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Reflections on a poem by Nikos Kazantzakis
At long last I am returning to a book about Saint Teresa of Avila that I picked up last year. It’s called Interior Castle Explored: St. Teresa’s Teaching on the Life of Deep Union With God
In Chapter One, Sister Ruth quotes a poem by Nikos Kazantzakis, a Cretan poet whose birthday, coincidentally, is today. Sister Ruth writes, “I do not know his beliefs but, as it stands, the poem wonderfully expresses what I believe.”
Blowing through the heaven and earth, and in our hearts and in the heart of every living thing, is a gigantic breath — a great Cry — which we call God. Plant life wished to continue its motionless sleep next to stagnant waters, but the Cry leaped up within it and violently shook its roots: ‘Away, let go of the earth, walk!’ Had the tree been able to think and judge, it would have cried, ‘I don’t want to. What are you urging me to do? You are demanding the impossible!’
But the Cry, without pity, kept shaking its roots and shouting, ‘Away! Let go of the earth, walk!’
It shouted in this way for thousands of eons; and lo, as a result of desire and struggle, life escaped the motionless tree and was liberated….
The poem continues, but my reflections remained with this first part. How timely it is in my own life as well as in the life of the Church as we approach the wonderful season of Lent!
Some thoughts …
- What is the great Cry that I hear in my own life?
- What might God be asking me to let go of?
- In what ways am I tethered by roots that keep me from letting go and walking free?
- Is there something that I’ve been putting off for “thousands of eons”, thinking it impossible, that actually is possible?
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Nikos Kazantzakis wrote the novel from which the movie The Last Temptation of Christ was made. I hadn’t realized he was a poet too. Thanks for the post
Good thoughts, those. A turning point has practically grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and shaken me back and forth between some options. All these questions fit.
A wonderful piece of text and some very good questions. And thank you for sharing your thoughts with all us readers on your blog. This has become an important place for me to go and read, as I feel a bit spiritually deprived at the moment in the rest of my life, being an overworked Ph.D-student in Theology, of all things!
hi,sister julie ,thank you for all your very interesting posts ,i will have to read his book ,as my confirmation name is thersa [little one ]may god bless you ,sister and all your nuns
love across the miles caz x [anglesey, u.k ]
Sister Julie – Your questions are themselves almost poetry. I can imagine an entire retreat based on that poem and your beautiful questions. Thank you so much. Jean
Greetings from “mother city” -DETROIT!
Thank you Julie for your reflective questions on the poem of Nikos.
How fitting this week -as we all embark into the season of Lent.
Blessings on you, Julie and your life and work (and Blog).
We are proud of you!
Love,
Margaret
Thank you Julie for your reflective questions related to the poem of Nikos. Blessings on you-your life and work.
Margaret
Your one question, ‘What cry do I hear in my life?’ will so help refocus prayer life which has got a bit stagnant. Thank-you for this post.