Eddie Beres shared an Epiphany reflection at PMC on January 6th—in relation to Matthew 2:1-12, and primarily Ephesians 3:1-12. He begins his thoughts, “As I read through the lectionary passages for this year’s Epiphany, the one from Ephesians caught me. I noticed one word repeated four times: mystery

• how the mystery was made known to me by revelation
• will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ.
• In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind
• the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things;

Eddie goes on to say that the word mystery stood out to him because it is central to healthy religion, and our inability to embrace it is the source of most conflict in our world. In our dominant culture, the word is likely to generate notions of questions that we must find answers to, or detective stories that will be solved through detailed analysis and clever thinking. In other words, our common response to mystery is to eliminate it, for mystery cannot exist if we have removed all questions or paradoxes.

We have a very strong impulse to do just that. Richard Rohr sometimes calls the ego the false self or the small self and he characterizes it as capable of only dualistic thinking. It demands that things are right or wrong, left or right, black or white. The ego craves knowing that it is right, and it wants that clarity immediately.

Not surprisingly, the ego loves the law. The law spells out what is right and wrong, and what’s even more gratifying, the ego can use the law to show that we are right and they are wrong, end of discussion, what’s for dinner?

Nondual thinking should be very easy for Christians. We have Jesus as fully human and fully divine. We have a God that is father, mother, and infinite creator. We have the trinity. We have a bible filled with poetic language, symbolism, and parables. The divine is within us, but we are not the divine. The last shall be first. Love your enemy. If you’re looking for exactness, logic, and certitude, you’re not going to find a lot in the Christianity aisle of the religion superstore (or in any of the other major religions).

Of course, the law is helpful and essential in establishing a peaceful and just society. And applied in a secular, rational context, people use the law to develop an ideology. But an ideology is devoid of mystery. The divine truly is within each of us, and that when we open ourselves to that part of our beings–to that mystery–transformation can occur. And that is the power of religion: it is transformative. It provides us a guiding vision, a star of wonder to follow. It moves us to a vast, compassionate, generous way of being–beyond our thoughts, a place where the ego cannot venture.

Where ideology and the law demand compliance, this guiding vision fills us with grace and freedom. Where the ego insists on judgement, our transformed selves respond with mercy. Where fundamentalism understands only literalism, mystery dwells in metaphor, poetry, and parable. And as we swim deeper into this marvelous abyss of mystery, we no longer need clarity and certitude all the time, but can think nondualistically and embrace paradox. We give up our delusions of control and revel in surrender. We now have no need to exclude others, but want to offer healing embraces of affirmation. We move from strict belief systems and explore holy experience. We no longer look for formulas that provide irrefutable answers, but yearn for actual understanding and relationship. We go from merely reading music and playing the notes, to becoming musicians.

Jesus’ life and ministry was filled with examples of this way of being. He showed us that the real purpose of the law is to give life, not limit it. Richard Rohr often uses the phrase “yes, and” to describe this.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But now I tell you: do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you.”
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your friends, hate your enemies.’ But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”
In other words, Jesus acknowledges the law–“yes,” but broadens the message toward mercy and inclusivity–“and.”

And the power of mystery is still alive in our world, continuing its transformative ways.

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Photo: by Anuparb Papapan