The opening text will come from a book by Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man - A Philosophy of Judaism). As you are able to see by the title, the language may be a bit dated and therefore, I will, when able, make the language inclusive.
(Humanity) does not live by insight alone; (humanity) is in need of a creed, of dogma, of expression, of a way of living. Insights are not a secure possession; they are vague and sporadic. They are like divine sparks, flashing up before us and becoming obscure again, and we fall back into darkness “almost as black as that in which we were before.” The problem is: How to communicate those rare moments of insight to all hours of our life? How to commit intuition to concepts, the ineffable to words, insight to rational understanding? How to convey our insights to others and to unite in fellowship of faith?
Being united in fellowship does not mean complete agreement. Uniting in fellowship gives us the opportunity to offer up our insights for other to hear and see. It is such a time as this that we begin to gather around and make sense of the grand picture. Within the community, we are given the opportunity to make insight something that can be shared for we look for language to make the sharing possible. From that insight…that spark…then there is the potential for life that is shaped by our coming together around a point of insight and new direction. In the life of the community, insights have a place to stay lit…to be held up for more to see…and to be compared and shaped by new insights.
Connection: It is good to have some kind of reference point through which we can filter or compare insights. Such a process helps us to be connected to others. We are people who claim to follow the God of a people…not of an individual. Whenever our insights can be lifted up with others we are given a blessed opportunity to see how they play in the context of God’s people.
Lord God, keep us connected to one another. It is so easy to be swept away on our own journey of personal insights and forget about how you fashion community. Keep us mindful of the importance of dialogue and conversation and sharing the gifts handed to us. Amen.
Monday, July 14, 2003
Monday, 14 July, 2003
PLEASE NOTE: Due to a number of factors last week, the weekday devotions were disrupted and fragmented. Therefore I will redo last week as there were two pieces that need to be read back to back. Hopefully the program glitch will be resolved.
The opening text will come from a book by Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man - A Philosophy of Judaism). As you are able to see by the title, the language may be a bit dated and therefore, I will, when able, make the language inclusive.
The beginning of faith is…not a feeling for the mystery of living or a sense of awe, wonder and amazement. The root of religion is the question what to do with the feeling for the mystery of living, what to do with awe, wonder and amazement. Religion begins with a consciousness that something is asked of us. It is in that tense, eternal asking in which the soul is caught and in which (humanity’s) answer is elicited.
What do we do with it? We are not beings who simply contemplate things. We do. We live. In a day of growing fundamentalism within all the major religions around us, we need to do more looking at “What do we do with…the holy stuff we say is at the center of our religions?” It may be quite obvious that people within one religion act very differently than others. As we step back to take a better look at what people of faith are “doing,” we may soon see how contrary so many people act to the wonderful vision of oneness and love that Heschel wrote about in the pieces from last week.
Connection: Today, practice hesitating. Hesitate and take another look at what is being said and done in the name of the religious people around you. Then do the real tough task. See if you can see what you are doing with the news we call Good.
Lead and guide us Lord as we move through this day. There is no way for us to be a bold witness to your love unless we are moved by your Holy Spirit and reminded how we are to enter and live within this day. We need one another and you are the power that brings all people to you. Shape us and gather us together gracious Lord. Amen.
The opening text will come from a book by Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man - A Philosophy of Judaism). As you are able to see by the title, the language may be a bit dated and therefore, I will, when able, make the language inclusive.
The beginning of faith is…not a feeling for the mystery of living or a sense of awe, wonder and amazement. The root of religion is the question what to do with the feeling for the mystery of living, what to do with awe, wonder and amazement. Religion begins with a consciousness that something is asked of us. It is in that tense, eternal asking in which the soul is caught and in which (humanity’s) answer is elicited.
