The Rhythm of Life Claims My Soul
A reflection on the Gospel of Luke for Advent 4C, wherein Mary pregnant with child goes to be with her cousin Elizabeth, also pregnant with child in her old age. Mary sings the Magnificat: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord..." Goodness. Here we are, Advent Four, already. Typical for this time of year the season of Advent has flown by! Such is the nature of life. Jan Richardson an artist, author, minister and retreat leader, is offering an on-line Advent Retreat called The Illuminated Advent, and she said this recently: “I gave up striving for balance a long time ago. But I do need an underlying rhythm to my days, some beats that help restore me and return me to my life.” [i] I can completely relate to this – the idea that balance is not the goal, rather the goal is listening too and adapting to the rhythm of one’s life. Etty Hillesum, protected people during the Nazi invasion of Holland, kept a dairy of her life. She paid attention ...