I learned a fun new word today: omphaloskepsis
(om-fuh-lo-SKEP-sis), meaning contemplation of one’s naval or complacent
self-indulgent introspection. Overcoming the tendency to engage in
omphaloskepsis is one of the purposes of Lent. We can do this by focusing on
the opposite of omphaloskepsis: giving our full attention to others.
As Karen Casey and Martha Vanceburg have noted, “When we
give one another our full attention, we embrace one another’s humanity.” To embrace
a person’s humanity is to be aware of and celebrate God the Creator’s presence in
that person and in the space between us. To have someone look directly into our
eyes and listen to us is a holy moment, and it is a gift that we can offer to
others at any time and any place.
When Jesus retreated into solitude during his years of
active ministry, it wasn’t to practice omphaloskepsis but to gaze into the
heart of God. During Lent, may our gaze be directed toward God in times of
silence and toward others in our day-to-day activities.
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