Another Advent Thought!

The previous post was from Henri Nouwen and was most certainly "A Broader View" (the title of the reflection).  It is a view which we should all reflect upon, especially in this country, as we live in a democracy and even though we sometimes feel powerless the facts are that We Are the Nation.  This nation has been blessed greatly from it's inception.  We have done Some great things for the world but we should also confess our failures as well and try harder from a communal standpoint in the future.  I would suggest once again a book by Marianne Williamson titled "Healing The Soul of America".  To those whom much is given, much is required.
I loved Henri's use of two great metaphors:  Leaving the "House of Fear" and entering the "House of Love", where reconciliation, healing, and peace can reign.
There were just a few words in this piece which bothered me and thought I would mention why.  A lot of scripture as well as theology in general is couched in varying degrees of "Imperial or Kingdom" terminology.  This is understandable considering the world when these lofty concepts were written but today there could be a more accurate choice of wording to reflect the life of our Christ and the Spirit of our God.
To begin with he quotes Matthew "observe his commands".  In my opinion I feel a more accurate word would be to "observe his path"  as what the "red letter text" says is not near as important as how Jesus walked His path.  He modeled the path for us He did not just command us as to what to do.  He walked the walk as well as talked the talk.

Secondly, "The whole world is to be converted!  True, but I feel that a more appropriate word would be "Transformed".  "converted" smacks of the idea that the whole word should be converted to the  "Catholic"/"Lutheran"/"Evangelical"/"Christian"(or another one of the 3,000+ denominations out there) church.  In the "Emerging" perspective the most accurate use of the word Christ is Far greater than Any of the churches which carry His name and  claim to have The truth.  I was recently blessed to get a copy of a Palm Sunday sermon given by a Baptist preacher regarding his study of Mahatma Gandhi, (Martin Luther King Jr. 22 March 1959 in Montgomery, Alabama). It demonstrates the point I'm trying to make much better than can I.   In a nutshell, I present the following quote but if you can google the sermon it would be well worth the read. ""It is one of the strange ironies of the modern world that the greatest Christian of the twentieth century was not a member of the Christian church".

My poor final point here is in reference to the "House of Love" quote above.  While I agree with the word "reign" used here it feels that a better word would perhaps be "Thrive".  Kind of picky I know but in the final analysis this is my blog and sometimes I can be picky if I wish :0)

P.S. - Just another reflection.  Last night a group of us kindred spirits watched a webinar regarding an "alternative orthodoxy".  One of the presenters was Richard Rohr and he made a very intriguing point regarding one of the pillars of conventional orthodoxy, The Nicene Creed ( he did credit the point to a question asked him by a student) .  He stated that not once in this primary document of the Christian faith is the word, Love, used.  Interesting!  Merry Christmas!  RV

    

An Advent Thought!

One of the most read writers for the Christmas Season is Henri J. M Nouwen.  I came across a reflection he wrote in one of his books, Lifesigns, and wish to share it here.  It really ties the mission of Christ to the movement toward Social Justice and Love. It is preceded by:

 Psalm 72:11-12

May All Kings fall down before Him,

All Nations give Him Service.

For He delivers the needy when they call,

the poor and those who have no helper.

We must develop a global spirituality in which the demands of the Gospel guide not only the behavior of individuals but of nations as well.  Many will consider this naive.  They are glad to accept the teachings of Jesus for their personal and family lives, but when it comes to international affairs the consider these same teachings unrealistic and utopian.  Yet, Jesus sent out his apostles to make disciples not just of individual people but of all the nations, and to teach these nations to observe his commands (Matthew 28:19-20).  At the last day, Jesus will call these same nations before his throne and raise the critical question: "What have you done for the least of Mine"? (Matthew 25:31-46).  The life of discipleship goes far beyond individual piety or communal loyalty.  The whole world is to be converted!  Nations, not just individual people, are called to leave the house of fear -- where suspicion, hatred, and war rule -- and enter the house of Love, where reconciliation, healing, and peace can reign.  Lifesigns

As I transcribe these thoughts above, some others have come to mind.  However I value these so much I would like to just reflect on them for a bit and I would like to comment some more from an Emerging viewpoint tomorrow.  Pax Christi!  RV

NOW THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!

http://conta.cc/1uH66UF.  Please take a moment and read this post by Richard.

Merry Christmas! Or Holiday!

Merry Christmas To You and Yours!

As has been my chosen practice the past few years, my gift giving is in the form of a monthly donation to the relief work of Mercy Corps, based in Portland, Oregon; www.mercycorps.org.  This year  We are adding a bit to provide a “goat“ to a family in need.  By accepting this card in an e-format you are contributing as well and Thank You!

2014 - WOW what a year!  To begin with Veronica and Adam gave birth, OK! Mostly Veronica :0), on January 24 to Reuben Adam Ward, AKA “R.A.W.”.  Welcome to our world Reuben!  And possibly before the year is out Alexandria and Tim will be welcoming a daughter, Charlotte??(not official yet)!  WoHoo!
In April Michael and I ventured over to Kauai.  On the 28 th we put the finishing touches on a Labyrinth  in Sherita’s Memory.  Would have been our tenth.  Special time at Momilani Kai (Pearl Cove).


Between immersion in the mystical world of emergence and the practical need to “preach” short sermons at Fern Gardens, I have been blessed with a peaceful focus toward relationship and service to all God’s Creation.  At this period of the year, as we celebrate the Incarnation of God’s Love among us, that “Coming” becomes so close to each of us as we rest in that Spirit of Immanuel (God With Us).

Dealing with the beauty and visceral nature of facilitating a weekly communion service brings the sacramental nature to a new and even deeper understanding.  I am beginning to experience the Eucharist as a “Type”, or “Microcosm”, or example of the whole Gospel of Christ;  Caring of each other, Serving each other, Feeding the hungry and thirsty. 
And thereby Loving God with all we are!  

Being Blessed to be able to start installing two more Labyrinths these past two years has been a great joy - These both are the same pattern as Sherita’s Labyrinth at the hospital in Ashland, except larger (7 circuits), with one notable difference.  They both are composed with native materials and are laid out to incorporate the local terrain; I.e. Trees are walked around or between not needlessly cut down .  Because of the aspect of honoring nature, we have come to call these “Franciscan” Style Labyrinths.  One is being installed in the hills above Ashland near the nine mile marker off Dead Indian Memorial Hwy.  The second is on the bluff just above Pearl Cove on Kauai.

May This Blessed Season and The New Year Find You All Well and at Peace!

Love!  Bob / Dad / Gmpa / Chaplain Bob
http://praisegodviathespiritofthechrist.blogspot.com/