Action in Inaction

The paradoxical nature of our faith was always a tenet that I was rather comfortable to accept. Intellectually, it is rather stimulating, but that was it for me. It was something that was a ‘truth’ because many of the spiritual writers, directors and my fellow sojourners in faith proclaimed.

This “truth” has become more real to me lately. Especially now… when I see people that I care deeply about hurting – physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually – and I cannot do anything to help alleviate it. Not because I physically can’t, but rather I know that the best thing I should do for them is not to get in the way, not to interfere, and just sit back to pray for them.

And this is really not me. Those who know me know that I am not one who sits on my ass when I feel I can change things and help make things better. Yet, the Spirit is prompting me to sit back and just pray for them, and allow Him to work through others, as it’s not my place, role or duty to do ANYTHING about it other than to pray for them. It’s really difficult and frustrating, cos I’m reacting in the way that Rhino5 doesn’t normally or usually react in. I can’t even acknowledge that I share in their suffering, that I am also affected by the knowledge and the sight of them suffering.

How can such inaction be the best course of action? The Fool reminded me that sometimes that’s just it, yet for me it’s a bitter pill to swallow, a difficult lesson that I’m learning. I know I can’t save the world, I know that I’m not called to be the superhero I always pride myself to be (sort of).

But I’ve also got to admit that it’s tougher for me to just sit back and pray for them. Yet also, it’s probably, no, IT IS the best and most powerful way to help… intercession. St Paul in his epistles has more often than not exhorted that we pray for each other, to pray unceasingly and hope in the Lord… and I guess that’s all I can hold on to in such moments in time.

The paradoxes are more than I can bear. Action in inaction, unity in seclusion, Life in death, Victory in suffering, Joy in pain… Love that is free.

This has been a tough Lent Lord, for a lot of us…
Yet I know Your hand is in all this to make us stronger in You
May this coming Easter serve to remind us of the New Life that You’ve won for us
That all we need to do is to bear our palms towards You in faith and trust
That Your love will see us through
That You teach us through the mystery of Your cross
That the paradoxes in our eyes aren’t paradoxes for You
That You grace is enough in all things.
So as we wait upon You, in eager anticipation of the feast of Your Resurrection,
That You’ll increase in our hearts, as we diminish.

Rhino5