Surface Tension

No matter the altitude or depth, all things live in one of two realms: water or air. But in reality, both are dependent each on the other. Oxygen and other gasses dissolve into water providing that which is so necessary for the denizens of the deep. Water vaporizes into air providing rain and fog and dew for the survival of land-bound creatures. Both are, in varying degrees, absorbed into the other. Between the two is a barrier, surface tension, so named because the molecules of water cling more tightly to one another than between those surrounded on all sides by other water molecules. Those separated water molecules which have broken through this barrier are separated from one another by molecules and atoms of gasses. Until they condense back into rain, their existence is more akin to the airy skies than their home in incompressible sea and lake and river. This place of tension; this one-molecule-thick layer of water keep water liquid rather than all turning to gas too easily. Yet is permeable by those essential gasses above them; though slowed, vaporized water does escape into the atmosphere above. Perhaps the Church (and we within the Body) are like that barrier: the interface between two realms. Above in the airy world, is the realm of the Spirit. Below, the world of the solid, the "real" the sensate, that which is discernible to our senses. WE live in this tension, trying, for ourselves, to understand and live in the boundary-land between the flesh born body and the Spirit-born spirit of our inmost self. We struggle to know how to live individually and corporately. It is only here in the dividing of flesh and spirit that exchange between the two realms exists, even though the Spirit of the upper reaches is dissolved into the human element, He is, nonetheless, mediated perhaps through this water/vapor barrier. The Man, Christ Jesus has left the ranks of humanity to sit (and we with Him) in the heavenly realms-the vaporized humanity living in the formerly alien-to-human realm of the heavenliest. And, again, it is through this barrier that He ascended on high-the Church, His Body, is the communicating medium between the world. Perhaps, in her love for her Bridegroom and her love for one her individual parts and her love for those others who are not a part of that tension, she fulfills one of her roles: that of transference. To the watery world below, she brings a bit of the heavenly; to the spirit world above, she resides and intercedes in harmony with the Spirit for those who live in the depths. And, always, there is that tension-the pulling downward and the pulling upward. Perhaps this tension is what Paul meant when he moaned over his dilemma: to stay and benefit or to leave and be with His Lord. So, perhaps, we should not be surprised when tension is within us corporately or individually; what shall we do? Perhaps the answer is to remain in tension; to accept that as one true sign of being in relationship with one another, with He who has become spirit and with those who do not live in this tension. WE are the blessed beneficiaries and benefactors of both realms. 2 22 09