Broken, day three

He was dispised and rejected of others;

a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity…

But He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities

upon him was punishment that made us whole and by his bruises we are healed.

~ Isaiah 53: 3,5 NRSV

Kintsugi (golden joinery) is an ancient Japanese art of mending broken pottery pieces together. Rather than joining the broken pieces with an adhesive that camouflages the broken places, the Kintsugi technique utilizes a tree sap lacquer dusted with gold, silver, or platinum to glue the pieces together. The mended cracks and breaks are highlighted demonstrating the importance of embracing our flaws and imperfections. When something breaks it is changed forever. Often we are stronger at the broken places than we were before.

Nouwen reminds us that by embracing our brokenness and “bringing it into the light of the One who calls us the Beloved can make our brokenness shine like a diamond”. The source of our suffering becomes the source of our hope. “When we keep listening attentively to the Voice calling us the Beloved, it becomes possible to live our brokenness, not as a confirmation of our fear that we are worthless, but as an opportunity to purify and deepen the blessing that rests upon us”. Jesus was acquainted with suffering. He was wounded beyond what we can imagine. He journeys with us in our suffering and longs to make us whole.

Wherever you are—

In a place of great darkness or light;

In a place of longing and ache

or joy and welcome fullness;

Surrounded by friends or family

or feeling the quiet of aloneness;

With a broken heart

or one mending;

With possibility opening out like a vast blue sky above your head

or the feeling of confinement hemming you in on all sides;

With grief or awe or anger or joy or confusion

as your day or nghttime companions.

Wherever you are, dear friend, may you feel a kiss of peace upon your head.

May hope be a rainbow in the presence of your struggles.

May your heart grow soft and strong.

~ Kristin Noelle

Watch the video: The story of the cracked pot: flaws and perfection

Song: “Anthem” by Leonard Cohen

“Ring the bells that still can ring.

Forget your perfect offering.

There is a crack, a crack in everything.

That’s how the light gets in.”

Reflection

1. Reflect on the story of the “Cracked Pot” and Cohen’s “Anthem”. Where does this story or song touch your own story? How does it feel to be both loved and blessed as a

broken pot? How does this concept reflect your image of God?

2. During this Lenten season, how might you unite your own brokenness with the

brokenness of men, women, and children around the world?

3. How does the suffering and brokenness of Jesus connect to your story—to the story of

the world? Isa. 55:5 He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was punishment that made us whole and by his bruises we are healed.

Resource:

Nouwen, H. (1992). Chapter 3, Broken. Life of the Beloved. New York, NY: Crossroads Publishing Company.