JOY IN THE CAMP

When I meet a really rigid person (whether on the street or in my bathroom mirror), I try to remember to think: Your core must be a ball of insecurity right now because your surface is rigid, righteous and right. If I don't remind myself of that asap, I become rigid with my race-race, run-run mind actively and obsessively sitting there...in judgment. Another paradox.

That reminds me of Fr. Rohr's definition of paradox, which is "order within disorder, redemption through tragedy, resurrection through death, divinity through humanity."

My definition is nowhere near as good, as complete, just a lot simpler. To me, paradox is complete opposites getting the desired result. A simple example being, "You've got to give it away to keep it." Another (referring to character defects), "You've got to accept it as your own in order to let it go." And "You've got to kiss the unkissable right on the lips."

I was reminded of all that this morning when I read a Sufi epigram: When the heart grieves over what it has lost, the spirit rejoices over what it has found.

Realizing that this is exactly the gift we get upon entry into the Fellowship of which I am a member, my heart grins, sings, dances, laughs, shouts, hugs the moon, and wants to share it with my world.

In the words of the old gospel song: There's joy in the camp!

Thank you.