Mercy. The severe physical pain surge continues as result of last evening's trial-run drive of 1.5 miles and back to grocery. But it is a start of trying to get back into more functionality in this long, post-operative recovery. As in our temporal and very much our spiritual lives, we must pick ourselves up and simply keep going.
The Psalm from today's Mass truly hits the spot!
"But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify Him with thanksgiving.
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and His own who are in bonds he spurns not."
I consider the various types of poverty as well as the many forms of bonds of which we find ourselves. Physical bonds are probably the least of what can bind us; mental, emotional bonds are worse. But a soul bound to other than God, seems the ultimate in suffering.
This morning I've been thinking about Mary of Egypt (344-421) a desert mother (amma) of an early century. I read a book about her, and while I don't recall certain details, I know and appreciate her life's story.. She went out into the desert as a penitent. She had repented of her life of sexual licentiousness, turning to God, and lived as a hermit, freeing herself from bondage of body, mind, heart and soul.
After many years, a priest came upon her, not knowing if she was male or female for her visage had grown wizened and hair had grown, covering her like a garment. He realized he was in the presence of a holy one from brief conversation and her spiritual transcendence. He gave her Communion, a consecrated Host, of which she'd not had for nearly four decades, or so it seems I recall from reading. She had not seen a human in years. The priest said he would return again with communion and to check on her; a year later he returned and located her, deceased.
St. Mary of Egypt is remembered as one whose conversion is profound, and her renunciation of sin and path of penance and prayer remarkable. Her transcendence of soul is yet another example of the humbling aspects of the spiritual journey can bring in seeking God as penitents, praying and praising a while renouncing whatever and all that binds us in any way. She is also the patron saint of penitents (and we can include her a mentor for hermits, too!).
Spiritual life and all that goes with it, is a process. Spiritual-temporal progression takes temporal time, spiritually focused diligence, a living out our lives following Christ's way for each of us, and striving in seeking and accepting God's will. Rare are the immediate infusion of transcending grace--a transfiguration of mind, heart, and soul.
I'm calling upon Mary of Egypt to befriend me today as I again start out anew, journeying farther into the desert, the physical aspects, yes, but also the desert within, so subtle yet richly full of Christ's all.
But I tell you, also, this morning I thought happily of the man who shared his story of miraculously having a gift of being able to transcend his physical pain, to pick up and be cured of all the physical pains of spine that had reduced him to bed-ridden status. I assume today as he heads pain free to work, he still is viewing all with gratitude.
As for me, I am praising God even if a bit set-back with physical pain upon pain. He hears and knows; He spurns not one of us who even if bound in whatever way, call upon His Name. We all will be able to fully transcend, in Christ, whatever pain at some point; and for most of us that will be at the marvelous moment of our earthly death.
But in the meantime, we can be freed from the various ties that bind us in so many ways, through faith in and love of God, acceptance of His love, mercy, and His will. And in praise and prayer, we simply keep going!
God bless His Real Presence in us!
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