Can We Bear It?

Jesus said to the disciples, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now."  John 16:12

Unretouched Photograph "God: Off the Coast of New Zealand"                 Rose Surgay

I am still reveling in the mystery of Pentecost, that is, the extraordinary arrival of the Holy Spirit as s/he came crashing into the hearts of the disciples that day in Jerusalem so many years ago.  We busy, literate, 21st century Christians do not cope well with mystery. We prefer facts, proof. Perhaps Jesus addresses the likes of us in this 16th chapter of John:  "I have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now."

What would it take for us to bear the great Truths? To accept the great Mystery? Is Truth and Mystery so gut crunchingly wonderful that we dare not ingest it? Might we drown from drinking the Living Waters of astonishing purity?  What holds us back?

Mystery demands we believe ourselves to be made in the image and likeness of God. Mystery demands that we accept our belovedness. Perhaps Jesus was right; it is all too much for us to bear. It is easier for us to accept the labels the culture adheres to us. Tragic.

Draw near. Consider the Mystery. Allow it to swirl in your head. And pray that we will be able to bear it, one day.