyielding and immovable as ice:

how could they be flying and searching like locusts?

Everyone is in love with that Perfection

and hastening upward like a sapling.

Their haste implicitly is saying, "Glory to God!"

They are purifying the body for the sake of the Spirit.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

-- Mathnawi V: 3854-3859

Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski

"Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance"

Threshold Books, 1996

(Persian transliteration courtesy of Yahyá Monastra)