In
the Fundamentalism in which I grew up, there was little room for mystery. I don’t
remember ever hearing a minister or teacher say, “I don’t know; I do not have
an answer for that.” If they did not know the answer, some were even capable of
making up something. Everything had to be accounted for in some tangible way. This
created an unacknowledged yearning that I could not identify.
During
my first Eucharist in an Anglican church, I heard “Therefore we proclaim the
mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.” It
nestled itself in my mind and built a tent in my spirit. I struggled with
understanding it.
Now,
several years later, I have discovered that it was the idea of mystery that was
missing in my understanding. It is coloring my perception of my life. Instead
of beating my fists on Heaven’s doors for immediate explanations, I am learning
to wait. The concept of mystery gives me ample room to walk around in my faith,
and a place to ask questions that have no perceivable answers.
-Susan Price
5 comments:
Amen. And don't you find that there is real creativity in the tension of living unanswerable questions?
Yes, David, I do find that. Thank you.
"Walk around in my faith," I like that! Great reflection.
Thanks for sharing. Your description of waiting and living a faith that doesn't always (or often) have easy answers definitely resonates.
Susan, this reflection is a wonderful reminder of what's important--being able to wait in God while holding the questions. This seems particularly helpful to remember during this season of Lent. Thanks and blessings, Anna
Post a Comment