The Risk of Incarnation

by John Fenner, Program Director, Courage & Renewal for Clergy            

In this wonderful video, Parker J. Palmer reflects upon the Christmas story and the ideal and reality of incarnation – of word becoming flesh.  He invites us to explore the risk of incarnation, of embodying our deepest values and most authentic self.

After watching, I reflected on how easily I can live in my beliefs, and yet how hard and risky it is to live out my beliefs.  As a Christian, I am called to “love my neighbor as myself."  Well, that’s always been easy for me to believe, but to embody it?  That’s a lot harder .…especially when my neighbor voted for the other guy, or watches the other news channel, or….and on and on it goes.  What am I willing to risk to embody the belief of loving my neighbor?  My righteousness?  My sense of standing on moral high ground?

I don’t believe this call to live out our highest values of humanity and faith is solely Christian, but one that runs through all religious and wisdom traditions.  A Jewish acquaintance writes about his daily practice of chanting the Thirteen Attributes of Lovingkindness – a practice that reminds him of God’s infinite compassion and the obligation to embody these words in his own life. He takes seriously the risk and work of incarnation.  And Lao Tzu, the ancient philosopher, wrote “Don’t analyze the Tao.  Strive instead to live it, undividedly, with your whole harmonious being.”

Going one step further, for me, is the risk of becoming fully human, of growing into my true self.  Am I willing to risk humiliation, marginalization, and even rejection by embodying all my gifts and acknowledging all my shadows?  I hope I am, because living a life that’s not my own, seems an even greater risk.

What about you?  What are you are wiling to risk to embody your deepest values?  to become your authentic self?  Where do you find the courage to take on the risk of incarnation?

The Risk Of Incarnation from The Work Of The People on Vimeo.