"Trinity" Sunday – C3

"Trinity" Sunday – C3

Years C
Romans 5:1-5

Paul has here an interesting progression that begins with suffering and ends with G*D's love. I'm sure there is good legal reasoning in the context of the times of its writing for moving in this direction, but it feels odd.

If we begin with a completed state of action (we are justified), how do we then enter into a series that seems to begin with the incomplete. Suffering qua suffering doesn't have much going for it. Suffering needs something else to complete itself - endurance. This goes up some ladder to character, to hope, and to G*D's love. It is almost as if one needs to be sure to suffer in order to be able to move toward G*D's love.

If we are going to build on the completedness of justification, it would seem to be stronger to begin with the completed assurance of G*D's love that has already been poured into our hearts (might that be all hearts as part of a universal salvation). Then, growing from G*D's love we will be open to hope in every situation. This hope becomes our basic character allowing us to endure every disappointment and crucifixion, even suffering, with a hope built on the surety of G*D's love already and ever present. G*D's love results in a sense of wholeness in every other part of our lives.

It's a little thing, but sequence can be of the utmost importance and this is a significant sequence to see which way around works for you and yours.

= = = = = = =

wisdom spirituality calls experience
wonder of life
in all its complexity
to dance and live fully in this world
to choose life in all its abundance

trusting God’s grace and wisdom
embrace life in its many dimensions
joy and sorrow
peace and conflict
living and dying

commit
grow seeds
in every encounter

[Note: this is a reformatted comment found on the Process and Faith website.]

"Trinity" Sunday – C2

"Trinity" Sunday – C2

Years C
Psalm 8

The first seven Psalms are prayers for help. Symbolically that would be all the prayers for help that would ever need to be prayed. Then comes Psalm 8, a hymn.

It seems appropriate to have this be a hymn, for, after praying prayers for help, we do finally have to give that over and simply sing for yet being alive. We begin to catch a glimpse of how our prayers for help might be settled without divine intervention.

First, to recognize the gift of creation - vast and venerable. There is a soft, far-off hymn of creation and new creation going on independent of ourselves. How, then, can we keep from singing?

Second, to claim an important spot in relationship to gods and angels. We have authority to make a difference in the situations we find ourselves.

Third, to know such importance does not mean domination. Our dominion, care, is not exploitative of creation nor over one another.

When these three become clear, we sing our little hearts out.

= = = = = = =

a name is not a name is not a name
it is very significant
signifying both potential and completion
it is very magnificent
magnifying this moment and opportunity

what creation has been
what creation yet is becoming
these call back and forth
each responding to a line in play
a veritable variation upon variation

rising from the ground
we care for the ground
tilling it with sweat
that it might become
sweet soil for all

rising from the ground
never loses touch with the ground
lest our groundless anger
be lethally grounded
in another's sweet song

[Note: Try a goldbergian variation. To try some more go to http://www.jsbach.net/midi/midi_goldbergvariations.html and try those that end in ".mid".]

"Trinity" Sunday – C1

"Trinity" Sunday – C1

Years C
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

In verse 30, one word 'amown identifies three different ways of being with G*D: "master worker", "nursing child" or "confident".

It is important to play all three parts, as well as some others. If we find ourselves confined to one relationship with G*D we are as poor as when we have a single relationship with those dear to us.

These can cycle within a day, week, or month. If we lose track of one of these for more than a month, we may have lost it for a goodly amount of time.

It may be time for another refrigerator door chart that indicates a date and the categories of "master worker", "nursing child" and "confident". At the end of each day, reflect back about how often you found yourself in a particular category. At the end of the week, reflect on what this tells you about your relationship with G*D and how it might need to be tweaked.

The same exercise can be done in your relationship to family, community, nation, creation. Again, how healthy/whole is that relationship and what might enhance it?

