Holy Isn't a Four Letter Word

Watching friends relish their newborn child is standing - no walking -on holy ground! I'm awed more by what I see and hear than by what I know. The miracles of fertilization, gestation, and birth remain mysterious. Despite the logic we've discovered, or imposed, on the science of all this, we haven't begun to fathom either life's magic or its mystery.

All that I "know" about how life comes to be and what it means fades when I see my friends transform before my eyes. Once talented, wise, independent, dedicated, knowledgeable, amusing young professionals are now, simply, Mom and Dad. They are quick to remind me that the shift is neither simple, nor automatic.

These new parents are traveling deep within the mystery. So deep, that they seldom have time to reflect on either where they've been or where they're going. They each experience the rhythms of their private, personal, professional and "couple" life changing radically. There's too little unclaimed time between every four hour feedings, frequent diaper changes, too short cat-naps. Feelings of unfamiliarity, inadequacy and exhaustion sap the energy required to name and claim the transformations as wonderful. Emotions can, as so many of us are taught, feel like "enemies," A new parent's grief over their own former-life "lost" can stir up feelings of guilt, especially when a new-born hasn't yet learned to be a "good" baby!

New parents can over-stretch their physical, mental and emotional bounds trying to become who and what the culture says they need to be for their child. In the blink of an eye, such over-stretching can overtake any of us.

Life's events, like Gloria’s mother's day breakfast with her son, Jeff's college graduation, Elna’s death, my Anna's Confirmation, John's 50th ordination anniversary, David’s camping trip, can be experienced as another in a series of disconnected episodes, where stories cross accidentally. Or they can be named and claimed as moments of encounter inside the grand story of a God who sent Jesus to forever alter what cross truly means.

True wonder, and the mystery of becoming alive, dwells in the holy ground deep within, where self and universe intersect. Where Holy Spirit has been fertilizing, gestating and birthing all along. Since before time began. Since before each of us began to knit in our mother's womb. Since last we felt joyful, exhausted, awe-struck, cheated, grieved, comforted, overwhelmed, or loved. Since bed-time last night when wonderful sleep closed our eyes. Since this very transforming morning when miraculous rising gifted us with a new day and gifted a new day with us!

Watching the disciples who God calls and gathers here relate to the unfolding wonder of their lives is walking on holy ground. I'm awed more by what I see and hear than what I already know. The miracles of acceptance, faithfulness, forgiveness and new life are mysterious and unpredictable. Despite the logic we've discovered, or imposed, upon this near and present life-giving God, we have yet to fathom either God's wombing love for us, or the mystery of life in God's unfolding kingdom.

All that I "know" about how God dwells within us – alone and together -fades when I see us - you and me - transform before my eyes! Once strangers, we're now sisters and brothers. Formerly unknown travelers, we're now disciples together. The transition is neither simple nor automatic. We work hard to make time for gathering, weekly, to break the bread. We labor to stay faithful to the apostles' teachings. We struggle mightily to say, and mightier still to listen to, the prayers.

At times we over-stretch. The civil culture would have us evade our emotions. The church culture would have us measure our journey's progress in more worldly ways - try to become a "good," “growing” congregation.

Holy wonder - the mystery of becoming alive in the God whose story includes cross - as person of faith and as community of believers - is neither event nor episode. Holy in, with, and under this God is grace, call, and a genuinely, lovingly shared response to each momentous encounter of new birth.