We say "Welcome" in greeting whenever someone comes to our home or place of worship. But have you ever thought about how the world " welcome" is really two words? When we welcome someone { be it to our home or our church} we invite them to "come and be well"
Being authentically welcoming, as Christ commands of we His followers, is risky business. To be truly welcoming, we are { or should be{} at our most vulnerable. We invite others to com be with us, and the radical hospitality that Jesus commands we modern-day apostles to practice includes accepting other for who they ARE, not whom we wish them to be. radical hospitality to we Christ-followers demands that we put aside our prejudices, expectations and other preconceived notions of what we wish people to be when we meet them.
Manners are important, especially for meeting and/or entertaining someone for the first time. Social conventions dictate that we strive to follow a set of " norms" in order to be hospitable. But Jesus commands us to follow an entirely different hospitality. We are to love each other as He loves us. Radical hospitality is more than putting the correct number of forks on the supper table settings.
Love is costly, and the love described by an emulated by Jesus includes putting another's needs first, regardless of one's own idea of what is " normal & " acceptable".
In other words: Do not judge, and try to understand someone else's point of view when it comes to confronting differences of opinion. We humans need not always agree on eveyrthing in order to be kind to one another. We Christians, especially, need to accept each other as we are . After all, Christ accepts us without questions or reservations, so should we not follow His Example?
Amen.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Death & ressurection
I know, we are totally done with the Easter Season for yet another liturgical year. But recent events in my life & in my walk with Our LORD have got me pondering { Best Dude would say OBSESSING, Ha ha} about the concept of death & resurrection.
Death & resurrection are all around us. Some may say that it is " the circle of life" or " the plan of the Universe" but nothing is constant.
Beginnings will eventually yield endings.
Each winter will be followed by a Spring, then summer and finally autumn. Babies are born every day and elderly people pass on from this Earthly life. Where I grew up, certain trees in the woods hear my home have leaves that dry out, change color and eventually fall to the ground. The stark bare Winter landscape of the Appalachia where I am from eventually leads to a lush, green Springtime.
Of course , many of we Christians follow our LORD Jesus Christ from the garden where He was betrayed , too the Cross, and to the Grave and FINALLY to His glorious resurrection & ascension. Thanks be to God! I know that going through the " death" part of this cycle can be painful. When I feel alone, depressed, angry, ect-- I ponder the actions of Christ's closest comrades, His disciples. Although He tried to explain to them that His earthly ministry will end, they did not want to face
I try hard to remember during this time in my life that Christ, the risen Christ, is everywhere. Even when I find myself facing a metaphorical " death" {meaning the end of a relationship or relationships} I know that often we must " die" to something on order to be " resurrected" into something or somewhere better. It is painful, but endings lead to beginnings often the beginnings of better, healthier, more grace-filled life.
Amen.
Death & resurrection are all around us. Some may say that it is " the circle of life" or " the plan of the Universe" but nothing is constant.
Beginnings will eventually yield endings.
Each winter will be followed by a Spring, then summer and finally autumn. Babies are born every day and elderly people pass on from this Earthly life. Where I grew up, certain trees in the woods hear my home have leaves that dry out, change color and eventually fall to the ground. The stark bare Winter landscape of the Appalachia where I am from eventually leads to a lush, green Springtime.
Of course , many of we Christians follow our LORD Jesus Christ from the garden where He was betrayed , too the Cross, and to the Grave and FINALLY to His glorious resurrection & ascension. Thanks be to God! I know that going through the " death" part of this cycle can be painful. When I feel alone, depressed, angry, ect-- I ponder the actions of Christ's closest comrades, His disciples. Although He tried to explain to them that His earthly ministry will end, they did not want to face
I try hard to remember during this time in my life that Christ, the risen Christ, is everywhere. Even when I find myself facing a metaphorical " death" {meaning the end of a relationship or relationships} I know that often we must " die" to something on order to be " resurrected" into something or somewhere better. It is painful, but endings lead to beginnings often the beginnings of better, healthier, more grace-filled life.
