MM Thomas - Life, Legacy and Theology
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
THEOLOGY OF MADATHILPARAMPIL MA<strong>MM</strong>EN THOMAS<br />
But does spiritual practice have to contain movement? Not always. As in the discipline of<br />
tai chi, there is significant value to balance. Stillness is good. Movement is good.<br />
Together, they can create wholeness. So what does it mean to go from an observer’s<br />
experience of spiritual connection to one of bodily connection, where you are not only<br />
moving your own body but you are moving in rhythm with so many others? One member<br />
of the congregation said, “When I need solitary prayer, I can find it in the quiet moments.<br />
But on Sunday mornings, I am pulled into the dance. I have to recognize that God wants<br />
all of me, body <strong>and</strong> soul, <strong>and</strong> we are in this together. I look up at those saints—<strong>and</strong> I do<br />
have my favorites—<strong>and</strong> realize that I have to keep moving too. One foot in front of the<br />
other. There are times when I can barely recognize the melody, much less do the dance,<br />
but most often, those dancing saints keep me focused <strong>and</strong> inspired. I dance because<br />
they dance. I am here because they are here.”<br />
Saint Gregory Nyssa Episcopal Church (www.SaintGregorys.org) is located at the corner<br />
of Mariposa <strong>and</strong> DeHaro Streets on Potrero Hill. Megory Anderson, a longtime member<br />
of the congregation, is the founder <strong>and</strong> director of the Sacred Dying Foundation<br />
(www.SacredDying.org) in San Francisco.<br />
56