A human being has so many skins inside, covering the depths of the heart. We know so many things, but we don't know ourselves! Why, thirty or forty skins or hides, as thick and hard as an ox's or bear's, cover the soul. Go into your own ground and learn to know yourself there.
- Meister Eckhart
As we begin this holy season of Lent, we are invited to embark on a sacred pilgrimage. We are invited to journey into the depths of our soul. A journey many of us may prefer not to take. Perhaps it's because we are afraid of what we may discover. A part of ourselves that we would rather not admit exists. Knowing the truth of one’s self calls for naked openness and vulnerability that we don’t often allow ourselves to experience.
Truth can be a bitter pill to swallow, but as the scripture says, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) For far more powerful than the truth of our sins and shortcomings is the truth of God’s abundant love. We need not fear nor dread this journey. It is a journey to freedom. We are held captive by deceptions of our own creation and we are freed by Christ’s loving embrace.
So, as we begin this time, let us hear the call, and accept the invitation to embark on this most holy journey. Let us remember that we do not go on this journey alone. We are invited by God, accompanied by Christ and comforted by the Holy Spirit. And if we dare journey into the depths of our soul, there I believe we will find truth and this truth does not bring condemnation nor captivity, but rather forgiveness and freedom. Freedom to be more truly the people God created us to be.
Let us go into our own ground and learn to know ourselves and there I pray we meet the Holy One and the truth shall set us free. Amen.
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