Amen.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
the cost of dicipleship...and apostleship. And are you ready to pay?
Today Best Dude went with me to Beach Town Parish for Mass this morning.
On this second Sunday in Ordinary Time the priest talked about how discipleship & apostleship are not easy.
In today's Gospel lesson from St Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples what it will mean to proclaim Him as their risen LORD. This is a part of the discourse in Matthew's Gospel that is unsettling to we 21st-century Christians. Look closely at the text for today:
Jesus says" ...and whoever does not take up the cross and follow Me is not worthy of me. "
Ouch.
Jesus is letting His disciples , and also we Christians in today's modern era, that discipleship & apostleship is not for the weak or faint-of-heart. Taking our Crosses and doing Jesus' work here on earth is hard. In order to BE Christ's hands & feet in the here & now, I've come to the conclusion that I must be of good spiritual & emotional health. In order to give my best in the service of God, I must first BE my best.
As hard as it can be, sometimes service to God requires that we alter our earthly relationships with some people who might hold us back from giving our all in the Service of the Creator/Redeemer/Sustainer Godhead .Jesus was obediently even to a very physical death, and His disciples were left bereft of His physical Self. he sends the first apostles to do His work, and He warns them very explicitly that the cost of being a disciple & apostle is heavy
Humans are created to be in relationship with each other, but this passage of Matthew's Gospel reminds me that we are also called into a relationship with God, and unhealthy relationships with other humans can metaphorically bleed into out spiritual lives.
Following Jesus is not easy. Yet , as Marines are fond of saying" I never promised you a rose garden."
Amen.
SEM
2 Pentacost 2014
On this second Sunday in Ordinary Time the priest talked about how discipleship & apostleship are not easy.
In today's Gospel lesson from St Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples what it will mean to proclaim Him as their risen LORD. This is a part of the discourse in Matthew's Gospel that is unsettling to we 21st-century Christians. Look closely at the text for today:
Jesus says" ...and whoever does not take up the cross and follow Me is not worthy of me. "
Ouch.
Jesus is letting His disciples , and also we Christians in today's modern era, that discipleship & apostleship is not for the weak or faint-of-heart. Taking our Crosses and doing Jesus' work here on earth is hard. In order to BE Christ's hands & feet in the here & now, I've come to the conclusion that I must be of good spiritual & emotional health. In order to give my best in the service of God, I must first BE my best.
As hard as it can be, sometimes service to God requires that we alter our earthly relationships with some people who might hold us back from giving our all in the Service of the Creator/Redeemer/Sustainer Godhead .Jesus was obediently even to a very physical death, and His disciples were left bereft of His physical Self. he sends the first apostles to do His work, and He warns them very explicitly that the cost of being a disciple & apostle is heavy
Humans are created to be in relationship with each other, but this passage of Matthew's Gospel reminds me that we are also called into a relationship with God, and unhealthy relationships with other humans can metaphorically bleed into out spiritual lives.
Following Jesus is not easy. Yet , as Marines are fond of saying" I never promised you a rose garden."
Amen.
SEM
2 Pentacost 2014
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
new beginnings
Sunday was Pentecost, and lately I've been pondering " new beginnings"
This Season after Pentecost shall be one of new beginnings for many people in my life.
For we Christians, life is full of new beginnings. For example, I have some friends who are leaving to attend {Episcopal} seminary soon. they had to say goodbye to their colleagues at work & are in the process of saying goodbye to friends throughout their parish & our Diocese.
Another person I know is stepping down from several years of lay service in one particular church.
Our Diocese is in the process of searching for the next bishop. My rector is among those who were selected & charged with the big task of seeking the individual whom God wishes to bring to us as our next shepherd. My prayers are with these faithful and brave individuals as they serve the diocese in this important way. I know all of them{ at least by name if not personally} and I trust that they will follow the process of selecting the Fourth Bishop.
One of my aunts has retired from many years as a nurse.
Another young friend of mine is moving cross-country to finish college.
Walking with God , in fact life as a human, is never a straight line. Deviations from what we humans perceive as our own " path" are necessary, inevitable and healthy.
