I can’t get the images out of my head!

I can’t get the images out of my head! In my last post Marana Tha I discussed the imagery that permeated my Advent prayer. After I posted that reflection, the images continued and by grace and the Spirit, Scripture was opened and Truth was spoken to me in a way I could never have expected. I’ve sat with this for days because I prayed for a clear way to share it. It all leads to understanding the Mystical Body of Christ but how I got there………..So let’s start with the images I encountered along the way.

The images in my head

I want to be as clear as possible, so I’m just going to list the images and connections made to each.

The Annunciation and the idea of Mary bringing Jesus into the world: us bringing Jesus into the world.

Bethlehem: our hearts

Cave in Bethlehem: darkness – our separation from God

No room at the Inn: no time for Jesus

Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes: the gift of Jesus

Jesus in Creche with arms outstretched: Jesus sharing a sign of peace – “Peace be with you!”

Psalm 80

On Christmas Day, the Rejoice series directed me to read Psalm 80. On page 124 of Rejoice, it reads “Imagine how Mary and Joseph would have sung psalms during the most silent of nights outside Bethlehem. Begin by slowing reading Psalm 80.” I have to admit, I was just going through the motions when I started reading. There was some sort of distraction in my mind. However, I just kept reading and re-reading the Psalm. It was almost as if the Spirit was guiding me and holding me accountable. Imagine a child, distracted with a toy while trying to do homework and you as a parent, gently guiding the child’s head and eyes back to the books. That’s how I imagine the Spirit with me on Christmas. “There’s something here for you to see Vilma, keep reading, pay attention.”

Then it hit me! I was drawn to verses 9-12: You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove away the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground; it took root and filled the land. The mountains were covered by its shadow, the cedars of God by its branches. It sent out boughs as far as the sea, shoots as far as the river.

The images in my head take root

I may be totally off base here, but it’s how God spoke to me in the moment. When I read that I envisioned roots spreading throughout the earth. I pictured the roots enlivening the earth as they spread. Something like this but with light emanating from the roots instead of greenery.

Tying it all together

Stay with me now! Here’s where I’ll attempt to tie all the imagery together. We are called to share Christ with the world. It’s our way of “birthing” Him today, as Mary did over 2000 years ago. At our baptism, He is placed in the “womb” of our hearts as a gift (wrapped in swaddling clothes) through grace. It is up to us to unwrap Him. We unwrap Him by building a relationship with Him through prayer and worship. As our relationship grows stronger, the darkness of our hearts begins to dissipate, the Light begins to shine as the swaddling clothes begin to fall away to reveal Christ with His arms outstretched granting us peace!

The stronger our relationship with Christ grows, the more the light begins to shine in us – as if every one of our cells is catching fire. The more light, the more peace we exude. This light and its energy, which is peace, is palpable to all those we come in contact with. It’s like the root referred to in Psalm 80. It spreads far and wide. It’s contagious – others should see it and want it too! It should be the catalyst that begins the cycle of “unwrapping” in others. I often pray to be a beacon of light and hope to all those I come in contact with and a catalyst for change and conversion – now I know where that came from!

The Mystical Body of Christ

So you see, the Light that shines in us, affects all those around us. It’s our connection to all that is. We’re all meant to be connected! So THIS is how God spoke to me on Christmas Day. He opened up the Scriptures to give me an amazing image of what it means to be the Mystical Body of Christ! I hope I made it as clear as I think I did!

God bless you!