Seeing through a Better Lens

Yesterday I reflected on one of the major themes of ancient Celtic Wisdom – that Christ is present deep within everything that has being. I mentioned that the poet Kenneth White calls this light that is within all things, “The Diamond Country.” And he raises the question: can you see it? 

Time apart often allows us to see things about ourselves that we might not otherwise see. It can reveal our blindspots. One of the things that I saw clearly about myself while on sabbatical, is that as I’ve grown older, I’ve grown more worried and anxious. And there were times throughout my pilgrimage that I found myself gripped by fear or worry… And when I noticed it, of course, I probably didn’t always notice it, but when I noticed it, I tried to surrender it. Ok, Joe, trust and let go…  

One thing I know for sure is that when we look at the world through a lens of fear, whether it is fear of the future… or fear of the other… we will never see Light of Christ within. We’ll surely miss the diamond country right in front of our eyes. And it makes me wonder, in spite of all that I saw, how much I missed…

John O’Donohue writes about other lenses through which we sometimes view the world which keeps us from seeing it. There is the lens of greed or envy – when our eyes are haunted by that which we do not yet possess…whether it is knowledge or money or things. There is the lens of judgment, which is always sizing others up and is usually harshest on itself. There are the lenses of cynicism or resentment or bitterness – which cloud our vision. And there is a lens of indifference – which ignores the needs and vulnerabilities of those around us… Often these lenses enjoy neither the forgiveness nor imagination to allow us to see into the deeper ground of things. 

And so I pray today, that God would grant us the ability to notice when our vision is clouded by fear… or resentment.. or envy, or anything else. And as we notice, may we ask God to help us let it go, that our eyes and hearts would be readjusted and attuned to Christ’s presence ever within and around us.

Let us pray: God of grace, fill us with your Spirit. Soften our hearts, and allow us to live out of a deep sense of your presence. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.