Dec. 12: The revelation of the mystery
DEVOTIONAL:
Questions: the mark of human nature. We want to know why things happen and how things work. We want to predict the future and explain the past. Google provides a world of information at our fingertips. Psychology gives the brain a way to understand itself. Technology does what was inconceivable but minutes ago.
We seek to control our experiences and emotions through intellect, to minimize discomfort and enhance performance, so we must know all. Yet no matter how much we strain to comprehend, to rationalize, to scientifically prove our understanding of everything, there remains the incomprehensible, the irrational and the questions left unanswered.
As we continue to probe and uncover, one question left unanswered is “Why?”
Mystery: the best word I can find to name God. The mystery that is the “why” behind the miniscule language of the four nucleic acids in DNA defining our physical existence, the communal relationship between humans and trees in mutual respiration and the massive reality that this planet just happens to exist in the perfect location in the realm of the universe to support life.
I am amazed by this mystery, this active force of life, this unexplainable process that drives all things to persist, to exist, to thrive in an intricate balance of cell formations, ecosystems, communities and galaxies.
It is only a piece of this greater mystery that is revealed to us during Advent. This is a revelation of joy, that the great Mystery continues to surprise us; of grace, that the process of life is forgiving, and of delight, that divine wisdom is made manifest in babies and sheep and dirty barns.
In this season we are given a chance to pause, and instead of asking why, to sit in silence, to light candles in reverence and sing in celebration of the Mystery in it all.
I am inspired and delighted by your writing of this Mystery. Thanks
Thank you, Sara.
You have helped me find peace, not anxiety in mystery.
If God is mystery, do you think God changes everytime a new scientific advancement occurs?
Or maybe I misunderstood.
Thank you for this beautiful affirmation of mystery and faith. Thank you for saying it so well.
Mystery–that is one of the most satisfying, to me, descriptions of the life force. Thank you.
Thanks, Sara, for these wise and inspiring thoughts. Our limited perception of God and reality (through a glass darkly, as the Apostle Paul says) is not frightening, but amazing if we trust that the Divine Mystery’s name is Love.
While I enjoy receiving and sharing the Advent devotionals, I have never written to say thanks for the great thought-provoking and encouraging words each day. However, I am so impressed with the writing style of today’s provider, Sara Klassen, that I must say THANK YOU! You have put into beautiful words thoughts that I could never have expressed so well.
Dear Sara,
From micro-biology to barns. You developed your idea so beautifully, arriving at mystery as mercy and forgiveness. I shall quote you in my talks to the people.
Bless you and a Merry Christmas.
Mervyn Carapiet
Sara, How awe-inspiring and soul-quenching are your words. I hope that somehow having read them three times already, they remain bottled up in my bowl of consciousness where I can drink them slowly again and again throughout the whole advent season and beyond. Thank you.
Yes, Sara, you bring us to the limits of our understanding and to the place where faith begins. Thanks!
When I agonize over the ‘why’ of difficult situations it takes my focus off the good things the Father has done for me. When I choose to fix my eyes on Jesus I can’t help but be thankful for his faithful lovingkindness to me. Thank-you for this post
This was the most insightful & moving piece of the seaso to date
I love this – purely and simply – it is an Advent gift!
many thanks,
anne,
Associate Chaplain
Lynchburg College
Thanks for saying so well what is real in the heart.
Sara, your command of language is a blessing for the rest of us. Please consider any calling which includes written or spoken language.
Sara,
This is beautiful writing. It touches my soul. I will read it again and again this advent season.
We are meant to ask the questions and embrace the Mystery that is the answer. Your words are beautiful, Sara! Your soul is wise.
Mystery is foundational to my theology, too. As are joy and discovery and revelation! God is revealed in so many lovely ways, and none encompasses all of who God is, nor can we ever fathom all that God is and does.
Thank you for your beautiful words.
Sara Klassen – - -I throughly enjoyed your comentary today !!!!! Thank you.
Sara, Thank you very much for your Advent message. You put into words what for many of us was and is true. Thanks very much for your message of hope and joy. We look forward to sending it to others.
Thanks Sara,
Wonderful thoughts. A definition of mystery that I came across recently which I have found insightful. Rather than mystery as that which is unknowable, Mystery = that which is endlessly knowable. Fr. Richard Rohr.
You have put into words the truth from that deep, mysterious place within. Thank you, Sara!
Nicely shared – thank you!