Reflections for 4/29/10

"Self-conscious prayer is not necessarily the best or the only form of prayer. To be praying, you don't need to know your are praying! How else could the Apostle Paul tell us to pray without ceasing? Paul was not naive or unaware of practical demands. He was a 'contemplative charismatic': Life and religion were synthesized; he had the vision of the whole."(R.Rohr "Radical Grace" p.171-172)

I certainly have set aside specific times for "self-conscious" prayer. It's usually at 9:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday. And of course Sunday mornings. But am I praying without knowing that I am?
I would have to say yes.

In some ways it is like having DSL instead of dial up. There is a constant flow of information coming to my brain, via the senses. Since I view the senses and the brain as gifts from God, to be used by God to help me understand the world around me.

My work is prayer. My life outside of work is prayer. The two are perhaps so intertwined that I don't even notice it. And that may be why it works. Prayer isn't a distraction for me. It is that constant source of energy that enables me to do what needs to be done. And to appreciate and respond to the world around me.

So rather than seeing prayer as just another task, perhaps it is better to see it as what binds all the aspects of being me together.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/28/10

"Until Christ is someone happening between people, the gospel remains largely an abstraction. Until he is passed on personally through faithfulness and forgiveness, through bonds of union, I doubt whether he is passed on at all."(R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 171)

One of those phrases that Christians like to use is the bringing people to Jesus. I don't know that I can name any one person, outside of my children that I have initiated a relationship with Christ for.
At least not in that way.

I would hope that through my actions towards others and the way I try to conduct my life and the value I place in my relationships that the light of Christ shines.

Hopefully along the way I've planted some seeds for those who had no connection to faith. Perhaps I've been fortunate enough to even deepen some people's faith, or helped them to see their relationship with God in a different way.

As is the case with the three relationships-God, neighbor, self-all need to be based in faithfulness and forgiveness. All three types deserve our best efforts.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/27/10

"But like Aaron, the first priest, we priests have been building golden calves and golden temples ever since. With priests and ministers, the assumption is that if it is good for religion, it is good for God. 'False!' said Jesus."(R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 170)

While not every clergy person will get to literally build a house of worship, we do spend an enormous amount of time and energy worrying about the maintenance of our buildings. We also spend a lot of energy worrying about the sacred cows we inherit and sometimes create.

We sometimes mistake beautiful buildings and beautiful worship and dogmatic statements with being what God is all about. All of these while means to knowing and relating to God, are rarely what God is wanting us to do.

The greatest challenge I find as a priest is to balance the need for religion with the challenge of working on the relationship. It is of course sometimes easier to get folks to do the heart work when they're not as focused on buildings, worship and dogmas. But mess with those three and you can poison just about anything.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/26/10

"People and nation-states do have a right to safety and security. A certain degree of it is necessary for psychological, economic and human growth. But this is quite different from the overarching and overbearing need that now seems to dominate all other human concerns. What allows us to think that food, housing, education, welfare, ecology, medicine, aesthetics, the animal and plant world, wisdom, family and holiness are all supposed to be put on hold until American people can feel absolutely secure and victorious."(R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 168-169)

Most debates and even arguments that I've either engaged in or listened to from afar seem to fall into the realm of priorities. Whether it be the ongoing debates in the Federal Government or at the State level. About the mission of the church. Even about a households stewardship of their time and treasure. It comes down to what you think is actually important and worthy of attention.

The problem of course is that all of it is worthy of attention. Nothing listed by Fr. Rohr is of lesser importance, but he is right in that we often put other issues to the side, especially when we feel afraid. When we operate out of a place of fear we will default back to only our immediate interest, and will placate only to the voices that advocate the importance of one set of values at the expense of others.

Faith for me is something that keeps me from caving into fear. Faith for me assures that with out having to go overboard, I can actually live with a reasonable level of security. Faith also calls me to look beyond myself and to the good of the entire world, not just my little piece of it.

Do we sometimes have to prioritize? Probably if we really want to get anything done. But if something has been put on the back burner so to speak, we are called not to lose sight of it, but to give it its moment in the forefront.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/25/10

"Spiritual growth is the willing surrender of images in favor of the True Images. It is a conversion that never stops, a surrender that never ceases. It is a surrender of self-serving and self-created images of self, of others, of God. Those who worship the images instead of living the reality simply stop growing spiritually. In this light the First Commandment takes on a whole new power and poignancy."(R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 167)

Sometimes I surprise myself. I will say and believe things about myself that are not true. Granted I tend to frame a lot of me in the negative. I'm working on that because while I'm not saying I'm perfect or complete, I'm probably not as flawed as I think.