= = = = = = =

a Lord has acquired me
at the beginning of this week's cycle
before the details and import
of the days ahead is clarified

assignments have been given
tools and gifts distributed
energy and authority granted
time to get to work

sabbath time comes regularly
nursing us with assurance
pleasure comfort and promise
time to pause and plan

from what we learn
we turn to teach
confident in received confidence
time to refine and evolve

another week established
another day circled
in the face of too much future
we receive rejoicing and delight

"Trinity" Sunday – B

"Trinity" Sunday – B

Years B
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17

It is so obvious that six wings divided by twos equals trinity. So we force our concepts into places where they should fear to go.

For the moment, presume Isaiah and the Psalmist are Trinitarians. Note the outcome and who cares about the labeling - freed from guilt/sin blotted out, strengthened people/blessed with peace.

Note the Trinity in the Romans passage: ourselves - G*D - Christ. Now aren't you excited enough to go share a glory of release with those you come in contact with!

= = = = = = =

poor Nicodemus
he has lost his metaphorical thinking
and doesn't know where to find it

of childhood he remembers not
only age and size count
that will change, but not yet

flesh gives birth to flesh
spirit to spirit
and both rejoice in each other

where were you born
where will you be born
conceive a womb without walls

life is pregnant with us
should we have eyes to see
and G*D is midwife

so far we are up to 70x7 births
with more to come
for a metaphor never ends

throughout life we play each part
interacting with others
assisting one another's birth process

at the last Nicodemus
finds a 7th next birth
as a bringer of myrrh and aloes

[directly inspired by "God: Beyond the Colouring Book" by Peter Barns]

"Trinity" Sunday – A

"Trinity" Sunday – A

Years A
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Psalm 8
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Matthew 28:16-20

It is easy to see how we can get to a Christian doctrine of Trinity from the Christian scriptures. This does seem to be significant jump from the Jewish scriptures and their focus upon G*D being one.

It is next to impossible to tell whether Trinitarian language rolled trippingly off the tongue of Jesus or was put in his mouth. It is possible to tell that this is a uniquely Christian doctrine. As such it has gotten in the way of Christian talking to Christian as well as between someone who is a Christian and someone who is not.

Ultimately this construct, no matter how helpful some think it is, needs to take a back seat to an appeal to live in peace (2 Cor. 13:11). This peace begins to be seen with three key (but not exclusive or exhaustive) descriptions of peace as grace, love, communion.

= = = = = = =

heads trip on making patterns
where none is to be found

hearts trip on breaking patterns
where too many are present

Pentecost – C4

Pentecost – C4

Years C
John 14:8-17, (25-27)

In prayer and in fear we ask for assurance. Just show us G*D and we'll be satisfied! Of course we would like to do Moses one better and see more than G*D's hindquarters. How about a glimpse of G*D's hand, that would satisfy us for a while. Then, perhaps, a glimpse of a strong right arm....

We ask the same things of Peace, Justice, and some Patriotic Way. Just show us -- for our dualistic thoughts keep compartmentalizing life in such a way we are blinded to what is already present. To see G*D in another is not a lesser seeing than face-to-face beyond dim mirrors.

Pentecost stories continue in a transformation of fear and separation into honor expanded to all and satisfaction in who we are. In this presentness we move forward into ways and works deemed impossible just a bit ago.

= = = = = = =

A Satisfied Mind
Nortons - 3 minutes
A Satisfied Mind
Ben Harper & Blind Boys of Alabama - 9 minutes

Written by J. H. "Red" Hayes & Jack Rhodes

How many times have you heard someone say,
"If I had his money, I could do things my way."
But little they know that it's so hard to find
One rich man in Ten with a satisfied mind.

Once I was winning in fortune and fame;
Everything that I dreamed of to get a start in life's game.
But suddenly it happened, I lost every dime,
But I'm richer by far with a satisfied mind.

Money can't buy back your youth when you're old
Or a friend when you're lonesome or a love that's grown cold;
The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Compared to the man with a satisfied mind.

When life is over, my time has run out,
My friends and my loved ones I'll leave, there's no doubt.
But one thing for certain, when it comes my time,
I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind.