I am autistic, and do NOT thrive on change. However, during these past few months I noticed that a change is needed in my life of faith. {please don't ask me--as I really am not at liberty to discuss the situation} in order for me to maintain my spiritual & mental health. For me, new beginnings of any kind require me to move out of my very rigid comfort zone. God may gently nudge some people to go where God wants them to go but I am someone whom God must kick hard in the pants to get me to move forward.
I . Do.Not.Like.Change!
In spite of my huge aversion to anything that disrupts my part of this universe, I know that my own health sometimes requires drastic change. Sixteen years ago I took a HUGE leap of faith and followed my family to Gulf Coast Beach Town. I arrived here knowing no one but them & was lonely for over a year . As a matter of fact, it was not until I traveled up North for a couple weeks' vacation that I realized that my " home" was no longer home to me.
I am dealing with the same situation now in a different way. But I need to look onward and ahead of me.
Amen.
Monday, June 9, 2014
I am {NOT} a rock. I am {NOT} an island
"I Am A Rock" By Simon & Garfunkel
As I continue on this journey , I learn who my true " community" is , and I am learning that my community need not be confined to the municipality where I live. My community is where I am loved with an agape love that asks for nothing in return. I freely give that same love to others in my community. There should not be restricted giving of love, but all too often I am guilty of freely loving people who are easy to love. I am guilty of the sin of pride & self-righteousness. Let's be honest---we all lack enough humility to love as Christ commands us to love. We are called to love one another, especially those in our fragile human communities.
Love each other always, but love each other more during times of weakness.
Amen. Alleluia.
Pentecost 2014
A winter's day
In a deep and dark December;
I am alone,
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I've built walls,
A fortress deep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
Don't talk of love,
But I've heard the words before;
It's sleeping in my memory.
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
If I never loved I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I have my books
And my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor,
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
And a rock feels no pain;
And an island never cries.
In a deep and dark December;
I am alone,
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I've built walls,
A fortress deep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
Don't talk of love,
But I've heard the words before;
It's sleeping in my memory.
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
If I never loved I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I have my books
And my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor,
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
And a rock feels no pain;
And an island never cries.
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. As a matter of fact, to me it is the ultimate introvert's anthem.
People scare me. Relationships can be messy. I took sociology as part of my general education requirements in college, and { still} can only see human foibles through the "lens" of social science.
People baffle & disappoint me .
Groups of people under then influence of a manipulative and/or charismatic leader can turn toxic quickly.
I do not trust easily.
My sensitivity does not allow for me to display my vulnerability.
However, in these past few years, I have discovered that I am NOT a rock NOR an island. People are created to live together in communities & groups. Even we introverts with autism need some degree of social interaction. I've needed to become vulnerable in order to grow. I hate feeling helpless and vulnerable but growth occurs sometimes during our weakest moments.
Yesterday was Pentecost. The Christian church celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples.. Note the plural of the last word in the previous sentence. All people are communal by nature, but we Christians are even more communal { or " tribal" as it may be} than some other people.
As I continue on this journey , I learn who my true " community" is , and I am learning that my community need not be confined to the municipality where I live. My community is where I am loved with an agape love that asks for nothing in return. I freely give that same love to others in my community. There should not be restricted giving of love, but all too often I am guilty of freely loving people who are easy to love. I am guilty of the sin of pride & self-righteousness. Let's be honest---we all lack enough humility to love as Christ commands us to love. We are called to love one another, especially those in our fragile human communities.
Love each other always, but love each other more during times of weakness.
Amen. Alleluia.
Pentecost 2014
Sunday, June 1, 2014
My Name is SarahBeth and I am a " Forgiveness Challenge" dropout
Hi. My name is SarahBeth & I am a Forgiveness challenge dropout.
{ Crowd murmurs " Hi SarahBeth}
"Forgive/Sounds good.
Forget? I'm not sure I could
They say time heals everything/But I'm still waiting" ~ Dixie Chicks.