I find it also to be true that it is sometimes easier to hold onto images of people as they were back in high school, college or even just a few years ago. True some people never change. But when they do I may have to let go of the person they were and decide whether I can embrace the new person.

It is also true of God. If my image of God never grows beyond the pictures from my children's Bible. Or never grows beyond what I learned in 1st grade, then I will ultimately be disappointed. True God may be changeless, but how I perceive God changes all the time. How I relate to God should also be somewhat flexible.

But boy are images or idols if you will tough to let go of. Primarily because they're so easy to relate to. They don't talk back, they don't challenge, they don't demand anything of you. Which is why they need to be treated as dead.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/24/10

"Optimism is our gift and our greatest sin."(R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p.166)

I tend to be an optimistic person. It helps me remain non-anxious in most situations. And helps me to see the good in people and the potentially positive experiences that life has to offer.

I hope that my disposition is generally a gift to others. I certainly have experienced optimism as a gift from God. My starting point really is Genesis 1 "And God saw that it was good."

Of course there are times when a more sober realism also needs to be used and perhaps that is where optimism can be a great sin. When it blinds you to the realities of evil in the world, of the injustices and despair that seem to be around us. Optimism is also sinful when the best it brings out in you is "don't worry be happy." One needs to not only be optimistic but have that optimism lead to action.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/23/10

"The unfortunate thing is that so many people who think they are traditionalists have only a sense of tradition with a little t. Most conservatives and restorationists are more committed to their childhood myths than to the Great Tradition. The Great Tradition forces all of us to move beyond our private comfort zone, both liberals and conservatives."(R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 165)

I will have to admit that in some ways I am a bit of the small t, traditionalist. There are things within the realm of religion and life, that I feel comfortable in and doing. There are times that I branch out, try something that is new to me, nothing illegal or immoral mind you, but a bit of stretch for a play it safe type like me.

Those times that I have chosen to risk, to leave my comfort zone, I am often surprised by how positive the experience can be. While I do not always fully embrace and make my own these new experiences, I know that I am better off for having tried, it at least gives me a point of comparison, by which to understand why I like what I like.

I also find it funny that even when we do embrace something new how quickly we choose to entomb it in our new "small t," saying nothing else has value, and we've finally found the one and only way to do something, and then defend it to the death.

A living tradition we are told is one that embraces and appreciates what is new and what is old, and finds the proper balance between them so that our lives and our relationships are truly honored and glorified.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/22/10

"Such an exaggerated sense of the private self breeds competition: Your good becomes a threat to my good. Do you know what the Greeks called a private person? They called someone who had no sense of the common good an idiot. The original meaning of idiot is one who simply thinks of himself and has no sense of the city-state." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 164)

I'm not an overtly competitive person. I suspect that may have more to do with a belief that I'm not going to win anyway so why try. I enjoy doing things, but the win-lose stuff, leaves me cold.

I also tend to put the needs of others way ahead of my own, and that would be fine, if I didn't wind up later resenting it. Having said that I'm not threatened by others being included or having their needs met. I just have a belief that if everyone took care of each other, everyone would be taken care of. Though I realize the world is way out of balance in that regard at the moment.

We try to get our kids to not be "me-me" types, but until we model it in our own lives, why should we expect others to follow.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/21/10

"There is going to be an experience of condemnation in your life, an experience of judgment, an experience of betrayal There's going to be a time where you'll finally have to do his will, not your own. When you try to do it, you're going to fall at least three times. Probably a lot more than that. But God is going to give you people like Simon of Cyrene, Veronica, Mary and the weeping daughters of Jerusalem. God is going to give you friends who will support you. That's process theology. It's not the static theology some of us unfortunately grew up with, the game of: mortal sin, I'm out; go to confession, I'm in. Push-button theology is very different from healthy, rich [faith]." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 163)

For me faith has always been much more about a journey than a series of right/wrong dualism. What has always spoke to me in the Judeo-Christian tradition, is the real human experiences that the bible addresses. And sense of connection because while the specifics may not be exact the overall experience of the human condition is.

