Holy Imagination
It’s been a while since I’ve been asked to tell a bedtime story. You know, not just read a story, but come up with a plot and characters all on the fly. I definitely don’t battle with lightsabers as much as I used to. (For the record, it was never my choice to fight on the Dark Side.)
Do you ever feel like your imagination is a little rusty? It takes practice to stay fresh with our imaginative skills. We don't always get a lot of opportunities to practice as an adult.
But imagination doesn’t have to be fictional, such as imagining the next best Avengers plot twist or dreaming up board game worlds. It can be actualizing something that is true or in the past, so that it seems real, or life-like. There is a type of imagination we can draw on and use as adults. I don’t always think of it with a specific phrase, but I read the term “holy imagination” this week, and I was drawn to it. Holy imagination is not meant to be comparative, such as your imagination is holier than mine. Holy imagination simply refers to imagining holy things.
For example, “Lately my holy imagination has been taking me to the Lord’s lap in these moments of distress. I imagine Him smiling tenderly at me…I imagine the beat of my heart slowing to match His, and my soul quietens within me.” (Blessed is She daily devotion, 11/6/2023)
Using your holy imagination is probably something you already do when you read or listen to Scripture. Putting ourselves into the story and imagining each person’s perspective helps us to enter into God’s Word. What would it have been like to witness Jesus overturning tables in the temple, making a whip out of cords, while trying to make his point about what should be most important to us? Think about why Jesus was angry. (see John 2: 13-22) Or maybe you try to put yourself in Mary’s shoes as you pray the joyful mysteries of the Rosary and imagine her virtuous life with Jesus.
What holy thoughts go through your mind when you look at the crucifix? I have a specific image of Jesus’ face that comes to me when I think about looking into the face of Jesus. Or what about looking into the eyes of Jesus? Think about how Jesus gazes back at you.
I have to admit that I really like the pews at St. Mary’s in Pontiac. At the end of the pew, the side where your shoulder rests comes out far enough to act as a structure to lean against. Truth be told, I would imagine myself leaning against the shoulder of Jesus many times when I sat at the end of the pew in a quiet church.
What do you think about after receiving Jesus in the Eucharist? When Jesus is physically as close as possible to me, I pray, “Lord, as I consume you, please consume me.”
How is your Holy Imagination? Do you use it regularly? It takes practice, but it also leads us to holy places and brings our faith to life. May you find time to practice your Holy Imagination.