Good morning all, Bore da pawb!
For Day 16 *For the next few weeks now I’m going to shift from using the Psalms for daily Bible verses and use some of the words of Jesus, these will be short and out of context but I encourage you to go and look at the whole chapters that they are from.
Also, once we have passed Easter I will be making some changes to the daily rhythm exercises so keep your eyes peeled*
I've titled this post hidden figures because just before this lockdown began I watched a film which as affected me deeply. It was of course the film of that title, Hidden Figures, which tells the story of 3 amazing intelligent people who as mathematicians, engineers and programmers, were instrumental in getting the USA into space. They were hidden because of who and what they were, working in such an industry as NASA in the 60s. They were...women and they were black. Seeing how they were treated as they did such amazing work at times made me feel physically sick because they weren't actually Hidden but we're actively ignored. This film story has stayed with me and I hope it stays with me as long as I live.
During this lock down we have all been thinking more about things which we possibly have taken for granted. How our food is made and gets to us. Who cares for us when we are sick. Who cleans up after us. In short we are being more concerned with that which is often unseen, even the virus itself, causing us to wash and clean things with much greater care than perhaps we might have done before.
We need give thought and care to the unseen, the hidden. Thinking about the hidden people who have been abused how might normally at least have had some respite out of the house or someone might have noticed the bruising and stepped in. Now they see no one.
We think of the elderly neighbour whose family live far away, who have few visitors but used to at least get to the shops and stand in front of us for 20 minutes chatting to the person on the till. Now they see no one.
We think of those suffering through addiction, who rely on doctors and support groups to stay clean. Now they see no one.
We think of those with poor mental health, who rely on daily interactions to keep them level, who need carers and support. Now they see no one.
People are working hard to make sure that they are seen that they don't remain hidden but the work is big and the workers few.
Jesus was always keen to bring the hidden people to the front. The woman kept on the margins by her bloody illness wanting secret healing, he brings to the front to put her back into community. The blind and disabled who people stepped over in his day, Jesus lifts up, heals and brings to the centre.
God knows and values these hidden people, God sees them all and asks that we saw them as well. Not to make us feel better but to bring them out for all to see.
What follows is a poem I wrote about a particular interaction Jesus had with someone often described as a “sinful woman,” no name, her only identity was that she was actively ignored by the upright clean and pure religious types. She risks everything to be seen to show her gratitude to Jesus by anointing his feet with perfume and tears.
Do you see this woman?
Of course they do not see her.
It is dark and she is quiet,
She steps deftly, barefoot.Keeping to the shadows,
She falls
to her knees.
Do you see this woman?
Of course they do not see her.
She approaches from behind,
those who notice, choose not to see!,
assuming her a servant.
She falls
to her knees.
Do you see this woman?
Of course they do not see her.
Even as the crack of the alabaster seal,
alerts all to her presence.
They only see her sin.
She falls
to her knees.
Do you see this woman?
Of course they do not see her.
They see scandal, they see opportunity.
A chance to trap him, catch him out.
What would he do?
She fell
to her knees
Do you see this woman?
Of course they do not see her.
Their eyes are fixed only on him.
They don't see the tears.
They miss the kisses.
She fell
to her knees.
Do you see this woman?
Of course they do not see her.
But he does. He sees her.
Pouring out love and perfume
and tears of a free heart.
She fell
to her knees.
Do you see this woman?
Of course they see her.
Now they see her, they can't not see
They can't look away, they cannot
Hearts shamed, hearts changed
She fell
to her knees.
*****
MORNING
Wake, but do not move to begin with. Be aware of yourself, the air going in and out of your lungs, be aware of your senses and what they are telling you, feel the aches and pains of life that were dulled a bit by rest.
Give thanks, because all you feel means you are alive, the world is better for you being in it.
Take a moment to think of ONE positive thing you will try to do today.
Matthew 22:37-40 (Read through slowly 3 times)
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
BREAKFAST
As you make your breakfast, be mindful of each thing you do as you do it. Be fully present.
As you consume your breakfast offer thanks for the producers and distributers of our food, water and power.
LUNCH
Pause. Sit. Breathe. You are still here.
Follow the same routine of mindfulness and thanks as at breakfast.
DINNER/TEA
Same as for lunch
EVENING BEFORE SLEEP
Be aware of yourself, the air going in and out of your lungs, be aware of your senses and what they are telling you, feel the aches and pains of life that will be dulled a bit by rest.
Give thanks, because all you feel means you are alive and have lived, the world is better for you being in it.
Thanks be to God.
Amen
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