Through the Flaming Sword

The sacraments have been defined as outward signs of inward grace. Grace has often been rather narrowly defined as forgiveness of sins.

Friends have greatly expanded our understanding of the sacraments, of grace, and our relationship to them. 

We do not practice the outward forms of the sacraments because we know that no outward form, especially one that is performed by rote, could guarantee inward grace. 

And we know that the inbreaking of God’s spiritual gifts includes, not just forgiveness, but also correction, healing, strengthening, comfort, renewal, openings of the mind, loving impulses of the heart, inspiration of all kinds, guidance, and even mystical union with each other and with God, however one experiences the Divine.

We know that this continuous revelation of God’s gifts can come to any of us at any time in any place through any activity. Therefore, we practice a listening spirituality, trying to remember to pay attention, to look for where and how grace might be found in all that we do, in the books we read, the  music we listen to, in the things that happen to us, and especially, in the people we meet. In other words, all of life is potentially sacramental.

Of course, it’s hard to remember to look for this grace. At least I find it hard. So many distractions. But we know it’s there because we have sometimes remembered and found it.

I liken this to eating chocolate. I love chocolate. A lot of the time, I’m doing something else while I’m eating it, and it tastes good. But as soon as I stop distracting myself from its flavor and actually pay attention to it, its flavor ramps up a notch and it tastes really great. Just by paying attention, the pleasure becomes something wonderful.