Today's service certainly gave me much to think about.
The invitation to leave tradition and institutional comfort at bay was a difficult challenge, as these values are dear to me. Reconsidering them, though, is always a useful exercise. Perhaps the sermon's title "I am the bread of life" can provide strength in this exercise.
As Rev. Johnston described the boomers, Gen X (that's me), and the echo generation, I was thinking about how I could relate to values usually ascribed to each. But the challenge to rethink how we express our faith and to focus on the personal experience of faith is not at all easy. For me, coming to a life of faith indeed started with the monument and tradition of the church, and I must say that I find it difficult to express personal experiences of faith. It is far easier to read scripture, hear music, see art and architecture, rather than relate the powerful peace that can come in silent prayer.
As Rev. Johnston described Jesus as a bridge between us and God, perhaps traditions and institutions have been another kind of bridge for me, and that personal experience is just another lane on the same bridge.
Geoffrey
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sunday, March 20
Walls. When it comes to sheep, that is one part of all that is required for protection. The other, of course, is a gate. Or, as today's scriptures make abundantly clear, a Shepherd's presence in lieu of a gate - a solitary protector lying in the gap, ensuring all remains well through the darkness of the night.
I can't help but focus on the walls. Walls can seem so nondescript when we pass them by from the outside, invoking little to no emotion as we go along our merry, busy ways. Yet, figuratively and literally, they can speak a great deal of both hope and joy. For the prisoner, they speak of the hope of redemption, and of liberty. For the flock, they speak of the joy of protection, of safely belonging and flourishing.
For the redeemed, for God's flock, to reside within the walls of the church, and of faith, and of fellowship, having entered through Christ, is to experience a communal joy for which we must never neglect to express gratitude. Beyond that joy, we are called to heed the voice of our Shepherd, and head back into pasture, into the world, into a place with sweet grass as well as hidden dangers. Beyond that joy, we are called to trust in the voice of He who is the author of our faith, our reason for safety in a place without walls. Beyond that joy, we bear a responsibility to constantly listen, filtering out the clamouring, mundane noises, so that we may hear the voice of the One intent on leading us through pasture, right back to the joy within the walls, right back to the place where He keeps watch.
Through it all, what is clear is our Shepherd's unflinching attentiveness. Our Shepherd is the king of love, imagine that!
"All glory to our Lord and God for love so deep, so high, so broad, the Trinity whom we adore forever and forevermore."
I can't help but focus on the walls. Walls can seem so nondescript when we pass them by from the outside, invoking little to no emotion as we go along our merry, busy ways. Yet, figuratively and literally, they can speak a great deal of both hope and joy. For the prisoner, they speak of the hope of redemption, and of liberty. For the flock, they speak of the joy of protection, of safely belonging and flourishing.
For the redeemed, for God's flock, to reside within the walls of the church, and of faith, and of fellowship, having entered through Christ, is to experience a communal joy for which we must never neglect to express gratitude. Beyond that joy, we are called to heed the voice of our Shepherd, and head back into pasture, into the world, into a place with sweet grass as well as hidden dangers. Beyond that joy, we are called to trust in the voice of He who is the author of our faith, our reason for safety in a place without walls. Beyond that joy, we bear a responsibility to constantly listen, filtering out the clamouring, mundane noises, so that we may hear the voice of the One intent on leading us through pasture, right back to the joy within the walls, right back to the place where He keeps watch.
Through it all, what is clear is our Shepherd's unflinching attentiveness. Our Shepherd is the king of love, imagine that!
"All glory to our Lord and God for love so deep, so high, so broad, the Trinity whom we adore forever and forevermore."
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sunday, March 13
Lent is my favourite season of the liturgical calendar. It appeals to my reflective nature, I think. This morning, the first Sunday in Lent, Andrew reminded us that it's a time we use to acknowledge our lostness, fears and futility, but it's a time full of promise for the light in the darkness.
In reflecting on Jesus as the Light of the World, (John 8:12) we saw Jesus as an inviting candle, not a bright, glaring spotlight. The image that stays in my mind is that of a candle on a table in a dark room, and how a room lit by a candle looks so different. The candle brings out the nooks and crannies of a room, making it seem much more alive in the flickering light. In the same way, Jesus sees our lives differently: not seeing our achievements or status, instead seeing us a beloved child of God.
The Sunday service was full of images this morning, was there an image that stood out in your mind?
In reflecting on Jesus as the Light of the World, (John 8:12) we saw Jesus as an inviting candle, not a bright, glaring spotlight. The image that stays in my mind is that of a candle on a table in a dark room, and how a room lit by a candle looks so different. The candle brings out the nooks and crannies of a room, making it seem much more alive in the flickering light. In the same way, Jesus sees our lives differently: not seeing our achievements or status, instead seeing us a beloved child of God.
The Sunday service was full of images this morning, was there an image that stood out in your mind?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sunday, March 6
Who Am I?
The Transfiguration
Two themes emerged for me during week's message. The first was Jesus being the lens through which we interpret the bible. Andrew felt that God was telling those assembled to listen to Jesus - and Jesus above all. This is echoed by the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving:
"Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour are yours, almighty God,
for ever and ever"
The other twist on the scripture reading for me was Peter's reaction to the transfiguration. I thought Peter's offer to build a house was odd - why make such a mundane suggestion at such a spiritual moment? I understand now that Peter wanted to capture the magic for himself and enshrine it in a human dwelling.
However, even Jesus put aside the illuminating Presence and descended the mountain as a man. We can't dwell within those mountaintop experiences indefinitely, but they can inspire and sustain us in our daily lives of service.
Eileen Dent
The Transfiguration
Two themes emerged for me during week's message. The first was Jesus being the lens through which we interpret the bible. Andrew felt that God was telling those assembled to listen to Jesus - and Jesus above all. This is echoed by the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving:
"Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour are yours, almighty God,
for ever and ever"
The other twist on the scripture reading for me was Peter's reaction to the transfiguration. I thought Peter's offer to build a house was odd - why make such a mundane suggestion at such a spiritual moment? I understand now that Peter wanted to capture the magic for himself and enshrine it in a human dwelling.
However, even Jesus put aside the illuminating Presence and descended the mountain as a man. We can't dwell within those mountaintop experiences indefinitely, but they can inspire and sustain us in our daily lives of service.
Eileen Dent
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