Greater than limitations
“How is your heart?” I was asked this week.
It made me stop. And think. And admit that I prefer, “Are you keeping busy?” because that question is easier to answer.
In John’s Gospel, there is a wonderful story about a tough question and a fabled pool. This famous pool, near the Sheep’s Gate in Jerusalem, included five porticoes, where chronically sick and disabled of the city lived, waiting. You see, rumor (or legend) believed that an angel visits the pool, at random times, stirring up the water, which gives it healing properties. But there was a catch. Only the first person to step into the pool after the angel disturbs it, receives healing. Like a lottery.
So. Jesus passes by this outdoor nursing home and sees a man lying by the pool. This man has been sick for thirty-eight years. Jesus stops, and asks the man a question. No introductions. No small talk. No sermon. Just a question: “Do you want to be made well?”
Simple question. Maybe? But the answer is not so simple.
Jesus prefers these “tell-me-the-truth” questions. (“Do you love me?” “Why are you so afraid?” “Are you also going to leave?” “How long shall I put up with you?” “Do you still not understand?”)
“Do you want to be made well?”
“You’re kidding, right? Of course, I do.”
Except the man didn’t say that, and the story gets intriguing. The man begins to explain (well-rehearsed excuses to be certain) the mechanics of scarcity in this makeshift nursing facility; “I am all alone, and have no one to put me into the pool.” The world is very, very unfair; “While I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.” He hems and haws, he dodges, he invites pity. And I get it. Because it all sounds familiar. (Of course, I’m old school, and I keep variations of these same reasons—excuses—on a rolodex in my mind.)
So. Here’s the real question; where do you tether your well-being?
I can relate because I have spent much of my life tethered to (invested in) my brokenness and shame, seeing my identity wrapped up only in scarcity. It is no surprise that I see only my infirmity or defeat. It is no surprise that I feel disconnected and diminished. Because shame entombs capacity and dignity. And to be made well unnerves me more than I want to admit.
Jesus cuts to the chase. In his direct question and invitation, he is saying loudly and clearly to the man, “I see more than your sickness. I see more than your defeat, your resignation and your stagnation. Yes, your hope has dwindled, however I see your capacity to choose, grow, give, transform and spill light. Where you see scarcity, I see sufficiency.” Grace tells me that my well-being and value is a given.
In the movie, Kingdom of Heaven, about the battle for Jerusalem in the Middle Ages, Balian of Ibelin began knighting ordinary men, making them understand that inside of them was a knight, something far greater than the limitations of their birth or fears or status.
The Bishop, Patriarch of Jerusalem (almost crying): “Who do you think you are? Will you alter the world? Does making a man a knight make him a better fighter?”
Balian of Ibelin: “Yes”
“Look up at me,” Balian of Ibelin was saying to each man. “See in my eyes something more and far greater than you see and know in your limitations.”
Yes. Find the healing you long for in your own lineage; the lineage of knighthood.
There are two very helpful verbs here. See. In the words of Hafiz of Shiraz, “I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.”
And know. Internalize what you now see, and act on it. Victor Frankl’s reminder, “The one thing you can’t take away from me is the way I choose to respond… The last of one’s freedoms is to choose one’s attitude in any given circumstance.”
We mention that the man at the pool was “ill”, meaning suffering a physical infirmity. But it is more than that. This is a good reminder that there is a big difference between what we call disease and what we call illness. A disease is a pathological entity; an illness is the effect of the disease on the patients’ entire way of life. (Dr. Sherwin Nuland)
A disease may tell us about our physical limitations.
But the illness tells us what we can or cannot do and who we can or cannot be.
Healing is deeper than changing the limitations, physical or emotional.
We heal and find wholeness when we respond to the invitation and permission to embrace the sacred in each moment, leading a life that keeps our heart and soul awake every day.
Here’s the deal: Today, give me a transformed and undefended heart (Thank you Saint Augustine)
I appreciate Debi Thomas’ take, “Here’s what I love about the story in John’s Gospel. ‘Stand up, take your mat and walk,’ Jesus tells the man. And the man does exactly that. ‘At once,’ John tells us, ‘the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.’
Notice that the man never asks for healing. There’s no indication in the story that he even knows who Jesus is. Notice that Jesus makes no reference to belief, as he often does when he performs a healing miracle. He doesn’t tell the man, ‘Your faith has made you well,’ because that would be a lie. Notice that Jesus doesn’t dwell on the man’s past; he doesn’t dredge up the loss and waste of the thirty-eight years the man can’t get back. And notice that he doesn’t heal the man on the man’s terms — by helping him into the pool when the angel stirs the water. Jesus simply tells the man to get up and walk. And he does.
Jesus is always and everywhere in the business of making new and making well. His desire to heal is intrinsic to his character — it doesn’t depend on me. In other words, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ is a question he will never stop asking, because his heart’s desire is for my wholeness, my freedom, and my thriving.”
For football fans, the season is alive and kicking. And yes, Go Blue.
And, I must confess that I’m somewhere in between living in the present, and looking forward to autumn sweater weather.
Quote for our week…
Anything I’ve ever done that ultimately was worthwhile… initially scared me to death. Betty Bender
BULLETIN BOARD
Today’s Photo Credit: A garden rose after a morning rain. Resplendent with beauty and gladness and joy…
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Letters that do my heart good…
–Good morning Terry, I wanted to share a short devotional with you that I thought you woud appreciate. Thank you for sharing the Light! The late Leonard Bernstein, composer and famed conductor; was asked what he believed to be the most difficult instrument in the orchestra to play. He responded “second fiddle!” When you examine the life of any great individual, you soon discover an entire section of second fiddlers, super people, gifted people in their own rights, but content to play their parts seated in the second chair. Hope you have a wonderful day! Kate
–Reverend. You are a soul-tapper and your message keep getting Mo’ Betta and Betta… Thank you… God bless, Andy
–Thank you Terry I needed to hear this to stop my procrastination, to stop waiting for the right time, the absence of obstacles…. just get in! May you and all that follow Sabbath Moment be blessed as we get in! Lynne
–Hi Terry, A friend of mine gave me the DVD of a movie called “Perfect Days.” It’s a wonderful movie about being present. I watched it twice before giving it back to him! It also reminded me of what you teach consistently through your Sabbath Moments. It’s also available on streaming platforms. Blessings! Karen
POEMS AND PRAYERS
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
St. Theresa’s Prayer
Blessed are we,
when love makes us brave.
Be it our friends or teachers,
Our mentors or partners.
Our siblings or parents or grands.
From the littles who remind us to get in the game,
even if there really is something more pressing to do in that moment.
To the parents who remind us how quickly it all goes,
whose wild, ungrounded belief in us gives us courage
To try something new.
To make a big leap.
To take a chance on love.
To risk, to fail, and to try, try, try again.
This is the kind of love that sticks.
So bless all of us, in our great big web of love.
Kate Bowler
(Inspired by a conversation with Jenna Bush Hager)
