I know the
breadth of emotions present in our congregations tomorrow will be as
wide as the Big Sky of Montana. Discouragement, anger, joy, confusion,
dismay...Make space in worship for the expression of the feelings. God
is waiting to hear and heal.
Once, I was asked to discuss the religious right to a government agency. I did my homework and when I arrived at the hearing room, seated in the galley was one of the top religious conservatives in California. He came up to me after and said, "You spoke about me, but you don't really know me." He was right. How dare I speak ABOUT someone else and not allow them to speak for themselves the truth of their life and faith?
There is a lot of that going on in our churches. We are talking about one another, without opening our hearts to each person's life story and experience of God. Our eyes are closed to each other.
We are not unlike those disciples walking on the road to Emmaus. Someone came and walked along side them, but their eyes were closed to the reality that the person who was with them was their beloved Teacher.
Who is it that your eyes and hearts are closed to? Stop a minute, right here, and picture them in your mind.
Now, see the Christ within them. How does that change how you feel about them? Can you see them? Really see them in their precious human self?
Tomorrow, look around the church. Jesus is going to show up in the person you least expect.
Blessings,
Bishop Karen
Once, I was asked to discuss the religious right to a government agency. I did my homework and when I arrived at the hearing room, seated in the galley was one of the top religious conservatives in California. He came up to me after and said, "You spoke about me, but you don't really know me." He was right. How dare I speak ABOUT someone else and not allow them to speak for themselves the truth of their life and faith?
There is a lot of that going on in our churches. We are talking about one another, without opening our hearts to each person's life story and experience of God. Our eyes are closed to each other.
We are not unlike those disciples walking on the road to Emmaus. Someone came and walked along side them, but their eyes were closed to the reality that the person who was with them was their beloved Teacher.
Who is it that your eyes and hearts are closed to? Stop a minute, right here, and picture them in your mind.
Now, see the Christ within them. How does that change how you feel about them? Can you see them? Really see them in their precious human self?
Tomorrow, look around the church. Jesus is going to show up in the person you least expect.
Blessings,
Bishop Karen
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