Leader: Come, sing a new song of worship.
All: Come, sing a new song of praise.
Leader: Today is a day of a promise fulfilled.
All: With joy we celebrate Pentecost.
Leader: Pentecost – a day when power and comfort flowed.
All: Pentecost – a day of hope and inspiration.
Leader: A day when the Holy Spirit was revealed in flaming glory.
All: And the glory was given to the people.
Leader: The fire of the Holy Spirit lives on in us. Sing praises!
All: We sing praises, indeed!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Rolling Up Our Sleeves
TEXTS: Acts 1:15 – 26 and Voices, by Ursula Le Guin, pgs 359 – 361.
Last week I chose the readings for this week and next week. I did not know that casting lots and choosing a successor would be so closely related to what we did on retreat yesterday.
For those of you who were not able to make it to the retreat, yesterday we used a 4 sided die to decide which question of our 4 questions we would attempt to answer first. Also, I announced that I feel like I have been called to be interim pastor here at Grace, and that I have had a single vision for healing for this community, but that I feel called to not become the permanent pastor. It was not a decision fully formed until yesterday afternoon, but one that I have been discerning through reading and prayer for the last couple of months. It wasn't until the power was flowing in our gathering that I clearly heard what I was to do and be.
The believers, as they are called here in Acts, are waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit. We celebrate this fulfilled promise next week, but the believers did not have a time-table for when they would receive their power. At this point they are devoting themselves to prayer and taking care of business as they need to.
I think it's interesting that they decided the parameters of who would become the successor of Judas, but they let a divine roll of the dice decide which of the two who met the criteria would be selected. Those are interesting side notes ... details to the story. What really catches my eye is that they listened to the messengers that we read about last week. They stopped looking up and waiting for Jesus' return and they rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Some of that work was devoting themselves to prayer. Some of that work was doing the next thing that felt important.
In our other story, Memer finds out that she is the successor in her faith tradition. Her mentor, though not really her predecessor, offers her an explanation for a miracle that was not a miracle – the running of the fountain which hadn't run in decades. Memer is not troubled by this act of drama, but is more curious about the real miracle, that a lame man stood straight and tall, running and moving with grace and agility. Her mentor had been lame since she first knew him and remains lame, but in that moment of that day Memer describes the Waylord as "a tall, straight, beautiful man, smiling, with fire in his eyes. ... He was not lame, he was lithe and quick."
The Waylord was only acting upon what he felt prompted to do. He had no recognition of the miracle he had become in that moment. Both he and Memer, in a time of crisis when war broke out, listened to Holy promptings that guided them and did not let doubt stop them from moving in the power they were given.
These are before and after stories of receiving power. The believers are yet waiting for theirs. Memer and the Waylord received theirs. In both stories people roll up their sleeves and get to work trusting that what needs to happen will happen. Some miracles may be more or less miracle. What appears to be a miracle might actually be produced from skill or sweat. But within the apparent miracle, I think, is where the miracle often occurs.
As power surged through the Waylord, and he did the task that he knew he was supposed to do, he became lithe and agile, tall and beautiful. When Memer trusted that she was doing what she needed to be doing and let herself be guided by her god, she became filled with power from the gift that had been dormant within her. These people became the miracles.
As the believers wait for the promise of power from the Holy Spirit they do what they need to do. They replace Judas using both skill and spirit. Their skill is the reasoning that they do. They decide that it should be a person who has been with them from the beginning. Then they call on their god to guide the dice. God honors their reasoning skills and they accept the roll of the dice as divine.
We need to devote ourselves to prayer, take practical steps toward our goal, and trust that our God will divinely guide us. We need to appreciate the apparent miracles that we see but also remember that when it comes down to it, any one of us may become the real miracle for the moment. Listen for guidance, do what you know how to do, trust that the power that needs to be released will be released, and don't be afraid that it may be released through you. The Waylord thought he was the Reader, but he wasn't. He had a different role. Memer didn't expect to be the Reader, but she was. Justus and Matthias may have never entertained the thought to become one of the twelve.
Don't make up your mind what role you have. Make up your mind that you will hear and be able to respond. Make up your mind to do what is in your power and to let Power do what is in you. It's time to roll up our sleeves, trust our skill and trust our God.
