The following reflection is too good not to share. It comes from Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word, Year B. While is applies to the lessons a few weeks ago, I continue to reflect on the first sentence. The conversations all around us, public and personal, predominately focus on what is wrong. As Christians can we be something else and realistic at the same time? I believe we can!
Psalm 34:1-8
Reflection
There are many communities of faith today held together more by what they condemn together than by what they bless together. Is your community one that condemns together or one that blesses together? "Let us exalt his name together," is the hope of Psalm 34. When the psalmist declares, "the images hearken back to the radiance of Moses." It was Moses whose face shone with the glory after he had been in the presence of God. Can the preacher describe a radiant face she has seen lately? In particular, however, the hearer is urged to '"look to him" in order to be radiant. The Lord might be rather like the sun, our star, after all. It shines forth light that is then reflected. Those who look to God actually reflect God. The one who sees God is rather like the moon, then, or a planet, reflecting the light of the sun. Even if each of us reflects that light at a different angle, or with perhaps a slightly different hue, the light itself is the light of deliverance (vv. 4 and 6.)
Sam Chandler
Response
Read this psalm. What goodness of God have you seen reflected this day?
Reflecting on the every day, practical dimensions of faith. Practices to shape our lives each day as followers of Christ. Stories to share our practical experiences of wisdom, faith, hope, and love.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
Community
In the summer, we attend an Episcopal Church on the North Fork of Long Island. Yesterday the attendance was 30, usual and expected for this chapel sized church building. The feeling of community in this congregation was much bigger. Perhaps its because I have spent years listening for the heart beat of congregations that I hear the emotional tone when I worship. However, I think I hear what everyone hears and the difference the years make is the practice to describing the sounds.
What did I 'hear' that spoke of community? First, the teenager and the 50 something who greeted us at the door. Once inside the door, the worshipper is inside the church so the usher's readiness to smile, to welcome, and to hand us a bulletin made all the difference. Second, the congregation was settled, quiet, ready to pray and ready to worship. The beginning of worship was not social time among friends, which clearly those outside the community would not have a part. Instead, the preparation for worship created the time and space to place oneself in this community to share an experience of God. Third, the congregation was smiling. They liked being part of this community. Fourth, everyone sang the hymns, and not all of them were old favorites. Fifth, the sermon was well prepared, biblically focused, and practical. The priest clearly spent time to prepare. While some would say, 'its OK to slide in a few thrown together thoughts in the summer' this clergy person spoke to the most important 30 people in his week. Sixth, the congregation prayed for people other than themselves. Seventh, people greeted us at the sharing of the peace and after worship. Eighth, when the need for volunteers at the food pantry was announced I thought, "I could do that" because I knew I would be welcomed. I could go on.
The sounds of community came from those gathered to worship. The size of the congregation did not make it less friendly or more friendly. It was inviting, intentional, and joyous all at the same time. The community felt 'bigger' because the community was open, open to God and open to everyone present.
Those who care about congregations spend a lot of time managing the impact of congregational size. Yes, each congregation will fall within a range that creates networks of relationships and certain dynamics. But community does not flow from congregational size. A small congregation can be cold and a large congregation can be warm. A large community can focus only on itself and a small community can serve God in the world. A small community or a large community can be sloppy or intentional, welcoming or diffident, nervous or joyful, closed or open. Community flows from the open hearts of those gathered to worship God. We all hear community when we listen.
What did I 'hear' that spoke of community? First, the teenager and the 50 something who greeted us at the door. Once inside the door, the worshipper is inside the church so the usher's readiness to smile, to welcome, and to hand us a bulletin made all the difference. Second, the congregation was settled, quiet, ready to pray and ready to worship. The beginning of worship was not social time among friends, which clearly those outside the community would not have a part. Instead, the preparation for worship created the time and space to place oneself in this community to share an experience of God. Third, the congregation was smiling. They liked being part of this community. Fourth, everyone sang the hymns, and not all of them were old favorites. Fifth, the sermon was well prepared, biblically focused, and practical. The priest clearly spent time to prepare. While some would say, 'its OK to slide in a few thrown together thoughts in the summer' this clergy person spoke to the most important 30 people in his week. Sixth, the congregation prayed for people other than themselves. Seventh, people greeted us at the sharing of the peace and after worship. Eighth, when the need for volunteers at the food pantry was announced I thought, "I could do that" because I knew I would be welcomed. I could go on.
The sounds of community came from those gathered to worship. The size of the congregation did not make it less friendly or more friendly. It was inviting, intentional, and joyous all at the same time. The community felt 'bigger' because the community was open, open to God and open to everyone present.
Those who care about congregations spend a lot of time managing the impact of congregational size. Yes, each congregation will fall within a range that creates networks of relationships and certain dynamics. But community does not flow from congregational size. A small congregation can be cold and a large congregation can be warm. A large community can focus only on itself and a small community can serve God in the world. A small community or a large community can be sloppy or intentional, welcoming or diffident, nervous or joyful, closed or open. Community flows from the open hearts of those gathered to worship God. We all hear community when we listen.
Friday, August 3, 2012
August 3
Significant life events are always followed by the day after the significant life event. Yesterday, after months of careful preparation and planning, my daughter left for her junior semester abroad in China. She'll be gone five months. As I stood with her at the entrance of the airport security line, she thanked me for my support. I told her parenting was equal parts supporting and worrying. I am excited for her and supporting her adventure as well as always concerned about her.
So, today is the day after the significant start of this life adventure. There is an emptying feeling, no more planning, check lists, tasks and counting down the days. There is a void of her busy and steady presence of preparation. There is a question of "now what?" After looking forward to the start of this trip for so long, it remains for her to take it and for me to wait.
The day after, August 3, is not just another day in the calendar. Life for daughter and mother is changed. It is ours to live into as a
So, today is the day after the significant start of this life adventure. There is an emptying feeling, no more planning, check lists, tasks and counting down the days. There is a void of her busy and steady presence of preparation. There is a question of "now what?" After looking forward to the start of this trip for so long, it remains for her to take it and for me to wait.
The day after, August 3, is not just another day in the calendar. Life for daughter and mother is changed. It is ours to live into as a
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