Last month I had an intention to completed ++ Desmond Tutu's international " Forgiveness Challenge" online. I admit when I fail to complete a task & I messed up this one in the worst way. For the first 6 days I was stoked about this journey of self-discovery, but after the 6th day life's circumstances that occurred beyond my control set me way back. As the first week of this challenge moved into the second week I realized that I am not emotionally nor spiritually "ready" to contemplate forgiveness.
So I dropped out.
I am not a quitter. Quitting is wimpy & my parents did not raise a wimp.
It can be healthy, however, to step back from an unpleasant situation & seek out guidance & perspective. When one is not at a good place emotionally or spiritually, it is hard { if not downright impossible} to focus on forgiveness. I am too pissed-off to think deeply about forgiveness. & it is not worth my heartache to try to " complete" this program just for the sake of completion.
Recently I've learned that I'm no good to serve anyone else if my own spiritual/psychological life is in disarray. Sometimes it is necessary to step back from a situation & allow oneself to be led by the Spirit without constantly worrying about staying " at the top of my game'. Spiritual & emotional health is just as important as corporeal health. As I read the day's emails from ++ Tutu last month, I realized that I am not ready to contemplate forgiveness right now. The good thing about the 30 Day Forgiveness Challenge is that participants can return to the site and complete each day's activity when ready to do so.
"Life is a journey/Not a destination/...And you just don't can't tell just what tomorrow will bring..."~Aerosmith
There is no need to rush on healing and forgiveness. Each person heals differently & one's life story/spiritual autobiography factors into each person's Forgiveness & Healing Timetable.
Several circumstances throughout my 38 years of life on Planet Earth have molded me into a slow healer. I'm like a pot roast: tough & rigid until I simmer long enough for tenderizing to happen. I do not forgive nor heal easily from soul wounds. With a lot of prayer, I hope I shall come to a place where I can forgive wholeheartedly.
SEM
Feast Of the Ascension of Our LORD Jesus the Christ 2014
{ Crowd murmurs " Hi SarahBeth}
"Forgive/Sounds good.
Forget? I'm not sure I could
They say time heals everything/But I'm still waiting" ~ Dixie Chicks.
Last month I had an intention to completed ++ Desmond Tutu's international " Forgiveness Challenge" online. I admit when I fail to complete a task & I messed up this one in the worst way. For the first 6 days I was stoked about this journey of self-discovery, but after the 6th day life's circumstances that occurred beyond my control set me way back. As the first week of this challenge moved into the second week I realized that I am not emotionally nor spiritually "ready" to contemplate forgiveness.
So I dropped out.
I am not a quitter. Quitting is wimpy & my parents did not raise a wimp.
It can be healthy, however, to step back from an unpleasant situation & seek out guidance & perspective. When one is not at a good place emotionally or spiritually, it is hard { if not downright impossible} to focus on forgiveness. I am too pissed-off to think deeply about forgiveness. & it is not worth my heartache to try to " complete" this program just for the sake of completion.
Recently I've learned that I'm no good to serve anyone else if my own spiritual/psychological life is in disarray. Sometimes it is necessary to step back from a situation & allow oneself to be led by the Spirit without constantly worrying about staying " at the top of my game'. Spiritual & emotional health is just as important as corporeal health. As I read the day's emails from ++ Tutu last month, I realized that I am not ready to contemplate forgiveness right now. The good thing about the 30 Day Forgiveness Challenge is that participants can return to the site and complete each day's activity when ready to do so.
"Life is a journey/Not a destination/...And you just don't can't tell just what tomorrow will bring..."~Aerosmith
There is no need to rush on healing and forgiveness. Each person heals differently & one's life story/spiritual autobiography factors into each person's Forgiveness & Healing Timetable.
Several circumstances throughout my 38 years of life on Planet Earth have molded me into a slow healer. I'm like a pot roast: tough & rigid until I simmer long enough for tenderizing to happen. I do not forgive nor heal easily from soul wounds. With a lot of prayer, I hope I shall come to a place where I can forgive wholeheartedly.
SEM
Feast Of the Ascension of Our LORD Jesus the Christ 2014
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