Last week I chose the readings for this week and next week. I did not know that casting lots and choosing a successor would be so closely related to what we did on retreat yesterday.
For those of you who were not able to make it to the retreat, yesterday we used a 4 sided die to decide which question of our 4 questions we would attempt to answer first. Also, I announced that I feel like I have been called to be interim pastor here at Grace, and that I have had a single vision for healing for this community, but that I feel called to not become the permanent pastor. It was not a decision fully formed until yesterday afternoon, but one that I have been discerning through reading and prayer for the last couple of months. It wasn't until the power was flowing in our gathering that I clearly heard what I was to do and be.
The believers, as they are called here in Acts, are waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit. We celebrate this fulfilled promise next week, but the believers did not have a time-table for when they would receive their power. At this point they are devoting themselves to prayer and taking care of business as they need to.
I think it's interesting that they decided the parameters of who would become the successor of Judas, but they let a divine roll of the dice decide which of the two who met the criteria would be selected. Those are interesting side notes ... details to the story. What really catches my eye is that they listened to the messengers that we read about last week. They stopped looking up and waiting for Jesus' return and they rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Some of that work was devoting themselves to prayer. Some of that work was doing the next thing that felt important.
In our other story, Memer finds out that she is the successor in her faith tradition. Her mentor, though not really her predecessor, offers her an explanation for a miracle that was not a miracle – the running of the fountain which hadn't run in decades. Memer is not troubled by this act of drama, but is more curious about the real miracle, that a lame man stood straight and tall, running and moving with grace and agility. Her mentor had been lame since she first knew him and remains lame, but in that moment of that day Memer describes the Waylord as "a tall, straight, beautiful man, smiling, with fire in his eyes. ... He was not lame, he was lithe and quick."
The Waylord was only acting upon what he felt prompted to do. He had no recognition of the miracle he had become in that moment. Both he and Memer, in a time of crisis when war broke out, listened to Holy promptings that guided them and did not let doubt stop them from moving in the power they were given.
These are before and after stories of receiving power. The believers are yet waiting for theirs. Memer and the Waylord received theirs. In both stories people roll up their sleeves and get to work trusting that what needs to happen will happen. Some miracles may be more or less miracle. What appears to be a miracle might actually be produced from skill or sweat. But within the apparent miracle, I think, is where the miracle often occurs.
As power surged through the Waylord, and he did the task that he knew he was supposed to do, he became lithe and agile, tall and beautiful. When Memer trusted that she was doing what she needed to be doing and let herself be guided by her god, she became filled with power from the gift that had been dormant within her. These people became the miracles.
As the believers wait for the promise of power from the Holy Spirit they do what they need to do. They replace Judas using both skill and spirit. Their skill is the reasoning that they do. They decide that it should be a person who has been with them from the beginning. Then they call on their god to guide the dice. God honors their reasoning skills and they accept the roll of the dice as divine.
We need to devote ourselves to prayer, take practical steps toward our goal, and trust that our God will divinely guide us. We need to appreciate the apparent miracles that we see but also remember that when it comes down to it, any one of us may become the real miracle for the moment. Listen for guidance, do what you know how to do, trust that the power that needs to be released will be released, and don't be afraid that it may be released through you. The Waylord thought he was the Reader, but he wasn't. He had a different role. Memer didn't expect to be the Reader, but she was. Justus and Matthias may have never entertained the thought to become one of the twelve.
Don't make up your mind what role you have. Make up your mind that you will hear and be able to respond. Make up your mind to do what is in your power and to let Power do what is in you. It's time to roll up our sleeves, trust our skill and trust our God.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Give Me Patience Now
Texts: Acts 1: 1 - 14 and an excerpt from The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you."
And when might that be, Jesus? There was no time to ask that question. Jesus seems to have been immediately lifted up and hidden from their sight by a cloud. As they were taking this all in, two messengers in white robes suddenly appear, chastise them for staring into space, and tell them that Jesus will return just like they saw him go.
And when might that be, two messengers in white robes? When will Jesus return? Nope, they didn't get a chance to ask that question either, apparently. So now they are waiting for two things: power and Jesus.
