The Bell Tolls
No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend's
Or of thine own were:
Any man's death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee. -- John Donne, 1624
Sitting down to talk with my group of ladies about our connectedness in being human with a theological understanding of our identity was striking. So often the temptation to become isolated or to isolate others enters in, even if this is done mentally and less literally. When someone who is a trusted friend asks me "Hey, how are you doing?" and I set out to explain some exterior aspect of my existence, I am practicing isolation. The truth is, right now the emotions are very complex, the weight of adulthood and the deep trenched confusion with romance in relationship with reality. My younger sister getting married in less than a month, while I don't even have to worry about flying out a "plus one" to CA. Identity, I tend to depend on other people to understand myself. This is a weakness that has been slow to enter remission, but reflection on G-d's word has been vital. Not because I look at scripture to tell me who I am, but because discovering Who He is tells me a thousand more truths. It is the character of someone who loves you that causes value for yourself to be built up or torn down. It is degrading when affection is expressed by someone who has a low moral character or a violent one. But when someone who has gained your respect and admiration confesses their approval a humbled sense of worth takes root.
How easy to live only needing to sustain "self". Simon and Garfunkel wrote about being an Island in a jeer toward that mentality of not needing anyone else. Truth is, people hurt you, fail you, and leave you. And the idea of being an island and believing your actions do not affect those around you is a tempting fallacy. The responsibility of being "piece of the continent" is a frightful reality. Community is an exposing and restless existence, living together means fighting, crying, starving, and dying together too. But laughing, feasting, dreaming, these are so much sweeter with others than they are on our own. And Worship is the most refreshing when we bow down together.
Serving these women this year will be remarkable. No man is an island, but every man is iron. Here's to a year of sharper living! L'cheyim!
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend's
Or of thine own were:
Any man's death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee. -- John Donne, 1624
Sitting down to talk with my group of ladies about our connectedness in being human with a theological understanding of our identity was striking. So often the temptation to become isolated or to isolate others enters in, even if this is done mentally and less literally. When someone who is a trusted friend asks me "Hey, how are you doing?" and I set out to explain some exterior aspect of my existence, I am practicing isolation. The truth is, right now the emotions are very complex, the weight of adulthood and the deep trenched confusion with romance in relationship with reality. My younger sister getting married in less than a month, while I don't even have to worry about flying out a "plus one" to CA. Identity, I tend to depend on other people to understand myself. This is a weakness that has been slow to enter remission, but reflection on G-d's word has been vital. Not because I look at scripture to tell me who I am, but because discovering Who He is tells me a thousand more truths. It is the character of someone who loves you that causes value for yourself to be built up or torn down. It is degrading when affection is expressed by someone who has a low moral character or a violent one. But when someone who has gained your respect and admiration confesses their approval a humbled sense of worth takes root.
How easy to live only needing to sustain "self". Simon and Garfunkel wrote about being an Island in a jeer toward that mentality of not needing anyone else. Truth is, people hurt you, fail you, and leave you. And the idea of being an island and believing your actions do not affect those around you is a tempting fallacy. The responsibility of being "piece of the continent" is a frightful reality. Community is an exposing and restless existence, living together means fighting, crying, starving, and dying together too. But laughing, feasting, dreaming, these are so much sweeter with others than they are on our own. And Worship is the most refreshing when we bow down together.
Serving these women this year will be remarkable. No man is an island, but every man is iron. Here's to a year of sharper living! L'cheyim!
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