Year C
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Hooray!
Holiness is not limited to Blamelessness.
Faith is not something whumped up by pulling on our own bootstraps. It is a response to face-to-face community with G*D, with another.
Love for one another is not a commodity with the usual rules of an economy. It is a gift with no obligations involved.
To focus on these three realities for a whole year would do most individuals and congregations a world of benefit and increase their capacity for joy.
All too often we lose sight of holiness by hiding behind a rule or law, pulling the mores over our head. Then we fight over our particularities and peculiarities. Looking at great religious figures, we find holiness more generally recognized after the fact rather than while they are stretching whatever current limitations they are dealing with.
Faith as gift, rather than assent to the logic of some particular construct of meaningful meaning that has an a priori good which is basically unexaminable, raises possibilities of moving from constraint to a new heaven and earth. Faith, as gift, does put us in situations where fear and trembling would hold sway forever, and then blazes a new path.
Love finds similar limitations based on expectations of benefit from same. It is difficult to sustain a loving attitude that doesn't simply satisfy a hormonal pleasure surge or some desired level of comfortable predictability. To find a blessing of a God, whose name and nature is Love, entering and passing through one disconcerts our desire for control. It overwhelms us and those we encounter and in so doing scares us into limiting it or frees us into expanding it.
= = = = = = =
Go ahead and blame all you want
as for all my various "me's", we will choose holiness
and claim faith in love beyond everything
holiness in self, in God, in others
faith from God, from others, from self
love to others, to self, to God
Faith, Holiness, Love - these three
and the greatest is each.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
First Sunday of Advent - C2
Year C
Psalm 25:1-10
When we are dealing with very difficult situations in life that bring out the big disapproving words like "sinner" and "afflicted" (too easily translated as "humble" which can be seen as a positive virtue), it is important to have equally big reserves of "kindness". The big words for kindness are here noted as "steadfast love" (cause when you've only said "love" you've not said it all) and "faithfulness". These give an eternal arc to our interactions of the moment. This allows us continued connection in the midst of stress and brokenness.
Rather than being a polarity this pairing is a parallelism. When smashed together sparks don't fly. Imagine one of the heavenly host on your left from the "steadfast love" wing and one on your right from the "faithfulness" wing of heavenly discourse. As they embrace one another through you, you find yourself "steadfaithful".
The result is perhaps a new way of honoring the same reality both re-presented. "Truthiness" had its day, I wonder if "steadfaith" might have its moment. Instead of faith being a fixed place, which can be so easily left behind simply by letting time go by, we find faith present in every place we find ourselves.
There are so many ways in which things can go awry. We may even be able to count more of them than counting the ways love goes forth. Wanton treachery abounds. In its face, a steadfaith response brings hope through the education (leading, instruction) of folks who for whatever reason haven't gotten the "kind" thing. Thus sinners are not denotated by specific behaviors but connotative of general obliviousness.
= = = = = = =
In whose image am I?
May my imagoes steadfaithfulness
stand me in good stead
in this place
to rejoice in this opportunity
to wantonly trust and not treach
[question: ought I be putting an "amen" at the end of these prayers to better identify them as such?]
Psalm 25:1-10
When we are dealing with very difficult situations in life that bring out the big disapproving words like "sinner" and "afflicted" (too easily translated as "humble" which can be seen as a positive virtue), it is important to have equally big reserves of "kindness". The big words for kindness are here noted as "steadfast love" (cause when you've only said "love" you've not said it all) and "faithfulness". These give an eternal arc to our interactions of the moment. This allows us continued connection in the midst of stress and brokenness.
Rather than being a polarity this pairing is a parallelism. When smashed together sparks don't fly. Imagine one of the heavenly host on your left from the "steadfast love" wing and one on your right from the "faithfulness" wing of heavenly discourse. As they embrace one another through you, you find yourself "steadfaithful".
The result is perhaps a new way of honoring the same reality both re-presented. "Truthiness" had its day, I wonder if "steadfaith" might have its moment. Instead of faith being a fixed place, which can be so easily left behind simply by letting time go by, we find faith present in every place we find ourselves.