Waiting ... it seems to be a hallmark of our Christian faith. We wait during Advent. We prepare while we wait during Lent. We wait for Pentecost. And we have been waiting an awfully long time for what is commonly called The Second Coming of Christ.
Waiting seems passive. And there's this sense that something is out of our control. But waiting can also be seen as a gift. We can actively wait. Thich Nhat Hahn says that a red light while driving is a gift. All day long we have to be doing something, but at a red light, all we have to do is breathe. He may not know about the turn right on red rule, but still, the point is ... red means stop. Actively stop. Sometimes being required to stop is a gift. Other times, it's incredibly annoying.
I have been sick for the past two weeks. As I was getting over my cold, I ate something that my system didn't like. I haven't had a food reaction like that in a couple years. I'm still not sure of the cause. All I could do was lay down. I had no choice. Being required to stop did not feel like a gift. Mid afternoon I started to feel better, but I still had to move slowly.
I remember years ago being frustrated with the timing of life and praying, "Give me patience now." It didn't feel like the most holy prayer I had ever prayed, but it certainly was honest. I knew I had to wait ... there was no rushing whatever it was that had to come to pass, but I was not having an easy time being patient. I still struggle with that kind of patience. Waiting for life to unfold is hard for me.
When Jesus tells the disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit is upon them, I think to myself, what's the hold up? What is the Holy Spirit doing that is getting in the way of receiving the power now? What do we do in the meantime? I sound like I'm about 5 years old, don't I? How come I can't have the Holy Spirit now? Why did Jesus have to leave if he's going to come back anyway? This is stupid. I don't like this game.
Really ... I don't. But I've learned something about waiting. As passive as it seems, there is something active always happening. Even if I can't see it, touch it, smell it, taste it, hear it, or feel it ... something active is happening.
When a mother is waiting to give birth, there is more going on than the baby just hanging around. Something is happening ... change is happening. When I am waiting at the red light, something is happening. Other people are going through their green light. It would be dangerous for me to ignore that red light. It's best that I wait. In the past, when I have rushed something in life to happen, I find that it does not work for anyone's benefit. Something was happening ... something under the surface or outside of my vision. Usually it was something important. When I side-step or try to rush things, it only makes things worse or take longer. I try to keep in mind these experiences when I become impatient with time.
The truth is, that I may be waiting, but someone or something else is working. It may be the Holy Spirit that is working. It may be my need for inner growth. Sometimes it's less spiritual than that. Any number of things might need to be played out, in my life or in someone else's life, before whatever it is that I am waiting for to happen can happen.
Are there promises that you have heard in your spirit? Is there something that you just know is supposed to happen? Have you been waiting a short time ... or a long time? Do you know that you aren't supposed to rush whatever it is? Do you need patience right now? Are you impatiently waiting for patience?
If everything is going well, I encourage you to not pray for patience because, as a previous pastor of mine told me, praying for patience generally results in receiving trials and tribulations which require the development of patience. However, if you already have the trials and tribulations, if life is frustrating or confusing, if time seems to be dragging, if life is chaotic and difficult, I encourage you to pray for an immediate gift of patience.
In two weeks we celebrate the receipt of the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples with the result of them receiving power. We call this celebration Pentecost. This is good news. The gift that Jesus promised was given. The promise of the two messengers in white robes has yet to be fulfilled. Maybe some folks are taking that too literally.
It does seem, though, that we are waiting for something. Is it the Realm of Heaven being fulfilled on Earth? Is it a physical return of Jesus? Is it that we all learn to love each other unconditionally in our diversity? It feels like there is this big thing we are waiting for - this really important huge thing.
We are not to just stop and stare while we wait. There is a need for a balance of waiting and activity. That's a hard balance to achieve.
Along with this huge important thing that we are waiting for, there are smaller things that we wait for. Some we share with each other. Some we hold close, maybe not even speaking the words out loud to ourselves. For some it may seem as if we have been holding our breath for years. Discerning what kind of waiting to do is hard. At what point are we at the red light, with our only requirement being to breathe? At what point should we be devoting ourselves to prayer or be active by doing research or take some other action?
