February 5, 2017Jesus continues with his Sermon on the Mount this week. We are to be salt and light, he says. We are to bring out flavors that perhaps haven't been tasted before or are more subtle. We are to shine a light in places or ways of thinking that will bring us to peace and justice.
After-talk this week will focus on what this might mean. We will consider especially "non-dualist thinking" and the possibilities this presents in helping us respond to the world around us. Cynthia Bougeault describe dualistic thinking like this, "In this operating system, you develop your identity based upon what differentiates you from everything else." Richard Rohr explains that the dualistic mind, "knows by comparison, opposition, and differentiation. It uses descriptive words like good/evil, pretty/ugly, smart/stupid". The dualistic mind is valuable to our navigation through daily life but it doesn't, many would argue, go far enough, and in fact undermines the pursuit of peace and justice . Non-dual thinking, on the other hand, is about being in a moment without judging it. It helps us look in on any given encounter or issue with compassion, curiosity and love. Could this practice help us engage especially now when there seems to be so much at stake and so many differences to be overcome? Read more about non dual thinking here and join us for conversation at after-talk this week.
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January 29, 2017Sermon on the Mount: The heart of Jesus' teaching was the Sermon on the Mount. In the structure of Matthew, which intentionally parallels the Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy), the Sermon functions in the same way as the Ten Commandments did--as the heart of the law. These teachings, and Jesus' lived example, invite us to reconsider the conventional wisdom. We win, according to this Gospel, by losing, such a countercultural and paradoxical notion that Jesus finally had to live it himself to demonstrate its truthfulness. Perhaps one way we might understand how this functions in our real-world experience is to consider the way that following these "commandments" of Jesus--really a set of images that point the way--break destructive cycles. In an age of such reactivity, a gentle, humble, love-filled response refuses to return violence for violence, taking all the air out of the many confrontations we encounter. Gentleness, mercy, humility, a willingness to take on suffering rather than foist it on others, deep listening that seeks to understand rather than to win. Imagine the power of these patterns of behavior in bridging the divides that seem so wide and deep these days! Readings for Sunday: Micah 6:1-8 † Psalm 15 † 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 † Matthew 5:1-12 Read: "In Venezuela, we couldn’t stop Chávez. Don’t make the same mistakes we did.” In the Washington Post. Hugo Chavez was a populist, too. His opponents never figured out how to beat him. (AP Photo/Jorge Santo) And have a look at this article by Sojourners: American 'Christianity' Has Failed
Mainstream Christianity has failed. It looks nothing like Jesus. Stephen Mattson January 15, 2017
Epiphany
This time between Epiphany and Lent (which begins March 1st with Ash Wednesday) is not really a season, but a part of Ordinary Time in the church calendar. And yet there are themes that keep cropping up in the readings when it comes to this idea of revealing what has been hidden in darkness. Vocation, discipleship, community belonging—that is, when I consider my baptism, and my new identity as a follower or disciple of Christ, how does that change my understanding of self and my role or way in the world? Fundamentally, my "I" becomes a "we"—a deep sense that to be human is to be inextricably and joyfully linked to others and to the whole of creation. Every action is shaped by this deep sense. There's something more. Our "we" opens us to a sense of how much more is out there, of how much we have yet to discover and understand. Watch this recent TED talk for one biological researcher's take on this idea:
Christian hope is rooted here. Different from optimism or a positive outlook, hope is a deep sense of possibility even in the midst of an accurate accounting of where we are and what's happening. Hope has a steady and unflinching eye toward suffering and injustice. And yet it understands death is never the last word. Something new is always around the corner, in fact, already in existence, waiting for us. So what does hope look like in these texts in this time?
Isaiah 49:1-7 † Psalm 40:1-11 † 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 † John 1:29-42 What good news is there for us? What does it call us to do—that is, our vocation? Lamb of God When John identifies Jesus, he calls him "the Lamb of God," Many have interpreted this historically as a sacrifice for sin; but lambs weren't used for sin sacrifices in the temple. They were used for the Passover sacrifice, which remembers the liberation and deliverance of the people by God. Think Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights movement. Think liberation from slavery. Think economic justice for people living through one temblor after another on land that has been undermined by fracking. Think meaningful work for unemployed miners. But think even bigger—psychologically, spiritually, holistically. Think hope: January 8, 2017So, how's it going? How do you think it is going?
