The Clear Vessel

I love analogies. Love 'em. In fact, I often find myself speaking in winding metaphors and confusing comparisons, much to the dismay of my companions. However, this being my blog, I feel less obliged to appease the quick of speech and therefore plan to fully indulge in my guilty pleasure as the whim takes me...ok, I will show some restraint, don't worry.

Today's analogy springs from a conversation about the relationship between Christ's light shining inside us and our own talents, virtues etc. Often people get confused as to which is which, how they are related, and just how proud we are 'allowed' to be of ourselves. Many of us have heard people say of saints that 'Christ shone through them', and that the saints 'became nothing that Christ could become everything'. But how? WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN???

Well, there are pages upon pages on that very subject, in the Catechism, the Summa and other excellent titles, but I merely suggest an analogy to aid our visual minds in understanding this great mystery.

First of all, imagine that God created each of us as a beautiful, transparent vessel, each with it's own shape and size, and no cork to close it up. And in each vessel, God Himself resides as a great light, so bright that to look at any individual vessel is practically the same as to look at the light. The vessel in no way dims or changes the glory of He who resides inside. This is us as God intended at creation, perfect displays of His glory, goodness, love and power etc.

Now, speed up to that famous scene in the Garden of Eden. Man falls, is cast out and is separated from God. Picture that beautiful, clean vessel as falling into a puddle and becoming caked with dirt. The opening is even partially blocked by dirt. The light inside is dimmer, though not gone, but often impossible to see for all the dirt of sin, which is added to by personal sin as time goes on. It is no longer easy, or sometimes even possible, to see that wonderful light of God within each other.

Fast forward again to Christ's Passion and glorious Resurrection. Through Him, the stain of original sin can now be washed away with baptism, clearing that opening and allowing the light to enter fully again. But we still have personal sin. Mud is still caked on our vessels. Even things that perhaps are not exactly sins, but rather unperfected aspects of our fallen selves contribute to the crust covering our vessels. But now, shafts and beams of light often peep through, in a kind action, a moment of forgiveness or love, etc. The more that we become like God in our own lives, the more we chip away at that crust hiding who we really are.

And here is where I find that many people have differing views. As we grow in virtue, we are not so much increasing the light; the light is God, who is consistent and always at full strength; but rather we are allowing more and more of that light to shine through us. It is true that our gifts are from God, that it is He who gives us our strength and grace to become virtuous, so we may not take credit for the light. Rather, we may be rightly proud of our efforts to clear away the debris hiding God's light within us.

How is this pride not sinful? Well, sinful pride puts oneself above others or even God. However, when we truly have the mentality and spirituality of clearing away all the dirt and crust that hides God's light, we are not focusing on ourselves, but rather becoming again that transparent vessel so that people may look at us and see Christ. Still us, still each a unique vessel, but so vividly Christ that we truly become 'nothing' and Christ 'everything'.

Now that was quite a rant, but I did say I liked analogies. And I find this one has helped me to understand when I am acting out of pride or truly for God's Glory. Do I wish to add to myself, that people may see me (though in fact they see dirt caked on) or do I wish, as Pope John Paul II put it, to "become who (I) am"? To become transparent and beautiful, a clear vision of God and His glory? This is humility; to know and accept what we are, what we truly are. That means the good and the bad, and to always keep in mind the beauty with which we were created.

Also important is the other aspect of this process; recognizing the light in others. For each and every one of us is "fearfully and wonderfully made"(Psalm 139:14), and deserves to be treated as a fellow vessel of Christ. Beware judgements, scandal causing others to sin, bad example and all things that may hamper other's attempts to cleanse themselves: it's easy to forget that these things can be just like throwing mud at an already dirty vessel (not to mention adding you your mud pile).

The sacraments are excellent vessel-cleasners, by the way. Not just confession, but Holy Communion especially and the permenant sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, and all the others. Each gives specific grace (or what I like to call 'super-soap') to strengthen and purify us.

God Bless all fellow vessels, and if any of you knows some especially good cleaning-tips, please share!!!

Anna