Friday, May 30, 2014

"Even in the midst of these . . ."

I am encouraged to post by Rickey’s recent posting. I mean to be brief and casual, but sincere. One might be surprised—I have been—that English professors do not get to read books as often as the job title would suggest. But with summer in full swing and grades and committees set aside for a little while, I am reveling in books once again, a sign of a calling, I think.

Most recently, I have read Beatrice and Virgil, How People Learn, Boxers & Saints (a fascinating and moving “study”—in verbal and visual form—of empathy and history), and, finishing just today, The End of Suffering: Finding Purpose in Pain. The End of Suffering is an essay (“assay,” he suggests in a prologue) by the poet Scott Cairns, whose poetry I've shared here before and who responded graciously by sharing another poem. I want to share just a few short passages.

Early on, Cairns writes that “the hard way is pretty much the only way most of us ever manage to learn anything” (11). I’ll have to ponder that. I’m inclined to accept it, though I’m afraid my students might not. It seems largely true in the spiritual life, at any rate.

Later into the book, he writes, “Our specifically Christian undertaking is decidedly not one of transcending. It is, rather, the intentional reinspiriting of the body and its lowly matter—as manifested in the incarnation of Christ” (29). Amen.

Finally, still later, he writes, “Even in the midst of these, our over-busy, bustling, and distracted lives, even in our seasons of affliction and suffering, our deepest consolation lies in consciously experiencing our mystical membership in the body of Christ” (87). Amen and amen.

4 comments:

RC said...

Paul, I love the insights and words you’ve shared from Scott Cairns. They’re both important and well-written—since I’ve been a “fan” of his for some time, I’m not surprised. This is my favorite: “Our specifically Christian undertaking is decidedly not one of transcending. It is, rather, the intentional reinspiriting of the body and its lowly matter—as manifested in the incarnation of Christ” (29). But I am also comforted and delighted to be reminded that “our deepest consolation lies in consciously experiencing our mystical membership in the body of Christ” (87). It makes mindful of and grateful for all the special relationships I have in the body of Christ--and it makes me want to be a “good steward” of them.
--Rickey

living stones said...

Sometimes repetition helps us hear more deeply. With that thought in mind, I’d like to say Amen to the same quote Rickey picked out, “Our specifically Christian undertaking is decidedly not one of transcending. It is, rather, the intentional reinspiriting of the body and its lowly matter—as manifested in the incarnation of Christ” This seems to imply responsibility and grace. I find a lot of hope here. Thanks for sharing it all. And I’m glad for your opportunity for engaged summer reading. What a joy! --Blessings, Anna

John Orzechowski said...

Paul, Thanks for sharing these insights. I'll echo Rickey and Anna and say that the quote on "reinspiritng the body and its lowly matter" was most meaningful to me, as well.

I think too much of my first years with Christianity was spent denying the body and our "lowly" existence. I think if there's any such thing as salvation, it has to be rooted in and engaged with daily life and human experience, not a denial of those in the name of some idea of something more "spiritual."

Daniel said...

Paul, those are some powerful sentences from Cairn. Thanks for sharing! I've had that essay on my list in the past, but reading these selections has reminded me of it and renewed my interest.

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