Pentecost – C3

Pentecost – C3

Years C
Romans 8:14-17 or Acts 2:1-21

A bowed head can indicate either prayer or fear. Either way, Lift up your head!

Hopefully our prayers can deal with our fears and we do not remain with bowed heads. We can talk about the dynamics needed to move beyond fear and to move forward in prayer in many different ways. Sometimes it is helpful to visualize this head-raising.

Here is an exercise from one of the listserves I monitor regarding the lectionary to see what can happen when we are honored to be connected with G*D and Neighbor: "A few years ago I made a "Pentecost Person"--a small salad-dressing bottle with a balloon over the opening, and vinegar in the bottle, and baking soda in the balloon, so that when I lifted up his head, the baking soda fell into the vinegar, there was a chemical reaction and it filled his head, so he was no longer despondent, but full of purpose (the Spirit) [honor]. I had drawn a face on the balloon before installing it; I put a 'robe' of white paper on her, even had a little red ribbon like a stole over her shoulders, and it was cute and effective. I can't remember how much baking soda in proportion to the vinegar--perhaps someone can help out here--but it sure made a good children's story."

Try it.

= = = = = = =

a heritage back to creation
an anticipation forward to paradise
we find ourselves in good position
honored by both
honorably living both

when in a good position
we can afford good posture
lift up your head
arise fearful one
arise prayerful one

in grace we find connection
backward and forward
move on
in common cause
deeper and wider

Pentecost – C2

Pentecost – C2

Years C
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

All creatures look to G*D for sustenance in due season. Different feedings for different creatures.

A first reflection about due seasons: they always seem more overdue than they are. We hunger and thirst for food and justice and drink and peace on a regular basis and find that they are available on a sporadic basis. So, is G*D overtaxed with these sorts of details? Are we on a different schedule than G*D, with a short-term view of a long-term process?

Second, food is a broad category for the filling of a hunger. In light of a Pentecostal room with folks tucked away in prayer - fire might be food, wind might be food. We are strengthened again and go forth to speak in terms of another's language rather than insisting on our own experience.

Are you due some food from G*D? Are you sure?

= = = = = = =

meditate pleasingly

avoid the imposition of past meditations
avoid the rule of traditions

please G*D and please neighbor
please self and please enemy

please without pleasing
please within pleasing

meditate on pleasure
meditate in pleasure

pleasingly meditate

Pentecost – C1

Pentecost – C1

Years C
Acts 2:1-21 or Genesis 11:1-9

Trying to take control in order to be on top leads inevitably to confusion. Take a look at any political process, even dictatorial ones, and it becomes apparent that common interest soon loses out to partisanship. We can claim we are after the same goal and even use the same words to describe it, but when the day ends we are suspicious of the others for wanting to succeed so desperately. We know our suspicions are well-founded because, given half-a-chance, we would be glad to take the lead among equals.

We don't need to have G*D enter the picture to deliberately set folks at odds with themselves, they do plenty well all by themselves.

The real trick is to keep a focus on our differences that might be mobilized in the same direction. When our differences can be brought to bear on a subject we are able to make better decisions than when we are assuming we are all on the same page only to find we are not.

The value of Pentecostal language is its appreciation of the different languages and the perspectives they bring to the table. To try to tell someone else what is so very important to you when they obviously speak differently, is to better pare down to the most important what we have experienced.

What, then, is so important that you would be willing to learn a new language to be able to share it? Or is it only important enough for you to repeat it and repeat it in your own personal language with no concern whether or not it is heard?

= = = = = = =

god and adam and eve
talked each evening
there was agreement
understanding
and yet
a babelsnake
was able to confuse
them about one another

farsi english and swahili
yuwaalaraay hindi and aymaran
blue white-collared and monied
child teen and adult
and yet
a babelfish
enlightens our differences
with a gift of a new brainwave

[Never mind that Douglas Adams claims, "Meanwhile, the poor Babel fish, by effectively removing all barriers between communications, has caused more and bloodier wars than anything else in existence."]