Think about how you wait. Do you wait mindfully, knowing that you are in fact waiting? Do you try to rush things into being? Do you pray or meditate? No matter how you wait, I think waiting is active, not passive. When we wait knowing that we are waiting, I think it's a form of prayer.
Something is always happening - change is always happening. It isn't always evident. Change can't always be discerned through out senses, but it is always happening.
As we look forward to celebrating the Holy Spirit's gift of power, lets remember to wait mindfully and prayerfully for whatever it is that is on our hearts and in our spirits. We wait together, even if we don't share everything with each other, we wait together ... in hope.
"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you."
And when might that be, Jesus? There was no time to ask that question. Jesus seems to have been immediately lifted up and hidden from their sight by a cloud. As they were taking this all in, two messengers in white robes suddenly appear, chastise them for staring into space, and tell them that Jesus will return just like they saw him go.
And when might that be, two messengers in white robes? When will Jesus return? Nope, they didn't get a chance to ask that question either, apparently. So now they are waiting for two things: power and Jesus.
Waiting ... it seems to be a hallmark of our Christian faith. We wait during Advent. We prepare while we wait during Lent. We wait for Pentecost. And we have been waiting an awfully long time for what is commonly called The Second Coming of Christ.
Waiting seems passive. And there's this sense that something is out of our control. But waiting can also be seen as a gift. We can actively wait. Thich Nhat Hahn says that a red light while driving is a gift. All day long we have to be doing something, but at a red light, all we have to do is breathe. He may not know about the turn right on red rule, but still, the point is ... red means stop. Actively stop. Sometimes being required to stop is a gift. Other times, it's incredibly annoying.
I have been sick for the past two weeks. As I was getting over my cold, I ate something that my system didn't like. I haven't had a food reaction like that in a couple years. I'm still not sure of the cause. All I could do was lay down. I had no choice. Being required to stop did not feel like a gift. Mid afternoon I started to feel better, but I still had to move slowly.
I remember years ago being frustrated with the timing of life and praying, "Give me patience now." It didn't feel like the most holy prayer I had ever prayed, but it certainly was honest. I knew I had to wait ... there was no rushing whatever it was that had to come to pass, but I was not having an easy time being patient. I still struggle with that kind of patience. Waiting for life to unfold is hard for me.
When Jesus tells the disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit is upon them, I think to myself, what's the hold up? What is the Holy Spirit doing that is getting in the way of receiving the power now? What do we do in the meantime? I sound like I'm about 5 years old, don't I? How come I can't have the Holy Spirit now? Why did Jesus have to leave if he's going to come back anyway? This is stupid. I don't like this game.
Really ... I don't. But I've learned something about waiting. As passive as it seems, there is something active always happening. Even if I can't see it, touch it, smell it, taste it, hear it, or feel it ... something active is happening.
When a mother is waiting to give birth, there is more going on than the baby just hanging around. Something is happening ... change is happening. When I am waiting at the red light, something is happening. Other people are going through their green light. It would be dangerous for me to ignore that red light. It's best that I wait. In the past, when I have rushed something in life to happen, I find that it does not work for anyone's benefit. Something was happening ... something under the surface or outside of my vision. Usually it was something important. When I side-step or try to rush things, it only makes things worse or take longer. I try to keep in mind these experiences when I become impatient with time.
The truth is, that I may be waiting, but someone or something else is working. It may be the Holy Spirit that is working. It may be my need for inner growth. Sometimes it's less spiritual than that. Any number of things might need to be played out, in my life or in someone else's life, before whatever it is that I am waiting for to happen can happen.
Are there promises that you have heard in your spirit? Is there something that you just know is supposed to happen? Have you been waiting a short time ... or a long time? Do you know that you aren't supposed to rush whatever it is? Do you need patience right now? Are you impatiently waiting for patience?
If everything is going well, I encourage you to not pray for patience because, as a previous pastor of mine told me, praying for patience generally results in receiving trials and tribulations which require the development of patience. However, if you already have the trials and tribulations, if life is frustrating or confusing, if time seems to be dragging, if life is chaotic and difficult, I encourage you to pray for an immediate gift of patience.
In two weeks we celebrate the receipt of the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples with the result of them receiving power. We call this celebration Pentecost. This is good news. The gift that Jesus promised was given. The promise of the two messengers in white robes has yet to be fulfilled. Maybe some folks are taking that too literally.
