Greetings and Wishes for a Wonderful Wednesday and Beyond to all TSJ Friends,
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Last week our wisdom messenger, Solomon, seemed to call out to me to be lifted into the old rocking chair in my office. It was an unusual experience in a sense. Of course, I did not actually hear a physical voice. It was an inner voice – the voice of love, playfulness and curiosity.
This week Solomon is in a different spot – but no worries, he is happily on the couch by Mr. John..
As you can see, today I want to reflect with you on the chair itself.
Last week, the act of placing Solomon in the chair awakened in me a realization that this old rocking chair has held many people through the years ( in John’s previous marriage to his late wife, Judy) and heard many voices through the years.
Oh the stories it could tell. Voices from the past blend in our minds with voices of the present. Stories often unite us.
The fact that it came from John’s home and carries those stories, is tender for me as it represents Judy and John and their family history.
John feels a similar appreciation for the old oak dining room table that came from Mr. Tom’s family and united our blended family. Oh the stories that table could tell too.
The chair and the dining room table represent all of our ordinary lives when we look back. We all have stories of our own along with those passed on to us.
Pieces of furniture or art or music – all such treasures – serve as reminders that acquired wisdom of the heart is timeless in its value.
Both the rocking chair and table carry timeless stories in their grain.
It made me think about writing some rocking chair wisdoms as we move through Lenten season into full blown spring activities and school year-end pressures.
So to put it bluntly, this chair has given me pause to think about how old I am growing to be – especially in the eyes of young people – young parents and teachers – and ponder how to be helpful in spite of age limits. I fully realize today’s parents and school teachers face decidedly different challenges and pressures than I did at their age and station in life.
Yet, Solomon saw it as a chance to help me playfully and seriously reflect on what is ageless in value.
While I am excited by what is yet to be learned, as I age I am appreciating both the gift of limits in what we can physically do and mentally absorb and the gift of limitlessness in spirit, imagination and contribution.
Let us pause and ponder when we hear voices that speak to us in tender tones of timeless wisdom.
Can you hear voices of your own past when you think of a certain chair or kitchen table or special spot? Do you remember some voices more clearly than others?
Have you ever said, “I would know that voice anywhere!” The power of voice rings down through the ages.
Our voices and our names identify our presence.
When someone speaks our name we respond differently to the voice that is calling us. The voice of love and protection, of certainty, encouragement and faith and of tenderness and empathy resonates well within us.
Today, I am taking the liberty to copy large segments about Mary Magdalene at Jesus’ tomb from Jesus: A Pilgrimage by James Martin, SJ that inspired me this morning:
“Then comes one of the tenderest passages in the whole Gospel:
Jesus said to her, ‘Miriam’ [Mary]. She turned and said to him in Hebrew ‘Rabbouni!’ [rabbi].” …..
Imagine her hearing that familiar voice speak her name.
The experience would have been unforgettable, and she would have been sure to repeat those very words when she recounted the story …..probably until the day she died.,”
“Not until Jesus speaks her name does Mary know him. At first, Mary couldn’t recognize him, but she knew that distinctive voice with the Nazarene accent –
the voice that called her into wholeness when it expelled whatever demoms troubled her,
the voice that welcomed her into his circle of friends,
the voice that told her she was valued in the eyes of God,
the voice that answered her questions,
the voice that laughed over a meal ….
Mary knew that voice because it was a voice that had spoken to her in love. Then she recognized who it was.
Because sometimes seeing is not believing. Loving is.”
It is with voice that we express our needs, our dreams, our hearts and our knowledge. It teaches. It consoles. It informs and inspires.
My 13 year old grandson reminded me this weekend of things he has heard me say; he is quite able to mimic my tones. It was endearing in this case. Phew, but a good reminder of the power of voice in influencing our children.
Martin continued to reflect: ” the voice of God can be recognized because it is uplifting, consoling, encouraging. …. When we hear it clearly, it is easier to answer. It is the voice that calls us to be who we are meant to be.”
Finally, Martin says what Solomon says often …. “As Jesus says in the Gospel of John, he calls his sheep by name and they know his voice.”
May the voice of God speak to each of us by name today.
It is the Voice of Love and one has to listen with the heart to hear it!
Margie and Solomon
