Perspective
In our last video offered on Easter Sunday, Adam Hamilton quoted theologian, Paul Tillich, "Forgiveness is the divine answer to the questions implied in our existence." Contemplating that statement, my mind settles on the word 'perspective.'
How we look to our existence is a matter of perspective. Does our focus on the world around us hinge from a faith perspective, a cultural perspective, a familial perspective or something else? I overheard a conversation at a chemo-infusion clinic yesterday…a woman was sharing her cancer story. Cancer has been part of her life and struggle for 5 years now. She has been given 5 months to live. She made the comment, "I don't feel like I'm going to die in 5 months, but I figure I'm just living on grace, now, anyways."
Those words resonated through me…I'm just living on grace, now…aren't we all? I suppose the difference might be perspective. As she faces mortality, she is more acutely aware of grace. None of us are promised more than this moment in which we find ourselves. We live on grace…we count on grace. But, how aware of this are we? Why must we only figure these things out at the end? What difference could perspective make if we look to today and live aware of grace and its offerings to us?
"Faith consists in being vitally concerned with that ultimate reality to which I [and we] give the symbolic name of God. Whoever reflects earnestly on the meaning of life is on the verge of an act of faith." (The Courage to Be, Tillich) The question of our existence is answered by forgiveness…and it was freely given before we ever had the chance to ask…this is grace. And this we contemplate…barely able to grasp its consequence, is our act of faith.
As we consider the Easter event and its impact on our lives, may we be deeply reminded that we, each of us, live on grace…it is not a given, it is a gift.
"By the witness of the martyrs, by the Passion and the Blood, God has raised you out of darkness and saved your soul for God." Les Miserables.
Blessings,
Tracy