Pentecost – B

Pentecost – B

Years B
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

There are many things yet to be learned but they are beyond our current bearing of them. Until we can come to grips with this basic understanding of more to be learned - bones remain dry, labor pains continue, and we remain trapped in our current-sized room repeating ourselves in a single language to one another.

A needed breath of new creation, a new spirit, is needed as catalyst to transform what we don't know into an important category of life and renewal for us. Without this we are dusty dust, groaning groaners, sorrowing sorrowers.

Continuing the oneness image of I in you and you in them, the new comes to the old, unbidden. Consider this as a definition of Glory as well as an expression of Grace.

= = = = = = =

step out in faith with fear and trembling
a new vision comes beyond what we know

cast a new vision beyond what is yet known
fear and trembling become solid enough to stand on

Pentecost – A

Pentecost – A

Years A
Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21
John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39

How manifold are G*D's works! So many languages, so many gifts, so many prophesies, so many locked doors walked through, so many "Peace"s, so many breaths, so many rivers of living water.

This is a time to remember how these have been loosed in the past, to talk about how they are currently ebbing and flowing all around us, and to anticipate more blessings than can be counted.

While we can get caught up in the mechanisms of all this we are basically dealing with a song of hope and faith and love all mixed up in its themes and meters and keys.

A part of our task is to stand and proclaim, "What you are experiencing is real - don't deny it by blaming it on excess of one kind or another." More is going on than this world knows.

= = = = = = =

languages speak what they know
today is a day to focus on what we are saying
how we are saying what we are saying
going beyond whom we usually say what we say
there is a drive to communicate
we will even learn another language if need be
we will talk with our hands and our eyes
until our tongue connects with an ear
in camp or out of room
we will join gift to gift
forgiving past separations
calling Peace where there is none
until there is

Seventh Sunday of Easter – C4

Seventh Sunday of Easter – C4

Years C
John 17:20-26

To finish a season of resurrection we hear that Jesus, Resurrected One, is one with you and me (and all? following John 1:3). This unity, oneness, passes on not only creation but resurrection and ascension (binding earth and heaven together as per Jesus' Prayer). We are blessed with life, with life renewed, with life eternal.

To extend this to another four-letter word: we are blessed with love, with love renewed (forgiveness), with love eternal (steadfast).

Even though the language goes round and round, the point it makes is pretty straight-forward. A good way to bring the season to a close.

= = = = = = =

Here is a visual prayer fragment known as a mandala



The description of this mandala is:

The ellipse signifies an opening – opening into fresh and deeper insight, suspended between heaven and earth.

The sun ['son?] is inserted between the letters reminding us of light, warmth & forgiveness.

'i am' in the lower case, shelters in the strength of the great 'I AM'. The poet e.e.cummings always refers to himself in lower case letters.

The flowing water acts as a mirror reflecting the letters. Jesus says 'I am the Living Water'.

The reflected letters read 'NOW'; 'iam' is Latin for 'now'; more living water reveals 'I VOW'.

You may be interested in the source information that has more about spirituality and stillness and the round of I in them and you in me and ....

Seventh Sunday of Easter – C3

Seventh Sunday of Easter – C3

Years C
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

What is omitted in this reading? "Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." And, "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book; if anyone takes away from the words of the book of prophecy, God will take away that person's share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."

One way of justifying this elision is that this is Easter-time. This is a time of new life. It is enough to have a positive pull toward the water of life. A push away from a tree of life is not threat enough to make a needed difference in people's lives.

The omitted portions run contrary to a jail's open doors. In fact it relocks them. It denies the effectiveness of Jesus' testimony in the lives of people, his having been joined with people, and the divisions in the omissions would be a division of Jesus himself.

There may be times when focusing on punishment would be an effective tool, but it runs so contrary to the Easter message that it, here, gets in the way.

