SIMPLICITY, SOLIDARITY, AND SILENCE
Two words that have captured my heart and prayer during this global pandemic have been simplicity and solidarity. I would like to unpack what these words mean to me in this season and then toward the end of this blog post, I have a proposal to share with you.
So read on. . .
My wife has been facilitating a small group spiritual direction for about two years, and I joined the group about 6 months ago. During one of the latest (April 21) sessions, my wife led an exercise that probed the major emotions we are sensing these days. Two emotions that rose to the top for me were contentment and joy. Both of the emotions were somewhat surprising to me. I ought to be disgruntled, sad, and disappointed, especially since my ideal vision of a sabbatical has been shot to pieces in many ways... As I dug deeper and tried to validate these emotions with some specificities, I realized that I was content mainly due to the fact that I really do not need much to live my life now. We have food or have access to food (we now have toilet paper! Before yesterday, we were down to a 2 weeks supply). I can only eat so much without destroying my health and body! I have a roof over my head, and so forth. . .
I am experiencing sustained joy mainly because of the every day mundane relationship with my adult children (3 out of 4 are living with us now). Hannah has been asking me, “what can I make for you, dad?” She has baked large batches of chocolate chip cookies with walnuts twice and other glorious and healthy desserts. From time to time, she and I walk our husky in the evenings and talk about stuff. (A proposal I share at the end of this blog came from one of those walks!) Grace and I have been watching a Korean TV variety show with Michael, Begin Again Season 3, almost every night. It is a show about a handful of Korean musicians who traveled to Europe and performed busking. I also get to play PS4’ NBA 2K20 with Michael. Just the other day, Michael asked me, “Dad, wanna play catch with me?” With Brad, it is just good to have him home. He is our family’s top introvert who likes to study and hang out in his room. We also get to enjoy dinner together every day as a family. With Elizabeth, it is about exchanging sweet and life-related text messages as she is settling down in St. Paul, Minnesota.
What more can I ask God for?
In addition, my life has slowed down so significantly that I began to notice things I had not noticed before.
As I dwelt on these emotions of contentment and joy, I appreciated the meaning and gift of simplicity specifically highlighted by the current non-accomplishments in life. I’m coming to a fresh realization during this first significant pause in my life that I had not stopped “doing stuff” for most of my life. Additionally, of course, COVID-19 bolsters and “locks down” the pause. I also realize that both contentment and joy arise from simple simplicity, not stemming from an aggrandized notion of extravagances and extraordinary feats in life. My thought quickly went to, “How can I maintain the sense of simplicity and its awe and attraction even after the pandemic crisis and sabbatical?"
Now to solidarity. . .
Definition of solidarity
“union or fellowship arising from common responsibilities and interests, as between members of a group or between classes, peoples, etc.”
The idea of interdependence and “with-ness” is key to solidarity. Solidarity gives humble feet and hands to the very spirit of incarnation. Solidarity is the earthy and grounding force of incarnation at work. During this global pandemic, since the whole of humanity is experiencing pain and loss, I believe our capacity to suffer with and come alongside others globally has significantly increased. Where there is suffering, there is suffering Christ also. Solidarity is the intentionality and willingness to suffer with, rejoice with, and/or simply “stand with” otherness. It is the "union or fellowship" as humanity, not for any one religious, regional, or cultural interests or goals. As is the case, opportunity for experiencing global interdependence, however grandeur or small, is unprecedented and unique to our time. For the life of me, I can’t think of any other time in modern times (or any other times in human history) that, we, as entire humanity is experiencing the same predicament, ever.
I share my thought of simplicity and solidarity for a reason today. While I am glad to open my life and share my reflection without any proposed action and hesitation, today, I would like to submit an idea. Maybe a vision. . . a small vision. I am a bit hesitant and sheepish about sharing the idea, but here it goes. . .
What if some of us could come together over zoom to embody the spirit of simplicity and solidarity and offer our presence and prayer for one another and for the rest of humanity?
30 minutes weekly at a designated time. . .
My idea of how the 30 minutes will unfold is pretty simple, with very few words spoken. I would like to embrace silence as our main way of presence and prayer. Only silence can do justice in capturing the depth and breadth of our collective predicament. Too many words would cheapen and turn our deep and complex reality into a well-defined, controlled, small, and shallow box, I am afraid.
30 minutes would then look something like this. . .
>Two Taize worship songs (Taize songs are known for their simple and repeated modes) in different languages. If not in English, there will be translations. Each of us may or may not choose to sing (with all of our microphones muted). You can easily YouTube Taize songs and you will see pages upon pages.
>Scriptural reading (in different languages) with no sermons or someone talking. Scripture only.
>Silence for 10 minutes in the middle of our 30 minutes. Together in solidarity with one another and with humanity. Practicing solidarity with silence may be counter cultural, but perhaps only silence can capture God’s mystery and mercy. In other words, silence just may be the only language that can contain God’s “mysterious, cosmic dance” and God’s unfathomable mercy. Silence is poor and yet rich. Silence is barren and yet full. Silence is nothing and yet everything.
>We end our time with liturgical prayer that have been written to pray for each other and the humanity.
I have no idea how long we would do this. I am thinking we would know when the time comes. . .
Here are the specifics.
We will start on May 13 (Wednesday) evening at 7 pm (US Pacific Time). You can figure out your local (global) time... It will be every Wednesday at 7 pm (US Pacific time).
If you are interested in joining us, you can either send me an email (chong.kim@frontierventures.org or reply to Free as the Sky campaign email) or comment below. You will receive the zoom link by next Tuesday.
Feel free to invite others who may be interested.