THE GLORY OF THE EXTENDED SELF
Matthew 25:40 ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
The ability to extend oneself beyond what is allowed by our physicality is a commonplace occurrence. Our children leave home. But who will deny the fact that they remain there? They are not physically present or available to the senses, but communications remain, even if seemingly from a different sphere. Spirit with Spirit still meet. Sometimes, years later, people surprisingly discover that they do things the way they observe in childhood. That suggests more of the extension of a self than the mere formation of a habit!
Rudyard Kipling Gives expression to this thought:
“If I were hanged on the highest hill,
Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine!
I know whose love would follow me still,
Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine!
If I were drowned in the deepest sea,
Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine!
I know whose tears would come down to me,
Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine!
If I were damned of body and soul,
I know whose prayers would make me whole,
Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine” (2)
However, the reality of The Extended Self goes further than what family relationships demonstrate. The study of emerging communities by anthropologists and sociologists worldwide indicates the essential ingredients of shared selfhood. Farther still, any consideration of “The Extended Self” invites reflection of the relationship between humankind and the divine. What does it mean to be created IN THE IMAGE OF GOD”, as Scripture states?
In theological discourse, a distinctive feature of the Divine describes The Omnipresence of God. Since God’s power and knowledge extend to all parts of His creation, He is present everywhere. And humankind is distinguished from all other species of the animal kingdom by sharing this unique endowment with his Creator.
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1: 26) God, who is Spirit, shares the miracle of the Extended Self through the Spirit of His human creation, as witnessed in both the Old and New Testaments.
Genesis 28:15, (NIV) Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
Matthew 28:20b, I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.
Colossians 2:5 “For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.”
Paul, the author, is here writing to Christians in Colossae, a small city in Asia Minor, while he is a prisoner in Rome.
In many instances, the written word is an effective medium spanning the miles that separate individuals and provides mutual sharing of spirits. Then too, there is the extension of the self in matters of the prayers of the faithful. On such an occasion, there are three simultaneous actions occurring. God’s Spirit is meeting with the petitioner who intercedes with God concerning another person known to be in need, and at the same time, that person who is praying is extending himself to embrace the one in need through faith and love.
The extended self of Jesus throughout His physical presence on earth is the cornerstone in building the New Faith.
John 4:49 – 53 “The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
“Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.”
The man took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”
Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.”
And still, today, Jesus comes! And still today, hurrying and harried, multitudes cry out, “No room! There remains such an urgent need for the world’s throngs to make room for the Prince of Peace! And whenever that happens, amazing changes will follow. The indwelling Presence of Jesus prepares individuals to be extensions of Himself. Only then will our response to human needs emulate the words and actions of Jesus, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, my brothers, you have done unto me.’
From your eyes, He beckons me.
From your heart, His love is shed
Til I lose sight of you and see the Christ instead. (3)
A Prayer To Follow This Meditation
Merciful Father, look with pity upon what the modern Church has become. It is difficult to believe that this is the same institution for which women and men braved the wild seas, faced the horrors of savage beasts, and entered the very gates of Heaven singing Hallelujah! For me, to live is Christ! To die is gain.”
Now praise God, just in time to save one from ” the swamp of despair”, Hope springs eternal in the human breast”.I saw a beautiful yellow dandelion flower close to a giant snow drift, now greatly diminished. “Look, see me!, it announced, “Winter has lost its grip . I am the first of many beautiful things that God plans yet to be”. And echoing from a crowded church on Easter Sunday Morning, I heard the vibrant notes, ” Christ The Lord Is Risen Today, Hallelujah! And now life knocks upon every church door.
Many modern-day folks seemed to have joined the company of the first disciples who, behind closed doors, fearfully tried to come to terms with a newly occupied tomb in Joseph’s garden. But, then, amid their disbelief and worn-out yesterday’s faith, Jesus stands in their midst with the offer of new resurrection life.
So, please, God, number us with those first disciples who gladly accepted Your gift of Resurrected Life. For thereby, Hope springs eternal yet again. So, moving forward now into this new day dawning, let this be our daily Hope, that others lose sight of us and see the Christ instead. Help us by Your grace to realize that whatever we do for one of the least of these our brothers and sisters, we do it unto Christ. And all for His glory. Amen.
Hymn: Take My Life
NOTES
Photo: The late Bertram Roberts. A long-time family friend and known to me from early childhood. Mr Roberts was a faithful sexton at the Brigus United Church for many years. This is one of my favourite pictures capturing life and personalities from the Brigus of my childhood.
2. Poem by Rudyard Kipling, MOTHER O’ MINE
https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=43&q=mother+o%27+mine.+rudyard+kipling&cvid=a9df238ff17447bc945e4d07549e25d1&aqs=edge.1.0l4j46j0l4.21704j0j1&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=HCTS
3. Author unknown.