The Phenomenal

January 19, 2024

You are warmly invited to share in this series of Daily Reflections on "The Phenomenal."

In the spiritual life, we continually encounter the phenomenal, those profoundly extraordinary, and uniquely outstanding people, events, and stories that shape our souls. The remarkable is sometimes the starting point for our spiritual journey; we unexpectedly encounter someone who guides and strengthens us like no one else, or we suddenly come upon and experience that which opens up a whole new world and transforms us. Other phenomenal experiences are signs, visions, and wonders whose appearances may startle, shock, or stun us but enlighten and comfort us in ways beyond our imagination.

The phenomenal can manifest as an answer to our heartfelt prayer. We do not know where to turn. Everything else has failed, and we have no idea how to prevent or halt an adverse circumstance. Then, from our heart, we surrender everything to a power beyond ourselves, after which something happens seemingly out of the blue that changes things, halts destruction, births solutions, and brings about order that we could never have accomplished under our own steam. Sometimes, it is we who are phenomenally transformed.

The word phenomenon is derived from the Greek words 'phiano,' meaning 'bring to light,' and 'phainesthai,' meaning 'to appear.' It is more directly derived from the Late Latin word 'phænomenon,' which is also from the Greek 'phenomenon' meaning 'that which appears.' So, the phenomenal is not magic or unreal, but the actual appearance of something brought to light that had been hidden.

The appearance of the phenomenal reminds us that we belong to a much larger reality than our personal ego. The hidden actual reality or supernatural is always present. However, we are preoccupied with our daily concerns and stories, so making room for it must be intentional, or it breaks through as a surprise. We are surprised. The phenomenal, whether bidden or not bidden, is the appearance of what is waiting to manifest (shine). In other words, the spiritually phenomenal is the appearance of an aspect of heaven right in front of us!

Inquiry: What spiritual phenomenon have you experienced?

Dear God,

When heaven breaks through, I am so happy because you show me the truth in phenomenal ways! I am so grateful. Amen

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