I was priviliged to have my presentation accepted, for the site of my Alma Mater of my Master’s, Ambrose Univeristy (though when I was a student it was at Canadian Theological Seminary and its location was the old MRC builidng in downtown Calgary), though always feels a little bit good to be back in the learning environment. Also was the last place I had been a learner at that I had yet to teach at. Anyways enough side quests on this meander.
I closed off the four papers presented on Friday, which shared theology exploring what church could practically do with our buildings to engaging with to leaning into a renewed understanding of community extending into online community (which ties into moments from the grad weekend as a prof I was able to attend last weekend that saw exclusive online students being active participants in community but again a side quest). I know as I type this it is not my best, I also came to the realization this weekend if I was to use spoon theory, since about spring 2022 I have been running on about 1/2 to 1 spoon exclusively, and though I feel the amount growing as authentic rest begins to settle in, I know I do need, as one of the speakers, Rev. Morgan spoke of this weekend, saying yes to less so that there can be joy (a paraphrase I know), and Dr. Carl sharing on his friendship community on campus of intentional monastic style community was also a growth.
Okay time to end the rambles, here are some great resources, met a long-time online friend, and I encourage you to check out his site, and if you feel led engage in the upcoming book club: https://atthebottomofthewell.com/
As well, there is a new press out of Ontario, in the justice and theology work around disabilities (and yes not just books but a journal as well): https://www.madandcriptheologypress.ca/
What follows is just sharing the summary of my reflective research and key resources from Friday night (and yes can you tell the Shrekfluence?).
Everybody Poops:
The Dignity of Belonging
-A Summary-
Dr. Ty Ragan
Deep and Wide:
A Conference on Ecclesial Engagement with Disability across Canada
Ambrose University Site
March 10-11, 2024
Everybody Poops: The Dignity of Belonging
A Summary
This presentation grows out of the theology of lived experience practical and academic theologians and clergy, and research on the concepts of Imageo Dei (created image), diversity, intersections of socioeconomics, culture, race, gender and justice. It looks into how the church has created a process of segregation and degradation, but what the local church community can do to speak the truth and work on authentic reconciliation. An ability to move into authentic accessibility of facilities, inclusion (creating the space) and belonging for individuals of the diverse mosaic that is the created image.
What is the Imageo Dei to you?
In this part we reflect on where we begin the journey. What is your understanding of the image each of us is created in? Where are your apprehensions? Your spaces of unwelcome.
Visible or Invisible
This research looks at the concepts of mental health, neuro-diversity, and physical disabilities. Areas that some use person first language for. Concepts of trauma that can intersect, including medical.
Accessibility
Buildings are one of the most uncomfortable things to discuss. Churches can conflate their identity with historic builds and miss the point that the building itself can be the barrier. It can lead to exclusion, and even inhospitality. Yes, even if the building is to “code” it can not meet accessibility standards. One aspect of this, is bathrooms, for those who toilet not being designed for all mobility aids, gendered washrooms that create barriers for staff who support those who need help, and lack of change benches for those that do not toilet so they have to remain soiled, leave, or be changed on the floor hoping that no one walks in.
Inclusion
Inclusion is ensuring there is a welcoming space. Space being the key word, that regardless of how we are created there is space for us to exist in once we are able to enter the building. Yet it stops short as it does not mean we are known.
Interlude: Government Services
The challenge of proving worthiness is the story of government services. Each province is different, but a tale of Alberta, and having to show that you need, and then reprove when transitioning to adult services. The clawback due to other revenue sources, can one ever leave poverty? Do churches know the silent struggle of constant advocacy? The pain inflicted of caregivers being informed of the release of burden when the loved one passes and it not being a burden, but authentic grieving of loss.
Belonging
Practical Theologian, John Swinton’s work can be summed up as the greatest risk, for you are allowing connection, purpose, and belonging. You are allowing an openness of exchange that when they are not there you will grieve. You will feel. Belonging, and why we avoid it, is because we do not like to mourn and yet we can transform this.