There are so many ways in which things can go awry. We may even be able to count more of them than counting the ways love goes forth. Wanton treachery abounds. In its face, a steadfaith response brings hope through the education (leading, instruction) of folks who for whatever reason haven't gotten the "kind" thing. Thus sinners are not denotated by specific behaviors but connotative of general obliviousness.
= = = = = = =
In whose image am I?
May my imagoes steadfaithfulness
stand me in good stead
in this place
to rejoice in this opportunity
to wantonly trust and not treach
[question: ought I be putting an "amen" at the end of these prayers to better identify them as such?]
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
First Sunday of Advent - C1
Year C
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Finally to this year after a reminder of a basic pairing - peace and security - and connections between symbols. This leads us into looking for connections between another pairing - justice and righteousness.
One interesting commonality is that both are connected at their roots with a difference in gender. Justice is male and Righteousness is female.
Since they are parallel terms, when Jeremiah speaks of Judah and Jerusalem, the general and the specific, the generational time frame and the specific representational location, as being saved, finding security, it is in a "name" called: "The Lord is our righteousness" (feminine) which also reveals "The Lord is our justice" (masculine).
We would all be helped if this pairing were more closely connected in our speech, even to the point of not being able to say one without the other.
As one living image of the heavenly host, this justice and righteousness pairing is our birthright. Within myself I carry both. And so do you.
The effect of holding these two aspects of a larger story is to bring forth a new creation. They don't return us to the days when we yearned for security because things were in such a mess or to some perceived past perfect moment to be carved eternally outside a flow of time. Justice and Righteousness flourish together. Together they provide the space needed for a new heaven and earth, seedtime and harvest.
Ultimately this polarity needs to be managed, not chosen between. Justice and Righteousness have left their ideal homes and entered into the give and take of a living together with a vocation to provide a creative safety from whence their offspring of hope, mercy, love, redeeming forgiveness, etc might spread their wings and drop their roots into our present moments so in need of reformation.
Instead of looking for a fancy word that might stand behind Justice and Righteousness as their measuring rod and evaluator of their implementation in a personal or social context, we may have to settle for a small word that needs these two to reveal its creative energy. At least one candidate for an appropriate context would be the small but complex word of "kind".
The next time you see the word Righteous, substitute Just and see what your ear tells you. Likewise, hearing Justice, remember Righteousness and see where the dialogue takes you. You may find a kindness developed toward self and others that could approximate the love G*D had/has for creation.
- - - - - - -
Be still my heart.
Righteousness is such a beaut and Justice such a hunk.
Ain't nothin' but what brings a sigh to a bi-.
It is worth any disparagement to honestly claim both lovers.
Thanks be for heads and hearts and hands and health enough to honor
Papa Justice and Mama Righteousness.
May they become one flesh - mine.
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Finally to this year after a reminder of a basic pairing - peace and security - and connections between symbols. This leads us into looking for connections between another pairing - justice and righteousness.
One interesting commonality is that both are connected at their roots with a difference in gender. Justice is male and Righteousness is female.
Since they are parallel terms, when Jeremiah speaks of Judah and Jerusalem, the general and the specific, the generational time frame and the specific representational location, as being saved, finding security, it is in a "name" called: "The Lord is our righteousness" (feminine) which also reveals "The Lord is our justice" (masculine).
We would all be helped if this pairing were more closely connected in our speech, even to the point of not being able to say one without the other.
As one living image of the heavenly host, this justice and righteousness pairing is our birthright. Within myself I carry both. And so do you.
The effect of holding these two aspects of a larger story is to bring forth a new creation. They don't return us to the days when we yearned for security because things were in such a mess or to some perceived past perfect moment to be carved eternally outside a flow of time. Justice and Righteousness flourish together. Together they provide the space needed for a new heaven and earth, seedtime and harvest.
Ultimately this polarity needs to be managed, not chosen between. Justice and Righteousness have left their ideal homes and entered into the give and take of a living together with a vocation to provide a creative safety from whence their offspring of hope, mercy, love, redeeming forgiveness, etc might spread their wings and drop their roots into our present moments so in need of reformation.