What do we do with it? We are not beings who simply contemplate things. We do. We live. In a day of growing fundamentalism within all the major religions around us, we need to do more looking at “What do we do with…the holy stuff we say is at the center of our religions?” It may be quite obvious that people within one religion act very differently than others. As we step back to take a better look at what people of faith are “doing,” we may soon see how contrary so many people act to the wonderful vision of oneness and love that Heschel wrote about in the pieces from last week.
Connection: Today, practice hesitating. Hesitate and take another look at what is being said and done in the name of the religious people around you. Then do the real tough task. See if you can see what you are doing with the news we call Good.
Lead and guide us Lord as we move through this day. There is no way for us to be a bold witness to your love unless we are moved by your Holy Spirit and reminded how we are to enter and live within this day. We need one another and you are the power that brings all people to you. Shape us and gather us together gracious Lord. Amen.
Tuesday, July 8, 2003
Tuesday, 8 July, 2003
The opening text will come from a book by Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man - A Philosophy of Judaism). As you are able to see by the title, the language may be a bit dated and therefore, I will, when able, make the language inclusive.
Something is asked of us. But what? The ultimate question that stirs our soul is anonymous, mysterious, powerful, yet ineffable. Who will put into words, who will teach us the way of God? How shall we know that the way we choose is the way (God) wants us to pursue?
In moments of insight we are called to return. But how does one return? What is the way of (God)? We all sense the grandeur and the mystery. But who will tell us how to answer the mystery? Who will tell us how to live in a way that is compatible with the grandeur, the mystery, and the glory? All we have is a perception but neither words nor deeds in which to phrase or to form an answer.
I stopped the quote here (see tomorrow) because this is the exact point that many people stop. In the midst of the grandeur and mystery of God, it is easy to attach our interpretation onto it. Trying to make sense of this wonderful mystery all alone is futile. And yet, many claim to have such capabilities or achieved such insight and direction. In some ways their spiritual journey ends because they are at the end of their imagination or their ideas are not tested with others. It is that testing with others that pulls us out of ourselves and opens up journey of faith. In this way we – together – begin this adventure of following.
Connection: Let those who would follow their own dreams go for it. What we may want to do is pursue the voice of the community and enter into dialogue at every opportunity that is in front of us. We may learn much today about our God’s call to life.
You, O God, promise to lead us to a fullness of life that is beyond our comprehension. Lead us now, O God. Amen
Something is asked of us. But what? The ultimate question that stirs our soul is anonymous, mysterious, powerful, yet ineffable. Who will put into words, who will teach us the way of God? How shall we know that the way we choose is the way (God) wants us to pursue?
In moments of insight we are called to return. But how does one return? What is the way of (God)? We all sense the grandeur and the mystery. But who will tell us how to answer the mystery? Who will tell us how to live in a way that is compatible with the grandeur, the mystery, and the glory? All we have is a perception but neither words nor deeds in which to phrase or to form an answer.
I stopped the quote here (see tomorrow) because this is the exact point that many people stop. In the midst of the grandeur and mystery of God, it is easy to attach our interpretation onto it. Trying to make sense of this wonderful mystery all alone is futile. And yet, many claim to have such capabilities or achieved such insight and direction. In some ways their spiritual journey ends because they are at the end of their imagination or their ideas are not tested with others. It is that testing with others that pulls us out of ourselves and opens up journey of faith. In this way we – together – begin this adventure of following.
Connection: Let those who would follow their own dreams go for it. What we may want to do is pursue the voice of the community and enter into dialogue at every opportunity that is in front of us. We may learn much today about our God’s call to life.
You, O God, promise to lead us to a fullness of life that is beyond our comprehension. Lead us now, O God. Amen
Monday, July 7, 2003
Monday, 7 July, 2003
The opening text will come from a book by Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man - A Philosophy of Judaism). As you are able to see by the title, the language may be a bit dated and therefore, I will, when able, make the language inclusive.
The beginning of faith is…not a feeling for the mystery of living or a sense of awe, wonder and amazement. The root of religion is the question what to do with the feeling for the mystery of living, what to do with awe, wonder and amazement. Religion begins with a consciousness that something is asked of us. It is in that tense, eternal asking in which the soul is caught and in which (humanity’s) answer is elicited.