“Each person with a disability, no matter how serious, severe, or even profound contributes something essential to and for the body, through the presence and activity of the Spirit; people with disabilities are therefore ministers empowered by the Spirit of God, each in their own specific way, rather than merely recipients of the ministries of non-disabled people” (Yong, 2011, p. 95).
References
Christensen, S. (2018). From Longing to Belonging: A Practical Guide to Including People with
Disabilities and Mental Health in Your Faith Community. Inclusion Innovations.
Dingman, M. (2022). Your Brain Explained. NB Publishing.
Eiesland, N. (1994). The Disabled God. Abingdon Press.
Hardwick, L. (2021). Disability and the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion. IVP
Praxis.
Kenny, A. (2022). My Body is not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church. Brazos
Press.
Lehman, I. (2014). All you Need to Know about Disability is on Star Trek. Mind Meld Media.
Melcher, S.; Parsons, M. and Yong, A. (2017). The Bible and Disability: A Commentary.
Baylor University Press.
Reynolds, T. (2008). Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality. Brazos
Press.
Schneider, M. (2022). God Loves the Autistic Mind: A Prayer Guide for Those on the Spectrum
and Those Who Love Us. Pauline Books and Media.
Silberman, S. (2015). NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity.
Avery.
Swinton, J. (2016). Becoming Friends of Time: Disability, Timefullness, and Gentle Discipleship.
Baylor University Press.
Swinton, J. (2020). Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental
Health Challenges. Baylor University Press.
Yong, A. (2011). The Bible, Disability and the Church: A New Vision of the People of God.
Betrayed, tortured, executed, and abandoned. The betrayer taking his own life. And a wealthy follower provides the burial, his close friends deny and flea into the shadows, awaiting the knock that can mean the end of their own life. This is the journey from Good Friday through Holy Saturday, a time of disruption and not knowing, of non-entities being further oppressed (and why, this year it is such a healing moment the church can embrace that Trans Day of Visibility, and Easter share the calendar).
As the sun is coming up, the women come, after having watched the tomb sealed by Empire so as to ensure the story of Creator Sets Free return (like Lazarus, Father Martin SJ’s most recent book explores this story wonderfully) could not happen.
or could it?
Then, on the first day of the week following the Day of Resting, as the sun began to rise, Strong Tears (Mary) of the village of Creator’s High Lodge (Magdala) and Brooding Tears (Mary) went to see the burial cave.
2Suddenly the earth began to shake, and a spirit-messenger from the spirit-world above came down from the sky, walked to the burial cave, rolled the stone away—and sat down on it! 3He was shining as bright as a flash of lightning, and his regalia was pure white like freshly fallen snow.
4The soldiers staggered back, trembling with fear, and fell to the ground like dead men.
5-6“Do not fear!” the spirit-messenger said to the women. “The one you are looking for is not here. Creator Sets Free (Jesus), who was killed on the cross, has come back to life again—just as he said. Look! Here is where they laid him. 7Now hurry and go tell his followers that he has risen from the dead. Tell them he is going ahead of them to Circle of Nations (Galilee), and they will see him there. Now remember what I have told you!”
The words echo, in the Gospel of Mark (16:4-8), the original ending is simply:
But when they arrived, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled away. 5When they went inside the burial cave, they saw a young man, dressed in a pure white garment, sitting to the right side of the cave. This filled the women with fear that covered them like a blanket.
6“Do not fear!” the young man said to them, “The one you are looking for is not here! Creator Sets Free (Jesus) from Seed Planter Village (Nazareth), who was killed on the cross, has returned to life. See for yourselves. Here is where they laid him. 7Now go and tell his followers, and Stands on the Rock (Peter), that he is going ahead of them to Circle of Nations (Galilee). It is there that they will see him again—just as he told them.”
