I've always thought my experience of God was something of a mystery! How exciting to hear in class this week that our oldest ancestors thought so too. When Dr. Tom mentioned that the Greek Word "mysterion" was miss-translated into a Latin term "sacramentum", I have to admit, I got a few goose bumps on my arms. The word sacramentum has overtones of duty or allegiance. That is not what the Greeks intended! Mysterion honors the mysterious, luminous experience of God. Now, that is the God I know!
I think Unity knows how to embrace mysterion in ceremony. Perhaps that is why I was initially attracted to Unity in the first place. In my early days at church, I remember crying over the Christening ceremonies. How incredibly beautiful to honor the perfection of each child....instead of affirming their inherent defects.
I love this Unity definition of Sacrament..."any place at which God's normally mysterious, unknowable Presence breaks through and makes itself known to seeking persons." For years I've been experiencing this through candle lightings, music, meditation, communion, white stone ceremonies, burning bowl ceremonies, and even a funeral or two. How stunning for me to realize that this was all about Sacrament! For some strange reason, this makes me feel closer to the millions of practicing Christians throughout the world...and not just Unity...everyone!
How strange to be moved by the discovery of a new word...mysterion. Is this new understanding I now have a sacrament too?
I must admit when I was younger and heard "Ït's a mystery."as a response to my question I was a bit frustrated. I thought it was a cop-out. Now, I embrace the word in all its'mystery and reality. It is exciting and sacred.
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