Questions: What other scripture passages need to be silenced during a season of Easter? Would that argue for their being silenced during other seasons as well, or would they be acceptable during a penitential season? When are we not basically in an Easter season?

= = = = = = =

come

come echoes

come comes

Seventh Sunday of Easter – C2

Seventh Sunday of Easter – C2

Years C
Psalm 97

An upshot of G*D in heaven and all with the world being one, in a holistic sense, is an interplay of light and joy. These two intertwine each other in such ways that the warp and woof of life can hold all manner of patterns together. Light and joy are spirit equivalents of physics time and space. Just imagine the lightness-of-being fields that lift just where gravitational fields reshape our ground.

Light and Joy bend our lives, our journey trajectories, toward steadfast love. They do so in measurable ways so that we can begin to use them to further explore a vast universe of righteousness and justice ready to be employed in any number of ways.

In like manner, Righteousness and Justice bend our lives, our journey trajectories, toward steadfast love. They do so in measurable ways so that we can begin to use them to further explore a vast universe of light and joy ready to be set loose in any number of life's arenas.

= = = = = = =

let the earth rejoice
prisons be opened
righteousness and justice
shaken to their foundations
shaken until light and joy
burst forth in the dark
calming fiery fears
igniting thanks

Ascension of Jesus Christ – A, B, C - 4

Ascension of Jesus Christ – A, B, C - 4

Years A, B, C
Luke 24:44-53

Remembering the empty grave scene, after the Acts version of ascension we hear two guys in white as a Greek chorus telling folks to move on, there's nothing to see here, and as you saw him go so he will return.

Here in Luke we see a bit more about how Jesus went - opening their minds and blessing all the way home.

If we see Jesus in this fashion of open blessing, rather than the great police eye-in-the-sky waiting an opportune time to drop in to arrest and eternally imprison, then we need to pay attention to these signs of Jesus' return and our day-by-day living.

Where did you see openness going on this past week? Where was blessing present? Jesus was there, returned, remembered.

= = = = = = =

let's see

Jesus leaves
after opening minds
and blessing lives
disciples take their blessing
and bless G*D in return
in the temple blessing
still in the temple blessing
until it is a blessing cocooned
a potential blessing entombed
until two dressed in white
drop by to ask an explosive question
why are you looking up blessing heaven
when so much blessing is needed next door

kaboom

back to prayer-filled rooms
rather than inward looking temples
this slight movement
changes everything
neighbors must be encountered
in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria
opening of hearts and minds and doors
is again the order of the day
adding blessing to blessing

Ascension of Jesus Christ – A, B, C - 3

Ascension of Jesus Christ – A, B, C - 3

Years A, B, C
Ephesians 1:15-23

Not ceasing in our prayers, we bring blessing upon blessing to person and situation. To be rapturously caught in the act of blessing is a double blessing.

Wisdom, revelation, hope, and calling are good blessings to be strewing willy-nilly into the lives of those in our vicinity. They are needed.

Note that it takes some wisdom, revelation, hope, and calling to focus on these as the needed blessing of this and every generation. Rejoice that someone has blessed you with them that you might, in turn, pass these blessings on.

This might be what it means to live from above.

= = = = = = =

far above
all rule and authority
and power and dominion
is the simplicity of blessing
knocking the underpinnings
out from under said
rule and authority
and power and dominion
for they fade in the face of
wisdom and revelation
and hope and calling

Seventh Sunday of Easter – C1

Seventh Sunday of Easter – C1

Years C
Acts 16:16-34

Ahh, the unintended consequence. It rises up on a regular enough basis. You can practically guarantee, however, that it will show up fairly quickly when acting out of annoyance, fear, or spite.

Ahh, the unexpected opportunity. It, too, rises up on a regular enough basis. However, we can't count on it in a pinch. Sometimes, as here, we refuse the opening offered and an even larger opening comes along. Sometimes we don't catch on quickly enough to our opportunity or refuse it in hope of a larger opening coming along behind, only to find it quickly gone.

