We are visual creatures. Much of our brain is devoted to processing visual information. Unfortunately, this creates a kind of bias towards the visible. (Ironically, our penchant for the visible gives us a blindspot for the hidden.) With the COVID-19 devastating our world currently, it strikes me we are beginning to appreciate the power of the invisible more and more.
Tiresias knew something about this. Tiresias was a pretty fascinating figure in the ancient world. He was an androgynous figure born as a man but living for seven years as a woman even knowing childbirth. He was also blind. As Hesiod tells it he was wandering through the woods one day when he came upon the figure of Athena bathing. Unfortunately, Tiresias couldn’t shield his eyes fast enough. Furious, Athena struck Tiresias blind for this outrage. Then, feeling guilty about it Athena bestowed upon him the gift of prophesy. Tiresias, no longer fixated by the visible, was suddenly able to see into the mysteries of the invisible, hidden world.
The Novel Corona virus is microscopic- it’s entirely hidden to our naked eyes. And it’s bringing our communities to our quarantined knees. But equally, I see us responding in beautiful, invisible ways as well. My favorite story so far are the Italians in Sienna opening their windows to sing together even though they aren’t allowed out. These voices, these songs…no one can see these vibrations humming through the night air, but they brought so much light into the darkness of the world. The love we feel for our friends, family, and perfect strangers- this love can’t be seen. It can’t be measured. And it’s the only thing that will carry us through.
For the last week I’ve started a morning prayer service via zoom. People have gathered from the congregation I serve here in Oregon. People have joined us from Texas and from Pennsylvania. The invisible words we offer up- they feel so thin against what we’re up against. And yet, these words act as a fabric binding us to one another and give us a sense of grounding and hope.
There is more going on than we can see, my friends. There is more going on than we can see.
What Tiresias Knew
We over estimate
the power of
the visible, place
all of our
faith into that
which is seen
when a microscopic
virus in a
matter of weeks
renders divisible once
whole communities now
sheltering in place
exposing the fragility
of our Icarus
economy that once
flew so high
on wax week
wings now melting.
When Tiresias stumbled
upon bathing Athena
blinded by her
angry beauty she
took his sight
giving him insight
into the holy
mysteries of the
unseen, unknown, and
all that has
not yet been
but will be.
Blind Tiresias knew
what we are
just beginning to
glean- the real
power of the
world lies in
the small, overlooked
hidden movements of
time, the heart,
and of our
souls: to open
Sienna’s windows and
sing- the music
unseen. And meet
in the morning
to pray- thin
threads now somehow
stronger than steel.