The Primary Principle of
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone."
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"The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers."
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Mindfulness is a word not often used in Christianity. It is often used by English-speaking Buddhists to describe the state of mind that is to be desired by a follower of the path. But I think it is particularly suited to discussion of the life we should aspire to as clergy. Mindfulness is a abandonment of our own egos and opening ourselves up to those around us, including all three persons of the Blessed Trinity, those human beings who walk with us, the entire beloved creation of God, and the Communion of Saints before and who will follow. It is the process of living our lives not only for ourselves, but for others.
It must be noted that this is not completely selfless in a Christian context. Each of us is fearfully made in the image of God. Therefore, self-care is needed to honor that imago Dei in each of us. While as clergy we are often called to sacrifice for our flock, it is important to make the distinction that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, so we must sometimes simply be allowed to rest in the sheepfold.
As clergy, we are not ordained to DO something, we are ordained to BE something. While in some protestant circles it may not be fashionable to refer to us as standing in persona Christi, we all do. People see us as "standing in" for Christ, whether we invite it or not. This can be as positive as giving a healing hug at a funeral home, or as negative as someone transferring feelings from former abuse by others on us. If you have spent time in a collar, you know you are never "just" yourself. People think and ask all sorts of deep or wacky things. While putting up with this stuff can be very difficult, it points out a truth of our vocation. We are CALLED to BE. We are called to represent Christ in all our broken humanity.
Obviously, we cannot BE Christ. Many a cleric has broken themselves and their ministry by thinking they are or allowing someone else to think they are. We are as broken as the next human being, but still we are called to represent our Lord. Our Lord was not a secretary, or a therapist, or a worship leader. He simply WAS (and IS). In order to represent Him, we have to note several things about the way Jesus works in the world.
It must be noted that this is not completely selfless in a Christian context. Each of us is fearfully made in the image of God. Therefore, self-care is needed to honor that imago Dei in each of us. While as clergy we are often called to sacrifice for our flock, it is important to make the distinction that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, so we must sometimes simply be allowed to rest in the sheepfold.
As clergy, we are not ordained to DO something, we are ordained to BE something. While in some protestant circles it may not be fashionable to refer to us as standing in persona Christi, we all do. People see us as "standing in" for Christ, whether we invite it or not. This can be as positive as giving a healing hug at a funeral home, or as negative as someone transferring feelings from former abuse by others on us. If you have spent time in a collar, you know you are never "just" yourself. People think and ask all sorts of deep or wacky things. While putting up with this stuff can be very difficult, it points out a truth of our vocation. We are CALLED to BE. We are called to represent Christ in all our broken humanity.
Obviously, we cannot BE Christ. Many a cleric has broken themselves and their ministry by thinking they are or allowing someone else to think they are. We are as broken as the next human being, but still we are called to represent our Lord. Our Lord was not a secretary, or a therapist, or a worship leader. He simply WAS (and IS). In order to represent Him, we have to note several things about the way Jesus works in the world.
- He is relational. Only during his temptations is Jesus "alone." For the rest of his ministries, he has his disciples gathered around him. Community is of paramount importance to Jesus.
- He is Compassionate. He was with those whom society hated, whether they were prostitutes, tax collectors, or samaritans. Jesus constantly showed compassion in ways that bemused the authorities and the disicplies.
- He is infinitely interruptable. When it comes to priorities, Jesus was maddening. Jesus was told that the synagogue leader's daughter was dying, but when the hemoraging woman touched him, he spent precious minutes seeking her out, so much that the daughter died. (of course it turned out all right.) Jesus was and is always available for those who truly need him. (Note that last line, "Truly Need." Not "are codependent" or "have no boundaries.")
TIP: If you are looking for a program to help you increase mindfulness - I recommend Headspace. It is not religious, but it helps you clear your mind so that your prayer can be more effective.