Instead of looking for a fancy word that might stand behind Justice and Righteousness as their measuring rod and evaluator of their implementation in a personal or social context, we may have to settle for a small word that needs these two to reveal its creative energy. At least one candidate for an appropriate context would be the small but complex word of "kind".
The next time you see the word Righteous, substitute Just and see what your ear tells you. Likewise, hearing Justice, remember Righteousness and see where the dialogue takes you. You may find a kindness developed toward self and others that could approximate the love G*D had/has for creation.
- - - - - - -
Be still my heart.
Righteousness is such a beaut and Justice such a hunk.
Ain't nothin' but what brings a sigh to a bi-.
It is worth any disparagement to honestly claim both lovers.
Thanks be for heads and hearts and hands and health enough to honor
Papa Justice and Mama Righteousness.
May they become one flesh - mine.
Monday, November 27, 2006
First Sunday of Advent -B
Year B
Isaiah 64:1-9
Ps. 80:1-7, 17-19
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:24-37
Do you remember and yearn for the Age Of Awesome Deeds? Men were men, black was black and white was white and ne'er the twain shall meet - doing right was rewarded and transgression quickly punished. Those were the days, my friend. We thought they'd never end.
But it has been long years since a favored few could so easily justify their separation from the unlucky, the poor, the unfavored, the sick, the sinner, the other.
With this hiatus we can wait with envy to be restored to what ought to be our rightful place, a place where nothing changes. We might also find the humility to move away from these kinds of false and make-believe separations to appeal, "Now consider, we are all your people."
It is this larger view of the particularity of circumstance not being unique that needs new light to be shined on it.
When such a shining saving arrives we note that there has been a shift from a single cause to a renewed appreciation of community of an earthly creation or paradise with which the heavenly "we" is well pleased and claims is good.
So thanks can be given, not just for creator(s) but creation(s). Our wait for revelation shows creation called into fellowship with creator, not constantly manipulated by same.
Having now come through Isaiah, Psalmist, and Paul we turn to Mark to solidify our keeping awake to new connections. Fig leaves are connected to summer, not as cause and effect but as a community of revelation. In one we can now see the other.
In like manner, in a generation we can mark a moment that more clearly reveals a shift that has moved us from whatever stage of immaturity we are in to a next step of maturity. We keep awake for such connections are life as we move from bated breath to next breath. To keep awake is to keep breathing.
- - - - - - -
Whew, I have every spiritual gift.
Oh, I am strengthened to use each in its time.
Ahh, fellowship shines in remembering, in anticipating, in medias res.
Whew, I am blessed.
Oh, I am blessing.
Ahh, simply Ahh.
Isaiah 64:1-9
Ps. 80:1-7, 17-19
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:24-37
Do you remember and yearn for the Age Of Awesome Deeds? Men were men, black was black and white was white and ne'er the twain shall meet - doing right was rewarded and transgression quickly punished. Those were the days, my friend. We thought they'd never end.
But it has been long years since a favored few could so easily justify their separation from the unlucky, the poor, the unfavored, the sick, the sinner, the other.
With this hiatus we can wait with envy to be restored to what ought to be our rightful place, a place where nothing changes. We might also find the humility to move away from these kinds of false and make-believe separations to appeal, "Now consider, we are all your people."
It is this larger view of the particularity of circumstance not being unique that needs new light to be shined on it.
When such a shining saving arrives we note that there has been a shift from a single cause to a renewed appreciation of community of an earthly creation or paradise with which the heavenly "we" is well pleased and claims is good.
So thanks can be given, not just for creator(s) but creation(s). Our wait for revelation shows creation called into fellowship with creator, not constantly manipulated by same.
Having now come through Isaiah, Psalmist, and Paul we turn to Mark to solidify our keeping awake to new connections. Fig leaves are connected to summer, not as cause and effect but as a community of revelation. In one we can now see the other.
In like manner, in a generation we can mark a moment that more clearly reveals a shift that has moved us from whatever stage of immaturity we are in to a next step of maturity. We keep awake for such connections are life as we move from bated breath to next breath. To keep awake is to keep breathing.
- - - - - - -
Whew, I have every spiritual gift.
