Kenosis----that whole self-emptying business
whereby Jesus is seen in all his humanity and the self-emptying business
whereby the world sees in Christians a reflection of the Christ's divinity. We
ain't got no time for it, 'cause it's about what pleases us. By Rev. John David Bryant (Thanks John David!)
A reflection about why we struggle with the concept of Kenosis.
Our society (U.S.A.) is based
on capitalism. Capitalism is defined by Merriam Webster’s online dictionary as:
“an economic system characterized by
private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are
determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution
of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market.”
An “economic system” is a system that is concerned with describing and analyzing the
production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. That is how many
of us see “the economy” of our country today. We look at costs and profits, and
we find the bottom line. Profit means we have money to gain, and the higher the
profit, the more successful we consider ourselves. We all need food and money for clothes, etc. And we all have concerns about providing for ourselves and our families. So right
off the bat, capitalism can become something that taps into those needs, guiding us to look inward – how
can this benefit “me?” But as followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to love
the Lord our God with all our hearts, minds and soul and to love our neighbor as
ourselves. As Christians it is not about looking inward,
but looking out in love, acceptance and with humility – in a world that tells
us to take care of “self” first, in order to benefit the “self” first! Is it
any surprise that we are having trouble emptying ourselves?
The definition of capitalism
also tells us this is a system characterized by private or corporate
ownership of capital goods. This is tricky for many of us – for as Christians,
we know we don’t “own” anything – everything in the world, in the universe is a
gift from God. We have responsibilities that come from being stewards of all
that God gives us, but again – if we buy into our culture’s social system and
treat it as a belief system – we are at odds with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If we buy into that particular definition of capitalism, (as a belief system) then
we believe all of us have the right to own the goods of this world.
Matthew 6:19 – 21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on
earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but
store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure
is, there your heart will be also.
The Greek word used for heaven in this
passage from Matthew is Ουρανός. In English, it is ouranos – which means sky or heaven. When that particular form of the
word “heaven” is used in the Greek language of the New Testament, it is used in
place of saying the Holy Name of God. So verse 21 might better read but store up for yourselves treasures with
God...
We work, live
and breathe in a system today that tells us that we own our world! So, in order to be
successful, our system tells us we must look inward first. However, following Christ, we see all of
creation is a gift from God, and that we should only treasure the things that
we can return to God – such as loving God above all others and loving neighbor
– which includes all of creation. How do we reconcile our
culture’s belief system based on false ideas of ownership and rights that are
not ours – when as Christians, Christ calls us to love God above all else, and
love neighbor?
Maybe we cannot empty
ourselves because we do not know if we are God’s or part of an economic system.
I am not
saying that capitalism is bad, but how we view it, how we take it
into ourselves and sometimes even make it part of our religion – that is
something that threatens our very existence on so many levels – physical,
emotional, developmental and of course – spiritual!
We can live anywhere and follow Jesus Christ. It is not always easy, but the way to do that IS
Kenosis! By learning to empty ourselves of all that is around us – including
focusing on ourselves first, we can then fill ourselves up with Christ - which
means we are letting in the love of God who comes to us. This is the radical
message of love that Jesus Christ brings to us. This is something that we all benefit from, when we make time for it!
Then - we can view all of
the systems around us through a more objective lens. For everything, including
the systems we devise, are derived from what the Creator of the Universe has
given us. Then we might see more clearly.
And the minute we forget,
or claim ownership, we are empty of Spirit – for we have let go of Christ and
claimed something else for ourselves first.
Think of it this way – who
or what do you love more than yourself. Is it your parents, your spouse, your
children or maybe your best friend? If you cannot think of at least one person
who you love more than yourself in this world – then you are probably the most
important thing in your life. Ok – hold on – because, that means that you
probably do not see all the people around you who love you more than life
itself. You might be missing out on loving them and being loved!
How do we walk away from
ourselves, to get some perspective – to look at ourselves to we see what we are
missing? We step outside of ourselves and empty ourselves of “self” for at
least a moment each day – to let Christ in. Then Christ’s divinity can come
through and we are not the system, not the explanation, not the
science – we become the vessel of God’s love – and that my friends, is one of the
most powerful and beautiful gifts God has given us.
Then, we truly begin to
live…
