In life, there will be times of great paradox and tension—moments when things do not make sense, when you feel like you don’t belong. It could happen at school or work, where friendships feel distant, or relationships seem to fall apart. It could be when you’re faced with a seemingly impossible task, when you have a heated argument or verbal fight with someone close, or when you—or someone dear to you—receives a serious diagnosis like cancer. It might occur when you face an ethical dilemma, when the opposite political party rises to power, or when you are rejected by your own friends, community, or family.
In these moments, a flood of emotions arises. Like icebergs floating on the ocean, we often only see a small part of the emotional story. Emotions, even negative ones, are good—they reveal the deeper reality of what’s happening beneath the surface. To navigate these feelings, we can turn to practices that help us process and understand them: writing in a journal, like I’m doing now; talking regularly with someone we trust; building something with our hands; playing music or creating art. These practices allow our emotions to rise to the surface and be acknowledged.We must learn to live with these paradoxes, to exist in these liminal spaces—spaces where things don’t make sense. Why? Because they offer us the greatest lessons. In such moments, conservatives may retreat to rules and traditions, seeking clarity in black-and-white frameworks. Liberals, on the other hand, may strive for independence and freedom, seeking to break free from constraints. Neither approach fully captures the whole truth; each provides only part of the picture. It’s not that these perspectives are entirely wrong—they simply fall short of embracing the full reality.
Consider Jesus, who ventured into the desert or wilderness. We, too, must journey into the deserts of our lives. This could mean physically stepping into nature or taking a long, introspective walk. In the desert, Jesus confronted and exorcised his demons, reshaping distorted patterns of thought. Similarly, we must ask ourselves: How do our own thought patterns limit our ability to live fully? How do our addictions obscure the deeper realities of our lives?
Exorcising our demons is not easy, but it is necessary. Perhaps we need to embrace the negative, as it holds valuable lessons. In the Gospels, Jesus often asks the demon, “What is your name?” We, too, must name and confront our demons, bringing them into the light. Entering the deserts of our lives means becoming a bridge between what we tend to avoid and who we truly are.
While we cannot fully control life, we can control how we respond to it. This response requires reflection and pondering, much like Mary after the angel departed at the Annunciation. These moments of solitude may feel isolating, but they are precisely when the greatest transformation and growth can occur. Mary likely did not realize that 33 years later, her 'yes' would lead to the cross and death of her son. Yet between that moment and the crucifixion lay a journey that brought salvation and hope to the world.This is not just a historical event; it is a doorway into our own lives, helping us navigate the tension between life, death, and resurrection. This process occurs not only at life’s end but also in the small, everyday moments that reflect the profound reality Mary and Christ revealed.
When we embrace the paradoxes of our lives with God’s help, we become beacons of hope—like lighthouses on a hill. God’s power works through us, transforming paradoxes, tensions, and liminal spaces into gateways to a fuller understanding of what it means to be human. To be human is to reflect the mystery of God—the visible and the invisible, the darkness and the light.
Where are the paradoxes and tensions in your life? They are more significant than they seem.
Journal and reflect on the following questions
What paradoxes or tensions are you currently experiencing in your life, and how are they affecting you emotionally and mentally?
How do you typically respond to feelings of disconnection or isolation, and what practices help you navigate these emotions?
In what ways have past challenges or paradoxes taught you important life lessons or shaped your personal growth?
How do your thought patterns or habits potentially limit your ability to embrace life’s fullness, and what steps can you take to confront them?
What role do creativity and reflective practices (like journaling, art, or music) play in helping you process difficult emotions?
How do you identify and confront the ‘demons’ in your life, and what tools or support systems help you bring them into the light?
How can embracing life’s paradoxes and uncertainties deepen your faith, sense of purpose, or connection to others?
Discuss
Song - Held
Final Prayer
Loving God, in the midst of life’s paradoxes and tensions, help us to trust in Your presence and guidance. When we face moments of confusion, isolation, or pain, remind us that these trials are not without purpose. Grant us the courage to confront our inner struggles, the wisdom to name and understand our emotions, and the strength to embrace the growth You offer through them. May we find solace in practices that bring our hidden burdens to light and discover hope in the midst of uncertainty. Transform our brokenness into beacons of Your love and grace, so that we may reflect Your light in both the darkness and the dawn. Amen.
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