Oh, I am strengthened to use each in its time.
Ahh, fellowship shines in remembering, in anticipating, in medias res.
Whew, I am blessed.
Oh, I am blessing.
Ahh, simply Ahh.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
First Sunday of Advent - A
Year A
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44
A back story to our work this year is encouragement to see Peace and Security as parallel realities. Our current world tends to separate them so a focus on Peace leaves us insecure and an emphasis upon Security keeps us from hope or trust.
For Jerusalem to be Jeru-Salem these issues of Peace and Security need, as the Psalmist says, to be "bound firmly together." Isaiah is clear that the light of the Lord will lead us to finding Security only in the Peace of swords turned to plowshares and Peace only in the Security of the whole and not just our part.
Matthew has an intriguing image follow after examples of usual places of togetherness --around table and in "marriage". Togetherness is swept away when we divide ourselves up - in the midst of everyday life, one is taken way and one is left behind. We are usually told this is about a second-coming and judgment day but it makes as much sense to consider this behavior as the result of our choosing sides against one another or allowing our house to be broken into by dividing Peace and Security.
Judgment against our current divisions is already evident and we are encouraged to work against our desires for privilege and exemption from common work alongside one another.
As the rich get richer and the poor poorer, as some earn their keep through interest from money and others provide for themselves by their labor, we loose the bonds of two becoming one and find two dividing into two.
Advent places before us a choice for a different future where, instead of being separated from the world by an attempt at renewal, Noah-style, two by two, we are ready to set aside separation and quarreling to respond to a call from our descendents, Children-of-human-style, to, one by one, rebind Peace and Security.
- - - - - - -
May peace be our life
among family, friend, stranger, enemy.
May security be our heart
among our common house and common good.
May these gifts give light on our way
among ancestral dreams and coming hope.
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44
A back story to our work this year is encouragement to see Peace and Security as parallel realities. Our current world tends to separate them so a focus on Peace leaves us insecure and an emphasis upon Security keeps us from hope or trust.
For Jerusalem to be Jeru-Salem these issues of Peace and Security need, as the Psalmist says, to be "bound firmly together." Isaiah is clear that the light of the Lord will lead us to finding Security only in the Peace of swords turned to plowshares and Peace only in the Security of the whole and not just our part.
Matthew has an intriguing image follow after examples of usual places of togetherness --around table and in "marriage". Togetherness is swept away when we divide ourselves up - in the midst of everyday life, one is taken way and one is left behind. We are usually told this is about a second-coming and judgment day but it makes as much sense to consider this behavior as the result of our choosing sides against one another or allowing our house to be broken into by dividing Peace and Security.
Judgment against our current divisions is already evident and we are encouraged to work against our desires for privilege and exemption from common work alongside one another.
As the rich get richer and the poor poorer, as some earn their keep through interest from money and others provide for themselves by their labor, we loose the bonds of two becoming one and find two dividing into two.
Advent places before us a choice for a different future where, instead of being separated from the world by an attempt at renewal, Noah-style, two by two, we are ready to set aside separation and quarreling to respond to a call from our descendents, Children-of-human-style, to, one by one, rebind Peace and Security.
- - - - - - -
May peace be our life
among family, friend, stranger, enemy.
May security be our heart
among our common house and common good.
May these gifts give light on our way
among ancestral dreams and coming hope.
Here we go
There are different contexts for each viewing of life. Often we take a look at the historical context or the literary context before and after a pericope to bring additional insight to bear. Sometimes we apply the lection to the context of what is currently going on in our life or the life of the world around us as an aid to gain insight. I am going to start this renewed endeavor by using the texts from the alternate years of the lectionary as another form of context - what on this liturgical calendar date would we be looking at a year earlier or later than now?
A general pattern will be to first look at the Year A lections, then the Year B Lections, and then move into the four lections of Year C. I'll conclude my comment with some part of the text being looked at as a focal point for a prayer form.
As always your perspectives on the lections for the coming week are encouraged without regard to this pattern. If you want to say something about the Epistle early on, go for it. Also, responses are well in order to anything I jot here. Hopefully there will be some larger conversation happening.
