The Surprising Places Where God Dwells

I recently learned that our bodies include tiny pockets or gaps of empty space between cells that are called “synapses.” Synapses are the means by which nerve cells pass signals to other cells. The word “synapse” is from the Greek “synapsis,” meaning “conjunction,” or “to fasten together.”

I believe it is in our synapses, the empty spaces within each of us, where God dwells. From that vantage point, God facilitates communication, both among the cells of our body and among persons we encounter outside ourselves, thus helping us create relationships and community. Why would God do this? Jesus told us that God is in relationship with Christ and the Spirit within the Trinity, and I believe God wants us to have the experience of relationship as well. Jesus certainly affirmed this supposition when he said that the greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. It’s all about relationship.

From a spiritual perspective, we can consider the importance of having empty spaces within us where God can dwell and facilitate our interactions. If those empty spaces make us uncomfortable and we attempt to fill them with “stuff,” we are effectively closing ourselves off from life—from being “fastened together” within ourselves, as well as with God and others.

In Advent, we are given a model of a person who was able to maintain space within herself through contemplation—Mary, who was quiet enough to sense God’s action within her and affirm that she wanted to be in relationship with Jesus, God’s son who was also to be her son. Mary has been given many titles over the years, but perhaps we should add another one to the list: Our Lady of the Synapse.