Yay good books!

I’m getting excited for today’s (07/29) blog post so I’m writing it yesterday (07/28). My head is soaring from my latest read, Hinds' Feet in High Places, courtesy of Monica!

I almost felt like I was reading a book about me. The character’s name was Much-Afraid, and, well, that describes me to a t right there. I just really admired how this book was a combination of Song of Songs and the spiritual struggle/journey in general. I’ll keep those of you who haven’t read it in suspense as to the plot, but I will share my favorite reflection on the book. The book is based on Habakkuk 3:19. The Shepherd promises Much-Afraid that he will give her feet like hinds as she reaches the High Places. Near the beginning of her journey, Much-Afraid pays attention to the sounds around her and realizes that the water in the stream is pouring down from the High Places into the Valley of Humiliation. Why would the water choose to leave such wonderful places to go down to such a despairing place? “‘The High Places,’ answered the Shepherd, ‘are the starting places for the journey down to the lowest place in the world. When you have hinds’ feet and can go ‘leaping on the mountains and skipping on the hills’ you will be able, as I am, to run down from the heights in the gladdest self-giving and then go up to the mountains again. You will be able to mount to the high Places swifter than eagles, for it is only up on the High Places of Love that anyone can receive the power to pour themselves down in an utter abandonment of self-giving.’”

Ooof. So many questions of my own spiritual journey started pouring into my head…what is my motivation to seeking union with God? Is it so that I can have the perks and the graces and the security that comes with it? Or is it so I can descend quickly to help others to reach the heights? I think, as Catholics, we are blessed to usually be taught at young ages that Love is not something to take lightly. Love is a joy ride to the world, while in all actuality it is a painful ascent that challenges everything we hold dear that is counterfeit. Yet, as we escape such worldly falsities to reach the heights of Love, we are then called back into the midst of that world to teach others what we have learned…are we ready? Is that our goal all along? When I read this reflection about the water, I couldn’t help but think of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. Talk about an example of faith who reached the High Places and spent the rest of her life in the Valley bringing Good News to everyone. The love that it takes to reach such a love of God and turn right back around, possibly sacrificing everything and every comfort, to share it with others…amazing. And just what each of us is called to. Not super heroic acts of conversion, or living in the slums necessarily, but turning right back around to all the people in our daily lives, living an example of love, and saying, “Do you see this? This joy? You can have it also. See, there’s this Man…”

“Make haste, Beloved, be thou like an hart

On mountains spicy sweet:

And I, on those High Places where thou art,

Will follow on hinds’ feet;

As close behind the hart, there leaps the roe,

So where thou goest, I will surely go.”