8Terror and amazement came upon the women, and they ran as fast as they could from the burial cave
This idea of leaving the empty tomb, and the question left before us what would we do? How do we empower and elevate the voice, that was beyond voiceless at this time, as it was the women’s voice?
Much like the Trans voice today as both corporate, political and religious empire attempt to silence and exterminate from the commons, and yes even from existence (just note the rise of misinformation and violence towards this group of siblings in humanity). This is where the beautiful alignment of the risen Christ, the Sonrise, and Trans Visibility Day matters for healing (actual justice work in our world), and I do pray that the church as whole answers the prayer.
As we can be like the women at the empty tomb (as one online meme phrased it, we’re going biblical this Sonrise, only women may attend, but I digress), as the community of John shares, as the Empire tried to continue to spin misinformation and hide away what had happened:
The women ran from the burial cave to bring the good news to his followers. Their hearts were trembling with fear and great joy. 9Suddenly, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) was standing in front of them.
“It is a good morning!” he smiled and said to them.
They came close, held tightly to his feet, and gave great honor to him.
10“Do not fear!” he told them. “Go and tell my brothers to go to Circle of Nations (Galilee), and there they will see me.”
Showing the true belonging community, where all voices were heard… and welcomed… For the Imageo Dei is a beautiful and wonderful mosaic.
This Easter/Trans Day of Visibility may we embrace and live into this calling.
Tuesday April 16, 2024 @ 7 p.m., come and join speaker, passionate advocate and worker for reconciliation Mizze Walker at Knox United in Calgary, details and where to RSVP below
The most uncomfortable piece of the Holy Week journey, it’s why so many lean into Tony Campolo’s comfort of It’s Friday but Sunday’s coming… we dislike being in grieving. Being in the unknown. Yet it is the mystery that is a part of the journey. The showing of the completely human, why some have Vigil Saturday, where from end of day Friday until Sonrise on Sunday you stay in prayer, some use a more truncated service format of readings and hymns.
How the ancient church attempted to formalize the mystery of what death meant for Brother Jesus, with these thougths from the Apostle’s Creed: he descended to hell.
The concept popularized in Dante and Milton possibly, but most likely Hades’ the idea of storehouse of souls, raised, broken, the control of evil defeated in this time? Do we truly live that happened, or as Lewis’ would contemplate in the Screwtape Letters we still give over much to demonic forces that are simply part of creation?
Take time not looking to what we know is to come, but take time to be in contemplation, in the moment, processing…for prayer for the dead is the ancient wisdom of knowing we can take everything to God, and by speaking it we begin to heal to move forward into the new reality of what is becoming and can start to release what was. Though we dislike the discomfort of unknown, we dislike the discomfort of loss, we dislike the discomfort of emotions.
Simply be… is hard.
But take this time, be in the unknown, be in the mystery.
Reminder YYC Peeps, there is a benefit concert tonight at St. David’s United Church, if you cannot attend and still want to help, use the QR Code to donate:
It is weird to use the term Good for an execution, and I understand many will lean into the substition theory for what happens today in our journey. We see the betrayal, the denials (loss of connection, community abandonment): https://www.bible.com/bible/3633/JHN.18.FNVNT
Creator Sets Free, dared to challenge the Empire, the controlling powers that of political and religious might and oppression and control. Pontius Pilate and the false installed leaders…hmmm… any analogy to Alberta or America in this set up possibly?
Think it through to this moment though. Hundreds of crucified were hung on the roads into Jerusalem to remind the non-people the wage of speaking out of their caste, (do we not jail or ticket the poor in our own cities instead of solving the issue, UBI anyone?)? What is the rising death toll of drug poisonings but not road side crucifixions because we refuse to live as created? What is the rising use of MAiD for loneliness and poverty but us creating other caste’s of non-persons? We have our own road of crucified this week in Alberta and are ignoring, just as those aligned with Empire easily could walk in and tsk tsk those that risked, those that sought to only be person (think of the co-morbidity myth that was used for deaths during covid? Because of Wings and Beer my peeps).