These lection reflections grow out of the Kairos CoMotion process and so we will be looking for ways to view G*D's presence in the scriptures and our lives as Love, both expansive and expanding.
Wesley
A general pattern will be to first look at the Year A lections, then the Year B Lections, and then move into the four lections of Year C. I'll conclude my comment with some part of the text being looked at as a focal point for a prayer form.
As always your perspectives on the lections for the coming week are encouraged without regard to this pattern. If you want to say something about the Epistle early on, go for it. Also, responses are well in order to anything I jot here. Hopefully there will be some larger conversation happening.
These lection reflections grow out of the Kairos CoMotion process and so we will be looking for ways to view G*D's presence in the scriptures and our lives as Love, both expansive and expanding.
Wesley
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Hello Again
Last July I took a break from the daily Lectionary Blogging process.
At this point I am expecting to begin again with postings about the lectionary texts for the week to come.
This is a testing of the system of posting and sending same to individuals who, in the past, have indicated an interest in receving them. This lets me see that the system is still in place and gives the recipients an opportunity to opt out before receiving six postings per week.
If you have questions about this or requests to be removed from the automatic mail process, drop me a line at
Wesley.White@Charter.Net
At this point I am expecting to begin again with postings about the lectionary texts for the week to come.
This is a testing of the system of posting and sending same to individuals who, in the past, have indicated an interest in receving them. This lets me see that the system is still in place and gives the recipients an opportunity to opt out before receiving six postings per week.
If you have questions about this or requests to be removed from the automatic mail process, drop me a line at
Wesley.White@Charter.Net
Monday, July 03, 2006
Practice Space
You are welcome to add your prophetic, progressive perspective on the pericopes of the revised common lectionary and to browse the archives for previous comments.
Click "COMMENTS" and speak forth.
Click "COMMENTS" and speak forth.
July 9, 2006 - Year B - Pentecost +5
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 or Ezekiel 2:1-5
Psalm 48 or Psalm 123
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Mark 6:1-13
Coming home is tricky. As stable as home is there are subtle changes that make it tricky for reentry. Leaving home changes things as much as coming home. There is change inherent in the interface between leaving and returning.
Both side of the equation yearn for both homeostasis and radical change. We want it to be the same and can't stand the same. We are amazed at how our belief is not their belief. This reality cuts us short, we recognize our powerlessness in general and are left with only small kindnesses.
Here we believed that we were going to get back in the swing of things after being away. But having been away, this time, we are not falling back into the same comfortable pattern of lection comment of Monday-Gospel, Tuesday-Epistle, Wednesday-Psalm, Thursday-Faith History, Friday-Epistle again, and Saturday- Gospel again. We have returned home without power.
Your intrepid commentator is hanging this process up for at least the summer.
Might you receive Ezekiel's call to look at the world around with the eyes of a prophet (not a court prophet who religiously repeats settled truth) and speak, whether others hear or not? This space is open for you to practice. Simply come to http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/ and add your note to the top message. We trust you will receive an anointing. Don’t let a thorn of doubt keep you from trying it at least once.
Psalm 48 or Psalm 123
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Mark 6:1-13
Coming home is tricky. As stable as home is there are subtle changes that make it tricky for reentry. Leaving home changes things as much as coming home. There is change inherent in the interface between leaving and returning.
Both side of the equation yearn for both homeostasis and radical change. We want it to be the same and can't stand the same. We are amazed at how our belief is not their belief. This reality cuts us short, we recognize our powerlessness in general and are left with only small kindnesses.
Here we believed that we were going to get back in the swing of things after being away. But having been away, this time, we are not falling back into the same comfortable pattern of lection comment of Monday-Gospel, Tuesday-Epistle, Wednesday-Psalm, Thursday-Faith History, Friday-Epistle again, and Saturday- Gospel again. We have returned home without power.
Your intrepid commentator is hanging this process up for at least the summer.
