Weekly Reflection - 6/12/24

St. Mary's Reflection: Natalie Hala, Parish Verger & Liturgist

Unmoored Society: What do we do?

We are living amid societal disharmony on a planet that shows severe signs of negligence and misuse. Bereft of many of our accustomed cultural buttresses that have shielded us from toxic behaviors, buffered us from political extremism and protected the honored pillars of trusted institutions, we are unmoored. How easy it is to succumb to the harshness of reality and descend into an abyss of discouragement and malaise.

However, if we return to the fundamentals of Christianity and look toward the theological virtues of faith, hope and love, we are reminded that all blessings flow from the primary building blocks of virtues. To our modern ears, the word “virtue” may sound like simply an admirable character trait, however, there is much more to their essence and potency.

A virtue is an active ingredient. Medieval alchemists eagerly sought to discover the “virtues” of core elements and were on to something as lead was turned into gold. Within this scientific alchemy lies the mystery of the theological virtues. They are the yeast in the dough of the material world that literally causes it to rise. Through them, the “lead” of our bewildered and stale lives may be alchemically transformed into the “gold” of our authentic, true-self empowerment and be transformed into nutrients for ourselves and our planet.

Similarly, twentieth-century Jesuit mystic & scientist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin argues that faith is “operative,” possessing a power to enter into a situation and bring it to a higher degree of coherence. Under the influence of faith,” he teaches, “the universe is capable, without outwardly changing its characteristics, of becoming more supple. Sometimes this “super-animation” expresses itself in miraculous effects, but more typically it is manifested “by the integration of unimportant or unfavorable events within a higher plane and within a higher providence.” In other words, it restores meaning and a sense of belonging.

The wellspring of the precious spiritual raw materials, virtues and the resultant fruits that Paul’s letter to the Galatians cites such as patience, kindness, and generosity are substances that are desperately needed for us human creatures and our planet at this time. The absence of them results in devastating malnutrition for our earthly existence in God’s creation.

So, what do you do? Each day commit yourself to living out a life directed by the fruits of virtues regardless of the circumstances or unpleasantness of the situation. Our human task is to participate in a timeless, holy exchange that generates spiritual nutrients.

This daily task may be best imaged by the Sufi whirler (depicted above) who, with one hand opened up toward the sky, receives from the heavenly realm and with the other hand, palm down toward the earth, bestows them to this earthly realm. The world is counting on you.

Natalie Hala,

Parish Verger & Liturgist