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We took turns reciting collects for national unity and the elections. We shared what stood out for us in the All Saints observances of the previous week. Tearing up over the words "he shall wipe away every tear..."; the bit from Wisdom about spirits in the world "like sparks across stubble" and Jesus's command to "unbind Lazarus and let him go"; convergence of funerals and services. For Joyce, coping with both COVID and flu, "Last week is a blur."
Yr. D, Living Into the Journey with God, Unit 2 Theological Reflection as a Life Skill: 1st yr: Lanie, Daniel; 2nd yr: Donfred, Joyce, Susan; 3rd yr, Jessica; 4th yr, Scott. Mentor: Scott. Absent: Lanie returned to us after the break.
Participants discussed their readings in breakout rooms: Daniel, Jessica, and Donfred mixed all three years; Susan and Joyce traded observations about Y2 and Y3.
When we reconvened, people shared from their groups.
Joyce liked Powell's grouping of miracles in categories, one being nature miracles (walked water, controlled weather, multiplied food). Her favorite is water into wine – transformation from mundane life to abundant life. Then she dramatized the whole scene at the party, voicing Mary, Jesus, servants, and delighted guests.
Joyce also appreciated three pictures of Jesus with his mother that Powell placed in his chapter. Donfred too was struck by those, from diverse cultures. He also was struck by Mark's use of the phrase “kingdom of heaven” to emphasize that God's kingdom is ready to go, right here, right now!
Daniel can relate to the reaction of Moses to the golden calf. "So much like teaching! You think you’ve given kindergarteners everything they need, you turn your back, and it’s all fallen apart. Destroy the tablets!” Joyce concurs. Susan agreed – happens when you teach adults, too.
Jessica related Y3 to something Daniel said about "identity." Iconography began to develop – in Constantinople – beginning of the use of the Cross – it became an icon of glory not just the death. Interesting: development of hierarchy of leadership over much larger geographical areas. Daniel observed of the Hebrew tribes, groups have to have their norms and customs, to be a group. Observes differences among other Episcopal churches, too. Being marked as an outsider, like the people of Israel: you have to have those things that everyone does or doesn’t do.
Speaking of norms, we reviewed our own group norms from week 2. All agreed we were "doing pretty well." Scott took the opportunity to point out how much we had derived from the different images of "journey" that we had brought to the table that week. Images, metaphors, stories have impact beyond words -- and this is true with the words we use in our faith. [Hmm -- that sounds like an insight that goes with our TR, too.]
We followed the movements outlined on page 70 of the RRG.
- At Donfred's suggestion, we focused on an idea that emerged from our personal experiences (the action source) : "It takes more than knowledge to move forward." Because we'd already done the hard work of distilling the stories in one focused image, we moved on to...
- Explore the world of the image, using our senses and memories. We all bought into the idea from our own experiences.We explored some theological categories: When we have knowledge and we are taking the first steps, what is creation / wholeness? We spoke of the excitement and nerves, and we realized that humility and doubt are (or should be) part of the experience. What is sin / brokenness? Donfred suggested paralysis, being afraid to step out. What is judgment / wake-up call? "Failure hits you like a slap in the face." How can there be redemption / restoration of wholeness? Donfred said you take your first step, then step back, re-evaluate; take another step, and so on.
- We connected our shared "stepping out" experience with the tradition source: how do Bible stories go with our idea? St. Thomas had the knowledge of Jesus and miracles, but had to experience the risen Lord to believe. Israelites had all those rules and instructions, but kept failing -- Moses was constantly revising as he moved them forward. Abraham moved without more than a promise: his steps WERE his learning. Disciples, ditto. We also connected to the culture source, recognizing that Dorothy's journey on the yellow brick road teaches her the value of home.
- For insights, we observed that, in this situation, the longer you wait to take the first step, the worse it gets. Acts of faith are the way to faith. We may be aware of known unknowns, but should also be wary of unknown unknowns. We applied our reflection to our own lives by writing lines of a prayer (below).
Lord, I am about to take a first step.
I pray to have more faith to take that first step, and, putting the doubt aside, to have faith and confidence in the knowledge that I have, and the humility to know that the unknowns are coming regardless of how prepared I am or am not. I pray that I may give myself some grace and just keep moving. And Lord, calm my fears and shame when I step back to see how I have failed, and help me to move forward again. Grant me the serenity to change the things I can, accept the things I cannot change, and wisdom to know the difference.
Lanie will lead us in worship and start us off with a "gathering" question, to help us catch up with each other. Susan will bring a source for a TR. We do the readings for week 10. Let's not overlook the RRG chapter itself.
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