Is the world becoming a better place? Worse? Something in-between? Something else? How are we to think about these things? Is there room for optimism? Pessimism? Something different? How about hope?: That's a bigger word for the Christian faith. What does hope mean? What does it look like? What difference does it make? As brightly as the story’s star, the Epiphany opens up the stellar power of God’s coming to humanity, and our awkward, dramatic, unlikely fumbling toward the Divine. We see the rewards of leaving the comfort zone of one’s own faith and of interfaith cooperation, the penalties for missing the signs of other seekers, and the ways all of us are Herod, all of us are the magi, and all of us long for power. Readings for this Sunday: Isaiah 60:1-6 † Psalm 72:1-7,10-14 † Ephesians 3:1-12 † Matthew 2;1-12 For Reflection John Lennon, 20th century “You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will live as one.” Shel Silverstein, 20th century “Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” Karl Jung, 20th century "Bidden or unbidden, God is present." Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl “It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.” Leonard Cohen, 20th century "There's a crack in everything--that's where the light gets in." Lao Tzu. 6th century B.C.E. "Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and water is clear?" Mahatma Gandhi, 20th century "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Kahlil Gibran, 20th century (other source says Rabindranath Tagore) "I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy." December 4, 2016
Righteousness. It's kind of a sticky word, isn't it? Problematic even, for the ways it is used as a hammer or cudgel more than a promise or gift. And yet, for the promise, the gift, it draws us in. We want to live in a righteous world whether its the kind the surfer turtle screams about in Finding Nemo...
...or the kind of righteousness that finds the poor not just getting a great meal and some nice gifts around Christmas, but a home to live in that they were able to do meaningful, rewarding work to maintain. Both are pretty cool, frankly. "Righteousness shall be the belt around [the Messiah's] waist..." Isaiah 11:5 imagines.
Righteousness is one of Matthew's favorite words. And it is all over Advent in the very best way. But what does it mean? What does it look like today especially? Depending on where you look, you could make a case that everything is spinning out of control or that we are coming together in ways that we've long waited for. Take this video from an online retailing beheamoth that has, as they say, "blown up" recently. The world this ad selling, well, we won't spoil the surprise if you haven't seen it yet, selling something, imagines a world that is also pretty sticky, pretty compelling, righteous even!
Readings for this Sunday:
Isaiah 11:1-10 • Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 • Romans 15:4-13 • Matthew 3:1-12 For Reflection Catherine de Hueck Doherty, 20th century "Faith walks simply, childlike, between the darkness of human life and the hope of what is to come." Nelson Mandela, 20th century "If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner." Edward Hays, 20th century "Advent is a winter training camp for those who desire peace." Paul Gauguin, 19th century "I shut my eyes in order to see." Ashleigh Brilliant, 20th century "All I want is a warm bed and a kind word and unlimited power." Martin Luther King Jr., 20th century “Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.” C.S. Lewis, 20th century - The Four Loves “Man approaches God most nearly when he is in one sense least like God. For what can be more unlike than fullness and need, sovereignty and humility, righteousness and penitence, limitless power and a cry for help?” November 13, 2016
When events overwhelm us and we find ourselves disoriented, uncertain, and unsure, we need to be together. We need each other. About 10 minutes after worship ends, we’ll gather together for Aftertalk. Bring your questions, stories, insights, doubts, musings, imaginings and whatever else you need. Join us for some fellowship, laughter and ample space for reflection and real questions to help us reflect on the implications of our faith and make the transition from worship to world.
Readings for this Sunday: Isaiah 65:17-25 • Isaiah 12 • 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 • Luke 21:5-19 Salvation or Apocalypse? Now what? One of the most divisive, troubling, and unsatisfying elections has ended. Or perhaps it is just what you've hoped for. What does it look like to follow Christ, to live out this Christian way now? What role does celebration/lament/anger/relief have to play and how do we express it all in a country that, impossibly, seems to be more divided than ever? If God is one, what do we make of us being so schizophrenic? Do these scriptures have anything to teach us? Any hope to offer? Any correction? Any encouragement? Here's what Stephen Colbert said about it as the results were beginning to become clearer (CAUTION: some colorful language here!). Do you find anything helpful in what he has to say? (click on the "YouTube" symbol for a larger image). November 6, 2016About 10 minutes after worship ends, we’ll gather together for Aftertalk. We hope you’ll join us! Bring your questions, stories, insights, doubts, musings, imaginings and whatever else you need. Join us for some fellowship, laughter and ample space for reflection and real questions to help us reflect on the implications of our faith and make the transition from worship to world.