A trial, where many fallacies flowed, where Empire deflected their responsibility, and let the appeal to emotion (that being fear and anger)– if this humble labour, that we know isn’t his father’s son, and the one who was betrothed was so unholy he did not stone his betrothed to death for her infidelity or cast her outside to be trafficked (oh my, seeing an arguement from analogy here for how religious families are supposed to treat their 2SLGBTQ+ children, and the constant gossip and attack when they do not cast out?).
The populist rage against the churning change, that which Jesus so radically pushed against in his non-violent protest and actions. Showing radical belonging, created interdendence of the Imageo Dei, and true egalitarian equity.
True Healing
The great sin that had to be silenced for if the masses caught hold, and realized they had been played and rose up against the overstretched minority oppressors—
And so the mock trial.
The playing on fear of being on the crosses.
The populist fuse of hatred lit.
And the mass murderer released to ensure the silencing of Creator Sets Free (imagine being so powerful in simply the use of Hope, that the greatest Empire in the history of the Western World, had to play a political game to execute you?).
The mocking, beating and dehumanizing found in John 1 9as linked above and here to remind:
Processes of torture and humiliation, used to break not necessarily Creator Sets Free spirit, but to ensure his followers would understand it was over and time to go away. How often do we see this happen with movements? Leveraging legalities to ensure compliance and silence (hmmm… Alberta government’s new Trans policies anyone? The anti-human right breaking of encampments? Non-investment in affordable housing? Allowing coal mining which will poison our water? Not understanding or refusing to acknowledge we have damaged creation, that is dominionism is a fallacy, like colonialism, and a sin to be told the truth of and reconciliation work to be done while we still have air to breath and food to eat)…but how often are these tactics used? Reinvigorated in our gamification of war and playing with terms of genocide, yet not holding to account powers in the world and allies for acts of terror and genocide?
Yet this humiliation was meant to do what it did (and the Easter Sunday story shows who was courageous…but we do not know that yet so know reading ahead in this mystery).
And before Creator Sets Free breathed his last, he speaks, most likely gasping, blood burbling in his lungs with water as he was drowning, struggling through pain, dehydrated, most likely soiled himself several times over. Twisted and broken.
And yet, his final plea to the Beloved Disciple:
the much-loved follower of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), was also there with them.
When Creator Sets Free (Jesus) looked down and saw them, he said to his mother, “Honored woman, look to your son.” 27Then he said to his follower, “Look to your mother.”
From that time the follower took Bitter Tears (Mary) into his family and cared for her.
On this Friday, what does this request and calling mean to you?
I had intentions this Holy Week to do a daily post contemplating and exploring, but with the nature of a short academic week, but not a change in teaching/marking/prep schedules with not wanting to put in overtime as I do enjoy time with family…that did not happen.
On this Good Friday morning though, I do want to take a moment, to pause and remember Maundy Thursday (a new translation to read: https://www.bible.com/bible/3633/JHN.13.FNVNT). It is the moment in time when Jesus gathers in the upper room, that tradition teaches was owned by John Mark’s parents’. John Mark being the Mark of the Gospel of Mark, most likely the scribe of St. Peter’s remembrances. Within the stories of the last night, I tend to lean into the story from the Gospel of John (the gospel that gives us the spiritual formation device of the unnamed beloved disciple that the hearer/reader is to see as us. It changes the dynamic of the liturgical practice of church, the idea of interpretation of entering into the text and what it means for us today.
