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This Advent, choose to be the breath of heaven to someone – be God’s love.

December 23, 2023

Zech. 8:9-17  |  Psalm 55  |  Revelation 6:1-17  |  Matt. 25:31-46

In his recent book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen, David Brooks explores the topic of deeply seeing another. When individuals are deeply seen they feel heard, understood, and valued. Though the value of deeply seeing may seem obvious, Brooks’ research claims that we humans generally struggle with truly mastering this skill. This, along with other variables such as technological dehumanization and political antagonisms, often leads to deep divisions and distrust in our families, communities, and our planet.

In exploring the art of human connection, Brooks identifies two styles of connectivity: illuminating and diminishing. Although we all hold the potential for both modes of conduct, we generally lean more toward one or the other. Illuminating is a way of relating that involves the intention of deeply seeing the other, and of being deeply seen. It includes a willingness to suspend judgment along with other features such as tenderness, receptivity, curiosity, affection, and generosity. Respect, he says, is a gift you offer with your eyes. Diminishing, on the other hand, creates contracture serving to limit vision and vulnerability.

The Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46 employs the metaphor of the Shepherd dividing his flock into two distinct groups—one of goats and the other of sheep—to convey the idea of God separating his people, placing one group on his right hand and the other on his left. Perhaps he divides the groups to use contrast for the purpose of teaching. He explains to them that being a part of the kingdom that God wants for them involves choices. Choices about how they relate to others. He further tells them that their choices have consequences as to their place in the kingdom. Although the ways of relating to others chosen by each group are very different, both remain at God’s side as he continues his teaching with both. Based on the questions posed to God by each group, both don’t seem to understand the truth that we are all one, all of creation is connected. What we do, or don’t do to one, we do to all. God says, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” 

God not only teaches about how we think about others, but also about the ways in which we can serve others. In the words of Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus emphasizes the essence of compassion and kindness: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Who do you know who might be lonely? Could you be a prisoner of your own limiting thoughts? We can be thirsty for many things; do you know someone thirsty for love? In her Advent song, singer Amy Grant speaks of The Breath of Heaven. This Advent, choose to be the breath of heaven to someone – be God’s love.

As God teaches about the ways of his kingdom, Brooks also says there are consequences to how we respond to others. Do we consciously make choices that support a remedy to the fragmentation and divisiveness that exists in our world? I know that I constantly have to ask for God’s help in staying aware of the choices I make, and boy it is so easy to fall asleep, or at best take a nap. Scripture tells us that on several occasions Jesus asks us to stay awake. Do we stay awake and consciously choose the joy and wonder that can accompany deeply seeing another and allowing ourselves to be deeply seen? 

In this Advent time, as we wait in a world of the beauty and goodness and light of God’s words, and the darkness of fragmentation and decisiveness, do we allow God’s teaching to lead us back to love? St. Luke’s is a beautiful place to do this: a community that radiates love and acceptance of all. Together we ask God for the grace to see what we don’t yet see, and to choose the light and love that breaks through the darkness of division. This Christmas may we open our hearts and minds to the light and love that holds all the world.

Blessings of love and light,

Patricia Warburton