After an abundant lunch (Thanks, Pete and Tina!), we began by reading together the prayer "The Deepest Wonder of All." We all received a notebook page containing the blog comments so far, with particular attention to Wendy's invitation to discussion on loving Jesus with our minds. In particular, her comments "When I think of mind, I think of logic; When I think of love, I think of emotions" led us to further reflection.
This stimulated the observation that Jesus' way of living and being is not "logical" in our cultural, worldly sense. He teaches so many things that are at odds with our traditional wisdom. Jesus offers a different way of seeing, hearing, experiencing, understanding, and loving. To enter into that "Way" is the journey of discipleship and the experience of "new life." To be understood, heard, seen, accepted, and respected is for many people the firstfruits of the experience of salvation. To be saved from loneliness and isolation is indeed heavenly.
On one hand it was suggested that Jesus' way is not that simple. From another prespective, however, what he teaches can be disarmingly simple. For instance, when he commands us to love our enemies and adversaries (he loves them!), it is quite clear that one cannot love another person while killing, dismissing, or dehumanizing them. In following Jesus, being clear about what we cannot do if we are faithful leads us necessarily to different choices than we have made in the past. This can be quite freeing and illuminating. In the same vein, human beings constantly fight wars while professing to seek peace, which is a bit like practicing promiscuity in order to promote abstinence. When Jesus strips away our illusions, we can see how ridiculous and destructive some of our "normal" ways have been. But he always offers different, life-giving paths--we are never left to ourselves.
Jesus kind of love, agape, focuses initially not on what we feel but on what we do. "Do something different, and over time you will begin to feel differently." "Do love, and the feelings will follow."
It was noted that our constant human striving distorts our relationships with one another and our ability to perceive the gospel clearly. Jesus offers us the opportunity to see with his eyes, hear with his ears, think with his mind.
The scriptural text we focused on was Mark 8:27-38. At the midpoint, the pivotal point, in Mark's narrative, Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" He then offers a more particular question, "But who do you say that I am?" We began to reflect on some of the differences between (1)what other people have told us about Jesus, and (2) our own experience and understanding of Jesus. In the story, Peter gives the correct written answer--"The Messiah"--but then goes on to demonstrate that he has no real idea what that means. When Jesus identifies himself as "the Son of Man (The Human One or True Human)" and says that he must embody agape love while confronting the dark heart of violence, trusting that God's love is indeed a greater power than might and that resurrection will be realized, Peter berates Jesus as not being the kind of Messiah Peter has been waiting for. Jesus had better get his head right! This is when Jesus startles Peter by identfying him with the Tempter and Accuser, and shows Peter that Peter's mind is still captive to the world's striving. It is Peter who can let go of that life and receive the new life. The world is being turned upside-down; or to God, right-side up! In Mark 9:1, when Jesus says that some of those present will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power, Jesus is saying that they will see Jesus confront violence with God's love, and what looks to the world like defeat will become victory in the resurrection.
This led to a powerful connection with last week's sermon: this is why Jesus replaced "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might," instead teaching: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." For the disciple, might is replaced with the mind of Jesus!
We concluded by revisiting who we say that Jesus is. Contributions included:
Messiah
Family
Friend
Community
Savior
Selfless One
Loving One
Teacher
Learner
Each of us is challenged to compose a clear statement of how those identities of Jesus become real for us in our lives.
We concluded with hands joined in prayer.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Want to check and make sure that there is nothing blocking comments.
Here's something related to Wendy's comment concerning mind and logic vs. love and emotion and the overall notes of the last session as presented by Scott.
I was at a church parking lot one Saturday morning to meet someone. It was a convenient in-between spot for us. I was early, and while waiting I saw 2 parishioners applying mulch to the church's playground. Easily 4 or 5 yards worth. Often through my life I've been presented with similar situations where I thought "I should help those guys", and I would just sit there and watch, not actually doing anything. This time, instead of thinking about it, I got out of my car, introduced myself and said "I've got 15 minutes to kill, would you mind a little help?" They said something like "No, some help would be great." And for 15 minutes I helped total strangers (I forget their names), mulch their church playground.
Our "titles" of who Jesus is: Family, Friend, Community and Loving One, become real in my life, not through thought, but through ACTION. I can love Jesus through my actions, and over time, change my thoughts to reflect my actions.
