Let Jesus Be Your Breath

"Let Jesus be your breath." ~Nichodemus of the Holy Mountain, 13th C.

"At sunrise and sunset, in your quiet and dimly lit cell, collect your mind from its customary circling and wandering outside, and gently lead it into the heart by way of breathing, keeping the prayer, 'Lord Jesus, have mercy on us,' connected with your breath." ~Callistus the Monk, 14th C.

The real presence of Christ on earth is the breath of divine love in your heart. When the love that Jesus embodied springs up like a fountain inside you, this is his "Second Coming."

"Second Coming" is a term that does not occur in the Bible. It was coined by Justin Martyr, born in 100 a.d., to explain the long delay before the re-appearance of Christ on earth, which early Christians had expected would be immanent. In the New Testament, the Greek term used for this imminent reappearance of Christ is "parousia." Though the word is usually translated as the "coming" of Christ, "ousia" is a participle of the verb to be, not to come. Ousia means being, not coming. "Para" means fullest, most supreme.

Therefor, according to the actual language of the Bible, Christ's "parousia" is not a second coming, but a fullness of Being. Christ cannot come in the future, because "ousia" is Presence. How could the fullness of Christ happen any time but now?

Christ means "anointed." We are Christed by the Creator through our breath. The New Testament word for Spirit is "pneuma," which literally means breath in Greek. This moment, insofar as you breathe, you are anointed with the Holy Spirit. Breathe Christ in. Anoint your heart. Then overflow with Grace.

Attend to the stream of anointing that is your inhalation. Each morning, as you awaken, delight in the coming of Christ, the fullness of his Being, through this very breath.




Photo: valley of holy Assisi by Ingrid Henzler