In prayer one is more vulnerable than enthusiastic. The aim of prayer is becoming open.Manny’s giggle caused me to turn around and walk back to the window. He was laughing uncontrollably as he tried to grab the streams of sunlight that were coming through the glass. He had recognized the beauty, and the goodness of the light that was filling the room and yet he was unable to grasp it.
As I watched my eighteen month old Grandson play in the mystery of the light of the sun, I realized that he was not frustrated by this, but rather the mystery of it gave him joy.
Instead of trying to conquer the mystery he was celebrating the mystery.
The greatest things of life are not to be conquered but celebrated. As I watched and listened to this child I realized that, far too often I have tried to conquer the mystery of my faith. I was reminded in my heart that great “truths” are revealed in the simplest of ways. Every time I try to grasp that simplicity, I am left wanting.
I have often times built a theology around my ideas of God. These ideas about who I think God is has at times limited my experience of His beauty, goodness and truth. As I sat beside Manny I once again approached the majesty and mystery of God as a child.
There in front of the window Manny and I shared a glimpse of the glorious presence of God. In that moment we could feel the very heart of God. Sitting on the floor we experienced the majesty and the mystery that I long to experience every moment of my life.
Everything made sense in that moment. Manny and I were “one”. One with each other and one with God Himself. Everything was so clear, so simple, so personal and so transcendent, so far above any ability to analysis or understand.
I can find nothing with which to compare the great beauty of a soul and its great capacity. In fact, however acute our intellects may be, they will no more be able to attain to a comprehension of this than to an understanding of God; for, as He Himself says, He created us in His image and likeness [Genesis 1:26]. Now if this is so—and it is—there is no point in our fatiguing ourselves by attempting to comprehend the beauty of this castle; for, though it is His creature, and there is therefore as much difference between it and God as between creature and Creator, the very fact that His Majesty says it is made in His image means that we can hardly form any conception of the soul’s great dignity and beauty. [1]
In this moment with Manny I once again became aware that God who is Infinite Reality itself was giving reality to Manny and I right then. All of God, all of life was and is ours in that (this) moment.
To understand yourself you’d have to understand God, who right at this moment is loving you into existence. This is a mystery! This is the majesty of God. This is playing in the wonder of His Light and yet not being able to hold it within our grasp.
This is clear… right?
Even though we may not be able to understand ourselves or God; as humans we do have the unique capacity to be conscious of Divine Love who truly is embodied in us.
Love is never imposed; it’s always offered.
Offered to us if we are willing to take the opportunity to notice!!!!
