Scripture:
Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14
Mark 3:20-21
Reflection:
"When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is in ecstasy." The Greek word here is ex-is’-tay-mee which means to stand outside oneself or to be amazed. While those around Jesus thought He had lost his mind,He really was astonished at the importance of the poor humans around Him to the point He gave up his meals to be with them.
When we speak of ecstasy we are not speaking of the hallucinogenic drug. Nor are we referring to some mysterious mystical experience. We mean the shock and awe we experience the presence of God.
To achieve closeness to God we need ecstasy in our lives. Einstein observed "He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed". When people witnessed Jesus bringing the young girl back to life, "They were astonished (ex-is’-tay-mee) with great astonishment". (Mark 5:42) St Francis de Sales in his instruction on prayer says, "place yourself in the presence of God, beseech him to inspire you".
The Gospels are full of wonder and ecstasy. When Jesus healed the palsied man,"they were all amazed (ex-is’-tay-mee) and glorified God, saying, we have never seen anything like this". Mark 2:12. I think that real closeness to God only comes with a profound sense of ecstasy and amazement that the Holy Spirit must give us.
The Hebrew scriptures exhort us many times to open our eyes to God’s marvelous works. "Stand still, and consider the wondrous works { paw-law’} of God." Job 37:14 The natural world around us is full of the riches of His glory. "Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done." Ps 40:5 The incredible size of the universe with itsgalaxies billions of light years away calls us to a deep spirit of awe. Like childrenthe only response we often can have is "wow". I love Bradbury’s quote: "Space travel has made children of us all again."
Ecstasy is the cradle of appreciation of God. It puts our lives in a constant state of amazement.
G K Chesterton observed years ago: "Ennui is indeed, the great sin, the sin by which the whole universe tends continually to be undervalued and vanish from the imagination". Ecstasy gives birth to the spiritual life, but it also crowns the ultimate vision of Christ. The old man Simeon with Christ in his arms prays: "my eyes have seen your salvation." Indeed, ecstasy must accompany our entire spiritual journey, the beginning, the middle, and the end in the beatific vision. St Thomas Aquinas tells us, "Amor facit ecstansans–love produces ecstasy"
The most amazing thing in all creation is human nature, especially the human nature of Christ. Jesus fulfills what God said in Genesis: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him. "And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him." Luke 2:33
Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. lives with the Passionist community in Detroit, Michigan. His primary ministry is preaching parish missions and retreats.