The Calm in the middle

I love this poem, written in the 14th century by an anonymous Japanese author :

The Edge of Center

All tempest has,

Like a navel,

A hole in its middle,

Through which

A gull can fly,

in silence.

I awoke this morning thinking about what a stirred up world we are living in right now. It can be difficult to find any place for our minds to settle down in peace. I was reminded of this favourite poem and sought it out to read and reflect on again. Yes, we are definitely living in a tempestuous times. Is there a quiet place in the center through which we can fly in silence, calm and inner peace?

This week is Holy Week for Christians. Normally, this week for me is characterized by shopping for the makings of Easter dinner. I am usually thinking of chocolate rabbits, turkey and cleaning the house in preparation for family coming, but not this year. We know it’s going to be another quiet Easter.

There is the possibility for quiet reflection, but what shall I reflect on? Thinking about Jesus suffering and dying is feeling too much for me to handle this year amidst so much suffering and so much dying. I do want to focus on Jesus, though.

I was reminded of the “I Am” statements that Jesus made, so I turned in my Bible to one of my favourite ones and read it again:
” I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep….I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” John 10: 14-15,17-18. New International Version

Ahhh! I read these words and I felt comforted. These words are the hole in the middle through which I can fly in silence and in peace this week. I have a shepherd. He loves me enough to lay his life down for me when I am in trouble. He has the authority to make this decision. Should he lay his life down for me, amazingly!, since he is not only my shepherd but my God, he can take his life up again.

Okay! Hallelujah! Amen!