Today is Easter.
And I am risen from the "dead".
I was struck earlier today by an NPR interview done with a man who was/is a famous stained glass artist. I cannot for the life of me remember what the man's name was (but I'm going to look it up)- and really- it doesn't matter. He was asked about the work he has done for a famous cathedral (wow I'm good with names) in Washington D.C. and about the similarities between what he does as an artist and what the church does as an entity of spiritual expression and devotion. And he said some of the most beautiful things I have ever heard said about the spiritual nature of things. The interviewer started off by asking whether or not he believed in God, and after more less realizing the unfairness of his question, opened things up by asking how belief/spirituality informs his work as an artist. And the artist basically said (and now is when I realize that this is one of those stories that started out as a profound idea and as I'm writing it is turning more and more into one of those guess-you-had-to-be-there realizations- but stick with me): I don't know if there's a God. He said that we hear people say things like love, beauty, and kindness are God, and that he doesn't really believe that either. He emphasized that he hopes that there is a life to come after this one; who wouldn't want to? But what he ended with is what struck me the most. He said- for me- none of that even matters. He said that he believes in the power of love and kindness. He reemphasized that some people believe that the power we recognize in love and kindness is inseparable from what we know as "God". And again he basically said- for me love and kindness are enough.
OK- go ahead and roll your eyes Jens. OK- go ahead and make fun of me for being cheesy everyone. But I was so struck by that. It was one of those moments when you hear someone put into words something you've felt, thought, and sensed- just couldn't, yourself, find the right words to express. And it was perfect that today is Easter. I laugh too because I am going to Church with Granny and Gramps in the morning for only the second time since I've been here in Moscow. No easy feat when you live with Pastor Gordon Braun.
What the hell am I talking about? Why the hell am I writing any of this? I think for me and how I think about spirituality (paired with my affinity for talking a lot)- it's important to share these moments with others. I don't know that I believe in God. I don't know that- like the old artist put it- it really even matters. I also believe that love and kindness are enough. However, I also know from my own experience that there are these powerful moments that come when you least expect it; when you are on your morning commute listening to NPR; walking down the street at dusk; or watching the sun go down. And that these kind of moments are meant to be experienced by each of us in our own ways. And also that the experience of these kinds of moments are also meant to be shared between us as humans so that we can be reminded of the miraculous nature of life itself. I think that's maybe why I'm writing this.
That's definitely why I wrote this.
Whatever you all do or do not do for Easter- I think the metaphor of the resurrection is a powerful and beautiful one. And though Mother Nature still does things way better than any of us humans (Spring being clearly the most basic, elemental, and literal experience of resurrection), I am glad to be going to Church with Granny and Gramps this morning. I'm glad because I know that this is where Grandpa and Grandma have their spiritual moments. And it's not that I think that their spiritual moments are confined to church so much as I get joy and meaning from knowing how important it is to them. Even if I do have to sit through another one of Granpda's 13-point 5-point sermons (you all know what I'm mean). We three are driving to Nez Perce in three hours- I am going to sneak in a little more sleep.
The moon is smiling.
thanks Ikey,, I was in a 14th century cathedral in Poland... I couldnt understand any of the polish , but it was profound to be there and I sat silently praying for all of those I loved.. in the sense of mostly thankfulness.. I named as many of you who came to mind. Flo and Hannah and I were on an easter egg hunt with a bunch of funny polish kids and some brits. We rode bikes all day in the woods and had a marvelous time.
ReplyDeleteI am on pins and needles for the next few days for my sonny boy