What Do You Want Me To Do For You?

For those who were in (or watched) church this weekend, you will recognize that the first reading from Revelation today is “apocalyptic” literature. As such, it uses all kinds of imagery to help convey the message that our God is the God of history, and that the community of believers who trust in this God must remain steadfast even in the face of trials and tribulations. 

There seems to be no short supply to the ‘trials and tribulations’ coming our way these days. Whether it’s personal or social, I know that I am finding it hard to stay steady in the midst of all of it. 

Of course for many of us who know Fr. Jim Callan, his cancer diagnosis and news that the cancer has spread is one of those ‘trials and tribulations’ that impacts us.

I was at the gathering on Saturday where people came together to celebrate, pray for and speak about all of the amazing goodness that Fr. Jim Callan’s life has set in motion (and I hope that you are reading this Fr. Jim! We love you!). In the speaking circle, person after person got up and spoke about how Fr. Jim has changed their life. I know that this has been true for me and my family as well.

And so many spoke of how hard it is to wrap our heads around the mystery of suffering. People asked, “Why, Fr. Jim? He’s the nicest, kindest, most loving person I know.”

I don’t pretend to understand this mystery.

It just so happens that right before going to the gathering for Fr. Jim, I was with a group from Spiritus that went to an interfaith journey visit to the Zen Center in Rochester.  Our gracious host, an ordained Zen priest named Kanji Argetsinger, talked to us a bit about Buddhism and Zen, in particular, and then led us in a meditation in the zendo. By the way, the Buddha behind Kanji is called the “medicine Buddha” because the Buddha is holding a little dish in his hand. Kanji said that in the dish is actually a small mirror – meaning that the “medicine” we need is in our self-reflection! How beautiful!

Roshi Kanji said that part of the purpose of meditation is to get out of our minds and into our bodies. Our minds are always on the go – offering constant chatter about what we like or don’t like, how we want things to be, what bothers us, etc. Some Buddhist teachers call it “monkey mind” because the mind is always jumping around like a monkey.

But meditation practice slows us down. It anchors us, helps us get into our bodies and helps us to see more clearly what is right in front of us (without all the judgements of the mind). It can help us rest in the midst of difficult questions like, “Why do people suffer?” It helps us accept reality, and as the recovery folks might say, “live life on life’s terms.” And rather than encouraging passivity, meditative practice helps us to sharpen our action through clear thinking.

In the gospel today (Luke 18), a blind man by the side of the road will not be silenced in his quest to engage Jesus. People try to shut him up, but he calls out even louder. When Jesus approaches, he asks the man, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man responds, “Lord, please let me see.”

I often wonder how we each would answer Jesus’ question? What do you want Jesus to do for you?

In this case, the “blind” man asks for sight. I thought about our time and the Zen Center and the gift of “sight” that meditation (and mindfulness practice) offers. This is something that we may all need more of these days – a calm, grounded interior that is able to respond to what is real. But, perhaps, a question for each of us is, “Do we, in fact, want to see? And what are we willing to do in order to see?” The blind man in the gospel was incredibly persistent. He might, in fact, be a model and guide for us.

I know that I want to see, and maybe you do too. And if that’s the case, we will have to put in the work. 

In this fast-paced world of endless distraction, very urgent personal and social challenges and deep polarization, the practice of slowing down is not a luxury. It is a practice for spiritual survival.

As Roshi Kanji was talking, I could feel a calm in her that only comes from consistent, dedicated practice. But you don’t need to be a Buddhist to do meditation. In fact, Christianity has a very long contemplative tradition that dates back centuries. This is part of our collective history. But as the reading from Revelation 1 reminds us, “you have lost the [practice] you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen.”

Most of us have fallen away from a regular practice of meditation/contemplation (I know that I have), and it is past time for us to work to build this into our daily routine so that we might more calmly and peacefully respond to all that is happening in our world.

I encourage us all to spend time each day this week in quiet contemplation. Pray for the gift of sight. Let God speak to you in the silence. Find your center and grounding. Rest in the silence and let it nourish you.

We’re going to need this strength for the days ahead.

Note: If you want to be part of regular centering prayer gatherings at Spiritus, please keep an eye out in the bulletin for offerings from Chris Phillips. And if you want to explore meditation practice at The Rochester Zen Center, go to their website and check out the calendar of upcoming offerings.