It was a discovery that no one ever wants to make.
Just a few weeks ago, a cousin of mine began to be uneasy because he had not heard from one of his best friends for a couple of days. While this might not seem to be cause for undue concern to many of us, this “best friend” had done his share of battle with addiction – to both prescription drugs, and alcohol – for a number of years, and, though his personal life had pretty well disintegrated because of his “demons”, he had gotten himself back on track, had gone into treatment, and had even established a small private business venture, which was going pretty well.
My cousin talked to his good friend nearly every day, checking in with him, and stopping in for a visit several times a week. So his concern was justified when he got no answer at his friend’s shop, or at his home. His gut feeling was that he should drive the several-mile trip, and see if everything was okay.
He arrived at his friend’s place, just as the coroner was pronouncing his friend dead – having hung himself in his garage.
His “demons” had gotten the upper hand, and any light of hopefulness had, in a swift and tragic moment, gone out.
Most of us, if we’re completely honest with ourselves, do battle with our OWN demons and addictions – whether they come in the form of harmful substances, or harmful habits: 60-hour plus work weeks, gossip, jealousy, excessive spending, anger – you can fill in your own uncomfortable blanks.
As we reflect on current lifestyles, and the dramatic problems and issues facing so many, we could ask the question: even though we find ourselves now in the 21st century, just how far has HUMANITY really advanced? Do we not continue to sacrifice ourselves, in a slow form of suicide, as we pay homage to harmful lifestyles, chaotic overspending and materialism, and even a certain and assured neglect of those who are in desperate need?
Do we not, each in our own way, busy ourselves hiding those “off-limits” places, where our deepest failings and our scariest fears reside?
As baptized Christians, we are marked as “God’s offspring”, according to our reading from Acts. And as offspring of the Divine, whose lives are to be a reflection of response to Godly, rather than worldly, commandments, the bar is raised to a different place.
In a real sense, we are ALL to become “God with skin on” in the world, by virtue of our Baptism. We are nourished and made ready for the work as we bring our own woundedness to the altar, week after week, and allow ourselves to be healed, renewed, and replenished, to go out yet again and carry on the work of The Kingdom To Come.
No matter how hard we may try, we can’t make God come any closer to us than He already is. In our brother, Jesus, God indeed lives in the flesh, and willingly redeems the human condition. The gift of God’s grace is unearned and, quite often, unmerited…it seems to us, honestly, too good to be true. And isn’t THAT what makes it so utterly amazing to us?
The only way in which many people may ever have the opportunity to meet Christ, will be “through the very human hands of someone who has the “Good News” to share, perhaps, even, our OWN HANDS.
Most certainly, unfortunate and grievous things will continue to happen in the world. Innocent people will become victims of senseless acts and abuse; people will continue to desire and to covet what another may already possess; and people in pain may follow a course to exit themselves from unbearable personal struggle, as did my cousin’s good friend.
Our daily journey of faith is a little like walking in a dark room – hands out in front of us, lest we bump into something. Our steps are slow and cautious. How much easier it would be if we could see our path, or know all the turns and twists in the road!
Yet, FAITH has been described as “the security of the insecure”. Our trust is not wisely placed in our own ingenuity, status, popularity, or financial prowess.
Our trust is, instead, placed in One “who holds our souls in life, and will not allow our feet to slip”, in the words of the Psalmist (Ps. 66:3)
As a parish, we have a perfect opportunity – RIGHT NOW – to “test the waters” of our faith, as we journey together through this “desert time” of searching, waiting, praying, and placing our trust in One Who promises to lead us to a new “place of refreshment” (Ps. 66:11)
“O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding”, begins today’s opening Collect Prayer. Let us get on with being formed and shaped by that Love, and open ourselves to the changes it will surely make in our lives, in our parish, and in the world.
