Tim’s Blog, November 2023
BY REV. TIM HANLEY
Second-century bishop Melito of Sardis wrote, “Nature trembled and said with astonishment: What new mystery is this? The Judge is judged and remains silent; the Invisible One is seen and does not hide himself; the Incomprehensible One is measured and does not struggle; the One beyond suffering suffers and does not avenge himself; the Immortal One dies and does not refuse death. What new mystery is this?”
Bishop Melito had it just right. What NEW mystery is this? He was, of course, referring to the Christ event in human history. But there are for us non-bishop folks an echo of truth in our own being. There are so many mysteries in this life--so much we do not understand, so much we can just wonder about, so much which can make us humble. In his book, “Love and Death,” Forrest Church says: “theologically speaking, we are certainly more alike in our ignorance than we differ in our knowledge. In fact, by the time we die, we will barely have gotten our minds wet. The wisest among us will have but the faintest notion of what life was all about. This counsels humility...”
So many mysteries in this life. “Why me?” “Who am I now without [a loved one]?” “Why does God let this happen?” “Where did I put that extra car key?” “I raised all four of them, how can they be so different?” Just a few of the mysteries I and maybe you deal with in life.
Some mysteries seem so big. They may involve life-changing events. They could be everyday events without great impact. We can also say, “What new mystery is this?”
It’s important to the human soul to give ourselves over to mystery. To acknowledge it rather than have to solve it-- give an answer. Do we think that people think less of us if we admit to mystery?
I admit I dislike people who solve the mystery by using their own personal beliefs or preferences. “Why did our child have to die?” “Because God wants to have children around in heaven.” I have heard that said on more than one occasion and the hearing makes me sick. Some insensitive know-it-all now tells us about God’s thoughts, God’s desire. We have to live with these mysteries and go on. The question we all need to ask ourselves is, “Who am I now that he/she is gone?”
Have you ever arisen from your favorite chair in front of the TV and headed into the kitchen, or basement, or garage with a mission in mind--and when you arrive you stop and look around, and have no idea why you are there? So you pick up something (a donut or a screwdriver) because you don’t want to be seen as a fool--but the trip is now a mystery to you. We’ve all (well mostly folks over 50) done it. We get back to our chair and ask others in the room, “What did I miss?” At the same time we pray they won’t ask where you went and why. They’ll see the donut or screwdriver and understand. There you are in the comfortable chair wondering what was that all about? A minor mystery to be sure--an appetizer for the big mysteries ahead.
“The mystery of your self, for example.” Frederick Beuchner explains: “The more you try to fathom it, the more fathomless it is revealed to be. No matter how much of yourself you are able to objectify and examine, the quintessential, living part of yourself will always elude you. Thus you do not solve the mystery. And you do that, not by fully knowing yourself, but by fully being yourself.”
And so it is--mystery not solved, but fully lived. And Christmas is the time to fully live. “Unto us is born this day a savior.” The NEW mystery, the GREAT mystery, but a time when our living can express joy and exercise loving in our relationships. A time to be thankful to God for our life and times. A time to be generous in sharing ourselves with those whose spirits are bent low with care, grief, or sickness. We are the New Miracle sometimes-- and the savior born into the life of others.
I wish you all a blessed, loving Christmas. --Tim
