-
Rather than thinking about material things, such as window screens or movie screens, we can look at the kind of screen that involves the selection of people according to whatever criteria the screener has in mind. Just as screening sand through a mesh of the correct size keeps back all other materials that had been mixed with the sand, screening for people by some of their qualities separates out everyone else. The purpose of the process is exclusionary.
Does God screen us? For example, are we screened so that those who love others receive blessings and those who are selfish do not? Or does God sift us so that those who do good for others and maintain their own dignity pass through, and those who cause harm to others and to themselves remain behind? How we might answer the question depends upon our image of God. Those who are certain that they know how God behaves toward us can often find support in both Scriptures and in the traditions of the religious faith that is theirs. Others may not be as sure, and from the same Scriptures and religious traditions continue to ponder the mystery of God’s mercy and judgment without coming to an either/or conclusion.
Thinking about how God behaves concerning us can lead to the amusing idea that we, who hardly know ourselves, and who certainly do not know everything about even the person who is closest to us, can make pronouncements about God’s intentions. However, no matter what we presently think God might or might not do about screening us, we can start any search into the mystery of God with the most secure certainty of God as Love. How sick a religious faith would be if it imagined God wavering between love and meanness the way we do.
When we make the move from our minds into our hearts when pondering God’s relationship with us, peacefulness becomes the criteria for judging whether a thought about God’s behavior enhances or disturbs the graceful, sensitive awareness of God’s guiding action in our spirit that gives us certainty. We might not receive answers to questions that are more from curiosity than a heartfelt need to know. We might find, for example, that our concern is not so much about whether God screens us, as to know with a soul-satisfying knowledge that God loves us.
While we can readily accept God as having the final say as to everyone’s destiny, we will likely become uncomfortable at the thought of God being exclusionary. If peace of heart is restored by dropping the whole idea of God as “screener,” that will settle our question without a direct answer being truly required or given to us.
-
In the United States, many universities and colleges offer a “Spring Break” to students, intended as a time of rest and recuperation from the rigors of intensive academic studies. The reality is often quite different, as when students engage in so many activities that they return to their studies more tired than when they left. However, there is wisdom in the ideal of taking an intentional pause amid even non-physical work, where the mind and emotions are especially involved.
If we have multiple responsibilities with work, family, and other commitments, we might find it difficult or nearly impossible to take a break of even a day or two, much less an entire week. Some are so occupied with events, activities, employment and memberships in various organizations that even the thought of taking a break does not occur. Yet, our human capacity for activity usually diminishes in efficiency as well as in any awareness of fulfilling our purpose in life if we do not require of ourselves whatever pauses, breaks, or changes each of us needs.
If we were to expect that life itself or other persons should provide the equivalent of a spring break for us, it is highly unlikely that the anticipated alterations in our ongoing activities would take place. Rather, we need to do for ourselves what no one else can do. That is, we are the only ones who can decide that we will take a needed break, even if the first is to ask God to show us the way forward. We can deliberately choose to begin doing whatever is possible in our present circumstances.
We and God are the only ones who know the real burdens we carry, and only God knows for certain the obligations that we have perhaps mistakenly taken upon ourselves with great good will but with an unrealistic estimate of our unique personal set of resources. We can always ask for discernment to better understand which belong and which do not.
Some of us are called by God, but also empowered, to carry on with a manner of life that no one else could possibly manage. The most important word is “we,” which means God and us. It is indeed a mysterious but real and loving way of life to lean on God to provide us with the inspirations and insights that will enable us to discover and utilize the kind of breaks, changes in thoughts, different ways of doing things that lighten our burdens and enable us to desist from irrelevant labors. God not only completely understands our present situation, but loves us as we are, including our unrecognized needs for God’s assistance.
The word “Lent” originally meant the season of Spring, a time for new life and growth, especially in our spirits. The best spring break for us might be to reflect on our need for a specific kind of pause that will benefit everything we do. It only takes a moment to turn consciously to God, whose loving presence is always reliably available and uniquely supportive. No appointments are necessary, and such moments will often alter for the good whatever we are doing or thinking of doing at that moment.
Everyone can opt for a spring break like this and do so many times a day rather than only once a year.