To Love is to be Vulnerable

22Nov

O come, let us sing to the Lord;

  let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

  let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

-Psalm 95:1-4


Today the Anglican Church recognizes the life and contribution of C. S. Lewis to Christian understanding, especially for those of us who struggle with paradox. He famously wrote, “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”


Professor Lewis provokes me to ask, “Honestly, what is the condition of my Love. Is it unconditional? Does it cheerfully endure feeling discounted; or is it keeping score? Is it brim-full and joyful or is it lonely or shy and hidden under a blanket? Is it tethered to my work or my bank account? Is it discouraged by the mountain of need around me; does it know where to start? Does my love have senses? Does it observe and listen? Is my love a living love or is it a cinematic construct. Does it know how to Touch? Does my Love have memory to share with the memory-hungry? Is my Love on the move? Am I a vulnerable lover?”

 

Jesus commanded us to Love one another; He did not say fix everyone.

 

A few years back I was a guest for three weeks in a Hindu home in rural India. I was recipient of the Hindu belief that hospitality is dinner with the Divine. The Hindi greet every guest at table as an incarnation of God, to whom all is offered and from whom nothing is withheld. It changed me. I could be an eager student of a deeply enriching culture without fear of “getting it wrong.” Indeed, all was right.


On the eve of Thanksgiving, as we gather about tables with divine beloveds; let us be grateful lovers.


Musical Reflection - Let Me Be the Music, Denise DiRenzo


Divine Creator, incline my heart to love large and without complications. Make my love, my life, a song, lifted for you and played to my fellow seekers for the dance of this life. Amen.

PrayerPraise

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