A Visibility Cloak
Colossians 3:12-17
Our text from Colossians encourages us to consider a wardrobe change. I know the idea of “dress up” must send more than one heart in this room a twittering. There is not another congregation in this state that knows how better to accessorize than this one! Most of the time we use clothing to say something about ourselves. We may dress bold or sassy. We may have a sense of style and flair. We may be practical and warm. Usually what we wear is intended to make us stand out, be visible, garner attention.
Have you ever had a time in your life where you wanted to just disappear? Maybe it was the time you were in a group of people and decided to tell a joke which nobody got or didn’t think was funny. Maybe it was that time you asked someone out and heard those words that cut you off at the knees, “I think of you as a friend.” Maybe it was the time you were standing in front of a group of people making a presentation and your mind went blank and you had all those eyes staring at you, looking expectantly, starting to get uncomfortable like they doubted you had anything worth saying… yeah, just like you’re looking at me now! In the Harry Potter series, Harry has an invisibility cloak that he can use to completely disappear. It is one of his most prized possessions – not only because it once belonged to his father – but also because it comes in handy in so many situations. When you want to wander through the castle at night, or sneak into meetings that others are having about you or eavesdrop on your enemies’ plots, an invisibility cloak is a great tool to have.
Our text from Colossians is talking about the opposite phenomenon. It asks us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience… and, of course, what better to tie it all together than love. These virtues become a visibility cloak that envelop our lives and reflect the presence of God that is part of who we are.
When Bill had his heart attack Friday the 13th I learned another application of this particular scripture. It seems that I am not always good at communicating when I need help. It always has felt like an imposition on others to invite them into my “scared” places. (Rabbit trail: scared and sacred places seem to be linked.) That was my assumption, anyway, that it was an imposition on others. What I learned during those stressful hours waiting to hear what would happen to the most important man in my life is that it is difficult to be visible in those moments. I would rather keep my fears to myself, hold on with stoic resolve. It feels so appropriately Norwegian! There is something safe about retreating into invisibility. There was a part of me that would have loved to have an invisibility cloak. Does it make our situation less real – less painful?
I have watched friends going through recovery from addiction as they do their fearless inventories and I marvel at the will to do that, as well as the powerful experience it is to lay one’s life open to another. There is a measure of courage required to do that.
Colossians suggests that God has many gifts within which we may wrap ourselves. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love were wrapped around my and Bill’s life over the last two weeks and we are truly grateful for all of you who have provided us such holy garments. I have come to see these gifts as a visibility cloak. Compassion covers us with warmth and connects us to others. Grace envelopes our woundedness with tenderness but still allow truth to shine through. Humility doesn’t mask our fears but melds the scared and the sacred into a powerful balm for healing. Love ties it all together – helps it all make sense. When you feel like a zombie just going through the motions – that is when the visibility cloaks help others to hold you.
I came across a writing this week called "Beatitudes for Caregivers." The author is unknown but I have seen it written through your lives many times.
Blessed are those who care and who are not afraid to show it
they let others know they are loved.
Blessed are those who are gentle and patient
they help others grow as the sun helps the buds to open and blossom.
Blessed are those who have the ability to listen
they lighten many a burden.
Blessed are those who know how and when to let go
they have the joy of seeing others find themselves.
Blessed are those who, when nothing can be done or said, do not walk away, but remain to provide a comforting and supportive presence
they help the sufferer to bear the unbearable.
Blessed are those who recognize their own need to receive, and who receive with graciousness
they are able to give all the better.
Blessed are those who give without hope of return
they give others an experience of God.
As Colossians says, “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it giving thanks to God.”
I am living in thanksgiving today because Bill is safe and because in one of the most difficult times of our lives, you helped us experience the presence of God.
Sources:
www.homileticsonline.com The Invisibility Cloak, March 2009; The Congenial Community, December 2006.
http://www.gizmag.com/pictures/hero/invisibility-cloak.jpg