Might you receive Ezekiel's call to look at the world around with the eyes of a prophet (not a court prophet who religiously repeats settled truth) and speak, whether others hear or not? This space is open for you to practice. Simply come to http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/ and add your note to the top message. We trust you will receive an anointing. Don’t let a thorn of doubt keep you from trying it at least once.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
July 2, 2006 - Year B - Pentecost +4
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 or Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Psalm 130 or Psalm 30 or Lamentations 3:23-33
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43
Generosity of spirit -- to offer time to someone when working, to offer a kind word when gloating would be in order, to offer to complete what is yet incompletely done by others, to offer to not let death have the last word about one's worth, to offer a new day and a new way to follow weariness, to offer forgiveness when retribution is on one's mind, to offer to dance healing into emptiness.
Generosity of spirit is both a gift received and a skill to be developed. As we go through the week, may we find the gift of generosity rekindled in our lives and the energy to practice it.
Psalm 130 or Psalm 30 or Lamentations 3:23-33
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43
Generosity of spirit -- to offer time to someone when working, to offer a kind word when gloating would be in order, to offer to complete what is yet incompletely done by others, to offer to not let death have the last word about one's worth, to offer a new day and a new way to follow weariness, to offer forgiveness when retribution is on one's mind, to offer to dance healing into emptiness.
Generosity of spirit is both a gift received and a skill to be developed. As we go through the week, may we find the gift of generosity rekindled in our lives and the energy to practice it.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
June 25, 2006 - Year B - Pentecost +3
1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 or I Samuel 17:57 - 18:5, 10-16 or Job 38:1-11
Psalm 9:9-20 or Psalm 133 or Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41
A question of openness continually raises its voice. Just how open are we to that which troubles us?
In each case it hones our appreciation of a mystery we call GOD much more sharply than does our defensive attempts to avoid difficulty or our sense of entitlement to an easier way.
During this week we may take a few steps closer to the realities rather than the ideals of living in the midst of evil.
Psalm 9:9-20 or Psalm 133 or Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41
A question of openness continually raises its voice. Just how open are we to that which troubles us?
In each case it hones our appreciation of a mystery we call GOD much more sharply than does our defensive attempts to avoid difficulty or our sense of entitlement to an easier way.
During this week we may take a few steps closer to the realities rather than the ideals of living in the midst of evil.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
June 18, 2006 - Year B - Pentecost +2
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 or Ezekiel 17:22-24
Psalm 20 or Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17
Mark 4:26-34
Points of view are crucial pieces of information. To know from whence one is viewing is to recognize limits of interpretation. It is to know that there are other things to be seen simply by changing perspectives or walking a mile on someone else's path.
To recognize someone else's point of view both eases the implementation of compassion and helps folks talk together about otherwise controversial issues.
It is always interesting to see how many different points of view we have that depend upon the issue at hand. Many of our points of view are in conflict with one another, if simply looked at in that way. A consistency of point of view is difficult as it is so easily influenced by our experiences and learnings. We cover up our points of view with the subject at hand and mistake the subject for the point of view. To reveal our points of view regarding particular concerns is to move us toward conversion.
Psalm 20 or Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17
Mark 4:26-34
Points of view are crucial pieces of information. To know from whence one is viewing is to recognize limits of interpretation. It is to know that there are other things to be seen simply by changing perspectives or walking a mile on someone else's path.
To recognize someone else's point of view both eases the implementation of compassion and helps folks talk together about otherwise controversial issues.
It is always interesting to see how many different points of view we have that depend upon the issue at hand. Many of our points of view are in conflict with one another, if simply looked at in that way. A consistency of point of view is difficult as it is so easily influenced by our experiences and learnings. We cover up our points of view with the subject at hand and mistake the subject for the point of view. To reveal our points of view regarding particular concerns is to move us toward conversion.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
June 11, 2006 - Year B - Trinity
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
Often we hear of the trinity as though it were a separate entity, separated from creation -- its own little community, self-sufficient.
As we listen in this week it might be helpful to consider creation and ourselves as fourth and fifth aspects of an expanded trinitarian reality.
If there can’t be trinity without relationships, we cannot avoid relationships that include ourselves.
If there is not a place for more in the trinity than the trinity, it may finally be seen for the limited doctrinal teaching construct that it is -- a partial teaching construct is a partial learning situation.
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
Often we hear of the trinity as though it were a separate entity, separated from creation -- its own little community, self-sufficient.
