Sometimes we let go of things, sometimes things are taken away, and sometimes things break, such as lives, hearts, entire ways of life. Doesn't our world feel broken in the time of COVID-19, maybe especially when holy days arrive?
有時(shí)候我們會(huì)對(duì)某些東西放手,有時(shí)候東西會(huì)被奪走,而有時(shí)候東西會(huì)破碎,例如生命、心、整個(gè)的生活方式。COVID-19時(shí)期,我們不就覺得世界毀滅了嗎?或許這種感受在神圣的節(jié)日來臨時(shí)更加深刻。
If we are wise, we avoid large gatherings, dinner indoors with family and old friends, services at our mosques, temples, churches -- so we lose the joyful and profound rituals and gatherings at this time of devastation when we need them most. But does this mean we lose the nurture, bonding, and sacred silliness that ceremonies provide?
如果我們夠明智,就會(huì)避免大型聚會(huì)、與家人或老友在室內(nèi)吃飯,或參與在清真寺、寺廟、教堂的宗教儀式--因此,當(dāng)我們?cè)谶@個(gè)災(zāi)難性的時(shí)期最需要充滿喜樂與意義深刻的儀式和聚會(huì)時(shí),反而苦無機(jī)會(huì)。但這表示我們也會(huì)失去這些儀式所帶來的滋養(yǎng)、連結(jié)和神圣的單純嗎?
Maybe we can be fully immersed in the holy even as we keep ourselves and our beloveds safe. Maybe broken isn't the end of the world. Maybe broken is a new beginning, a portal.
或許我們?cè)谧屪约汉退鶒壑吮3制桨矔r(shí),仍能完全沉浸在神圣之中?;蛟S毀滅不是世界末日?;蛟S毀滅是一個(gè)全新的開始,是一道入口。
Let's start with what we mean by "holy."
我們先從“神圣”的意思來看。
The word derives from whole, uninjured, healthy, complete. I am not always feeling whole these days. Rather, I am often rattled, sad, mad, existentially tired, and crunchy. I would love a nice burning bush about now—but the holy doesn't come only from the divine, as I understand it. It's woven through life.
這個(gè)詞起源于完整、未受傷、健康、完全。這些日子以來我不總是感覺完整。相反地,我經(jīng)常擔(dān)憂、悲傷、生氣、感到疲倦且易怒。據(jù)我所了解,神圣不只來自神,它交織在我們的生活中。
The holy is not a spectacle, the Rockettes on stage at the Taj Mahal backed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It is more often felt in small graces and blessings, although you do have to be paying attention to catch the momentousness of the moment. That's the rub. It is around us, above us, below us, and inside us all the time. It's here, but often we're not.
神圣不是奇觀。神圣更常在微小的恩典和祝福中感受到,不過你必須留意才能領(lǐng)會(huì)那個(gè)時(shí)刻的重要性。這就是問題所在。神圣一直在我們四周、在我們頭頂、我們腳下和身體內(nèi)。神圣就在這里,但是我們經(jīng)常不在。