This is my struggle with Passion Sunday, we truncate the story to two events, that doesn’t need to happen with technology, video or audio messages can be shared daily for the community to journey the week through even if not gathering. Most within the Last Supper will highlight two key things:
Jesus’ acknowledgement of Judas’ betrayal- a wonderful sermon on Judas was an upside this past Sunday by Rev. Mannix, who Judas was and even within the scope of a villain what I was reminded of as a story teller, they see themselves as the hero. Here is Judas, someone who had lost so much to follow with Jesus, and the pressures mounted…
Communion/Eucharist instituted. I know Jesus uses the language of body and blood. Allergoric or metaphorical depending on one’s philosophical leaning and story telling style. Some will see these aspects as nothing more than elements or symbolism, some hear and experience literal mystical transfiguration in the moment. I prefer the Via Media approach, that is I do not know what happens in the mystery of the meal, just as Jesus’ friends did not know, but something happens beyond simple bread and juice (I hold to a more universal table and glutten free, and juice creates that) though my metaphoric language for the mystery sacred, is what I first heard when I returned to church as an adult from Rev. Linda Hunter, cup of promise and bread of life. Regardless of the communal prayer words, when I take the elements these words are in my heart.
But those two pieces are not front and centre in the Gospel of John. The Johannine community, was egalatarian and interdependent (sorry patriarchal misogynists, those that became bishops and elders in the letters were across the gender spectrum, remember the beloved disciple from the cross was asked to care for his Mumma, and that is all of us). In most protestant circles there are 2 sacraments (baptism and communion), Anglicans have a 2+5 model, and Roman Catholics hold to 7 sacraments for the Western Church. Some say this is like a bonus sacrament demonstrated and illustrated beautifully in this stand alone gospel story (found not in the other 3).
But I do not see it as a bonus, as I read, and contemplate and have since Dr. Fox’s Johannine lit course in seminary, it has been the sacrament that flows through and actualizes the others (whether 2, 2+5 or 7). Let the words flow, and see if you can notice what the sacrament is?
FOOT-WASHING CEREMONY
4Knowing all of this, during the meal Creator Sets Free (Jesus) got up from the table, took off his outer garments, and wrapped a cloth around himself like a sash. 5He poured water into a vessel and, one by one, he began to wash the feet of his followers and dry them with the cloth.
This was a task reserved for only the lowest servant of the household.
6He came to Stands on the Rock (Peter), who said to him, “Wisdomkeeper, are you going to wash my feet?”
7“You do not understand now what I am doing, but later you will,” he answered.
8“No!” Stands on the Rock (Peter) lifted his voice, “This can never be!”
Creator Sets Free (Jesus) looked deep into his eyes and said, “If you refuse this, then you have no part in who I am.”
9“Wisdomkeeper,” he answered back, “if this is so, then wash my hands and head also!”
10Creator Sets Free (Jesus) replied, “If you have already had a bath, only your feet need washing, and then you will be clean all over. Now, you are all clean. Except for one.”
11He said this because he knew who would betray him.
After he had finished washing all their feet, 12he put his outer garment back on and sat down again at the table.
“Do you see what I have done?” he said to them. 13“You are right to call me Wisdomkeeper and Chief—because I am. 14If I, your Wisdomkeeper and Chief, have washed your feet, then you should wash each other’s feet. 15So follow my footsteps and do for each other what I have done for you.
16“I speak from my heart. The one who serves is not greater than the one who is served. A message bearer is not greater than the one who sent him. 17If you walk in this way of blessing, you will do well, and it will return to you—full circle.
It flows through so seamlessly, and ties into the love commandments that summarized all the ancient teachings, laws and prophets when Creator Sets Free was challenged about what the greatest was, he spoke the love commandments that are not a hierarcy, but an infinite circle of Love of God, self and neighbour for we are all intertwined.
The sacrament that connects all, and builds the interdependnet healthy community, is simply, the gift of Maundy Thursday–
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit’ada, Tansi, Hello and welcome to worship at Centennial. I would like to acknowledge we gather as first peoples and settlers on the traditional territories of the Treaty 7 peoples that include the Stoney Nakoda First Nations including Chiniki, Bearspaw and Good Stoney First Nations, the Blackfoot Confederacy that includes the Siksika, the Piikani and Kainai First Nations, and Tsuut’ina First Nations, and the Metis Nation Region 3. With the living love of Creator, we commit to the hard calling of truth and reconciliation together here on Turtle Island.
