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Joyce brought us prayers chosen for us with care. Scott noticed a preponderance of references to heat, warmth, and sunlight -- but that may have been his wishful thinking, as he was feeling cold.
To Joyce's gathering question about favorite time of day, we heard anytime I can go home... bedtime...the hour between work and dinner...sunset ("I just love sunsets!")...the first hour of the day when everything is routine and I don't have to choose anything.
Yr. D, Living Into the Journey with God, Unit 4 Integrating Belief, Behavior, and Doctrine: 1st yr: Lanie, Daniel; 2nd yr: Donfred, Joyce, Susan; 3rd yr, Jessica; 4th yr, Scott. Mentor: Scott. Absent: None.
First, we simply shared what struck us in the chapter. Pierre Chardin de Tielhard, his correlation of science and theology, and the moral discussion of scientific advances such as stem cell transplants -- something that Lanie has experienced. Susan brought up the moral discussion about the status of the android Data on Star Trek TNG. Donfred differentiates believing in Christianity and just "having a religion."
Daniel enjoyed the coherence section, and he enjoys the process of conversation. Scott related to that with the section of the essay that warns that argument is not the same thing as conversation and does not necessarily lead to wisdom. Jessica enjoyed the way that asking questions is the way recommended for approaching coherence. This tied in with Donfred's question about "heresy," as our essayist laid out questions under the surface of strict opposition to the ordination of women back in the 1970s. In any case, Donfred pointed to reconciliation as a goal for conversation.
Then we followed instructions for the "Response" in the RRG, exploring the doctrine of the Trinity, looking for coherence among the quadrants in a chart marked Research, Experience, Beliefs, and Behavior:
After the break, we read a poem by Marie Howe, "Singularity." Howe was doing what we talked about earlier, finding a kind of spiritual reality in the scientific theory of the Big Bang. (Note: Scott has learned that the Big Bang is Old Hat, and that Stephen Hawking himself revised the whole notion of "singularity." Who knew?)
Our discussion was wide-ranging. We reached these insights, some of which contradicted each other:
- It is our knowledge and intentions that take us out of being present in the moment and to thinking of other things as “distractions” from our intention.
- “Living in the moment” is over-rated! We would give up a lot of good if we were like our pets.
- Having no conflict, having no worry is also having no life or no joy? Yes, Donfred says.
- Peacefulness is still appealing. If you don’t know what you’re missing, then you don’t know it’s peace. Ignorance is bliss.
- We are close to Buddhism, here: hold pain and joy to be equal. Don’t cling to either one.
To God of the Big Bang, Singularity… you brought us out of a single speck like dust to become infinite space, energy, matter, and variety:
“God is in the details” wrote Emerson, in the joy, the chaos, the quiet, you are in it with us – and you have a plan… contrast to the “unity” when all the material that became stars and atoms was just one infinitely small infinitely massive point.
Help us to accept (and appreciate?) our discreetness that we are temporal I, you, me, us… … that we may find our Unity in You
Relates this to the Trinity… discussion!
While we tried to find a collect among these themes, Jessica composed this prayer in the "chat" space:
Almighty God,
You are the source of all peace and unity.
We seek to draw near to You, to merge our hearts with Yours,
That we may walk in harmony with Your will,
And live in the light of Your eternal presence.
Grant us the grace to surrender ourselves fully to You,
To find our strength in Your love and our purpose in Your truth.
May we know the deep communion of being one with You,
And through this oneness, may we reflect Your goodness to the world.
In Your sacred name, we pray. Amen.
Susan brings worship; Joyce inspires our TR with a source!
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