What do we do with it? We are not beings who simply contemplate things. We do. We live. In a day of growing fundamentalism within all the major religions around us, we need to do more looking at “What do we do with…the holy stuff we say is at the center of our religions?” It may be quite obvious that people within one religion act very differently than others. As we step back to take a better look at what people of faith are “doing,” we may soon see how contrary so many people act to the wonderful vision of oneness and love that Heschel wrote about in the pieces from last week.
Connection: Today, practice hesitating. Hesitate and take another look at what is being said and done in the name of the religious people around you. Then do the real tough task. See if you can see what you are doing with the news we call Good.
Lead and guide us Lord as we move through this day. There is no way for us to be a bold witness to your love unless we are moved by your Holy Spirit and reminded how we are to enter and live within this day. We need one another and you are the power that brings all people to you. Shape us and gather us together gracious Lord. Amen.
The beginning of faith is…not a feeling for the mystery of living or a sense of awe, wonder and amazement. The root of religion is the question what to do with the feeling for the mystery of living, what to do with awe, wonder and amazement. Religion begins with a consciousness that something is asked of us. It is in that tense, eternal asking in which the soul is caught and in which (humanity’s) answer is elicited.
What do we do with it? We are not beings who simply contemplate things. We do. We live. In a day of growing fundamentalism within all the major religions around us, we need to do more looking at “What do we do with…the holy stuff we say is at the center of our religions?” It may be quite obvious that people within one religion act very differently than others. As we step back to take a better look at what people of faith are “doing,” we may soon see how contrary so many people act to the wonderful vision of oneness and love that Heschel wrote about in the pieces from last week.
Connection: Today, practice hesitating. Hesitate and take another look at what is being said and done in the name of the religious people around you. Then do the real tough task. See if you can see what you are doing with the news we call Good.
Lead and guide us Lord as we move through this day. There is no way for us to be a bold witness to your love unless we are moved by your Holy Spirit and reminded how we are to enter and live within this day. We need one another and you are the power that brings all people to you. Shape us and gather us together gracious Lord. Amen.
Wednesday, July 2, 2003
Thursday, 3 July, 2003
The opening text will come from a book by Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man - A Philosophy of Judaism). As you are able to see by the title, the language may be a bit dated and therefore, I will, when able, make the language inclusive.
Beyond all mystery is the mercy of God. It is a love, a mercy that transcends the world, its value and merit. To live by such a love, to reflect it, however numbly, is the test of religious existence.
To summarize: the power of religious truth is a moment of insight, and its content is oneness or love. Source and content may be conveyed in one word: transcendence.
Transcendence is the test of religious truth. A genuine insight rends the enclosure of the heart and bestows on (humanity) the power to rise above (ourselves).
“Beyond all mystery is the mercy of God.” What an important word for us to remember the next time we find ourselves in a position in which we want to act as judge of others…or when we are enticed into speaking poorly of others. We are a people who are brought into God’s Reign because of God’s mercy…something we cannot comprehend…we can only imagine. And yet within the imagination of our hearts, there is a something beyond how things seem to be. It is glorious. It is truthfulness at it utmost. It is love that reunites all things without any doubt. Too often, we are terribly afraid of that God and the life that is bidding us to come and dance in a new way that the world does not know and cannot comprehend. Such a merciful God does not fit with our unmerciful ways of living together. That is why our God continues to send the Spirit to pull at us and move us beyond what we want and lift us up to what is not seen completely: God’s gracious Reign.
Connection: Okay, there is this mercy of God. So now what!?! What difference does it make in our lives…what difference can it make? O my, just imagine.
Merciful God it is by your power to love that you bring new life to all of your people. Fill this day with reminders of your merciful love so that we may begin to act within your realm of hopefulness where all your people are one. Amen.
