Sermon On Solitary Moments

Thomas Merton, an American monk and writer once remarked: “When we are alone on a starlit night, when by chance we see the migrating birds in autumn descending on a grove of junipers to rest and eat; when we see children in a moment when they are really children, when we know love in our own hearts; or when, like the Japanese poet, Basho, we hear an old frog land in a quiet pond with a solitary splash - at such times the awakening, the turning inside out of all values, the "newness," the emptiness and the purity of vision that make themselves evident, all these provide a glimpse of the cosmic dance.” Psalm 46:10 reminds us: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

A cosmic experience is regarded as a state of consciousness that can involve a special sense of connection to the universe. Its dance might be said to include everything that is seen or occurs within that particular frame of mind. A solitary moment in life is considered as a special juncture in time that is spent alone and without companionship. It may primarily be used as a period of reflection, perhaps to regulate tensions and emotions, to plan ahead or develop forward-thinking, it may include finding peace and calmness within oneself in a turbulent and sometimes frustrating world, or ultimately, personal communication with God,. Everyone needs a time of personal need, it is the statutory and necessary coping mechanism of life.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”

There is a life necessity for solitary moments. The Bible informs us of several instances where Jesus required similar times alone for personal prayer with God and reflection. These took place in many different environments including mountains, gardens, the wilderness etc. Unless solitary moments are utilized to their best effect, it is often difficult to obtain clear thought and vision. Mark 1:12-13 reminds us: “The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.”

A frog is defined as a tailess amphibian with a short squat body, moist smooth skin, and very long hind legs used for the purpose of leaping. They habitat in a variety of environments including ponds, lakes, gardens, meadows and woodlands. Outside of the mating season, or where food is considered plentiful, they are considered solitary creatures who don’t usually engage in social gatherings. For some, they are considered unwelcome pests, but infact contribute enormously toward the general benefit of the local environment.

Frogs are natural predators of many garden irritants, including slugs, snails, mosquitoes, flies, ants, caterpillars, beetles, and grasshoppers. A single adult frog can eat up to 10,000 insects per season. They may not appear attractive to some, but are considered cute by many. Revelation 16:13 reminds us: “And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs.” However, it should be borne in mind that sometimes solitary times can make one vulnerable to external predators. Evil takes every opportunity in life to evoke its temptations.

Awareness and vigilance is required to rebuff its deceptive foothold. Matthew 4:1-11 reminds us: “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”