April 21 Sunday-Ps, 23 is perhaps the best-known, best loved psalm. Let me look at the issue of “preparing a table in the presence of my enemies.” Even the best among us have enemies. if that is too stark, make the enemies the terrors that face us, cancer, dread, and the like. I love the idea of being at table with the enemy, maybe to negotiate, but maybe to lord it over the enemy at the head of the table.
Earth Day is a great example of the world preaching the gospel to the church. We have such vast resources on the care of creation and remained silent for far too long. Perhaps one of the best offerings of the church to this day is to use the word, creation, instead of the environment.What parts of creation do you most and least prize? How does the deep connections of creation become clear to you?
Tuesday Can we be too tightly bonded in family? If family bonds inhibit the growth and development of a member, yes. If we stifle someone in the name of family harmony, yes.We all live on a tightrope of being permeable to outside influences and still being our own self. In systems theory, we hear of someone being differentiated enough to be able to stand on their own two feet, yet capable of staying engaged with others.
Wednesday-My calendar cites this day for the Armenian genocide.Hitler famously said that he would get away with mass murder for who remembered the Armenians? The Ottoman Turks killed many, and are quite closed about even mentioning the issue in diplomatic circles even today.As I write this, we are stunned by the apparent bombing in Boston after the marathon. We accept large losses, as it is so hard to wrap our hearts and minds around them; so we grow numb.
Thursday-I have some friends who frequently send me links to material on the computer. Sometimes, I find it annoying, but other times I am touched that they would be to thoughtful enough to think of me when they are reading an article. It’s an extension of a note that says that I thought this may interest you. On Facebook, people post all sorts of sensitive, encouraging, positive slogans. What sort of material do you tend to send friends?
Friday-Our Wednesday morning class is looking at wisdom literature as a guide toward ethics.Wisdom seems to be predicated on the notion that we can discern patterns in God’s creation that can lead to better chances for happiness and fulfillment. In other words, wisdom merges the secular and the sacred into a path for a path, or paths, to making human life better through reflected experience.
Saturday-What an important resource energy is.I was talking with someone wise recently who divided people into energy leeches and energy producers.In a couple, I think tha tthe energy in the relationship goes back and forth, but I like to think tha tboth get recharged in each other’s presence. Perhaps we could look at prayer as a source for divine energy that can suffuse us in various prayer postures.
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