Out of the ashes
Even as Christians prepare for the birth of Jesus they know that this celebration will soon be followed by the recognition of the events leading up to Easter.
This month many parents, two of which with whom I have a close relationship have been confronted by the death of their sons. Another person with whom I am very close just yesterday found out a close relative, age 26, died as the result of a fall.
In the midst of these realities, I listened to the December 21, 2017 podcast of On Being with host Krista Tippett having a conversation with Brother David Steindl-Rast. He “is the founder and senior advisor for A Network for Grateful Living. His books include Gratefulness, A Listening Heart, and most recently, a new autobiography, I am through you so I.
Brother Steindl-Rast talks about the fact that this world in which we find ourselves with all of its “admirable culture and music and science, is all bought at the price of oppression and exploitation.” He then goes on to say, “Yes, this is a tight spot. It’s about as tight spot as the world has ever been in, or at least humankind. But if we go with it, it will be a new birth. And that is trust in life. And this going with it means you look what is the opportunity.”
With death comes anxiety about the future. Being the humans that we are we become anxious about leaving the play we had written for our lives. Yet, here is Brother Steindl-Rast following the example of Jesus, the Buddha and many others wise teachers suggesting we open to new opportunity. He does not suggest that we chide ourselves for being anxious or even try to rid ourselves of that tension which always exists in that place between the ending and the beginning. He suggests just as Jesus suggests in John 14:27 “Do not be worried and upset, do not be afraid.” He is essentially repeating what God is reported to have said in Isaiah 4:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you.”
Two of the young men who recently died had partners. One of the young men was to be married next summer. Suddenly his fiancé is left with not only his death, but the death of the future for which they were planning. Grief for each of these families may be too new to think that out of the ashes of their dreams will come a new opportunity. The hope is that they will know that the new opportunity requires the seemingly shaky base of the death of the ashes of their old dreams. Gratitude is not for death. That is tragic. Gratitude is for this base and the new opportunities – the new birth –, which will arise out of these ashes.
As we prepare for the celebration of the birth of the baby who will become the wise teacher and for some the Son of God, we can rejoice and be grateful .
Yet, in the midst of personal and collective grief is the stable out of which will emerge new life. This is the promise of Christmas – that we can have faith that a new birth can emerge. We just have to be ready to show up to celebrate – to be grateful.
Written December 23, 2017
Even as Christians prepare for the birth of Jesus they know that this celebration will soon be followed by the recognition of the events leading up to Easter.
This month many parents, two of which with whom I have a close relationship have been confronted by the death of their sons. Another person with whom I am very close just yesterday found out a close relative, age 26, died as the result of a fall.
In the midst of these realities, I listened to the December 21, 2017 podcast of On Being with host Krista Tippett having a conversation with Brother David Steindl-Rast. He “is the founder and senior advisor for A Network for Grateful Living. His books include Gratefulness, A Listening Heart, and most recently, a new autobiography, I am through you so I.
Brother Steindl-Rast talks about the fact that this world in which we find ourselves with all of its “admirable culture and music and science, is all bought at the price of oppression and exploitation.” He then goes on to say, “Yes, this is a tight spot. It’s about as tight spot as the world has ever been in, or at least humankind. But if we go with it, it will be a new birth. And that is trust in life. And this going with it means you look what is the opportunity.”
With death comes anxiety about the future. Being the humans that we are we become anxious about leaving the play we had written for our lives. Yet, here is Brother Steindl-Rast following the example of Jesus, the Buddha and many others wise teachers suggesting we open to new opportunity. He does not suggest that we chide ourselves for being anxious or even try to rid ourselves of that tension which always exists in that place between the ending and the beginning. He suggests just as Jesus suggests in John 14:27 “Do not be worried and upset, do not be afraid.” He is essentially repeating what God is reported to have said in Isaiah 4:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you.”
Two of the young men who recently died had partners. One of the young men was to be married next summer. Suddenly his fiancé is left with not only his death, but the death of the future for which they were planning. Grief for each of these families may be too new to think that out of the ashes of their dreams will come a new opportunity. The hope is that they will know that the new opportunity requires the seemingly shaky base of the death of the ashes of their old dreams. Gratitude is not for death. That is tragic. Gratitude is for this base and the new opportunities – the new birth –, which will arise out of these ashes.
As we prepare for the celebration of the birth of the baby who will become the wise teacher and for some the Son of God, we can rejoice and be grateful .
Yet, in the midst of personal and collective grief is the stable out of which will emerge new life. This is the promise of Christmas – that we can have faith that a new birth can emerge. We just have to be ready to show up to celebrate – to be grateful.
Written December 23, 2017
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