Monday 22 October 2007

This will be the last week with material from Richard Rohr in "The Enneagram."



When the first disciples of Jesus wanted to make the whole process (of suffering and prayer) into right rituals and right roles, and by implication right belief systems (common to all religions), Jesus told them, "You do not know what your are asking. Until you drink of the cup that I must drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I will be immersed in" (Mark 10:38), you basically do not know what I am talking about. You have nothing to say.



It really is about a life. It is a journey. This following Jesus is really a following...a participation in the life in which Jesus participated. This is as real and necessary as anything else. Sure, devotional stuff - even like this discipline I enter each weekday with you - is fine and good. But it is really only a piece of the way we are move ourselves into the life where prayer becomes life and life becomes a way of suffering as we encounter our humanity and the blessedness that is given to each of us as followers of the Christ of God. I enjoy Chris Matthews on MSNBC and he recently came out with a book called "Life is a Campaign." As much as I like him, I had to work with that title. If it means we must always we putting a spin on things and trying to sell ourselves and our lives - no thanks. If it means we must be willing to dive into the issues and face ourselves as we come to understand what it is that moves us and gives us meaning and purpose, then I'm willing to list some more. We are promised life. We are encouraged and inspired to live in and through all things. That is going to be a road of suffering that demands a prayerfulness that keeps us attentive to the way...no matter what is thrown in our way or the way of others.



Connection: We are not called to suffer for suffering sake. When we honestly engage this day, we will be drawn into life that will stretch us...and at times...stretch us to the point of suffering for and with and alongside others...in addition to suffering as we change our ways.



Loving Lord, inspire us as we face this day. Amen.