Stations of the Cross, was not a part of my tradition growing up. The first Stations service that I went to was at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC where each chapel was a station and everyone took a turn carrying a very large cross.

While not every part of the stations is biblical, the traditions that arose out of the biblical witness do add to the walking the way of the cross.

As a person of faith it is true that I have probably at some point experienced being condemned, judged and betrayed. Fortunately not a regular occurrence, but when you are not isolated from others, it will be very hard to avoid these experiences throughout one's life. I do know that there are times when I have to let go of my need to be in control of everything even, if the experience will not lead to success. Journeying in faith will have times of failure and faltering or it is no journey.

What has always been my experience is that God has provided folks along the way, who have aided me, advised me, and pointed me back on the right path. I thank God for those people, even the one's whose names I can no longer remember.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/20/10

"Mystics have a profound sense that all is united. They don't departmentalize life because they know deeply that God is the center, and all things are connected to the center. Their circle is very wide and broad and there is room for everything inside of it...They're wide-open people, with room to integrate everything: faith, intelligence, politics, science and the humanities."(R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 162)

I doubt I would be accused of being a mystic. I realize right from the outset that I have a habit of departmentalizing my life. I usually will call it "what hat am I wearing." I maybe more aware of it due to being a clergy person. The complexity of being Ed, sometimes is quite confusing for those who only see "priest" and then apply their stereotype.

On a deeper level though I do see that rich tapestry of me as being centered in God. That all that I love and enjoy in life are gifts from God. I also try to have a wide and broad circle with room for many things.

I try to be a truly good "liberal" one who sees some level of truth in differing opinions. I value my liberal arts eduction because it connected all of the learning. I also try to integrate most of my experiences in life, either as teachable moments, where I learn from my mistakes, or places of growth through new ideas.

Being a mystic may be a little to holy for me. But patterning some of life in the more mystical tradition of the Christian faith makes a great amount of sense to me.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/19/10

"All spiritual reality, all grace is mediated to us through this world, through history, through concrete objects, things, moments, events, persons."(R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 161)

What exactly is my spirituality? That's a good question. I know that it is nourished by worship with other Christians. I tend to it by trying to say morning prayer each day. There are also quiet moments when I can take in the world around me and sense the presence of God.

I have also experienced grace in real and concrete ways. Usually by compassionate actions of others towards me, in my less than perfect moments. When I reflect back I can see those moments through the people, places and experiences of my past.

Sacramental moments I suppose you'd call them. Outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual graces is the definition of a sacrament. Episcopalians have two primary ones baptism and Eucharist, and acknowledge five others: confirmation, ordination, holy matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent and unction. The Catechism says that although they are means of grace, they are not necessary for all persons in the same way that Baptism and Eucharist are.

Towards the end of this second part this question is asked: "Is God's activity limited to these rites?" The answer: "God does not limit himself to these rites; they are patterns of countless ways by which God uses material things to reach out to us."

How is God reaching out to you today? Will you be able to have a "sacramental" moment, and know it for what it is?

While I enjoy and love the obvious ones. It is perhaps those not so clearly defined ones that keep me hopeful and willing to risk.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/18/10

"Grace operates best in the realm of freedom. As free people, we listen to the Lord and say, 'What are you asking of me, Lord?' and 'Where are you leading me?' That is the nature of dialogue, of a relationship, in which we are listening and being called."(R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 160)

Most of us love freedom. As Americans we talk about our freedoms all the time. Of course in there are non-flag waving ways in which we are not free. We are in fact servants to a good many things, which in a fascinating irony we chose to shackle ourselves with.

When we are truly free that voice of God has a much better shot at breaking through. When we're so busy tightening those other chains that bind us, we can't possibly have time to enter into a more meaningful dialogue or relationship that asks vocational questions. That asks those deeper meaning and purpose to life.

The freedom we have with God is the ability to ask questions, to truly discern. If we were merely servants we would never dare to ask. But our relationship with God is a freely entered one. One desired strongly by God, and truly beneficial when desired equally by us.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/17/10

"This day, allow us to hear anew. Allow us to receive afresh. Allow us to become all that you want us to become, for your sake, for the coming of the Kingdom."(R.Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 160)

So much of life is repetitive. Everyday I hear things, but they rarely seem knew. Often its the same old same old, with just a few twists to make it seem like this is something new. So much in life feels mundane. That rhythm of life, which keeps us centered can often dull us to the point of missing so much.