It does seem, though, that we are waiting for something. Is it the Realm of Heaven being fulfilled on Earth? Is it a physical return of Jesus? Is it that we all learn to love each other unconditionally in our diversity? It feels like there is this big thing we are waiting for - this really important huge thing.
We are not to just stop and stare while we wait. There is a need for a balance of waiting and activity. That's a hard balance to achieve.
Along with this huge important thing that we are waiting for, there are smaller things that we wait for. Some we share with each other. Some we hold close, maybe not even speaking the words out loud to ourselves. For some it may seem as if we have been holding our breath for years. Discerning what kind of waiting to do is hard. At what point are we at the red light, with our only requirement being to breathe? At what point should we be devoting ourselves to prayer or be active by doing research or take some other action?
Think about how you wait. Do you wait mindfully, knowing that you are in fact waiting? Do you try to rush things into being? Do you pray or meditate? No matter how you wait, I think waiting is active, not passive. When we wait knowing that we are waiting, I think it's a form of prayer.
Something is always happening - change is always happening. It isn't always evident. Change can't always be discerned through out senses, but it is always happening.
As we look forward to celebrating the Holy Spirit's gift of power, lets remember to wait mindfully and prayerfully for whatever it is that is on our hearts and in our spirits. We wait together, even if we don't share everything with each other, we wait together ... in hope.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
"FERRON: girl on a road" Film Festival listings
Ferron is an amazing woman. She has an intense spirituality and love of life. When I was in her poetry writing workshop last year at BMC's, The Gathering in Angoloa, MI, I felt like I was in the presence of sacred wisdom.
This from Announcements from FerronOnline.com
*********************************************
Hey Folks,
We are so excited to announce the early list of Film Festivals that will be
screening Gerry Roger's captivating and beautifully shot documentary.....
"Ferron: girl on a road"
After 10 years, Ferron and her band reunite for a 3 island, 3 concert tour.
The film follows them from the rehearsal in Ferron's little house on Saturna
island
to the road..........
Part performance film, part biopic, “Ferron: girl on a road” traces, the
life, the songs,
the loves, the heartbreaks, and the pioneering path carved by a true folk
legend.
Intimate, and sweeping all at once, this film moves beyond “chronicle”
and captures
in word and deed, the essence of a visionary artist, and the soul of an
icon.
Please pass this on to anyone you think would like to see it.
The film will be screening at the following festivals - with plenty more to
follow - we'll update www.ferrononline.com regularly:
1. Inside Out/Toronto LGBT Film & Video Festival - May 14-24
Screening Sunday May 17 5pm at the ROM
www.insideout.on.ca
2. New Zealand Outtakes Reel Queer Film Festival - May 21 - June 10
Screenings: - Auckland, Monday May 25, 6:10pm
- Wellington, Sat. June 4th, 4:30 The Paramount
- Christchurch, Sat. June 7, 2:45 Regent on Worcester Cinemas
www.outtakes.org.nz
3. Honolulu Rainbow Film Fest - May 21-24
Screenings: - Honolulu, Sat. May 23 6pm Doris Duke Theatre
- Big Island (Kona), Fri. May 29, 5pm Aloha Theatre
- Big Island (Hilo), Sat. May 30, 4pm Palace Theatre
www.hglcf.org
4. Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Film Festival May 22 - 30
Screening: Sunday, May 24th, 7:30 Cinestudio, Trinity College, hartford
www.ctglff.org
5. Frameline: San Francisco LGBT Film Festival June 19 - 29
Screening: Friday, June 19, 6pm at the Roxy
www.frameline.org
6. The Nickel Indepedent Film Festival, St. John's, Newfoundland June 23-28
Screening date: TBD
www.nickelfestival.com
7. Philadelphia QFest- July 9-20th
Screening date: TBD
www.phillycinema.org
8. Vancouver Queer Film Festival August 13-23
Screening date:TBD
www.queerfilmfestival.ca
This from Announcements from FerronOnline.com
*********************************************
Hey Folks,
We are so excited to announce the early list of Film Festivals that will be
screening Gerry Roger's captivating and beautifully shot documentary.....
