The Christian faith calls us to do two things. It calls us to be detached from the world. [“Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of this present world, but let your minds be remade and your whole nature thus transformed,”Romans 12:2; “Do not set your hearts on the godless world or anything in it,”1 John 2:15]. It also calls us to be deeply attached to the pain and suffering of the world. [Love your neighbor as yourself,” Mark 12:31]. These two callings seem to be in conflict with each other. How can I be detached from the world when I am called to be deeply engaged in the world? Is it possible to be attached to the needs of the world at the same time that I am to become detached? Jesus says, “I give you my peace, the peace which passes all understanding.” Is there such a balm in Gilead? Can I be detached and attached and both at the same time? Can I be in the world, but not of the world? Is such a peace (detachment) really possible if we are engaged (attached) in loving our neighbor and ministering to the needs of this deeply broken and wounded world?
The Christian scripture affirms two different levels of reality— a surface level and a deeper level—this world and a world beyond. The deeper level (the world beyond) is one of peace, calm, and wonder. The surface level (this world) is chaotic, filled with horrendous events, problems, difficulties, politics, blunderings and worries. On this surface level we feel we are facing the impossible. We are overwhelmed. In the deeper level, it is just the opposite, we have an inner sense of “all has been well, all is well, and all shall be well.”
We are called to be detached—to be rooted in the deeps rather than in the superficial or surface level. In that deeper level we are bathed in a love beyond our ability to take in. From this kind of detachment we are then able to become more attached to the world, loving our neighbor and ministering to the world’s suffering and pain. Yes, there are two levels of reality.
 |
| York Minster |
No comments:
Post a Comment