As we listen in this week it might be helpful to consider creation and ourselves as fourth and fifth aspects of an expanded trinitarian reality.
If there can’t be trinity without relationships, we cannot avoid relationships that include ourselves.
If there is not a place for more in the trinity than the trinity, it may finally be seen for the limited doctrinal teaching construct that it is -- a partial teaching construct is a partial learning situation.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
June 4, 2006 - Year B - Pentecost
Acts 2:1-21 or Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Romans 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21
John 15:26-27;16:4b-15
Patience is a huge issue in truth-receiving and truth-telling. It is difficult to acknowledge we only see through a glass -- dimly.
Sneaky and Ellusive, Demanding and Allusive, so a Holy Spirit interacts with us. We press so hard for finality that often we find ourselves having avoided and limited that was sent. Our recievers are locked on one frequency while messages come on a variety of frequencies.
We cut off possibilities still available as impossible to happen as dry bones are to live again. A Holy Spirit revises our vision or lack thereof.
This week we continue ready to wait and to jump to with prophecy and to wait some more. Listen for a creative wind.
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Romans 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21
John 15:26-27;16:4b-15
Patience is a huge issue in truth-receiving and truth-telling. It is difficult to acknowledge we only see through a glass -- dimly.
Sneaky and Ellusive, Demanding and Allusive, so a Holy Spirit interacts with us. We press so hard for finality that often we find ourselves having avoided and limited that was sent. Our recievers are locked on one frequency while messages come on a variety of frequencies.
We cut off possibilities still available as impossible to happen as dry bones are to live again. A Holy Spirit revises our vision or lack thereof.
This week we continue ready to wait and to jump to with prophecy and to wait some more. Listen for a creative wind.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
May 28, 2006 - Year B -Easter 7
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Psalm 1
1 John 5:9-13
John 17:6-19
What is your name, your character, your nature?
Might it be Protecter?
Might it be Eternal?
Might it be Ent? [giant tree-like creatures who have become like the trees they shepherd and protect]
Might it be Prophet?
To which of these passages are you drawn? What would be your Myers-Briggs assessment of the personality of each name or passage? If you use a different personality descriptor, what attributes would you give to each character or nature in these passages?
As you look at the communities which which you spend the most time, what is their name, character, nature and your place within such? What needs to change within yourself and your community that your name might be more clearly lived and not simply be an appellation.
Psalm 1
1 John 5:9-13
John 17:6-19
What is your name, your character, your nature?
Might it be Protecter?
Might it be Eternal?
Might it be Ent? [giant tree-like creatures who have become like the trees they shepherd and protect]
Might it be Prophet?
To which of these passages are you drawn? What would be your Myers-Briggs assessment of the personality of each name or passage? If you use a different personality descriptor, what attributes would you give to each character or nature in these passages?
As you look at the communities which which you spend the most time, what is their name, character, nature and your place within such? What needs to change within yourself and your community that your name might be more clearly lived and not simply be an appellation.
May 21, 2006 - Year B -Easter 6
Acts 10:44-48
Psalm 98
1 John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17
Completed joy is something yearned for and yet resisted in light of the joy of the journey.
Conquering joy is something we know all too much about. It is the thrill of victory with nary a trace of the agony of defeat. An impulse to power and connecting that with joy excuses all too many acts of violence, including that preeminent one of war.
Righteous joy conditions us to a legal approach to living and sharing. Judgment and equity, to be joyful, must end up on our side. Any bias toward the poor can be shredded by an appeal to righteous living as evidenced by a claim to joy through property, status, or any other hierarchical system.
Ecstatic joy brings us full circle when we use it as a measuring rod for completedness.
Psalm 98
1 John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17
Completed joy is something yearned for and yet resisted in light of the joy of the journey.
Conquering joy is something we know all too much about. It is the thrill of victory with nary a trace of the agony of defeat. An impulse to power and connecting that with joy excuses all too many acts of violence, including that preeminent one of war.
Righteous joy conditions us to a legal approach to living and sharing. Judgment and equity, to be joyful, must end up on our side. Any bias toward the poor can be shredded by an appeal to righteous living as evidenced by a claim to joy through property, status, or any other hierarchical system.
