Reading Ourselves Rightly: Day 6
Author: Andrew Comiskey
October 19, 2020
‘In regard to the young
man for whom he was experiencing strong homosexual desires I asked him, “What
specifically do you admire in this person?” He replied, “His looks, his
intellect, the fact that he is successful.” These, of course, were outstanding
traits in himself, but traits that because he could not as yet accept himself,
he was denying. I then asked him, “What do you do in your fantasies?” “In my
fantasies I want to embrace him, to kiss him on the mouth. I want to come
together with him. And in my dreams, that is what I do.” After this reply I
asked Him, “Do you know anything at all about the habits of cannibals? Do you
know why they eat people?” In utter astonishment, He replied, “No, I’ve no idea
why they eat other people.” This is a set of questions that are often key in
bringing such minds and hearts as Matthew’s what is really happening in
homosexual compulsions. “Cannibals eat only those they admire, and they eat
them to get their traits.” What was happening to Matthew was very clear: he was
looking at the other young man and loving a lost part of himself, a part that
he could not recognize and accept.’ (The Broken Image, pp. 46, 7)
The Broken Image invites
us into the lives of many divided souls. In the case of Matthew, Leanne
discerns an inability to see himself clearly, a blind spot that contributes to
him sexualizing in other men what he wants to become himself (strong, assured,
etc.). It is a simple, lifechanging insight. Now Matthew can read his
temptations clearly. Now he can dialogue with God and others about integrating
his own pretty good masculinity. Now he can let other guys be powerful without
abdicating his own power in their company.
This insight is also not
everyone’s story. That matters. Leanne is good about not reducing people to a
quotient: ‘This happened, thus you are…’ At the same time, she makes a strong
case that the depths of our sexuality can be mined for golden insights that
light our way into greater wholeness. We are wise not to read The Broken Image
as a textbook. It is more like a guide to the art of depth caring. At once
incisive and creative, she inspires us all to follow the Spirit where and how
He wills to restore every unique soul.
‘In the mysteries of our
sexuality, reveal what You will, Almighty and Omniscient One. With the help of
Your Spirit and wise guides, unblock us where we are stuck, unlock us where we
are bound. In all humility, we acknowledge how much we don’t know, even of what
we are not yet conscious. You are our Healer, Jesus.’
‘Jesus, please confirm Amy
Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court.’
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