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Do You See What I See?

 We are all aware of the habit of “pointing a finger.”

At the same, I am sure most are aware of the statement, “Remember, when you point your finger at someone, there are three pointing back at you.”            

We are aware of the amount of “finger-pointing” in the world. Most often this finger-pointing centers around climate change; pollution; bullying; cultural and racial discrimination. The list is endless.            

As I read the spiritual reflection from the Brothers of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist this week on the word “mirror,” I was inspired to look further at this “reflection in a mirror.”

Three quotes for us this week:

  • “If you’re searching for that one person that will change your life, take a look in the mirror.” -Roman Price                                                                                                                                               
  • “There comes a time when you look into the mirror, and you realize that what you see is ‘all that you will ever be.’ And then you accept it.” –Tennessee Williams  
  • “It helps to even look in the mirror–and it sounds so cheesy, but if you look in the mirror and say, ‘You are beautiful,’ and ‘You are worthy,’ those things really help you.”-Demi Lovato  

It must be getting closer (by the day) to Christmas, for then my mind went to one of my favorite Christmas Carols: ‘Do You See What I See?'

I find encouragement in all the things we are invited to see:

  • A star dancing in the sky;
  • Hear a song above the trees;
  • A voice as big as the sea;
  • Prayers for peace;
  • We will bring Him goodness and light.  

There are a number of Scriptures which remind us that, when pointing to others, to look at our own lives first.

In liturgy, this is called ‘repentance’ or ‘atonement.’ 
It is a time for “looking in the mirror” of our own lives: a time not to worry about others; a time to worry about self first, looking in the mirrors of our lives, and examining how we might appear to the world.  

Last week, I quoted from the invitation to ‘The Peace’ often used by Bishop Logan:
“Not an easy peace; not an insignificant peace; not a half-hearted peace; but the peace of God, in Jesus Christ, be with you all.”         

Today, we might change the words to:
“Not an easy look in the mirror; not an insignificant look in the mirror; not a half-hearted look in the mirror; and you will find peace.  

Blessings for this week,
Archdeacon Brian+