"There never was a more holy age than ours, and never a less. There is no less holiness at this time - as you are reading this - than there was the day Jesus said 'Maid, arise' to the centurion's daughter, or the day Peter walked on water. In any instant the sacred may wipe you with its finger. In any instant the bush may flare, your feet may rise, or you may see a bunch of souls in a tree. In any instant you may avail yourself of the power to love your enemies; to accept failure, slander, or the grief of loss, or to endure torture. 'Each and every day the Divine voice issues from Sinai', says the Talmud."
Annie Dillard from For the Time Being
It strikes me that being in Haiti is a holy time for me, a time to experience the sacred. Drinking cool, clean water when you are sweaty and dusty from working in the clinic, is a sacred experience. Knowing that you cant just turn on the tap and get water, you must find treated water specially bought for you and carried into your room for you by one of the school's staff. Brushing your teeth takes on a whole new flavor, usually starting at the sink, realizing you cant use the water coming out of the tap, so you shuffle down the hall to the water cooler, there to be met by 2-3 other Americans with wet toothbrushes in their mouths, coming to fill their water bottles with clean water so they can finish what they started. Giggling with a mouth full of toothpaste can be quite messy!
My first hot shower when I come home from Haiti is a sacred experience as well. I like to drink from the shower spray, another habit I avoid in Haiti. Feeling the abundant hot water pour over me reminds me of the many things we take for granted in our American, comfortable lives.
Susan Nelson
No comments:
Post a Comment