CAPACIOUSNESS

CAPACIOUS: Having a lot of space inside; able to include a lot of different things. (Cambridge Dictionary)

This past week, I heard the word, “capacious” several times, so I regarded this as a holy invitation to reflect on this word and let it teach or inspire me…

It seems that capaciousness could be one of the best and truest gifts of our faith. As our love for God increases, as the Spirit inspires, and as our insight deepens, our spirits become more capacious–expanding in openness as well as in capacity.

Having space… Our capacious spirit is able to hold space for more of God, keep room for others, and reduce any nonessentials that impede our faithful living. Trusting that we are beloved, we eliminate what no longer belongs–burdens such as guilt, resentment, envy, fear. Our hearts can become more open–to wonder, to mystery, to expansive thinking, to deeper trust, to more joy and holy delight.

Able to include… Our capacious spirit can then embrace more of life, as we learn to hold dualities together, accept diversity, and welcome the fullness of life with its contradictions, struggles, and mysteries. Our hearts increasingly hold all life and all people together in love. We find true serenity and peace that become visible to others.

One of my favorite spiritual writers, Richard Rohr, OFM, wrote these thoughts about openness–what one could call capaciousness:

To finally surrender ourselves to healing, we have to have three spaces opened up within us – and all at the same time: our opinionated head, our closed-down heart, and our defensive and defended body. That is the summary work of spirituality – and it is indeed work. Yes, it is also the work of “a Power greater than ourselves,” and it will lead to a great luminosity and depth of seeing. That is why true faith is one of the most holistic and free actions a human can perform. It leads to such broad and deep perception that most traditions would just call it “light.” Remember, Jesus said that we also are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), as well as saying it about himself (John 8:12).

May this word, capacious, guide me to notice when I am closed-minded, hard-hearted, or self-centered; to open my heart for more of God’s goodness. May I be led to look with better awareness, listen with higher understanding, learn with greater humility, love with wider generosity, and live with deeper joy–as one small light of love.

(Reader friends, THANK YOU again for your prayers and good wishes. I had my hip replaced over a week ago, and each day I am feeling stronger. I hope you know how much your support has meant to me.)

Richard Rohr, Radical Grace: Daily Meditations
Photo by Karen