We are in the season of Lent, a time to embrace the mystery of faith, and listen deeply to the still quiet voice calling us.. Please join in our call to worship.
Call to Worship
Come, all who desire to know God.
We come, for we want to see Jesus.
Come, all who thirst for the Spirit.
We come, for God is in our midst this day.
So let us praise God’s holy name.
We will worship God with heart, mind, strength and soul,
and declare God’s goodness to us.
(From PCC Worship Resource for the day)
Time of Praise:
1) SB 104 Open Our Eyes Lord
2) BP 146 Thy Word is a Lamp Unto Our Feet
Prayers of Adoration and Confession (From PCC Worship Resource):
Creating God, Loving Christ, Guiding Spirit,
With the promise of spring and new life awakening,
you wake us from our slumbers.
You are faithful to us through every season of the year
and every season of life.
The hope you offer in Jesus Christ draws us together,
as your Spirit rises within our hearts.
Even as the cross looms on the horizon,
we praise you for Jesus’ courage and compassion,
which bring renewal to us in the midst of all our challenges.
We praise you, O God, for such love that will never let us go.
Gracious and Loving God,
as we draw closer to the Cross,
we recognize ways we fall short of your hope for us.
We get lost in our own concerns
and neglect to show love, even to those right beside us.
We find some people too difficult to care for.
We think others unworthy of your love and ours.
Forgive us and renew a right spirit within us,
so that we find the courage to go on
and the compassion to reach out in your name. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
(Version 4 from the New Zealand Prayer Book)
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Jesus said, Come to me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Friends, trust that peace and forgiveness are God’s gifts to you this day. Be renewed by the power of the Spirit that moves with you into each new day.
Announcements – Elders
Church Family Celebrations (Birthdays, Anniversaries, Welcome Song)- Elders
Children’s Time:
Today, is the last Sunday before next week we start something called Holy Week, it opens with like a party for Jesus on one side, and a party for those who didn’t like Jesus on the other side. So I thought you could tell the adults here, what we know about Jesus?
And what gift did Jesus give the world?
Instead of praying, together as you go out, we’re going to sing a song that means quite a bit to my family, it was my Mum and Nan’s favourite, sung to all the kids, and is our prayer today to remind and live as you go out to share love.
Along with the Tribal Members of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) who came to participate in the Passover festival, there were also many outsiders from other nations who would come.
20There were people from these nations who came to celebrate the festival from Land of Wisdom Seekers (Greece).
These were people who often prided themselves in their study of wisdom and knowledge.
21They went up to Friend of Horses (Philip), who was from House of Fishing (Bethsaida) in Circle of Nations (Galilee). Knowing him to be one who walked with Creator Sets Free (Jesus), they said to him, “Honored friend, we would like to see Creator Sets Free (Jesus), your Wisdomkeeper.”
22Friend of Horses (Philip) did not know what to do, so he found Stands with Courage (Andrew) and asked him what he thought. Then together they both went to see Creator Sets Free (Jesus) and told him that the Wisdom Seekers (Greeks) wished to see him.
23He answered them, “It is time for the True Human Being to be lifted up to his place of honor. 24I speak from my heart. If a seed is unplanted, it remains only one seed, but if it dies, falls to the earth, and enters the ground, it will then grow and become many seeds.
25“The ones who love the kind of life this world gives will lose the life they seek, but the ones who let go of their life in this world and follow my ways will find the life of the world to come that never fades away, full of beauty and harmony.
“Tell these Wisdom Seekers (Greeks)to walk the road with me. 26Anyone who wants to serve me will walk in my footsteps, and I will take them to the same place I am going. If they give up their lives to serve me in this way, my Father will honor them.”
THE TIME OF HONOR HAS COME
A look of sorrow came over the face of Creator Sets Free (Jesus).
