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WHAT’VE YOU been up to today? It’s an oft-asked question. “Oh, a bit of this and a bit of that” is the usual off-the-cuff answer. But I’ve been wondering towards the end of today just exactly what I have been up to. The mind-map doesn’t fill in too much detail, of course, but it’s helped me to understand why I’m usually ready for bed around 10 – whether or not I actually get there!
What’s of special interest to me, though, is that almost everything I’m doing in my daily life involves a high degree of passionate involvement – yes, even the silent prayer arises out of a passion. And hearing myself (passionately) doing some theological reflection with a would-be ordinand from a neighbouring parish tonight I realise what a blessing it has been – having passionate interest in life, love, work and play. What’s the Oxford Dictionary got to say about the origin of the word passion? -
Middle English: from Old French, from late Latin passio(n-) (chiefly a term in Christian theology), from Latin pati ‘suffer’
Ah, now there’s a question. What will I / we “suffer” in order to encounter fullness of life? And from whence comes the grace with which any of us live our lives passionately?
In attempting to follow the passions of my calling in what I feel is God’s will for my life and in attempting to love others as we ought, I find it requires sacrifice of time, energy, and self – all of which leave me drained but renewed somehow at the same time. Great post. Thank you!
Thanks dear Margaret. I think you’ve just perfectly described a paradox. Stay well. And rest well, soon
x
Now, that is a really interesting post. Too often we hide our work and the way we work it out. It is good to see the inner workings of a fellow priest. The mind map makes a far better picture of the day – currently I am work through from beginning to end. Circle time looks a lot more fun, specially with the colouring in! Thanks for drawing attention to “passionate involvement” and the implication of the considerable emotional energy that is involved.
Thanks David. Thanks for bringing my attention to the “circle time”. I keep coming back to circles in daily actions and conversations. There’s grace in the continuing isn’t there? – in the revisiting and revising. And yes, more fun, too, in the circular than the lateral A-B. Poetry has a circular element at heart, do you think? It’s not created once and for all but offers itself as a starting point for a continuous process of making / creating that draws others into the poet’s circle or “inner workings”. And then my mind wanders to Parker Palmer’s “Circles of Trust” … And you’ll know Rainer Maria Rilke’s The Great Song: David Steindl-Rast’s gorgeous video is one I circle home to again and again … http://simonmarsh.org/2011/02/09/the-great-song/
Does this mean that the definition in and of itself is accurate? Assuming that it is, I can only think that passionate involvement is an all-or-nothing commitment, which requires tremendous energy, dedication and fortitude in the face of moments in time which test all of these elements. I’m not sure though that this defines suffering, although it clearly can be enervating.
Great question and observation Mimi – and a really, really important one – for worlds rise and fall upon understandings of the word definition and ensuing praxis, don’t they? I think that to define the word passion as an element of suffering is to try to describe just one facet of a multi-faceted diamond. We mean very much more than just suffering when we think or speak of the passionate. And I’d be the first to suggest that there are times and occasions when it’s more appropriate simply to admire a diamond than to try to define it at all
Thank you for giving me room to provide an incomplete response. I too may choose to admire the jewel rather than count its facets…Have a wonderful day!
Robert Greenleaf in his writing on servant-leadership suggested compassion is the balance to passion. To suffer, we need care for someone and likely beginning with my self. The thing I like about it is there is still mystery. No one single definition can or should define a complex and paradoxical situation like passion. Thank you Simon for food for thought.
Thank you Ivon. We’re certainly complex, we human beings, aren’t we? – and probably all the more lovable for that. I’ve long believed that “the Giver of Life” must delight in our multifariousness!
Reblogged this on Teacher as Transformer and commented:
I posted about passion and its close cousin compassion. Simon presents a compelling case for loving something that is important to you. Parker Palmer and Thomas Merton spoke of the connection between voice and vocation. When we are called to something it means something more than just a job. Thank you for the great passion and the post Simon.
Yes. Thank you for this reminder – Parker Palmer and Thomas Merton bring joy to our hearts precisely because they lovingly magnify the connection between voice and vocation – both of them possessed of profound understanding of the value of the silent voice, too. This connection comes especially alive for me whenever I pray some words in one of our (English Common Worship) Eucharistic prayers: “and all creation echoes the silent music of your praise”. Ah! There’s connection par excellence.