A Different Way of Seeing

I am catching up on the film series The Chosen and was struck by an episode in season four where Jesus and his disciples drop in at the house of Lazarus, Martha and Mary for a meal. The two sisters approach the surprise visit quite differently: Mary focuses on Jesus and listens intently to his instruction while Martha rushes about preparing a meal for the esteemed visitors. In exasperation Martha complains to Jesus that Mary is leaving her with all of the work while she sits and listens to his teaching. Surprisingly Jesus will not have any of it and replies that Mary’s response of open-hearted listening is actually “the better part” and it will not be taken from her.

The scene raised for me the question of what does it mean to really be present and the importance it plays. Can I learn the ‘practice’ of being present to myself and others? Can I become more like the ‘attentive Mary’ and less like the ‘distracted Martha’? Can I centre down in the moment to be ‘really where I am’ rather than some other place ‘where I would like to be’?

Alongside the film series I am prepping for a fall preaching series from Proverbs and the value it places on living one’s life wisely. In my reading I was struck by a comment from Richard Rohr who connects the two themes of being present and living wisely”:

Wisdom is not the gathering of more facts and information, as if that would eventually coalesce into truth. Wisdom is precisely a different way of seeing and knowing those ten thousand things. I suggest that wisdom is precisely the freedom to be present. Wise people always know how to be present, but it is much more than that. Presence is wisdom! People who are fully present know how to see fully, rightly, and truthfully. Presence is the one thing necessary, and in many ways, the hardest thing of all. Just try to keep your heart open, your mind without division or resistance, and your body not somewhere else. Presence is the practical, daily task of all mature religions and all spiritual disciplines. (Richard Rohr)

The invitation is to learn the skill of being present which is at the core of wisdom? It begins by nurturing our true selves within the actual places where we find ourselves. Not a future imaginary point—but here and now.

An approach to this spiritual practice could include:

Begin each morning with a time of solitude and silence (you decide the length of time).

Calm your mind down by breathing slowly and purposefully.

Listen deeply to your heart’s intentions.

Start your day with a heart of gratitude and thankfully receive the day before you.