Reflexion, A Spiritual Community

We are working our way through Paul’s virtue list here in Colossians 3 But this morning it is difficult to not be distracted by war in Ukraine - millions of desperate prayers are reaching out to God to bring an end to it • we’ve seen heartbreaking images and also steadfast bravery • last week our theme was compassionate hearts ◦ and by your response to that talk, I know you are in pain for the man...

Two weeks ago I read a list of character qualities in Colossians chapter 3 Although it seems like Paul rattles them off, - each one requires years of devoted practice to embody them fully • I said then, it would be good for us to meditate on the qualities in that list • I realize it would be very good for me – and we’ll start today - so why are we in Matthew this morning and not Colossians? • beca...

The heading of this psalm tells us it was composed by David I usually try to ignore the Psalm headings - if David wrote it, we’re tempted to locate an event in his life's story that "explains" it (for instance, explains the theme and mood of the psalm) • Bible teachers who do not “get” poetry or do not like poetry frequently look for connections outside the psalm itself ◦ as though,...

 Occasionally Paul will share these rare gems Brief statements, packed with profound concepts - for instance, he has introduced the Colossians to a mystery (cf. Col. 1:25-29) • everything about our transcendent God is mystery and hidden ◦ some things have been revealed . . . the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints (Col. 1:26) ◦ the ultimate revelation of God is J...

I lost two companions this month I did not know them personally, so I can’t say they were my “friends” - I’ve known them only through their writings • when I became interested in contemplative prayer, Thich Nhat Hanh introduced me to mindful meditation • Jim Forest, an Orthodox Christian writer, helped to broaden my spiritual growth, and enhanced my understanding of icons ◦ these men knew, respect...

When we read the Psalms, we are in the realm of sacred poetry Poetry begins in the heart and it speaks to the heart - we can analyze a poem – take it into the lab and dissect it • but if we go too far, we kill the specimen • in our first encounter with a poem we need to hear it--that’s all ◦ listen to the music of its rhythm ◦ feel the effect of its words and images - what I feel in this poem is c...

Intro: Awhile back I read The Healing Power of Emotion An anthology of essays written by specialists in the fields of neuroscience and applied psychology - afterward, I read several books by the authors of those essays • one author was Sue Johnson, who pioneered Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) ◦ in Hold Me Tight, she explains research behind EFT and provides lots of examples of how it works in t...

Years ago, I saw a news clip featuring Salvador Dali The flamboyant surrealist artist, with his trademark handlebar mustache, - he was famous for his painted landscapes with melting watches • he had alerted the press that he was working on another masterpiece ◦ and he was going to complete it in front of a live audience • the day came, and a crowd gathered and the cameras were rolling - Dali arriv...

Intro: Reading this old familiar story, I am surprised by how little information we are actually given - Matthew provides us bare details without embellishment • we are not the first to recognize its streamlined quality • over time, various storytellers added their own finishing touch ◦ it’s like an undecorated Christmas tree that looks too plain ◦ so tradition has added lots of ornaments - for in...

I won’t say this episode within the Christmas story has been neglected, But it doesn’t get as much attention as the more familiar scenes - it unfolds in a warm and intimate atmosphere • the two women are relatives–both received a miracle ◦ both have been surprised by unexpected pregnancies • we have no details of their time together, only their greetings, ◦ and each greeting is an eruption of joy...

I know — this is a strange place to stop reading These few verses are a small piece of story surrounding Jesus’ birth, - many big things take place in this long chapter, • so it is easy to skim this short scene and get to the action • but I think it may do us some good to linger here awhile

The last chapter of 1 Corinthians is not as interesting as rest of the letter It is mostly business – like when we were of age and our parents left for a week vacation - they instructed us, “Don’t forget to feed the dog, water the plants, bring in the mail, and put out the trash” • so here: Paul's last-minute instructions include fund-raising for Jerusalem, his own itinerary, Timothy’s visit,...

Intro: You have heard something about the Jesus’ Movement But a few years prior, there was another religious explosion - it began with a husband and wife – John and Joan Baker • a Christian couple who were Episcopalians ◦ they heard Pentecostal preacher teach on the baptism in the Spirit and speaking in tongues ◦ they wanted to have that experience – and they did! • they told their Episcopalian pa...

In chapter 12, Paul told the Corinthians they were body of Christ That they should not be surprised at the diversity within the church - they were not all the same, because they were not supposed to be same • each person had his and her own place • the body is a living example of diversity within unity - after listing a variety of gifted people, Paul says, And I will show you a still more excellen...

 In the 1960's, the Roman Catholic Church began a project of renovation  According to a friend of mine who is a priest, “Vatican II, opened windows to allow fresh air to enter the church” - in hindsight, we could say they missed a few dark corners (but perhaps the changes made then set in motion the way that the Roman Catholic Church handles those things today) • by the 1970's, the Evang...

Intro: Most of us, when reading Bible, will get lost on occasion When that happens, we can stop and ask two questions: - “Where am I?” and “What is going on here?” • “Where am I?” is the big picture question – it takes us to the central theme of book ◦ you look at the whole map, then locate a general area on it • “What is going on here?” is the here and now question ◦ if book were a wheel, "w...

Paul has been circling the same issue since chapter 8 Is it okay for Christians to eat food that has been devoted to an idol? – Paul has two answers, one rational and other relational • rational: idols have no meaning for us, so food is food • relational: some Christians are convinced that food presented to an idol is contaminated ◦ take their concerns seriously and don’t “offend” them ◦ at times...

Intro: Are you like me, when it comes to reading the Bible? I will come to a sentence and immediately my attention drops off – for instance: The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael. These are their genealogies: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, and Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam . . . (the list goes on – 1 Chr. 1:28-31) - yes, it is still scripture, but it doesn’t interest me • that happens when I read th...

If you have ever read this chapter and felt frustrated, you’re not alone A few verses in it make good sense and are immediately helpful - but the rest is strange, confusing, or upsetting • this chapter is the reason some people give up on Paul • but you and I cannot give up on him ◦ his spiritual insight has been too helpful to walk away now - so we take a deep breath, cool our heals, and pray • w...

 Tracking how Paul was guiding these Christians to the mind of Christ - but when I came to this chapter, I felt disappointed • here, the subjects he addresses are so “unspiritual,” so this-worldly • a civil court, wrongdoers, and curbing sexual appetite - but then I noticed a revelation underneath the text • you know how a card might come with a sticker you have to peel off, ◦ and when you do, you...

 Paul is considered Christianity’s first and foremost theologian  What is not always recognized–and is an embarrassment to some pastors–, Paul was also a mystic - this was Albert Schweitzer's assessment in his work The Mysticism of Paul the Apostle Schweitzer, “. . . when all is said and done, Pauline personal religion is in its fundamental character mystical. . . . its own essential life lie...