Paul Newbury argues for wattle as a potentially powerful unifying symbol for the journey of reconciliation in Australia.
Why not move our national day to September 1st – Wattle Day?
Something Oprah missed …
… on her pilgrimage Down Under.
The joys of beach cricket at twilight on Matilda Bay, Perth. Mild summer’s day, gentle breeze, the gathering of several generations, shared goodies to eat, ambient conversation, bocce, paddling and cricket. A great way to kick off the year as several churches gather to share this annual event.
Teaching disciples to suck eggs
Some may find it strange to be talking to veteran congregations about discipleship, as today’s texts lead me. Most have been making the journey a lot longer than I have, and I’m getting a bit long in the tooth. Yet, once again I will address what I have come to call the magnetic summons of Jesus and I anticipate this annual revisitation will revive impulses in veteran and novice alike to stretch a little further along the road of learning to live in the spirit and character of Jesus. Of course, most of the inspiration will come from the congregation itself. Many individuals, though they be unaware, have demonstrated insights into matters of discipleship of which I would not otherwise have been aware. Grace in difficult family issues, courage and generosity while grappling with debilitating illness, serenity in failed enterprise, forgiveness when grievously wronged – these all reflect the spirit of Jesus and are evidence of attentive awareness of his transforming work. So perhaps the morning harangue will be a celebration instead!
The Summons
This Sunday’s text (Matthew 4:12-23) considers the magnetic call of Jesus of Nazareth to those around him – a summons that has extended down the centuries with ever-increasing pulling power.
This is one of our favourite songs at Wembley Downs. I love the lyrics! It’s by John Bell of the Iona Community in Scotland and is published by Wild Goose Publications. (We sing it at a quicker tempo than this!)
Christ Has No Online Presence but Yours
Have a look at and consider this worthy 21st Century adaptation of St Teresa of Avila‘s work. Click on Christ Has No Online Presence but Yours.
The original text of this 16th century Carmelite mystic reads:
Christ Has No Body
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
Stories of rebuilding after the floods – Eureka Street
This morning’s Eureka Street article throws out a challenge. Following the stories of heroism, resilience and community cohesion during the peak of the flood crisis. Andrew Hamilton observes that the media will follow form and find few inspiring stories to engage us in the long hard process of assessment and reconstruction. Instead, the press will focus on the conflict and tensions that arise. He looks to Scripture for examples of genres and frameworks for story making during such times.
Unanswered prayers
Not a terribly good week so far. Two people within our circle of concern have died following debilitating illness, both leaving young families. Another’s grandson has received a long prison sentence. Some are wondering about the effect of long and sustained prayers for these individuals and their families. Where is God in all this and how are we to understand what seems like God’s deaf ear when we call out to God? This in itself is a kind of prayer – the prayer of lament that unleashes the angst and pain of the wounded human spirit as much as seeks answers. The writers of the Psalms did it a lot.
But apart from expressing pain we really want to know. Why are some healed and not others? Many of us are privy to stories of wondrous healing that has unleashed the possibilities of life being lived more deeply and fully. We also know many who have missed out. I don’t think its trite to suggest we miss the nature of healing that takes place amongst us even as we grieve, particularly when there has been a season of preparation marked by community bonding, compassion, the sharing of stories and sheer imaginative exchanges of humanity.
However, there is a kind of “I don’t know-ness” about the question of unanswered prayer that is sacred and to be honoured and quietly respected. Rather than attempt an answer, it would be better if we simply removed our shoes.
Motivational Cleanup!
Gotta cleanup the wall behind my desk.
It’s full of photos, quotes, motivational stuff and prayer joggers.
Some I’ll keep, some I’ll change.
But what to do with this one?
I would prefer to be able to say: ‘I am satiated,
What is given to taste in this life, I have tasted.’
But I am like someone in a window who draws aside a curtain
To look at a feast he does not comprehend.
Think I’ll keep it!
Work is cranking up again!
The Christmas New Year hiatus, in the life of the congregation here, seems to last about three weeks. For me, this used to be vacation time, along with most of the rest of Australia. Some time ago, I decided this wasn’t the best idea. Recessed programs could have one sitting back and twiddling one’s thumbs – but what a golden opportunity for uninterrupted planning, reading and taking advantage of a slower, more relaxed pace. Creatively, these three weeks have become a very productive time.
This week work is cranking up again – some groups recommencing, committee meetings, appointments. I still haven’t finished a lot of what I set out to do over the summer lull – the office still needs sorting and reorganising, program preparation needs completion, and there is yet a heap of books waiting to be read – but it doesn’t seem to matter all that much. Taking advantage of lull periods in the kind of work scene where “the job is never finished” is like swinging in a hammock alongside an oasis.
The trick now is to build this scenarion into regular work life!
Discovering authenticity through vulnerability
Just stumbled upon one of the great TED talks (they all seem to have some thought provoking gems). This one hit something in my core. I found myself shouting YES all the way through as Brené Brown, a researcher in social work, shared her learning about discovering one’s true authenticity and authority through vulnerability. Look at it here.
I contend that this is a strong plank in Jesus’ platform as he moves us towards participation in what the Gospel writers call the kingdom of heaven. While it is an individual journey it takes place in the context of our connections with others. There is no “I” without “we” and there is no “we” without the kind of considered vulnerability that Brené Brown shares in her stories. Yes, acknowledging and even celebrating our vulnerability exposes us to risk and danger, but it is also the road leading to that which is ultimately empowering and freeing. My caveat is that exploring and owning our vulnerability best takes place in a supportive environment. We don’t want to take it out and polish it in a context that will neither honour nor respect it, and that may even seek to exploit it.
Wondering Pilgrim 