Field of Dreams

One of my favorite films is Field of Dreams, a beautiful, powerful, and mystical exploration of imagination and reconciliation.  Like so manypopular and classic films, Field of Dreams retells the core of the Christ experience through a popular vehicle – in this case, baseball.

Its spiraling journey and freewheeling spirituality lead actually to the last five minutes of the film – in which Kevin Costner and his late father bridge death, time and space to share healing, love and proper closure between them.

This marvelous event occurs in a special space, a field that has to be marked off and cleared, designated, a place apart from the rest of life. This space is within Costner’s real physical environment – the cornfield on his farm – but it is set apart from it. It is this intentionality that makes it magical, consecrated, a perpetual invitation, and more: a space for grace.

We can make such a physical space in our lives, even in our homes. I have enjoyed what I call an “angel room” in my home.  This special doorway to the universe can be an extra room, an attic with a skylight, a cupola or alcove set apart for divine meetings, candlelit revelations and wonder! Prayer and contemplation thrive in such nests of spiritual growth.

But more important, we can make such a space for healing within us – in our heart, soul and mind.  For example, when scripture tells us to “Prepare a way for the Lord,” that path is an internal one; we are to make a way within us for God to reach us, touch us, personally; to “enter where He already abides,” as Marianne Williamson says.

Consider this renowned prayer, attributed to St. Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, let me sow pardon.

Where there is doubt, let me sow faith.

Where there is despair, let me sow hope.

Where there is darkness, let me sow light.

Where there is sadness, let me sow joy…

Certainly, this can be experienced as an impassioned prayer to help others in the world. But I also know Francis well enough to believe that it was his plea to improve his internal spiritual geography… the places within him that he felt needed healing.  Where there is doubt (in me), let me sow faith. Where there is despair (in me), let me sow hope. Why not pray these familiar words daily now, with this interpretation? You may see sparkling results.