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Find Romance books: Guido and Isolde: A Tale of Romance when knighthood was in full flower. |
RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY: From The Rev:
Romance - or Real Intimacy? by Rev. Lance Robbins Not long ago I ran across a story as romantic, loving and touching as it could be. It speaks to me not only of romance but what real loving may entail. Part of the story goes like this: "I stand by the bed where a young woman lies, her face postoperative, her mouth twisted in palsy, clownish. A tiny twig of the facial nerve, the one to the muscles of her mouth, has been severed. She will be thus from now on. The surgeon had followed with religious fervor the curve of her flesh; I promise you that. Nevertheless, to remove the tumor in her cheek, I had cut the little nerve. Her young husband is in the room. He stands on the opposite side of the bed, and together they seem to dwell in the evening lamplight, isolated from me, private. Who are they, I ask myself, he and this wry-mouth I have made, who gaze at and touch each other so generously, greedily? The young woman speaks. "Will my mouth always be like this?" she asks. "Yes," I say, "it will. It is because the nerve was cut." She nods, and is silent. But the young man smiles. "I like it," he says. "It is kind of cute." All at once I know who he is. I understand, and I lower my gaze. One is not bold in an encounter with a god. Unmindful, he bends to kiss her crooked mouth, and I'm so close I can see how he twists his own lips to accommodate to hers, to show her that their kiss still works. I remember that the gods appeared in ancient Greece, and I hold my breath and let the wonder in." That marvelous story by Richard Selzer speaks to me in so many ways. It does not have to be a husband and wife, it could be anyone. But I believe this story is romantic because it is so symbolic of romance and real love. As important as romance is to our lives, caring and loving the other goes beyond candlelight dinner and roses. As a famous psychologist once said, "It is impossible to fall in love. Love is much too hard to fall into. It takes discipline and a teacher." Through our faith communities and the person of Christ are we given a real glimpse and description of what love entails. To love the neighbor as much as we love ourselves. And when we love God's images in others we love God. A final thought. Our romantic feelings and thoughts, as important as they are, perhaps simply reflect a divine love. I hope all romance may lead to real intimacy. One of the most driving forces in a life even beyond the instinct of survival is one of intimacy - our need for love and intimacy with God and each other. Our story gives us a great example of intimacy and a love which will ever grow and deepen. Why? Because he was able to "accommodate to her," and she was able to "accommodate to him." Faithfully, (The Rev.) Lance D. Robbins The Reverend Lance Robbins is Rector for the growing flock at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 1130 Webster Rd., Webster NY 14580. (585) 872-2281 and Head Shepherd of SAM's Lambs - a Singles Ministry |