Readings for this Sunday: Haggai 1:15b-2:9 • Psalm 98 • 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 17-21 • Luke 20:27-38 Same As It Ever Was Perhaps you've heard there is an election coming up... Sundays story in Luke reminds us that gotcha questions aren't just the parlance of our age. The Sadducees seemed to know something about trying to set up their perceived opponents as well. It is precisely what they are up to with the question about this widow who has lost seven husbands. The question they ask isn't about the welfare of the woman, which, arguably, would be a worthwhile question. Instead they present Jesus with a tricky and cynical one about a scenario they don't actually believe anyway. Perhaps no surprise there. But what Jesus ends up doing in response is quite remarkable, and may just be a life-giving and hopeful model full of possibility for followers of Jesus who will have to live out our lives in the days after November 8, 2016 just as before them. Join us for conversation and reflection! For Reflection Mother Teresa, 20th century "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile." Albert Camus, 20th century "You are forgiven for your happiness and your successes only if you generously consent to share them." Alexander Pope, 18th century "Many have been capable of doing a wise thing, more a cunning thing, but very few a generous thing." Anabel Proffitt, 21st century "May you stay in that place of wonder and wisdom that lies between the uncertainty of the world and the dependable grace of our God." Barbara Bush, 21st century "Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others." Elie Wiesel, 20th century "When a person doesn't have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity. A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude." J. K. Rowling, 21st century "Abundance is the quality of life you live and quality of life you give to others." OCTOBER 30, 2016
About 10 minutes after worship ends, we’ll gather together for Aftertalk. We hope you’ll join us! Bring your questions, stories, insights, doubts, musings, imaginings and whatever else you need. Join us for some fellowship, laughter and ample space for reflection and real questions to help us reflect on the implications of our faith and make the transition from worship to world. Readings for this Sunday: Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 • Psalm 119: 137-144 • 2 Thess 4: 1- 4 • Luke 19:1-10 Be Thou My Vision Many who grew up in the church know the song: Zacheus was a wee little man.... Zacheus went out on a limb - literally climbed a tree to see Jesus. Jesus' vision for the world caught him. A vision of a world where riches are shared and folks are treated fairly. We don't know how the story ends. Did Zaccheus keep hold of the vision? Did he act on it? That's maybe one of the questions for this Sunday. How do we keep to the vision of shalom - peace of earth? How do we faithfully act on it amidst all that life brings? October 23, 2016Bring a baked potato topping to share this Sunday and enjoy a baked potato with our conversation... a spud with a bud, a tuber with a St. Andrewber!
About 10 minutes after worship ends, we’ll gather together for Aftertalk. We hope you’ll join us! Bring your questions, stories, insights, doubts, musings, imaginings and whatever else you need. Join us for some fellowship, laughter and ample space for reflection and real questions to help us reflect on the implications of our faith and make the transition from worship to world. Readings for this Sunday: Joel 2:23-29 • Psalm 65 • 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 • Luke 18:9-14 Love is Little A Pharisee and a tax collector walked into a temple... If you don't know the rest of the joke, take a look at the Luke reading for Sunday... although it isn't really a joke, but Jesus does seem to have his fun with his listeners. In the telling he creates something of a catch-22. The Pharisee seems to be judged harshly in the story, but once we begin to judge the Pharisee we commit the sin of the Pharisee and become like him! As much as we want to find our place and get comfortable in the story, we are in trouble. Clever. And profoundly important to note! October 16, 2016About 10 minutes after worship ends, we’ll gather together for Aftertalk. We hope you’ll join us! Bring your questions, stories, insights, doubts, musings, imaginings and whatever else you need. Join us for some fellowship, laughter and ample space for reflection and real questions to help us reflect on the implications of our faith and make the transition from worship to world.
Readings for this Sunday: Jeremiah 31:27-34 • Psalm 119:97-104 • 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 • Luke 18:1-8 Hearts and Minds Timothy is a third generation Christian who has been marinated in the gospel: "continue in what you have learned and firmly believed." There's something here about the power of faith, that is, trusting in the reliability and wisdom of Jesus' gospel, even when facts on the ground cast a shadow of doubt over it. Surely we can relate in an upside-down time when much of what we call our Christian culture seems to abandon notions of goodwill, human dignity, and virtue for other (more political?) considerations. In his response to the community, Timothy clearly struggles over how Christian communities like his could not find themselves aligned with people like the widow in Jesus' parable. The only support she seems to have in the story is that of an "unjust" judge who is not defending her out of any sense of moral obligation, but simply because he is tired of hearing from her. Where are the others, we might ask, who should be helping her? Where is her community of support? And yet, we know there is a community, even if it seems to wane in different seasons. There is a God who grants justice, who watches over the widow and the orphan and the oppressed, who loves equally all people, yet seems to regard the poor as more equal than others. |