"Ferron: girl on a road"
After 10 years, Ferron and her band reunite for a 3 island, 3 concert tour.
The film follows them from the rehearsal in Ferron's little house on Saturna
island
to the road..........
Part performance film, part biopic, “Ferron: girl on a road” traces, the
life, the songs,
the loves, the heartbreaks, and the pioneering path carved by a true folk
legend.
Intimate, and sweeping all at once, this film moves beyond “chronicle”
and captures
in word and deed, the essence of a visionary artist, and the soul of an
icon.
Please pass this on to anyone you think would like to see it.
The film will be screening at the following festivals - with plenty more to
follow - we'll update www.ferrononline.com regularly:
1. Inside Out/Toronto LGBT Film & Video Festival - May 14-24
Screening Sunday May 17 5pm at the ROM
www.insideout.on.ca
2. New Zealand Outtakes Reel Queer Film Festival - May 21 - June 10
Screenings: - Auckland, Monday May 25, 6:10pm
- Wellington, Sat. June 4th, 4:30 The Paramount
- Christchurch, Sat. June 7, 2:45 Regent on Worcester Cinemas
www.outtakes.org.nz
3. Honolulu Rainbow Film Fest - May 21-24
Screenings: - Honolulu, Sat. May 23 6pm Doris Duke Theatre
- Big Island (Kona), Fri. May 29, 5pm Aloha Theatre
- Big Island (Hilo), Sat. May 30, 4pm Palace Theatre
www.hglcf.org
4. Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Film Festival May 22 - 30
Screening: Sunday, May 24th, 7:30 Cinestudio, Trinity College, hartford
www.ctglff.org
5. Frameline: San Francisco LGBT Film Festival June 19 - 29
Screening: Friday, June 19, 6pm at the Roxy
www.frameline.org
6. The Nickel Indepedent Film Festival, St. John's, Newfoundland June 23-28
Screening date: TBD
www.nickelfestival.com
7. Philadelphia QFest- July 9-20th
Screening date: TBD
www.phillycinema.org
8. Vancouver Queer Film Festival August 13-23
Screening date:TBD
www.queerfilmfestival.ca
Monday, May 11, 2009
Look at me, Mom!
THE TEXT
Wisdom of Solomon 7:1 - 14
1 I also am mortal, like everyone else, a descendant of the first-formed child of earth; and in the womb of a mother I was molded into flesh, 2 within the period of ten months, compacted with blood, from the seed of a man and the pleasure of marriage. 3 And when I was born, I began to breathe the common air, and fell upon the kindred earth; my first sound was a cry, as is true of all. 4 I was nursed with care in swaddling cloths. 5 For no king has had a different beginning of existence; 6 there is for all one entrance into life, and one way out. 7 Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called on God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. 8 I preferred her to scepters and thrones, and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her. 9 Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem, because all gold is but a little sand in her sight, and silver will be accounted as clay before her. 10 I loved her more than health and beauty, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her radiance never ceases. 11 All good things came to me along with her, and in her hands uncounted wealth. 12 I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom leads them; but I did not know that she was their mother. 13 I learned without guile and I impart without grudging; I do not hide her wealth, 14 for it is an unfailing treasure for mortals; those who get it obtain friendship with God, commended for the gifts that come from instruction.
THE REFLECTION
Look at me, Mom!
First I want to point out that this story of birth is an ideal story. It is not always from "the pleasure of marriage" that a child is born. We are not all "nursed with care in swaddling clothes." But what is universal is that "there is for all one entrance into life, and one way out." At least at this point in time, the noble and the nobody are molded into flesh in a womb and have to exit that first home through a passage that includes blood, fear, pain, and hopefully great joy.
Typically, we name the person who gives birth to a child, mother. There are exceptions. For instance, women who have not given birth, but instead adopt children are called mother. Sometimes transmen give birth and prefer to be called, father. And certainly there are men who are gifted in the art and skill of mothering. Today is a day to honor and celebrate all those who identify as mother.
We have many images for mother. Earth first comes to mind. She is our mother according to the creation story because we are made from the earth - scooped up and molded by the hand of Spirit who then becomes our Father as we are animated by the breath of the Divine.
