Meditations 4 Misfits

In this reflection, we’ll consider what Jesus might have meant by the phrase “Kingdom of God.” Episcopalian priest Cynthia Bourgeault suggests, ” You don’t die into it (the Kingdom of God), you awaken into it.  It is not a place you go to, it is a place you come from.” 

In this reflection on John 14:15-21, we consider how it is so much easier to worship Jesus rather than do what he told us to do. 

Catholic theologian John S. Dunne has observed, “To understand what God is doing and to do what God is doing are the functions of Jesus in the Gospel of John.” If this is so, what might be the implications be for us as followers of Jesus? 

On the road to Emmaus, two early disciples thought their dreams for liberation had died along with Jesus. While what they thought they wanted may have died – it also gave birth to something entirely new. Joseph Campbell has observed, “We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” 

In this episode, we’ll consider a reading of John chapter 20 where the post-resurrection Jesus breathes on his friends … energizing them with his Spirit to embark on the work of helping make the invisible God more visible …

In this story of the raising of Lazarus found in the 11th Chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus asks, “Where have you buried that which you have loved and now think is dead?” Sr. Lauretta Mather gives us this warning, “When we step out of the tombs, we become an enormous threat to the tomb-dwellers.”   

When we look at others as commodities to advance our personal agendas, or as obstacles to our personal agendas then we are spiritually blind. As the spiritual leaders in this story from the Gospel of John chapter 9 ask, “What, are we blind too?” 

In this podcast, Fred shares a reading of the famous “Woman at the Well” story from the Gospel of St. John where Jesus goes to a place he should not be to find someone no one else wants. Similarly, Mozart’s Requiem contains this wonderful line … “Remember, merciful Jesu, That I am the cause of your journey.” 

Over a hundred years ago in the Deep South, a phrase so common in out Christian culture today, born again, was seldom or never used.  Rather, the phrase used to describe the breakthrough into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ was, “I was seized by the power of the great affection.” – Brennan Manning 

In this podcast, Fred shares some thoughts how we might live more soulfully and less selfishly by resisting the temptations to be relevant, popular, and powerful. “Self is the soul minus God.” – Eugene Peterson