Ecstatic joy brings us full circle when we use it as a measuring rod for completedness.
May 14, 2006 - Year B -Easter 5
Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 22:25-31
1 John 4:7-21
John 15:1-8
To know and to be known, inside out, is a great pleasure and a great threat. As we look at these passages we wrestle with boundarys of intrinsic and shared worth.
What abides in you? An alien waiting to punch through your chest? A waiting prodigal parent? Can you abide being abided in? What then of myself? Do I live or am I but alive when lived through?
As G*D abides in me am I to so abide in others? What does that do to my control of self and others? Does being loved mean I get what I need as an infant, I get to reject it in adolescence, I can always come back to it? Is love contingent upon my response?
Where does this come into play with faithful mothers and over-protective mothers and hurtful mothers? What about the mother part of each one of us, whether biologic mothers or not?
Psalm 22:25-31
1 John 4:7-21
John 15:1-8
To know and to be known, inside out, is a great pleasure and a great threat. As we look at these passages we wrestle with boundarys of intrinsic and shared worth.
What abides in you? An alien waiting to punch through your chest? A waiting prodigal parent? Can you abide being abided in? What then of myself? Do I live or am I but alive when lived through?
As G*D abides in me am I to so abide in others? What does that do to my control of self and others? Does being loved mean I get what I need as an infant, I get to reject it in adolescence, I can always come back to it? Is love contingent upon my response?
Where does this come into play with faithful mothers and over-protective mothers and hurtful mothers? What about the mother part of each one of us, whether biologic mothers or not?
May 7, 2006 - Year B -Easter 4
Acts 4:5-12
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18
Definitions define. "I am the definer", to modify a phrase.
Is my life taken or given? I am the definer.
Are my actions loving or not? I am the definer.
Am I walking through a dark valley or a green pasture? I am the definer.
Is this healing from Jesus or spontaneous regeneration? I am the definer.
Are all definitions equal, dictionary-wise? Are all definitions up for grab, Humpty Dumpty-wise? Where does my definition end and yours begin? Can I define you out if you define me in?
What needs better defining in your life and in the life of the community of faith and of living that you participate in?
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18
Definitions define. "I am the definer", to modify a phrase.
Is my life taken or given? I am the definer.
Are my actions loving or not? I am the definer.
Am I walking through a dark valley or a green pasture? I am the definer.
Is this healing from Jesus or spontaneous regeneration? I am the definer.
Are all definitions equal, dictionary-wise? Are all definitions up for grab, Humpty Dumpty-wise? Where does my definition end and yours begin? Can I define you out if you define me in?
What needs better defining in your life and in the life of the community of faith and of living that you participate in?
Sunday, April 23, 2006
April 30, 2006 - Year B -Easter 3
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
Peace goes beyond the comfort of ignorance or being consciously deceived. A way to peace is through awareness of sin and suffering and a moving beyond them by steps, individual and communal, to a place of safety in gladness.
As the week proceeds we prepare ourselves for a holistic peace beyond a piecemeal peace.
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
Peace goes beyond the comfort of ignorance or being consciously deceived. A way to peace is through awareness of sin and suffering and a moving beyond them by steps, individual and communal, to a place of safety in gladness.
As the week proceeds we prepare ourselves for a holistic peace beyond a piecemeal peace.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
April 23, 2006 - Year B -Easter 2
Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1 - 2:2
John 20:19-31
It is one thing to look toward what we might have in common as property. It is another thing to find ourselves in common regarding vision and hope.
As we follow along to find where we have our commonality it will be important to remember the differences that will help sharpen the similarities and keep them alive past any present moment of confluence.
A clue to us will be those points of humor where we recognize how silly we have been and how open the future continues to be.
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1 - 2:2
John 20:19-31
It is one thing to look toward what we might have in common as property. It is another thing to find ourselves in common regarding vision and hope.
As we follow along to find where we have our commonality it will be important to remember the differences that will help sharpen the similarities and keep them alive past any present moment of confluence.
A clue to us will be those points of humor where we recognize how silly we have been and how open the future continues to be.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)