What would it mean to hear anew? For me that is an invitation to clean out my ears so to speak. Perhaps what I consider to be the same old same old, with a different perspective or listening for something I may have missed might be in order.

What would it mean to receive afresh? For me it would mean to receive things with eyes, mind and arms wide open. But again the afresh is within me, not outside of me. Some of the baggage that I carry may inhibit my ability to receive afresh. Some of the lenses which I view the world may need a little cleaning.

That is not to say that I have everything wrong. But if I do not pay attention to the way I hear and the way I receive, I will remain stuck, and will miss many of the wonderful opportunities that God has waiting for me to pay attention.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/16/10

"We want to love you, and we want to love one another. We want to receive your life from one another. we want to enter into the great adventure that is before us. We want to be a part of what you are doing."(R.Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 159)

I find one of the hardest things for people to do is to say what they are for. I get plenty of information about what people are against, but rarely anything that speaks of proactive positive response to the issues of life.

For me that is what it would mean to be being a part of what God is doing. Scripture tells us that with God everything is a yes. I take that to mean, not that everything is permissible, but that if something is truly of God or the will of God, it can only be framed in what something is for.

Where I have found the greatest connection with God, is in the working with and helping of others. The life most fully lived is one based in relationships rooted in love. Love of God, neighbor and self.

There are opportunities galore to see God in action. There are invitations to enter fully into that action. Will we respond to that invite? Will we open our hearts to receive the blessing that comes from service to others? Or will we spend our time talking about what's wrong with the world, blaming and shaming others, while doing nothing constructive. I know what I'll choose.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/15/10

"Heal us from the lie. Heal us from the doubt. Heal us from the darkness. Heal us from untruth that controls us. Take us close to you today and teach us the truth. Accept our flaw, Lord that we cannot accept. Heal our wound. Forgive that fatal flaw, Lord, that we cannot forgive. Help us to forgive ourselves. None of us has become who we thought we wanted to be. We thought our life was going to be so different. Our judgement is not greater than yours. Free us to forgive what you so readily forgive. What you have let go of, help us not to hold on to." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p.158)



As someone who often gets caught up in the daydreams of what I'd like to be in the future, I sometimes forget to live in the present. If you were to go back in time and ask me to describe what I thought I would be at the age of 44, I don't know that I would have predicted what I am now.



I'm not even sure that I'll ever achieve even the ever evolving personal goals that I set. The question is will I be able to live with myself if I never become that person. Can I accept the forgiveness from God that allows me to work with and live with the who I am right now. Can I let go of the parts of the past that keep saying, what happened to that dream. Can I open my eyes, mind and heart to see new possibilities in the future, while enjoying and living fully in to today?



That again is where faith comes in. Can this old dog learn any new tricks from God, our even finally get the original lessons down.



Blessings,

Ed

Reflections for 4/14/10

"Make us not afraid of life and not afraid of this earth. Make us strive for justice and believe in peace. Make us not afraid of the cross and neither afraid of the Resurrection. Make us, Creator, not afraid of enjoying this world, of celebrating and protecting this world." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 157)

The commandment not to be afraid, "fear not" is all over the Bible. While I'm not sure the exact number of times it occurs, it is far more prevalent than any commandment on sexuality for sure.
Yet so many people always talk about being afraid. Of course we live in a society that thrives on fear mongering. Not only of "other people" but sometimes of even enjoying life itself.

I try not to be afraid of life, and certainly love going outside of my home, though I do love my home also. Striving for justice, means for me to not cave in to the fear mongering. To be able to take a stand when one is called for. Believing in peace must also begin with myself. Can I let go of some of the petty anger that flares up from time to time.

I don't fear death but I won't try death defying stunts either. I don't fear resurrection because I believe the newness and difference it invites me to is worth having.

