"Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light."
Romans 13:12
Romans 13:12
For me, a 21st century American woman, Paul's references to armor are a bit bizarre. They are a little more meaningful than the numerous Biblical references to bread must be to folks whose carbohydrate intake revolves around rice, but not much. The images that generally come to mind for me are paintings of Joan of Arc, not someone with whom I feel a great affinity, and memories of the Art Museum's Armor court, always a favorite for kids.
Musing about this topic, I googled the word armor. The wikipedia definition begins as follows: "protective covering used to prevent damage from being inflicted." I suppose that that could be refined to "prevent more damage."
When Paul talks about armor, he always sounds so, well . . . energetic. Like someone preparing for a great battle, convinced of the superiority and ultimate triumph of the One he follows.
I imagine putting on armour a bit differently. I imagine an exhausted and beaten warrior, looking at the heavy and battered chunks of metal strewn across her table and bed, and hoisting the first piece with a sigh.
Perhaps it's time, during this season of preparation, to imagine the scene a bit differently. Perhaps it's time to put aside the mental images of metal, mail, and bronze, and imagine armor of light.
Light ~ Does it weigh anything? Is it impervious to damage? I know nothing about the physics or properties of light, but I have a friend or two who perhaps will weigh in.
I honestly have no idea how to visualize armor of light. Perhaps because it is delivered in the form of vulnerability and poverty, arriving in a cramped cave far from home. Perhaps because I have not yet grasped how that kind of armor is the only real defense against the darkness. Perhaps because I have never really absorbed an understanding of the full weight and density of the light of Advent.
Musing about this topic, I googled the word armor. The wikipedia definition begins as follows: "protective covering used to prevent damage from being inflicted." I suppose that that could be refined to "prevent more damage."
When Paul talks about armor, he always sounds so, well . . . energetic. Like someone preparing for a great battle, convinced of the superiority and ultimate triumph of the One he follows.
I imagine putting on armour a bit differently. I imagine an exhausted and beaten warrior, looking at the heavy and battered chunks of metal strewn across her table and bed, and hoisting the first piece with a sigh.
Perhaps it's time, during this season of preparation, to imagine the scene a bit differently. Perhaps it's time to put aside the mental images of metal, mail, and bronze, and imagine armor of light.
Light ~ Does it weigh anything? Is it impervious to damage? I know nothing about the physics or properties of light, but I have a friend or two who perhaps will weigh in.
I honestly have no idea how to visualize armor of light. Perhaps because it is delivered in the form of vulnerability and poverty, arriving in a cramped cave far from home. Perhaps because I have not yet grasped how that kind of armor is the only real defense against the darkness. Perhaps because I have never really absorbed an understanding of the full weight and density of the light of Advent.
2 comments:
As always, GG, good food (and images) for thought.
"I imagine an exhausted and beaten warrior, looking at the heavy and battered chunks of metal strewn across her table and bed, and hoisting the first piece with a sigh."
I feel like I'm poised and ready to just listen these days. Don't have much to say to anyone really, though you manage to get me talking here... But certain quotes and images seem to simply reverberate in this emptiness of mine. Most ready for an Advent blog.
Mich
Saying thank you for this seems so inadequate, because it feels like so much more than a mere thank you...the darkness resonates with me right now...there is a sadness that comes with what is happening to my body since the accident...stuff I can't explain or define...but your post has me looking for the armor of light too...and will it be obvious to me as I seek it...I need it.
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