Monday of the Second Week in Lent
One of my favorite authors is Father William Barry. He is a Jesuit priest and psychologist who has been a spiritual director for many years and formed many spiritual directors as well. Today’s Scripture readings reminded me of something he wrote about encounters with God. He refers to these experiences as ‘touchstone experiences’ and ‘divining rods’. Fr. Barry encourages us to pay close attention to these moments, whether we recognize them in the present moment or recall them from the past. Fr. Barry writes, “I suspect that many, perhaps most, people have touchstone experiences of God.” What may be just as important, Fr. Barry writes, is “I suspect that most of us who do have such experiences do not give them enough credit.” And I agree with him.
Today’s scriptures have several major themes in common. In the first reading, Daniel stands before God confessing the sin, disobedience, and rebellion of his people; he also testifies with great certitude that God is forever compassionate and merciful. In the Gospel reading from Luke’s Sermon on the Plain, Jesus’ exhorts us not to judge or withhold forgiveness from others. Jesus also commands us to be merciful just as God is merciful. These are simple but demanding components of discipleship; on our own we cannot hope to accomplish this. However, each and every time we forgive or accept another without judgment Jesus is with us; every act of mercy we extend is evidence of God being with us. But sometimes there are particular or amazing or fleeting moments we recall in our lives when we know it ‘could only be God” and these are the touchstones that can bring us the hope or comfort or certitude necessary to keep on ‘keeping on’. Try and recall one of these ‘touchstone’ experiences---whether it be a ‘burning’ in your heart or an overwhelming sense of gratitude you could barely contain or even a momentary feeling of ‘oneness’ with the universe. Reflecting on and recalling these encounters can allow us to stay the course and persevere on this pilgrimage. When we can claim these encounters they have the power to bolster us when we are tempted to give up, take a break from discipleship, or buckle under the burdens life inevitably sets before us. Yes, they may be rare and fleeting, but the authenticity and life altering effects cannot be doubted—we know it has been an encounter with the Holy One of God and our lives are forever changed.
During this Lenten season we are focused on prayer and giving alms and penance and this is as it should be. Yes, ‘we have sinned’ and we have judged and we have withheld forgiveness. But all the while, God still yearns for us. God never deals with us ‘according to our sins” nor will God give up on us. The moments, encounters, and experiences of God offering God’s self to us can remind us that, always, the motivation for turning back to God and doing Lenten penance is our for love of God, just as God loves us. Never stingy and always abundant, God bestows “a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing… poured into your lap.” Maybe, just maybe, reflecting on those particular times when God has pierced our ordinary existence—granting us a glimpse of God’s ‘burning love’—will become the ‘divining rod’ that can carry our conversion to the next level.
--Gail Lyman