The chorus from Handel's Messiah is full of how we stray and get lost and separated etc. and while glorious music, the message is too sombre to do other than listen to the majesty of the piece. But it brings up one of my favourite DEEP THOUGHTS. I recall talking to my brother the monk on one of our visits to the monastery and saying to him 'does God expect us to be anything more than a sheep?'. Being intuitive and sharp, he knew exactly what I meant. He smiled, shrugged and then explained that his monastic life of prayer and meditation was at one end of a continuum balancing the opposite end which while not 'pure evil' was definitely 'bad'. He did not say those exact words but I followed his meaning.
Ironically this brother has embraced the concept that one can LOVE their way to 'heaven' unlike most men who believe one has to THINK their way to salvation. It is perhaps mental laziness on my part to refuse to engage in philosophical discussions regarding how one must behave according to/perform/conform to the doctrines of the Church. In my heart, where my God resides, I just KNOW that all he wants for us is to accept and be open to the peace, joy, and love that is there for us. Free, no strings, just pick up the gifts little lamb.
I will never forget hearing the phrase (from some nun or priest very early in my formative years) that the two worst sins were PRESUMPTION and DESPAIR. In other words, don't hope and don't get depressed thinking of your worthlessness and your pending banishment to hell. That is a tough order. What is the fine line between hope and presumption and if we cannot hope (presume) then how can we avoid despair?
If we are like the sheep the Good Shepherd cares for, do we not presume that we will be fed and taken care of, and if we stray or get lost and despair of our situation, does the Shepherd not look for us and when he finds us, does he not call out in relief and joy that he has found us? 'Cecily, I was looking everywhere for you - don't scare me like that!'
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