Playing with the impossible...

Friends,

Sometimes we fall into what may be a trap.  The possible trap to which I refer is that of thinking that Christian spirituality has to be a certain kind of thing, like meditation, or deep reflection on Scripture, or quietness and quite walk in nature - those sorts of things.  And while spirituality certainly includes those practices and activities (they're pretty indispensable in my life), it also includes a lot of other things that may be less introverted and also more oriented to providing concrete assistance to people in need, that is, the ministry of service, and mission to our neighbors.  One of these "other" kinds of spirituality is the spirituality of play and laughter which recalls Ralph Waldo Emerson's aphorism: "It is a happy talent to know how to play," and, as Frederick and Mary Anne Brussat remind us, "Inside us is a child who remembers the energy and delight of play.  That child helps us feel the pleasures of being."

Play can also be a way into laughter, which is essential to a full life.  The Apache creation story tells, for example, how the Creator gave humans the ability to talk, to run, and to look.  But the Creator wasn't satisfied until we were give the ability to laugh - and then the Creator said, "Now you are fit to live!"  Among some Greek Orthodox there's a custom of gathering on the day after Easter to trade jokes.  The reason for this, Doris Donnelly says, is that "Since the most extravagant joke of all took place on Easter Sunday - the victory, against all odds, of Jesus over death - the community of the faithful enters into the spirit of the season by sharing stories with unexpected endings, surprise flourishes, and a sense of humor."  Our practice of having "Potluck Suppers" also falls under this idea since we all need to celebrate.  Having everybody bring some special something to share creates a feast, and reflects Martin Luther's idea when he said that "Our loving God wills that we eat, drink and be merry."

The ministry of service too has some of this whimsical nature, even though it confronts serious issues, precisely because sometimes what we do seems to fly in the face of what many would consider reasonable, or possible.  Hope never gives up.  Parker Palmer wrote this in The Active Life: "I remember talking with a friend who has worked for many years at the Catholic Worker, a ministry to the poor in New York City.  Daily she tries to respond to waves of human misery that are as ceaseless as surf in that community.  Out of my deep not-knowing I asked her how she could keep doing a work that never showed any results, a work in which programs keep getting worse instead of better.  I will never forget her enigmatic answer: "The thing you don't understand, Parker, is that just because something is impossible doesn't mean you shouldn't do it!"

If you ever feel discouraged remember to play and to laugh and that anything done to help people is worthwhile even if it doesn't make sense or if it seems impossible.  We've been witness lately to some very difficult scenes and challenges in our country and our world.  And, as we seek to respond - we may wonder if our efforts have any effect - or if the decisions that others may make have any "good sense" - like rebuilding New Orleans where it's still under sea level.  If so, let's remember that it's not we who ultimately decide these things, but the One whose vision is infinitely larger than ours.  We're here to help.

Peace,

Brett