Liminality
June 22, 2011
Fr. Carlo Marcelo

There can be any number of changes but unless there are transitions, nothing will be different when the dusts clear   – William Bridges

Transitions are an invitation to conversion. We only have to trust and believe. In transition, like the disciples, we become spiritually tired and slow of hearts. Loss and grief is just part of the journey.

Liminal Story: The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24 : 13-33)
"Now that same day two of them was going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, 'What are you discussing together as you walk along?' They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, 'Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?' 'What things?' he asked. 'About Jesus of Nazareth,' they replied. 'He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.'

"He said to them, 'How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?'And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, 'Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?'They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together."

In the story, the disciples didn’t notice that the person accompanying them in their journey was Jesus himself because they were overcome by their grief.

Liminal Story: The story of Exodus
What is loss? Egypt
Expression: The people complained and remembered wrong memories.
In liminality, we hold on to past memories because we feel that they are safe because we  already passed them. In times of grief, we often look at the wrong direction. This is normal because we are in liminality.

The only healthy way out of liminality is IN.
· Go through it.
· Embrace it. Accept it.
· That which we resist will persist.

What occurs in liminality?
· We begin to redefine ourselves.
· We are confronting ourselves.
· We look back at the neglected, repressed and disinherited parts of ourselves.
· We repress what we feel.
· We become envious.
· Part of us looks back yearning for the magic we lost; glad to say goodbye; looks ahead with courage; excited by the changing potential; sits stone still not caring to look either way.

Questions for you:
1. What is your experience of liminality?
2. Are you in liminality today?
3. Are you avoiding it?
4. Are you running away or looking somewhere else?

How shall we navigate through our transitions?
1. Name it. Identify it. What is really ending?
2. Experience it. It will be dark and lonely but don’t get lost to it. And don’t reject it.
3. Talk about it with your guide. Get a wisdom figure that can see with objectivity.
4. Give expression to it.  You need moments to be alone. Write a journal. Draw. At times, you need company to talk about what you’re experiencing.

NAME ENDINGS - - - ACCEPT IT --- SIGNS OF NEW BEGINNING
Reflect:
1. What are your liminal stories?
2. What are your feelings?
3. What did you do during those moments?
4. Are you still in it? Have you moved forward?
5. Did you get the help of the guide?
6. Do you know someone who seems to be in liminal stage?
7. How do you carry yourself before him?