Beyond all mystery is the mercy of God. It is a love, a mercy that transcends the world, its value and merit. To live by such a love, to reflect it, however numbly, is the test of religious existence.
To summarize: the power of religious truth is a moment of insight, and its content is oneness or love. Source and content may be conveyed in one word: transcendence.
Transcendence is the test of religious truth. A genuine insight rends the enclosure of the heart and bestows on (humanity) the power to rise above (ourselves).
“Beyond all mystery is the mercy of God.” What an important word for us to remember the next time we find ourselves in a position in which we want to act as judge of others…or when we are enticed into speaking poorly of others. We are a people who are brought into God’s Reign because of God’s mercy…something we cannot comprehend…we can only imagine. And yet within the imagination of our hearts, there is a something beyond how things seem to be. It is glorious. It is truthfulness at it utmost. It is love that reunites all things without any doubt. Too often, we are terribly afraid of that God and the life that is bidding us to come and dance in a new way that the world does not know and cannot comprehend. Such a merciful God does not fit with our unmerciful ways of living together. That is why our God continues to send the Spirit to pull at us and move us beyond what we want and lift us up to what is not seen completely: God’s gracious Reign.
Connection: Okay, there is this mercy of God. So now what!?! What difference does it make in our lives…what difference can it make? O my, just imagine.
Merciful God it is by your power to love that you bring new life to all of your people. Fill this day with reminders of your merciful love so that we may begin to act within your realm of hopefulness where all your people are one. Amen.
Tuesday, July 1, 2003
Wednesday, 2 July, 2003
The opening text will come from a book by Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man - A Philosophy of Judaism). As you are able to see by the title, the language may be a bit dated and therefore, I will, when able, make the language inclusive.
This devotion picks up from the selection from yesterday that spoke of oneness and love being an ultimate idea/standard for religious insight.
If a thought generates pride, separation from other people’s suffering, unawareness of the dangers of evil – we know it is a deviation from (God’s) way.
An insight is not meaningful to one (person) unless it is capable of becoming meaningful to all (people).
Only that which is good for all…is good for every person. No one is truly inspired for (one’s) own sake. (One) who is blessed, is blessed for others.
That journey toward oneness…toward love of all – is not easy. Nor do we seek it readily. For when we attempt to walk such a path there is much we must leave behind and that which we must leave behind is the kind of stuff we may have worked so hard to get for ourselves. And that is the point. So much of what we do or have is for us or for our kind or our people, etc. Religious insight hands us a vulnerable way of life that may not keep our lives as we want them. But then, it also hands us the Reign of God eternally.
Connection: Within the dialogues of our day when we listen well and share openly, we are often in the presence of many insights that will pull us into acts and lives of love. Then again, we can be so preoccupied with “me” and “mine” and “how I want it” that we lose out on the oneness that is simply quite awe-filled. For too often we are consumed by ourselves and cannot see the grand banquet our God sets for us in the presence of all God’s people.
Compassionate Lord, you call us to be your children and you tell us to love one another. It all seems so simple and yet we too easily turn our backs to your call and go our own way – alone. Inspire us to be vulnerable and available with one another so that we may see the power of your ways. Amen.
This devotion picks up from the selection from yesterday that spoke of oneness and love being an ultimate idea/standard for religious insight.
If a thought generates pride, separation from other people’s suffering, unawareness of the dangers of evil – we know it is a deviation from (God’s) way.
An insight is not meaningful to one (person) unless it is capable of becoming meaningful to all (people).
Only that which is good for all…is good for every person. No one is truly inspired for (one’s) own sake. (One) who is blessed, is blessed for others.
That journey toward oneness…toward love of all – is not easy. Nor do we seek it readily. For when we attempt to walk such a path there is much we must leave behind and that which we must leave behind is the kind of stuff we may have worked so hard to get for ourselves. And that is the point. So much of what we do or have is for us or for our kind or our people, etc. Religious insight hands us a vulnerable way of life that may not keep our lives as we want them. But then, it also hands us the Reign of God eternally.