I have struggled over the years to understand who I am in the eyes of the world and in the eyes of God. Now I find myself struggling in my understanding of who God is in my eyes. The many titles we composed during our last class are all true, but what do they really mean to me? I find that I treat God like I treat the daily people of my life - with respect, compassion and love. I try to follow him where he leads me, even when I am unsure - but I have great anxiety of the unknown and fears that really are not necessary if I truly trust and believe in God and his love. Why then do I carry such anxieties and allow them to interpret who I see God as in my life? Why are there times I fully trust in the Lord and find great comfort in what our relationship is, but other times abandon him in the deepness of my soul and hide him away? I am finding that learning who Jesus is, is leaving me with a few more questions than answers. I want that deep relationship that I have had in the past with Jesus, it was wonderful, how do I accomplish that on a daily bases instead of this roller coaster ride that our relationship has?
Joe, you articulate very well that faith is expressed primarily in what we do, rather than merely what we say or think or feel. You won't even have to change your thoughts--they will transform "on the Way!"
Gail: "I am finding that learning who Jesus is, is leaving me with a few more questions than answers." Yes! Here you give powerful voice to the experience of Jesus' original disciples. It would be fascinating to go through each of the gospels and record ALL the QUESTIONS that the disciples ask along the way. Even when Peter thinks he has a right answer--"You are the Messiah"--it winds up not being a conclusion at all, but leads to further revelation that is quite experiential. All along the way Peter and the others continually have revealed to them not only who God is, but who they are. In the scenes of feeding and healing. In the Upper Room. In the Garden. For Peter, in the courtyard (and that is not a bad story, in spite of how we've moralized it). At the empty tomb. On the Galilean seashore. You and I have the privilege of travelling a shared journey with these disciples, and moreso with Jesus, full of the same promise. Will it be enough for us?
Your reflections connect strongly for me as I consider this week's Gospel: The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Most interpreters make this a stewardship text with a simple, "Use what God gives you" message. Absent from most interpretations is the recognition that the "Master" in this story is nothing like the God who reveals himself to us in Jesus. The "master" in the parable is indeed "hard," a judgement-filled taskmaster who measures the servants' value by how "useful" they are in making him a profit. This master is our projection of the god we're afraid of. He's very different than the God of Jesus. How does that realization potentially change the story? Perhaps your journey (and mine)-- from belief in the wrath-filled god we are sure to disappoint to instead the God of radical freedom in Christ who rejoices in even small measures of fulfillment and ever-gracious expressions of love-- is unsteady because we're walking blessed but unfamiliar terrain. It is the geography of our collective salvation!
I have been thinking about what Joe wrote. This morning it occured to me that, these thoughts (this way of being Joe speaks of) come from the transformation and not directly from the mind.
The decision to transform - THAT comes from the mind.
After reading Wendy's comment of the decision to transfrom comes from the mind. It made me think of transformation as coming from the heart as well as the mind or as Scott noted from the last session "the mind of Jesus". I do agree the decision to transform does come from the mind, but I feel you need to come to a spot in your life or the realization in your life that the decision is made in LOVE - Jesus love or should I say "Jesus Mind" that changes your heart and soul. Yes you need to make the decision in a world that does not grasp the concept of Loving God with all your heart all your soul and all you mind, but a world that grasps "might" or violence over Peace and love as Jesus teaches.
By ACTION as Joe said that can transform others to the "mind of Jesus".
That is where I resinate as Who is Jesus for me. A community of Agape Love. A covenant with each other in relationships, commitment and love. A community of people working together as Joe did with complete strangers. Taking action and working for the Kingdom of God on earth. Over the past 3 to 4 years it has been difficult journey for me with my calling from God and I've been stuck in many ways with my mind saying one thing and my heart saying another. Letting worldly things and busyness get in the way and yet community is a big part of Jesus for me. The love of others, working for a common mission, working with the homeless - getting to know them and seeing them as part of "our" community. In all my busyness of I "should" do this or I have to do that and adding "Stress" to an already stressful life the Community of Jesus Christ is where God wants me to be. Enabling others as well as my self to see our gifts and to use them for the greater good of others. Taking the time to reflect and pray can be transforming power. Sitting and talking together about our beliefs, how we can transform ourselves into a community of Jesus Christ no matter what differences we may have. Becoming who Jesus is - "the mind of Jesus".
In ending I would like to quote something from Shane Caliborne's book "Irrestiable Revolution" -
"Just as "believers" are a dime a dozen in the church ... lovers are hard to come by. And I think that's what our world is desperately in need of - lovers, people who are building deep, genuine releationships with fellow strugglers along the way ... a community of people who have fallen desperatly in love with God and with suffering people, and who allow those relationships to disturb and transform them."
Who is Jesus - A community bringing the Kingdom of God to earth.
Post a Comment