Cycle and Transformation

As a scientist, especially for those “Thomas” types, I’ve matured to understand science as our ability to discover and reveal the beauty and elegance in the mysteries of God’s creation and who we are in it.  My graphics and oversimplifications may not be appealing to readers, but I share them as they give me a mental model I find helpful.

From our Creator’s first act in all life, matter and spirit are one. (reference May 5, 2015 blog)  As I’ve grown older and especially during the Easter season, I’ve reflected more on death and the essence of resurrection.  I marvel in the “transformation” of life … (I use the word transformation as I think life enters the cycle of matter and life leaves it and moves forward in the Kingdom of God) … to think there is a tremendously high probability that we have inhaled some of the particular oxygen and nitrogen molecules that Jesus and his disciples inhaled and, though less likely, may share some of the same carbon and hydrogen atoms composing our bodies that may have composed theirs.  (Of course, with respect to Jesus, if you believe in the gift of the Eucharist that is a foregone conclusion!)  Therefore, the Lord God formed man out of the clay (soil – humus) of the ground and blew (spirit) into his nostrils the breath of life and so man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7)

To understand the divinity created within us and our neighbors including those we may not appreciate, we need to “awaken” and re-awaken it, to live in it, to allow God to form us in Him.  We do this through the gifts of the sacraments, the Mass, PX-90, Life Teen, CHRP, community functions, charity, mercy, reflection, adoration, family life, our work, friendships, until it is so pervasive we act as if the Spirit is our nature!  (I’m nowhere close, but join you in process:-)  During his life, Jesus modeled the two great, simplified commandments to love God with all your heart, mind, and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:28-31)  He shared the many experiences of joy and love such as childbirth, marriage, companionship, beauty, as well as the hardships and ugliness of life in abuses, oppression, corruption, degradation … so much so that he was crucified.

Jesus’ death and resurrection stirred in us an awakening for understanding who God is.  His life and death forces us to rethink, to evolve in our faith in the Creator.  We become more aware, there is a cycle of the material, but a transformation of life.

When loved ones die, I feel profound loss.  Death and loss just really hurts.  I can only imagine how those closest to Jesus felt, the pain, the despair at his tragic death.  To his followers, Lazarus had become a distant memory.  Long before Jesus’ arrest while raising their brother Lazarus from the dead, Jesus made a promise to Martha and Mary.  “I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in me, though he should die, will come to life; and whoever is alive and believes in me will never die.” John 11: 25-26.  Yet, it’s difficult for me to accept let alone to understand. 

Jesus’ resurrection was not a one-time miracle!  He broke from the material cycle of form and ascended to the Father with the promise of taking us with him.  He gives essence to our hope despite our intense losses and pains. 

Though an extremely insufficient analogy, water changes state from a cold solid to a fluid liquid to a hot kinetic vapor.  The changes of form may cycle, yet, the water molecule is of significance and remains through each state.   In unison, energy moves into and away from the water cycle like the Spirit in life moves into and away from the material cycle.  As God breathes the Spirit into the clay, He transforms the material humus into life.  And though our matter returns to the earth, our lives, all lives, again transform with the Spirit continuing to resurrection and ascension into the Kingdom.  It’s always been difficult for me to accept, but this transformation is not something we earn.  We are given it freely with love since the birth of Creation.  Despite our good works and failures, God bestows, loves us with His presence, His divinity within us uniting Spirit and matter.  Unfortunately, during life, some choose permanent deadness and deny Jesus’ gift of life.

“Whatever came to be in him found life, life for the light of men.  The light shines on in the darkness, a darkness that did not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5)  God’s gift of the Holy Spirit asks us to look not only beyond ourselves, but also within for His divine presence.  Our awakenings as mentioned above give us a wholeness to living!  May the resurrection and the season of Easter awaken in you; hope, peace and comfort along your journey knowing your loved ones are always present!