Connection: Within the dialogues of our day when we listen well and share openly, we are often in the presence of many insights that will pull us into acts and lives of love. Then again, we can be so preoccupied with “me” and “mine” and “how I want it” that we lose out on the oneness that is simply quite awe-filled. For too often we are consumed by ourselves and cannot see the grand banquet our God sets for us in the presence of all God’s people.
Compassionate Lord, you call us to be your children and you tell us to love one another. It all seems so simple and yet we too easily turn our backs to your call and go our own way – alone. Inspire us to be vulnerable and available with one another so that we may see the power of your ways. Amen.
Tuesday, 1 July, 2003
The opening text will come from a book by Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man - A Philosophy of Judaism). As you are able to see by the title, the language may be a bit dated and therefore, I will, when able, make the language inclusive.
For all its preciousness and intensity, religious insight is susceptible to doubt. What gives us the certainty that the substance of our insight is not a projection of our own soul...What is the standard by which to test the veracity of religious insight?
Such a standard would have to be an idea, not an event. It would have to be an ultimate idea, worthy of serving as an identification of the divine and at the same time the supreme idea in human thinking, a universal idea. Such an idea is oneness or love, which is an expression of oneness.
All knowledge and understanding in science, art, ethics, as well as in religion, rest upon its validity. Oneness is the norm, the standard, the goal. If in the afterglow of a religious insight we can see a way to gather up our scattered lives, to unite what lies in strife – we know it is a guidepost on (God’s) way.
Isn’t it amazing how easy it is to overlook this simple yet essential insight within the life of religious people? When we look out at the landscape of world religions and the impact they have on the societies and cultures of our world, it is quite clear that we too often teach less of this love and oneness and more of a single story that works to keep us separated and at odds with one another even to the point of warfare. No “side” is exempt from such lack of a loving vision and a loving life. This is a standard that has the power to inspire awe when it is hear and when it becomes put to life. It is also the standard of those who are brutally silenced in every age.
Connection: Do we unite or do we cause division? Yes. And yet we are always being inspired by the Holy Spirit to seek the way of God’s Reign in which all people are one.
Lord of Life, your love is pulls us into lives that carry the potential to make for a new day. Ignite that love so that we may encourage a raging fire of loving kindness that will transform our world and continue to make your love blossom among us. Amen.
For all its preciousness and intensity, religious insight is susceptible to doubt. What gives us the certainty that the substance of our insight is not a projection of our own soul...What is the standard by which to test the veracity of religious insight?
Such a standard would have to be an idea, not an event. It would have to be an ultimate idea, worthy of serving as an identification of the divine and at the same time the supreme idea in human thinking, a universal idea. Such an idea is oneness or love, which is an expression of oneness.
All knowledge and understanding in science, art, ethics, as well as in religion, rest upon its validity. Oneness is the norm, the standard, the goal. If in the afterglow of a religious insight we can see a way to gather up our scattered lives, to unite what lies in strife – we know it is a guidepost on (God’s) way.
Isn’t it amazing how easy it is to overlook this simple yet essential insight within the life of religious people? When we look out at the landscape of world religions and the impact they have on the societies and cultures of our world, it is quite clear that we too often teach less of this love and oneness and more of a single story that works to keep us separated and at odds with one another even to the point of warfare. No “side” is exempt from such lack of a loving vision and a loving life. This is a standard that has the power to inspire awe when it is hear and when it becomes put to life. It is also the standard of those who are brutally silenced in every age.
Connection: Do we unite or do we cause division? Yes. And yet we are always being inspired by the Holy Spirit to seek the way of God’s Reign in which all people are one.
Lord of Life, your love is pulls us into lives that carry the potential to make for a new day. Ignite that love so that we may encourage a raging fire of loving kindness that will transform our world and continue to make your love blossom among us. Amen.
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