I want to enjoy all that the world has to offer, that is beautiful and worthy. There are things of course in this world, that may appear pleasurable, but are not worth having. I want to live a life of celebration while not exploiting and taking advantage of the gifts God has given.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/13/10

"We pray that our lives can be a real adventure, that you can open some new parts of ourselves, that we can recognize and love some new parts of own manhood and womanhood" (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 156)

What would it mean to have life be an adventure? Most of the time life feels more like a roller coaster. An adventure in my opinion would mean, first going to a new place that I hadn't been before, packing some essentials, but seeing where the path goes, without necessarily knowing how it will all work out. In the old TV show "the Little Rascals" I remember one line where someone ask where the other person was going, the reply "I don't know but I'm on my way."

Paul writes in Corinthians that we know in part and then we will be fully known. I've always heard that as an invitation to continue to grow as a person. There may still even after 44 years be some aspects of me that I haven't realized or have never allowed to come out and play. Parts that could make me more complete and perhaps even better equipped to be fully engaged with the world.

The key would be to when encountering that part of Ed, to learn to embrace, nourish and love that part as much as I've loved the parts that are already clear.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections 4/12/10

"We love what you have given. Help us to recognize, Holy One, and to rejoice in what is given, even in the midst of what is not given. Help us not to doubt, Lord, what you have given us, even when we feel our shortcomings." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 155)

As I read this prayer from Fr. Rohr, I began to see very clearly the real difference between pessimism and optimism, from the glass half full to the glass half empty approach to life.

Each day I can choose to see and benefit from what I have, or to sit back look at what others seemingly have and feel inadequate. While I don't own a house, I do have a place to live. While I don't eat name brand food all the time, I am not going hungry at anytime. While there isn't a whole lot of wiggle room in my household budget, I am still able to pay the bills, and enjoy vacations.

I can also choose to recognize the gifts and talents I have as a husband, dad and priest, or I can choose to focus in on the ways I'm not perfect. And of course the more productive use of my time would be to acknowledge that there are shortcomings, but learn to live with some of them, unless they are really causing havoc in my life.

What helps me to take a more optimistic view point, is the central belief that I am in fact, loved and lovable. By God, by others, and on most days by self.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/11/10

"When you no longer expect something more from life, you are for all practical purposes and atheist. When you are no longer open to do something new, to see and feel in new ways about old things, you might as well hang it up." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 155)

When I first read this, I thought that's wrong. As a Christian am I not supposed to be satisfied with what I have? Content if you will? Then I thought some more and realized that while I try to be content with what I have and the current circumstances of my life, I do spend time thinking and dreaming of something more or different in various parts of life. That because I believe in a living God, one who unveils new aspects of me and new ways of seeing and feeling about things that I have reason to keep going.

The key is to be open to new ways of being or seeing old things. It doesn't guarantee that they will happen, or that you will change, but that should change come you will be ready for it.

Each day is a new one. Parts of it will seem like the same old same old, but one spiritual discipline might be to start by asking to be open to something different, and then at the end of the day to see what was.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/10/10

"Faith is not for overcoming obstacles; it is for experiencing them." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 154)

There doesn't seem to be a day, where what I hope to accomplish has something happen that prevents all that I want to get done, done. Of course sometimes I create my own obstacles and distractions, but there are other times that forces beyond my control get in the way.

And it is true in a much bigger sense than the day to day stuff. In our lives we seem to always have some obstacle in our way. Something that keeps us from achieving our goals, or even being fully human.

Faith doesn't prevent the obstacles, or even remove them. Faith does help me endure the obstacles until the solution or resolution occurs. And for me there is a big difference.

While I'd appreciate having a little less experience of obstacles, I'll use my faith, the gifts of the spirit, especially patience, to keep myself from becoming overwhelmed or discouraged.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/9/2010

"Eucharist is the gift that makes us a sacred and universal people." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 153)

One of the most important aspects of my spiritual journey has been weekly Eucharist. Receiving communion in my church has been a part of my weekly ritual for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a church where communion was the central action of the worship. There were and maybe still are Episcopal churches that have Morning Prayer as their principle Sunday worship, but that has not been my experience.

Even while away at college, going to church and receiving communion was essential to any semblance of balance that I had. For me to not receive communion during the week makes about as much sense as not bathing.

Now I will admit that I had not thought of the more global picture of communion. That what I was doing was happening at countless churches around the globe. And was even happening in churches other than my beloved Episcopal church.

The image of that fellowship I think is very important. If we can break bread together, then we should it would seem to me be able to work through many if not all of our disagreements. The bible even tells us not to do so when we are at enmity with someone else. Unfortunately it is often seen as don't do so with that person or group, not don't do it at all.