27“But now I am deeply troubled and in anguish!” he said. “Should I ask my Father to rescue me from this hour that has now come? No! I came into the world for this time and for this purpose.”
He then lifted his face, looked up to the sky, and sent his words to the Great Spirit.
28“Father,” he prayed, “honor your name and show the world the beauty of it.”
Suddenly, a voice from above spoke out of the sky, “I have honored my name, for it represents who I am, and I will once again honor and show the beauty of it.”
29Some of the people standing nearby heard the voice and said, “Was that thunder?”
Others said, “No, a spirit-messenger has spoken to him.”
30Creator Sets Free (Jesus) said to them, “This voice you heard was not for my sake, but for yours. 31It is a sign to you that it is now time for the Great Spirit to make his final decision about this world. The evil one who now rules this world will be defeated and thrown down. 32But I, the True Human Being, will be lifted up from the ground and nailed to a cross. This is the way I will bring all things, in the spirit-world above and the earth below, to myself.”
33Creator Sets Free (Jesus) said this to show the kind of death he would die and what his death would accomplish.
This is the word of the Lord,
Thanks be to God.
Sermon
“Waiting on our world to change”.
Little known psychological fact, whenever we go through change our system, that is whole person-physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual enters the process of grieving. It may be instantaneous like when we can’t find our favourite food at the grocery store, or the latest episode of a favourite series isn’t released when it should be on streaming, or longer process of release of the old, and letting come into our new reality with what was, no longer being there. This can happen with major life changes like graduation, injury, career change, retirement or loss of life or ending of relationships. When I hear this story of Jesus I hear a friend, and loving creator, preparing those who would not be on the next phase of the journey to prepare for the change.
What can this look like? A few years ago, I was at a winter refresher for ministry staff where we were discovering how to aid and understand a community’s role in change. Or as this story relates, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) saying to come along in the journey. Enter the unknown, and see what the possibilities are, and the probability?
This is where this story takes us as a modern-day parable on the transformative journey of grief and how a community can transform together. Sounds a little bit like what has been happening here over the last few months of discovery and reconnection, but I digress. This parable, a Ryan Gosling film, Lars, and the Real Girl. The story opens, and Lars is not feeling himself, his community, his brother and sister-in-law are concerned as their usual quirky loved one, is not himself and is isolating. Then one day he emerges from the guest house, his online girlfriend is coming to visit, but they are both devout Christians so can she stay in the brother and sisters-in-law guest house. They are ecstatic and agree.
The day comes, and Bianca arrives to visit. She is a wheelchair user, but that isn’t what is causing the perplexed looks at dinner?
She is a life size doll.
Suffice it to say they end up at the doctors the next day.
They are given a choice: Either enforce, the myth of normal upon Lars, and trash the doll and roll with whatever happen to his mental health, or enter the journey Lars has begun, see where it leads, and what grows from it. So, you are here the gospel echoes in this modern parable? Like the seeds Jesus spoke of, or even the lines of joining his journey. For Lars was in the journey of grieving, and trying to let go of what was, to be able to enter the possibilities ahead.
The family, the community had a choice. We are at a point in time in our world history to embrace the new that is trying to emerge, that includes healing and reconciliation and letting go of the destructive colonial past or to embrace what we call normal and allow the harm, destruction and hate to continue to grow. We have a choice where we fall in our journey. Just like those hearing Jesus’ words had a choice to turn away back to the known, to ignore or to step into the unknown. Just like this family and community.
What did Jesus’ friends choose? What will you choose? What did they choose? Hearing Jesus’ words in the writing of the community of John, what would you choose? If Lars was in the pew today?
They stepped into the footsteps of Lars. And yes, like the seed in the ground, hope began to grow. How do we know? Well, Bianca had girls nights, she joined the bowling league, somehow she even got elected to the school board. The community embraced what their friend needed on the journey?
Are you in the midst of a change?
How can we embrace the journey with you?
That was the question for Lars.
