The Sacrament of Astonishment

In the acknowledgments to One Long River of Song, a collection of essays by Brian Doyle that was published after his death, his wife said, “I believe Brian had already been to heaven and back and found it irresistible not to return and restore astonishment, which is a sacrament.”

After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples before he had ascended to his Father, but he too offered them the sacrament of astonishment. The one who was dead is alive! Death is not what it seems! Nothing can keep us from the love of God! And Jesus did not appear only once, which might lead the disciples to wonder if they had been dreaming. No, as Elisabeth Johnson says in a reflection on the Working Preacher website,

“What is more, he keeps showing up. As he came back a week later for Thomas, Jesus keeps coming back week after week among his gathered disciples — in the word, the water, the bread, and the wine — not wanting any to miss out on the life and peace he gives.”

The sacrament of astonishment — that is, being present to the wonders and love of God that surround us — prevents us from missing out on the life and peace Christ brings. We cannot allow the routine, frustrations, and busyness of daily life to keep us from following the instructions for living a life, as articulated by Mary Oliver in her poem Sometimes: “Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”

The last of those instructions is important: Tell about it. That is the commission Christ gave us: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Brian Doyle called attention to the wonders of life through his beautifully written essays. We may choose to do so through art, music, poetry, gardening, teaching, prayer, or a myriad of other ways.

Perhaps the simplest way to practice the sacrament of astonishment is to live a life filled with gratitude. You will be astonished to see the difference it makes to walk through your day with “thank you” on your lips. And what better way to tell others about Christ’s gifts of life and peace that are so desperately needed in our world?