Hanging Out At The Party

For thirty years  or more I went on silent retreat with a small community of friends from around the country. We came year after year to be together and to be guided by Gordon Cosby, our retreat leader.   It was always meaningful (kairos) time. This morning I happened upon the notes from our 1999 retreat. Gordon Cosby’s theme:  There is  a “grace-party going on” for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Christians have stumbled on the good news, Gordon began.  They’ve discovered a hidden treasure.  They have heard they’re wanted at a party—a  “Pourer of New Wine” will there.  Those at this grace-party are inebriated—“sanely intoxicated” (as Keating wrote).  They’re drinking the wine of a new and heightened life.

Everybody who really wants to be there is invited.  Nobody has to crash the party.  The more you are disrespected by the society at large, the more fun you’re apt to be having at the party.

Abundance characterizes the whole shindig.  Scarcity is not a part of the deal.  Manna is falling everywhere.  Everybody is looked after and cared for and the scraps of abundance have to be picked up to keep from littering the landscape.  

You’re constantly offered one drink after another of this exhilarating wine.  Please, have another drink.  More, more, more!  Of course, you have to give it away, but don’t become uneasy, there’s plenty more.  It’s like an Artesian well.  You can’t stop the flow.  Love is flowing all over the place, too.  If you need someone to listen, take your pick.  If you’re bleeding from the wounds of the past, there are plenty of caring folk to sooth and bandage your wounds—to pour on wine and oil.  If you need to be held, no problem.  Looking for respect?  You’ll get such a dose, you’ll wonder who you are.  Want a little peace in your life at last?  Even joy?  There’s no blockage to the flow of peace and joy.

This is just the nature of what’s going on.  One can exclude oneself from the celebration, from the abundance, from the excitement, but aside from self-exclusion, you’ll be washed in goodness.  Because it is a grace-party, everybody there is undeserving.  Goodness has nothing to do with anything.  If you’re there, your going to be inundated with gifts.  You’ll have to deal with your embarrassment at having all this stuff shoved at you.  But that’s your problem.  The nature of the Host (and the Pourer of New Wine, too) and the nature of the party, is unexpected treasure. 

“Come to my party,” says the Host.  “I want you.  I need you.  I’ll consciously miss you if you don’t come and remain.  It won’t be as good a party for me if you don’t come.  How can I pour out my love in you if you’re not there to receive it?  Hang out with me at the party.