Beyond the Beyond

As scientists gaze at the stars using more and more sophisticated equipment, they come to realize that beyond the farthest star are whole universes and beyond that more beyond. Just so, as we turn our eyes to heaven in prayer or close them to look inside our hearts. When we ask “who” is this source to which we direct our minds, we find no limit to the question.

Sometimes, in prayer, we might also find ourselves asking, “Why?” Why do good people die, or somewhere in the world a democracy elects a tyrant, or any of the other questions for which there is no solid answer? Contemplating such questions, which are beyond our ability to answer with facts, becomes futile. This can leave us questioning what are we that we can aspire to have a relationship with that which is so far beyond the beyond of our understanding.

The Bible says that when Sarah died, she was 127 years old. However, the Hebrew doesn’t say 127. Rather, it says that she was 100 years old, 20 years old, and 7 years old. This is the only place it breaks time down like this. Why? Maybe it is something like the riddles asked by the Sphinx. Sarah was 100 years old because she had the qualities of an elder, a matriarch. She had wisdom, experience, serenity, and power. She was 20 years old because she had the qualities of a bride and young mother. She had stamina, love, commitment, and beauty. She was 7 years old because she had the qualities of a child. She had enthusiasm for life, wonder, joy, and innocence.

Perhaps this is how we can answer the question about ourselves. When we exhibit the qualities of wisdom, serenity, love, beauty, joy, and innocence, we can connect to that source that is beyond the beyond and bring this force into ourselves, our families, our community, and the world.