Another image for mother is Sophia, or Wisdom. In the passage we read, the author likens wisdom to be the mother of all good things. She is who you seek and honor. Nothing is more important than wisdom, and everything proceeds from wisdom.
Proverbs 3:13 – 20 says:
"Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding, for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding established the heavens; by knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew."
Earth is our mother. Wisdom is our mother. I'm not sure what happened to God the Father. It looks like we are born from a lesbian couple.
It's interesting to me that truth is not what is touted as what we should seek. Truth is not the mother that the author of the book of Wisdom proclaims. There is not Book of Truth that I know of, canonical or deuterocanonical. Wisdom is what is honored. Wisdom is what is valued. Wisdom is what gives birth to all creation and to all good things. She is the tree of life. We are to follow her, learn from her, and love her more than anyone or anything.
I remember as a little kid watching my mom and trying to duplicate her every move. I wanted her to be proud of me. I wanted her to notice how well I learned from her. When she sat, I would cross my legs like her and position my hands just so. When we were at church I would listen closely to the way she sang and try to match her. I wanted her to see me and to approve of me. I would call out to her, "Look at me, Mom" when I was playing and I hoped she watched me as I mimicked her every move and breath. It was a lot of work to pay such close attention to her. It was a lot of work for her too. Sometimes I didn't get all the rewards I thought I would get and sometimes I didn't get it right. We were, after all, a human child and a human mom – animated with The Divine, but not always acting like it.
There were times I would shout out, "Look at me, Mom" and I would begin a trick or skill and check to see if she was looking. If her head seemed the least bit turned I would scold her, "You're not looking!" and she would usually say, "Yes I am. Go ahead. I'm watching." Yeah, I was one of those kids. But you see, she was more precious to me than toys. She was more desirable to me than Vernor's Ginger Ale. Nothing compared with her.
As I grew, and I realized that my mother's walk felt funny to me and her hand gestures were no longer how I wanted to gesture, I still knew that she was someone to watch and to mimic.
Eventually I took the turn that most kids take and tried to do the exact opposite of her ... but how did I know what the opposite was? It was from all those years of watching and mimicking.
Kids want to bond with their Moms. It's a hard thing on Dads, I'm told. And sometimes it's a hard thing on Moms too. There's so much pressure.
As the children of Wisdom, I believe it is in our nature to want to bond with our mother. When we are young we soak up every little thing that she has to offer. Kids learn fast and much more easily than adults. Often though, during adolescence we go the way of most kids and try to become anything like our mother. Sometimes we get distracted by the pursuit of truth or power. But it is wisdom that is calling us. It is wisdom who is the most precious and beautiful. It is to wisdom that we should shout out, "Look at me! Look at me!" as we proudly display our skills of kindness and love.
Today, along with wishing all of the human mothers here a happy mother's day, I want to wish a happy mother's day to our Divine Mother, Wisdom. I want to remind us to pursue her with all our strength. She is more valuable than 401k's and jewelry. She is more costly than Platinum and stronger than Kevlar. She is more beautiful than whatever or whoever you see as beautiful. She is the one to watch and to mimic. From her flows the bounties of all good things. Don't be shy and don't be ashamed to call out to her, "Look at me. Watch me. I love you."
Wisdom of Solomon 7:1 - 14
1 I also am mortal, like everyone else, a descendant of the first-formed child of earth; and in the womb of a mother I was molded into flesh, 2 within the period of ten months, compacted with blood, from the seed of a man and the pleasure of marriage. 3 And when I was born, I began to breathe the common air, and fell upon the kindred earth; my first sound was a cry, as is true of all. 4 I was nursed with care in swaddling cloths. 5 For no king has had a different beginning of existence; 6 there is for all one entrance into life, and one way out. 7 Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called on God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. 8 I preferred her to scepters and thrones, and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her. 9 Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem, because all gold is but a little sand in her sight, and silver will be accounted as clay before her. 10 I loved her more than health and beauty, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her radiance never ceases. 11 All good things came to me along with her, and in her hands uncounted wealth. 12 I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom leads them; but I did not know that she was their mother. 13 I learned without guile and I impart without grudging; I do not hide her wealth, 14 for it is an unfailing treasure for mortals; those who get it obtain friendship with God, commended for the gifts that come from instruction.