And then, as Jesus pointed out in his story, the old structure, the old way of being was being let go, released, the unknown was being stepped into. It is within that unknown we get to play. Lars was healing, but the community was able to play and so was Lars, what would be the new way? Normal is a myth, but how we are is what matters in creating belonging. Lars knew he belonged. He was able in the journey to let go of what was not serving him, to let go of the unmanageable pain, to know that it is not dishonouring or doing a disservice to discover what is. It is also okay to try new things before deciding on the new path.
Isn’t that what the friends of Jesus did? Think of all the new things they were being exposed to throughout the journey? The diversity of the Body of Christ then and until now?
But like what Lent is preparing us for, there was a dark time for Lars, see Bianca fell sick and was bedridden. Did the community abandon him? Those who called Bianca and Lars friend came, the most beautiful scene is of Lars’ church’s women’s group, he asks why they are their? The one lady replies, we have casserole, and knitting and to sit. For however long we are needed.
To simply be with one another. Knowing there is comfort in the connection. Could this be the example of why Jesus took time to be with his friends? To pray? To share space and be? He shared what was to come, and why, but it was in the being.
Preparing them for change.
We have journeyed through Lent, we are preparing for what is to come on Palm Sunday, the celebratory entrance next week of Jesus’s group of those who were not wanted on one side of Jerusalem, and on the other side the celebration of Caesar, with Pontius Pilate’s entrance of power, pomp, money and empire.
That is the choice and everything in between. Our time to release of what was, what wasn’t working, of the change, of life without what always was. For Lars’ community it was to embrace Lars and be with him.
For the community of John, and the story here, it is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Even Jesus, in verses 27, does what we do, and asks or ponders can we go back to what is known. But the previous verse 25, is the question that rests before us as we head to the ending of Lent, and the beginning of Holy Week, the beginning of our story:
25“The ones who love the kind of life this world gives will lose the life they seek, but the ones who let go of their life in this world and follow my ways will find the life of the world to come that never fades away, full of beauty and harmony.
“Tell these Wisdom Seekers (Greeks)to walk the road with me.
Will we journey through the change as community, and walk the road knowing where it leads is truly the unknown…will you let go what was known and let come what is love?
Amen.
Offering
Dedication of the Offering
BP 663 God of Love, Hear our Prayer.
(Tune: Edelweiss)
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
(from PCC Worship resource)
Steadfast God,
amid many changes and challenges around us,
we are grateful that you are with us.
You understand our fears;
you support and guide us;
and you give us courage to face whatever lies ahead.
Thank you for the gift of faith, a solid rock to support us,
and so we trust that you keep working, in ways seen and unseen,
for goodness to prevail.
God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Loving God,
in this time of when there is much to be anxious about,
we pray for the world you love.
Send your healing Spirit to bring peace with justice to the troubled places,
(name places currently in the news … )
Bring care and comfort to those who have been hurt in conflict,
wisdom to those who seek to end hostilities,
and courage to those who advocate for the most vulnerable.
God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Send your healing Spirit to mend relationships
between religious groups and cultural groups
who find themselves in tension or turmoil.
We pray for mutual respect to grow
between people who look at each other with suspicion,
and among people who have painful histories with each other.
Open our hearts and minds
to those whose situations and concerns we don’t understand,
and bring your gift of reconciliation to us all.
God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Send your healing Spirit to people we know and to the earth you love.
We remember before you friends in grief… (pause)
those suffering illness and all waiting for treatment… (pause)
those facing difficulty at work or finding work… (pause)
disagreements in our church or community… (pause)
concerns about the environment we depend on… (pause)
God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for the continuing ministry of the Church
in our neighbourhoods and around the world.
As we move toward our celebration of Christ’s resurrection,
send your healing Spirit to raise our hearts and our hopes
with the promise of new life in Christ.
Restore to us the joy of your salvation and sustain in us all a willing spirit.
We pray through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who taught us to pray, saying:
Paul Vargis
Ty
A Monk's Musings 