But it is that sharing and same action globally that should be a sign of what is possible, a reminder that it isn't just about me. And that unity shared among Christians and our shared humanity is shown for its potential through the sacrament of Eucharist.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/8/10

"We cannot free ourselves. We can only be set free by the love of another. Jesus is totally set free only by the love of the Other! Amazingly, this faith-surrender does not destroy the self or individuality, but it actually creates it and recreates it. For the highest form of self-possession is the capacity to give oneself." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 152)

When anyone is trying to break through a self-destructive life style, it usually helps to have the love and support of another. This is also true when trying to recover from illness or injury. When we have the love and encouragement of another, we want to try harder to do the work we need to do.

I often will pray that God will continue to strengthen those who are recovering, to empower them to do the therapy etc. needed to heal. There are people who want God to fix everything, but I hear God inviting us to join in the fixing. Yes trust that God is present giving us the tools and the skills and the desire to do what needs to be done. The faith surrender is to believe that you've already been given what you need, now go and do.

It is in that self-assurance, that we can risk giving ourselves in the service of others. That service may sometimes be nothing more than a capacity to listen. But whatever we are called to do at any given moment, believe that God through the Holy Spirit has empowered you.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/7/10

"We cannot see love itself, but we can see what happens to those who have been loved." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 151)

Certainly I know that being loved makes my life worth living. I feel loved by my family. I feel beloved by my parish, and it is that love that makes me want to do for others. What keeps me smiling most days. Which gives me patience to deal with just about everyone and everything that comes up, though even I have my limits.

I can't see the emotion of love, but I know a love in action when I see it. I also know hatred when I see it, and I know the direct results of being hated. I can see the damage done to those for whom the hatred is aimed, but also on those who are motivated to action by hatred. And it is generally true that currently manifested hatred is just another series in a long line of continuous hatred within that person or groups life.

What is truly tragic for me is to come across those who claim to love Jesus and call themselves beloved of God, but cannot bring themselves to extend that love to others. Words of hate spewing forth from the hearts, minds and mouths of those who claim the faith of Jesus, seems to me to tell a very different story.

That is for me a great challenge of faith, to actually live into the love you claim.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/6/10

"In the risen Jesus, God reveals the final state of reality. God forbids us to accept 'as-it-is' in favor of 'What-God's-love-can-make-it.' To believe means to cross and transcend boundaries. Because of Jesus we realistically can have a passion for the possible." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 150)

That phrase a passion for the possible caught my eye. So often we hear folks talk about what can't be done. They operate out of a place of scarcity and pessimism. I try to see things from a place of abundance and optimism. I do not believe that everything always works, but I'm more impressed when folks at least try. When they risk saying yes to trying. When they shed their inner Eeyore and embrace the yes of God.

All great attempts must start from the belief that things will work out. If we start off believing we will fail, we usually have self-fulfilling prophesies. When we started with a more optimistic approach, tempered with some of the potential problems, we are often surprised by how things turn out.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/5/10

"Jesus tells them to take away the stone, then he asks of them a further sign of faith. Do you believe that I can do it? Can you be with me as I do it? Step out. Make a bit of a fool of yourself, move away the stone. 'Untie him,' Jesus told them, 'and let him go free'(John 11:44). Notice what John may well be saying to the community. Though Jesus brings us to life, he needs us, the Body of Chris. He needs the community to unbind Lazarus. We now share in the power of resurrection. The eternal Christ says to the eternal Church: Unbind the suffering world and let it go free! That is the meaning of Church. It is our call, our burden, our task in human history. The risen Christ invites u on his path of liberation." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 149)

While I'm fairly familiar with the passage of the raising of Lazarus, I hadn't thought about the fact that there is within it an invitation for the church to finish the work.

Yes it is Jesus, through the power of God, that raised Lazarus, but he doesn't remove the grave clothes etc. The people standing there have to finish the work. Our shared mission is to live into the Isaiah commission.

Where do we encounter folks who are bound by circumstances that keep them from being fully human? What can people of faith do to be the hands and heart of Christ in our day?