As you go through the day, pause in your annoyance and anticipate a further consequence; listen in the presence of your opportunity for the necessity of a quick or slow response.

= = = = = = =

here we go again
old mr doing what he doesn't want
using religious power
to no particular good end

what an old old story this is
including an even older story
of a second chance
not to chase but import spirit

moving from causing wounds
to washing wounds
we recapitulate our faith journey
again and again

Ascension of Jesus Christ – A, B, C - 2

Ascension of Jesus Christ – A, B, C - 2

Years A, B, C
Psalm 47

Note from The New Interpreter's Study Bible: "God has gone up led Christians to associate the psalm with the ascension of Jesus to heaven; with the sounds of a trumpet led Jews to associate the psalm with Rosh ha-Shanah, New Year's Day."

Ahh, how a perspective one brings along determines what one sees and hears and experiences.

So, is this the best of the Psalms to associate with Jesus' ascension? Probably not, given the overlay of subjugation that is present. It simply adds into to our propensity to turn the ascension metaphor or experience into unredeemable judgment. Somehow we keep turning G*D's little artistic touches into additional excuses to subdivide people, losing many along the way.

Ascension is in some way a confirmation of our orphan-hood, we are no longer simply disciples being filled, but a next generation of folks attending to and pointing toward G*D's presence. Time to get on with it without trying to get everything to fit into a nice, neat package. Time to risk what it might mean to take another step in perfecting love.

= = = = = = =

everywhere we go
people want to know
who we are
so we tell them
we are trumpeters
we are shouters
we are journeying

they scratch their heads
and still want to know
what in the world
we are trumpeting
shouting and where
we are going

and we jump up and down
and trumpet our shouts
the louder
repeating and
repeating

our shouting
their scratching
our jumping
cacophany

shifting strategies
everywhere we now go
we whisper along the way

what's that - they now say
and we pause to talk

finally joy

Seventh Sunday of Easter – B

Seventh Sunday of Easter – B

Years B
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Psalm 1
1 John 5:9-13
John 17:6-19

We get so caught in tradition, particularly new tradition. For whatever reason, Jesus had twelve male disciples/apostles (let's not argue about that).

Imagine them all in bed and someone calls out, "Roll over." And they all roll over and Judas fell out. What to do! What to do!

Obviously roll back the other way and add one more in. The form of twelve is at this point more important than anything.

By the time we get to chapter 12 and James is killed by Herod, there is no repeat of the selection of another twelfth. Are we learning that it is not so much the form that is crucial in G*D stuff as it is function? [although another way of coming at this is that we didn't want Judas to be a martyr and so we simply replaced him, James' death we could use in another way to our benefit and so we remembered him. - play with replaced and remembered for a bit]

= = = = = = =

sanctified in truth
protected from whatever
evil "one" approaches

happy in G*D's presence
planted by whatever
stream flows by

chosen or not
life is present
minister through it

Ascension of Jesus Christ – A, B, C - 1

Ascension of Jesus Christ – A, B, C - 1

Years A, B, C
Acts 1:1-11

Conversation about the presence of G*D is a good thing. We can huddle up and cuddle up a little closer for forty days and still not be assured that all is already well and all will be well again (no, it is not a contradiction to have them both going at once).

Carrying on so intense a focus on our center spot is almost like worrying at a zit until we pop it. Something has to give. Jesus popped right on out of there exclaiming that healing power would soon be present.

Well, such a surprise. We were dumbfounded! What just happened?

Note to disciples: Move it. Enact the conversation you've been having. The next stage of life will come just as quickly as did this one. Be so focused on being the presence of G*D that you will be just as surprised when it actually shows up around you as well as in and through you.

The return of Jesus is not deserved judgment - it is our establishing the presence of G*D on earth as we have imagined it in heaven.

= = = = = = =

still standing around?
yep
git
start walking around!

still talking about?
yep
git
start living about!

still here?
yep
git
start here!

start here!
yep
git
still here?