Do you think my computer leapt to another language font or secret app? The phrase Ichi-go ichi-e is Japanese. It means “one time, one meeting”—no moment in life is repeatable. Still, we continue to think we can “go back to something” after we’ve left it “just for a minute.” It is not really possible to do this, perfectly or even well enough, because inside the mind all time exists at once (past, present, future)—each dimension fighting vigorously for dominance.
But do not give up trying to cherish every second for the love of God.
Today in our liturgical calendar we remember the biblical story called The Visitation. We live as if it were our own, the moment in which Mary of many names— Mary of Nazareth, Mother of the Church, Immaculate, Virgin, BVM, Mother of God, Blessed among women, Holy, and more—praised God with such radical and ENORMOUS force, that it stuns. The Gospel of Luke places into Mary’s mouth the words of an ancient hymn, The Magnificat. (Luke 1:46-55, Inclusive Bible translation.) All this over being pregnant? NO, all this because Mary and her elderly cousin Elizabeth—both at once in one moment—cherished what their God had told them would/could be accomplished: that which they desired with all their hearts and in all their fervent prayers. The Church of the Visitation, Ein Karem, Israel.
Mary said:
My soul proclaims your greatness, O God,
and my spirit rejoices in you, my Savior.
For you have looked with favor
upon your lowly servant,
and from this day forward
all generations will call me blessed.
For you, the Almighty, have done great things for me;
and holy is your Name.
Your mercy reaches from age to age
for those who fear you.
You have shown strength with your arm
you have scattered the proud in their conceit;
you have deposed the might from their thrones
and raised the lowly to high places.
You have filled the hungry with good things,
while you have sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of Israel your servant,
mindful of your mercy—
the promise you made to our ancestors—
to Sarah and Abraham
and their descendants forever.
Such extremes of thankful praise are rare and short-lived. Every moment of my own aging, ebbing life is such a moment. Our fragile warring planet trembles every second with this prayerful awareness, this humble, grateful, trustful, momentary praise.
Ichi-go ichi-e.