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/4/10

" If you have ever been rejected, you know how unlikely it is to come back into the midst of those who have said, We do not want you. Yet that's the eternal mystery we celebrate. God is always coming back into a world that for some unbelievable reason doe not want God."(R.Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 146)

Well I certainly have been rejected in my lifetime. Dumped by more than my share of girls before finding the right one. Rejected by plenty of jobs. Granted I've never been kicked out of any organization, and certainly never rejected in such a way that made me believe that someone wanted me dead.

Yet that is what happened to Jesus. But today we celebrated his showing up again, albeit in a new way. Easter for me is about letting go of what once was and embracing the where do we go from here.

No matter how many times things go wrong, somehow God seems to always show up, even when I think I can fix it by myself. That I don't need God or anyone else. It is simply a self-deception.

But on this absolutely beautiful day in Southern New Jersey, I certainly felt Jesus breaking on through, coming back again, even though he never really left.

The key will be to keep wanting him to stay.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/3/10

"To be a Christian means to be an optimist because we know what happened on the third day. We know that it worked, that Jesus leap of faith was not in vain. His trust was not in vain and that the Father raised him up." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 145)

I generally am a glass half full if not completely full person. I have a firm belief that most things work themselves out. And often try to see how the journey plays out. Sometimes a lack of a clear plan is very unnerving to my "J" oriented friends and family, who like minutiae covered.

I'll have to say that I'm usually affirmed in my not overly controlling ways, when things work out positively if not always as I originally pictured it.

My hunch is the disciples had a hard time being optimistic once Jesus was laid in the tomb. Very hard for them to see how this would work out, even though they'd been given hints if they'd paid attention.

Optimism is very much in shortage right now. I hear more pessimism, fear, anger and frustration, than I do a patient hope.

What would happen if everyone actually pictured the glass at least half full. That would mean that you frame the vision differently. It doesn't indicate perfection, but it does mean you might have to enjoy the ride a little more.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/2/10

"the cross is our obedience to the price of truth and love-with no assurance that it is going to 'work.' As in the life of Jesus, the cross leads us to perfect faith. Love led to its logical conclusion demands that we trust in a goodness and a life beyond our own. The doctrine of the cross says that no life can last forever, but there is a price to the breaking down of the lie." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 144)

Today is Good Friday. The day that the church remembers the death of Jesus on the cross. Killed by the religious and secular powers of his day. Killed for being a threat to the status quo. Yet that threat was never one of violence, but one of love for the people within those structures and for those shut out by those same structures.

That kind of sacrifice is not the norm in our country. There is little dying for one's faith, but sometimes killing for one's faith has been witnessed here.

The cross for me continues to be a sign of change, perhaps that's why they call it a cross road. Almost every day could be a good Friday, where we are given an opportunity to let go of the way we live that is in fact killing us and allow a new vision and direction to emerge.

Good Friday also is a reminder that when the world thinks its taken care of an inconvenience, God has the final word.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 4/1/10

"Sometimes we think we are being heroic in not letting God love us. We want to do the loving thing ourselves. Yet only when Peter capitulates and allows Jesus to minister to him does he experience the meaning of Jesus." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 143)

Today is Maundy Thursday, the beginning of what is called the Tridiuim in the church. At many liturgical churches (Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran) foot washing will occur, following the example of Jesus to his disciples as told in Gospel of John.

This year I will not be doing it. For one thing, I usually had to twist arms to get people to come up, and two I want to try something different this year.

Many of my parishioners seem to have Peter's attitude, "you will never wash my feet." There's a level of uncomfortableness in it. This probably is an example of how hard it is to let anyone do anything for us. While this is just a ceremonial act, it is true that most of us, have a hard time letting anyone do something unsolicited for us. Part of it may also be that we may have to do something in return that we may not be prepared to do.

I also find it interesting that it is the feet that get washed. In Jesus' time of course everyone was either walking barefoot or with sandals and feet got quite dirty. It was proper etiquette to wash your guests feet or at least have the servants do so. Now we're not as loving to our feet.

Yet our feet bear all of our weight. When they really hurt, it is hard to move. So it is interesting to me that they usually get ignored except when they cry out.

Where in our lives do we need to allow our feet to be taken care of. Where do we need to let go of our pride and self-reliance and let God take care of us, usually in the form of other people. Where can we be Christ for someone else, doing something for others that they may need, but are afraid or ashamed to ask?

Blessings,
Ed