THE REFLECTION
Look at me, Mom!
First I want to point out that this story of birth is an ideal story. It is not always from "the pleasure of marriage" that a child is born. We are not all "nursed with care in swaddling clothes." But what is universal is that "there is for all one entrance into life, and one way out." At least at this point in time, the noble and the nobody are molded into flesh in a womb and have to exit that first home through a passage that includes blood, fear, pain, and hopefully great joy.
Typically, we name the person who gives birth to a child, mother. There are exceptions. For instance, women who have not given birth, but instead adopt children are called mother. Sometimes transmen give birth and prefer to be called, father. And certainly there are men who are gifted in the art and skill of mothering. Today is a day to honor and celebrate all those who identify as mother.
We have many images for mother. Earth first comes to mind. She is our mother according to the creation story because we are made from the earth - scooped up and molded by the hand of Spirit who then becomes our Father as we are animated by the breath of the Divine.
Another image for mother is Sophia, or Wisdom. In the passage we read, the author likens wisdom to be the mother of all good things. She is who you seek and honor. Nothing is more important than wisdom, and everything proceeds from wisdom.
Proverbs 3:13 – 20 says:
"Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding, for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding established the heavens; by knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew."
Earth is our mother. Wisdom is our mother. I'm not sure what happened to God the Father. It looks like we are born from a lesbian couple.
It's interesting to me that truth is not what is touted as what we should seek. Truth is not the mother that the author of the book of Wisdom proclaims. There is not Book of Truth that I know of, canonical or deuterocanonical. Wisdom is what is honored. Wisdom is what is valued. Wisdom is what gives birth to all creation and to all good things. She is the tree of life. We are to follow her, learn from her, and love her more than anyone or anything.
I remember as a little kid watching my mom and trying to duplicate her every move. I wanted her to be proud of me. I wanted her to notice how well I learned from her. When she sat, I would cross my legs like her and position my hands just so. When we were at church I would listen closely to the way she sang and try to match her. I wanted her to see me and to approve of me. I would call out to her, "Look at me, Mom" when I was playing and I hoped she watched me as I mimicked her every move and breath. It was a lot of work to pay such close attention to her. It was a lot of work for her too. Sometimes I didn't get all the rewards I thought I would get and sometimes I didn't get it right. We were, after all, a human child and a human mom – animated with The Divine, but not always acting like it.
There were times I would shout out, "Look at me, Mom" and I would begin a trick or skill and check to see if she was looking. If her head seemed the least bit turned I would scold her, "You're not looking!" and she would usually say, "Yes I am. Go ahead. I'm watching." Yeah, I was one of those kids. But you see, she was more precious to me than toys. She was more desirable to me than Vernor's Ginger Ale. Nothing compared with her.
As I grew, and I realized that my mother's walk felt funny to me and her hand gestures were no longer how I wanted to gesture, I still knew that she was someone to watch and to mimic.
Eventually I took the turn that most kids take and tried to do the exact opposite of her ... but how did I know what the opposite was? It was from all those years of watching and mimicking.
Kids want to bond with their Moms. It's a hard thing on Dads, I'm told. And sometimes it's a hard thing on Moms too. There's so much pressure.
As the children of Wisdom, I believe it is in our nature to want to bond with our mother. When we are young we soak up every little thing that she has to offer. Kids learn fast and much more easily than adults. Often though, during adolescence we go the way of most kids and try to become anything like our mother. Sometimes we get distracted by the pursuit of truth or power. But it is wisdom that is calling us. It is wisdom who is the most precious and beautiful. It is to wisdom that we should shout out, "Look at me! Look at me!" as we proudly display our skills of kindness and love.
Today, along with wishing all of the human mothers here a happy mother's day, I want to wish a happy mother's day to our Divine Mother, Wisdom. I want to remind us to pursue her with all our strength. She is more valuable than 401k's and jewelry. She is more costly than Platinum and stronger than Kevlar. She is more beautiful than whatever or whoever you see as beautiful. She is the one to watch and to mimic. From her flows the bounties of all good things. Don't be shy and don't be ashamed to call out to her, "Look at me. Watch me. I love you."
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
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