Being deeply seen - December 13

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25-48; Amos 8:1-14; Rev. 1:17-2:7; Matt. 23:1-12

Imagine with me: you are feeling down in the dumps, and you have to put on a happy game face. (It is the season for parties and family gatherings, so perhaps this exercise is close to a real-life experience?) You get to the venue for the celebration. Your heart is not in it. You put your best face and foot forward. As the event wraps up, someone comes over to talk only to you. This person has seen through to the real state of your heart and asks how you truly are. “Let’s get coffee and unload about the hard stuff,” they say. And they do not budge at your deflection to humor or change of topic. They really see you.

In this exercise of imagination and empathy, what do you see? What do you think? What do you feel? Who comes to mind?

As I sit with the passage from the Revelation to John appointed for today, I am struck by the experience of being seen. John of Patmos writes to the church in Ephesus, “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not; and have found them to be false…” (Rev. 2:2) This letter comes from someone who really knows what is going on in the community – including how they handle conflict, truth-telling, and the efforts for authenticity. The writer continues, “I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary.” (v. 3) This group of faithful people continues to persist, no matter what.

Then it gets hard: “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at the first. Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” (v. 4-5) The writer is working to recenter those whom he sees and loves. He names a hard truth – they have strayed in some ways from their foundation of agape. Unconditional love that feeds the hearts of all. And so what is to be done? Repent. Reconsider. Return to what is most important.

John wants the church in Ephesus to be whole, healthy, and worthy of shining the light of Christ into this dark time. Others cannot be drawn to the light if those bearing it are not grounded in faithfulness to God. Hence his warning that he will remove the lampstand if they do not change their hearts and minds.

This is not unlike our Advent messages to keep awake and be prepared. When we are deeply and truly seen by those who love us, they name for us our spaces of blindness and where we need to pay attention. This message is grounded in God’s love and care for us.

Let us keep awake as we prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus the Christ. Be attentive to your heart. Where do you yearn to be deeply known and seen? Pray that God will put someone in your orbit who will pay attention, speak honestly, and listen lovingly. And perhaps God is preparing you to be this person for someone else.

In Advent hope,

-- Katherine+

Reflection and Challenge

Sit in prayer for 10 minutes. Hold in your heart those spaces that feel untethered and painful. Breathe in and out as you sit with the discomfort. Allow the Holy Spirit to fill that space with courage and peace.

Make note of what this experience was like - what you felt, thought, wondered.