Embracing the Unexpected

Picture a vast, expansive landscape, a pristine meadow blanketed by a thick layer of untouched snow. Its serenity is absolute, every individual snowflake contributing to this vast white canvas, shimmering gently under the kiss of sunlight. But hidden beneath this sheet of white is a dormant seed, waiting for its time to sprout, to break free from its frozen prison and reach for the skies.

Such is the nature of our inner growth. Often, the pristine landscapes of our lives, built on comfort and routine, camouflage dormant seeds of potential within us. And sometimes, it takes the harsh, biting cold of an insult or indignity to crack the surface and pave the way for these seeds to awaken.

Navigating the Storms

Imagine a tranquil sea, its azure depths reflecting the cerulean sky above, with gentle waves playfully nudging the sandy shore. Now, from the horizon, a dark cloud appears, bringing with it a tempest that disrupts this tranquility. The calm waters turn tumultuous, and the once clear skies are overshadowed by the storm. Yet, beneath these roiling waters, in the deep abyss of the sea, tranquility remains untouched.

Much like this sea, our inner peace can be disrupted by the unexpected storms of life – insults, humiliations, and perceived slights. These incidents, if allowed to, can stir up the surface of our minds, clouding our inner tranquility with angry thoughts and feelings of irritation. If these turbulent waves of anger are left unchecked, they possess the power to shift us from the realm of love into the treacherous territory of hatred.

Communion of Saints

Feast DaysJustin YawnNovember 1, 2023St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchMaximus, Maximos, early church, st francis in-the-field, justin yawn, patristics, contemplative, ponte vedra, Episcopal Church

The Divine Flame

Picture a vast, barren landscape, blanketed by the silver luminescence of moonlight. A solitary figure stands in the midst, undeterred by the biting cold or the howling winds that seem to carry whispers of discouragement. His gaze is locked firmly on the distant horizon where the first hint of dawn promises to break. This traveler’s heart burns with an eternal flame, a love for God that neither the harshest elements nor the darkest nights can extinguish.

In this portrayal, the traveler epitomizes the essence of what Maximus the Confessor conveys. Just like the relentless flame that defies the encroaching darkness, love for God, once kindled in the heart, becomes an unstoppable force. It propels the soul forward, making it indefatigable in its pursuit of the divine.

The Pathway to Divine Embrace

In the dappled shade of an ancient forest, imagine a wanderer. With each step, he casts away a heavy burden - a jeweled crown, a golden goblet, a cloak encrusted with gems. These are the trappings of a life once lived, worldly possessions that once defined his identity. But as he ventures deeper into the heart of the woods, these items become inconsequential, dwarfed by the majesty of towering trees and the serene song of nature.

This forest journey is symbolic of the transformative path described by Maximus the Confessor. To renounce worldly things is not just about physical possessions, but also the intangible burdens we carry - our ego, our ambitions, our desires. Like the wanderer shedding his treasures, it's about letting go of the things that tether us to the superficial and the transient.

The Many Facets of Love's Expression

Picture a mosaic, shimmering in the light of a setting sun. Each tiny tile, whether it's cerulean blue, fiery orange, or verdant green, comes together to create an intricate scene, a story captured in fragments of colored glass. The tiles, on their own, might seem inconspicuous, but when pieced together with intention and artistry, they tell a tale that's larger than the sum of its parts.

In much the same way, love, in its grandeur and complexity, is composed of countless gestures, both grand and small. The saying from Maximus the Confessor directs our gaze to the mosaic of love, to its multifaceted nature, and to the myriad ways it finds expression in our lives.

The Unwavering Gaze of Divine Love

There's an enduring image of a master potter, fingers coated in clay, working at a wheel, shaping a lump of wet earth into a creation of purpose and beauty. Each turn of the wheel, each press of the hand, is a testament to the craftsman's connection with the material. The clay, in all its raw potential, is molded by the potter, who sees not just what it is, but what it can become.

This image mirrors the profound saying of Maximus the Confessor about God’s relationship with humanity. God, the ultimate craftsman, perceives every human being—whether virtuous or sinner—as His precious handiwork. Like the potter who understands the promise within each mound of clay, God recognizes the inherent value within every soul.

Embracing

Have you ever stood in a field of blue bonnets in Texas? When you look out at these wildflower you soon realize that the sun does not choose which flowers to shine upon based on their hues or stature. Instead, it generously casts its golden rays upon every blossom, every blade of grass, nurturing and illuminating them equally. Such is the essence captured by Maximus the Confessor when he speaks about divine imitation in almsgiving.

Imagine, if you will, a gentle rain shower. Each droplet descends from the heavens, indiscriminate in its purpose, eager to quench the thirst of every living thing below. It does not pause to ponder whether the land beneath it is barren or fertile, or whether the seeds sown are good or bad. Its mission is pure and simple: to nourish, to sustain, and to bring life.

The Flowing River of Divine Love

Imagine a vast and endless reservoir, filled to the brim with the purest, clearest water. This reservoir, boundless and eternal, symbolizes the love of God, a love that is unchanging, infinite, and available to all. From this reservoir flows a river, its waters moving with purpose, intent on reaching every parched corner of the land. Maximus the Confessor, with his profound spiritual insights, presents us with this declaration: "He who loves God will certainly love his neighbor as well. Such a person cannot hoard money, but distributes it in a way befitting God, being generous to everyone in need."

This river, fed by the reservoir of God's love, flows effortlessly through valleys, forests, and plains. It doesn't discriminate in its path; it seeks to quench the thirst of every being, every creature, every plant. Just as this river's primary purpose is to nourish and sustain, so too is the purpose of one who genuinely loves God. Their love, like the river's waters, flows outward, touching everyone and everything in its path.

The Liberation

Imagine, if you will, a vast desert stretching endlessly in every direction. The burning sands ripple with illusions—mirages of shimmering oases filled with sweet waters and lush trees bearing fruits. Travelers, parched and weary, chase after these visions, hoping to quench their insatiable thirsts and sate their unending hungers. Yet, each time they approach, the mirage vanishes, leaving them emptier than before.

Such is the realm of worldly desires. Like those illusory oases, they promise contentment, joy, and satisfaction. Yet, as we chase them, they often prove elusive, shifting further away and sometimes revealing themselves as mere illusions.

© st. francis in-the-Field

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