Cosmic Vibes - August 3
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 80; PM Psalm 77, [79]; Judges 6:25-40; Acts 2:37-47; John 1:1-18
Every single time I read the prologue to John’s gospel, it takes my heart and mind to star-gazing. I used to do this all the time when I was a kid. I can still recall what it feels like to lay in my grassy back yard and just stare up into the sky for a while. The sky might be cloudy or clear, which determines how many stars there are to gaze upon. It doesn’t really matter how many, or if any at all, it’s magnetizing regardless. I can hear all the sounds of nature happening around me - the wind rustling leaves in trees and on the ground near me, sometimes owls are hooting, sometimes critters are crawling around, or bugs are making bug sounds. I listen to my own breathing, it seems amplified, its rhythms are soothing as I feel my stomach and chest rise and fall with each breath, and I can sense the air flowing through my nose, filling my lungs, and then gently flowing out again. It’s nice and steady for a bit, and then I take a great big cleansing breath - in through my nose and push it out through my mouth, creating a whole new sensation.
My mind wanders and I begin pondering those cosmic questions kids ponder. Who am I? How did I get here? Why am I here? Am I real? Do I matter? And then I begin sensing that my life is bigger than just me, that my life is part of this huge cosmos that I’m connected to. As I’ve grown older and more grounded in who I am as a beloved child of the universe, I still return to the breath for contemplation and guidance. I think this will be a lifelong practice for me as I continually renew my spirit and seek God for direction in who I am becoming and what I’m supposed to be doing.
The prologue opens the gospel as an ancient hymn. It uses abstract language that is very beautiful and mysterious. Its cosmic vibes lend itself well to ponder existence, meaning, and purpose. If you examine the prologue closely, you can hear very concisely and succinctly the story of creation and the abstract nativity story with Christ being birthed as the living Word. I think my favorite part of this passage is how it describes power as coming from the Word, the Incarnate Christ.
The Word becomes Flesh and dwells among humankind to redeem the Creation and lead humanity. Humankind has the option to receive Christ and believe in the Way of Christ, and those who do so, receive the power of Love as children of God. Power that is fueled by Love overcomes the love of power that creates injustice, unrest, and division. The way of Love that Jesus teaches is how we come to know peace. No Jesus, no peace; Know Jesus, know peace. That sounds very appealing to me right now. I think I’m gonna make time to sit outside and recall the holy longing toward life in Christ and do a little stargazing to renew my Spirit!
-- Susan Oakes, Seminarian
Susan Oakes is a rising senior at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. This summer, she is serving as a seminarian intern at Saint Stephen's, her sponsoring parish for ordination.
Questions for Self-Reflection: Which part of the prologue speaks to you the most?
Daily Challenge: Find a place where you can sit outside at night and experience stargazing. Say some prayers or just listen to the cosmos speaking to you.