One of the remarkable qualities of a story is that it creates space. We can dwell in a story, walk around and find our own place. The story confronts but does not oppress; the story inspires but does not manipulate. The story invites us to an encounter, a dialogue, and a mutual sharing.
One of the intentional ways to draw closer to the spirit within is to continually make connections between the human story and the divine story. We must see and experience our story as part of a larger story – a story of God’s redemptive work in the world.
These insights and experiences heal. They restore the broken connection between the world and the Divine. They create a new unity in which memories and events that formerly seemed only destructive are now reclaimed as part of a redemptive event.
We are reminded of our own wounds and connect them with the wounds of all humanity and the wounds/suffering of God. When we remember each other with love, we evoke each other’s spirit and enter into a new intimacy, a spiritual union with each other.
Jesus revealed to his closet friends that only in memory would real intimacy with him be possible, that only in memory would they experience the full meaning of what they had experienced and witnessed.
It has been said that the great mystery of the divine revelation is that God entered into intimacy with us not only by Christ’s coming but also by Christ’s leaving.
Indeed, it is in Christ’s absence that our intimacy with him is so profound that it can be said that he dwells in us.
Think of someone who is now absent in your life – is the same true? How and why?
MaineSpiritus 