Vulnerability and The Shadow: Lenten Reflections

The great depth psychologist, Carl Jung, spoke of the “shadow self” as an unconscious part of our personality that is hidden from view.  Our conscious self, or our ego, does not identify with the parts of us that form our shadow self.  We learn to avoid these parts of who we are, in part, because society also finds them unacceptable.  One need only identify that which is stigmatized, marginalized, ridiculed, illegal, or immoral in a society to uncover the shadow in our communities and in us as individuals.  Wherever something is avoided or shunned, we have found the shadow.  Wherever humiliation and shame are found, we have found our shadow self.  To be human is to have a shadow self.  The work of spiritual and emotional growth is the work of finding our shadow and integrating it into our personalities.  

Brene Brown describes vulnerability as “exposure, nakedness, and emotional risk.”  It is also the place where the healing of our souls and our lives begins.  It is impossible to undertake successful work with a psychotherapist, for example, without being honest about the shadows at play within our hearts and minds. Similarly, true spiritual growth is nearly impossible unless we let our guards down and get honest – particularly about all of the pieces of us we strive to hide from ourselves and from others.

Lent’s 40 day journey ends in the shadows of the cross.  In that sense, Lent offers passage through our own shadows to the crosses of our lives.  To journey with Christ in this way is to avail ourselves of the transformation seen on Easter Sunday.  It should bring us much peace to know that everything we hide, everything that has been shamed, and everything that we find unacceptable about who we are has first been loved by God.  Real love holds space for vulnerability and, in the cross, we see that God’s most tender love is reserved for that which is shameful, that which hides in shadows, and that which is vulnerable.

Our 2022 Lenten Reader offers scriptures, prayers, images, other artwork for your spiritual journey this season.  In addition, reflections and images that feature some of our 17 Legacy Partner organizations may be found in this Reader.  Alongside our 10 new Parish Partners, our Legacy Partners work across the Diocese of Chicago to ensure that our spiritual journey, as Christians, reflects our concern for the most vulnerable in our communities.  

We hope that you receive this Reader as a token of our gratitude for your support and our hope that your Lenten journey is a reminder of the One who holds space for the hidden parts of you, the tender places, the wounds, and the shadows in you.  May the God of the cross be with you as we enter, together, into this holy season.

Matt Berryman
Executive Director
Episcopal Charities

Download or request a physical copy of our 2022 Lenten Reader here: https://episcopalcharities.org/archive/lenten-reader-2022-year-c