Wrestling With Angels in Strange Places

Dancing in a Fountain of Light- Reflection on the Mystery of Epiphany

2011-01-06T16:28:00.000-08:00

Had a lovely day, celebrating a House Eucharist with my community and then sneaking out to St. John's Parish, the Jesuit's church on Creighton University for an evening Mass. Driving home into the sunset, and reflecting on the day's words and beauty I felt moved to share the following.)

Epiphany- Ἐπιφάνια or epiphania in Greek means "manifestation" or "appearance," and is a very holy day to Christians around the world. I've been realizing more and more a love for the ancient language of Mystery^[1]
of the Church to fit my vision of the Christian faith, and felt inspired to write a few words about that Mystery, in its most Cosmic sense, as I experienced it today.

Mystery,
in the traditions of the Church East and West,
and my own deepest faith,
dances between two extremes...
It is not a secret ritual to be hidden from the world,
as some Greeks and Romans lived their prior traditions...
But nor is it a loud clanging gong^,[2]
to bash others over the head with to change them,
as if that ever helped anyone!

But rather it is Divine center to which can be returned again and again,
Hidden because it contains more than can ever be described,
but seen because it shines out as a Light that changes all it touches,
Healing and changing the World and human hearts with the Glory of God Sometimes through, but also in spite of us Christians!

The many Mysteries of the Church's year can be what the Celts called thin spaces, peeling back to show what Christians believe is the Deepest Reality.

Epiphany, one of these mysteries goes back to the early days of the Eastern Church, especially Egypt. It echoed earlier traditions, of a god or goddess appearing to a person in wonder... or of a king who claimed Divinity coming into the city and expecting people to look impressed!

But for the Church, Jesus comes to us in a wondrous way, as a new kind of Divine King, one that changes everything by starting upside down, where He is least expected.

That the Creator of all things looked down into a Creation,
Beautiful but also Hurting,
and sent Godself into the very deepest part of it,
becoming utterly vulnerable,
and forever united to it in a special way,
So filling it with God's own Light,
a Light that bursts forth in all Creation,
making all things new,
and who Christians worship in the Face of Jesus.

Seen with joy under a star by holy men of another faith,
throwing a good party because his mother told him so,
and having the Heaven-sent Spirit dance over him like a Dove.^[2]

But that Light is there not just to be worshiped,
or just there for Christians,
or even there for humans only,
It goes down deep, and spills out into all Creation,
Like a glorious Fountain, expecting us to do the same.
Striving to see, as God does,
the utter Beauty,
and deep Pain,
Of every living being...
And loving them in that Light,
till that day when All Shall be Light.

I caught a glimpse of it today...

Laughing with friends around a table...

...The sunlight dancing down to surprise us, forgetting it isn't yet spring as we step outdoors...

...Praying, later under a tall stone church for a hurting world

The bubbling of Many Waters...^[4]

...And coming out to a a line of trees, Those Who Stand Praying^,[5] forgetting for a moment their winter slumber and asking me to bless them, like a crowd of children running for hugs outside a church...

I am truly grateful, and pray I shall not soon forget it,
when the road leads through dark places.

Eternal Amen...

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Notes, dastardly geek that I am. :P

^[1]A special thanks goes to an article by Fr. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M in the December '10 "Catholic Update" of St. Anthony Messenger Press, whose words on the holy days of the year, of "facts" and "deep truths" helped inspire some of this.

^[2] The three parts of Epiphany in the Eastern church, Anglicans echo it today as well.

^[3] What Paul tells us NOT to be in 1 Cor 13:1, but warns we will be without Divine Love in all we do.

^{[4] The Greek Orthodox church, in all its Creation-centered awesomeness teaches that on the day of Epiphany, every drop of water in the world is holy.}

^{[5] The beautiful Mandan peoples' name for trees as they dance in the wind gloriously, calling us to pray among them.}

Special Prayers for Sudan

2011-01-01T18:00:00.000-08:00

As many may be aware, Sudan is moving towards a MAJOR vote in which the Southern region- largely comprised of Christian and indigenous religious groups long persecuted by a majority Muslim North- is approaching a vote which will continue a peace process by allowing them the right to form their own country. Unfortunately, it is widely feared the North will not recognize this vote, or that the vote itself will be rife with intimidation or abuses. My church, the Episcopal church as well as the Diocese of Nebraska in which I work has special friendships with the people of Sudan and is strongly urging everyone to keep their struggles and hopes for a peaceful vote in our prayers.

I got to personally befriend some members of their church at our region's Annual Council this past November, when a Bishop and several leaders came to spend time with us and we decided to formalize a special partnership between our regions. One gentleman who has returned to be with is family during the vote lived right next door to our intentional community.

Appreciate prayers and support from people, regardless of their faith background on this important issue. I'm including some resources on the issue, as well as a copy of the Cycle of Prayer written up by one of our clergy for the Diocese. It offers suggested prayers for each day leading up to the vote on Jan. 9th.

A video put out on this issue by my church:
http://episcopalchurch.org/sudan/

A Season of Prayer for Sudan

In solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Sudan, The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, has called for a Season of Prayer. The Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Sudan, The Most Reverend Daniel Deng Bul, has issued a Call to Prayer.

Sudan, and the region of Darfur within it, have suffered years of civil war and genocide. An important referendum on the future of Sudan and on self-determination for the people there is scheduled for January 9, 2011. But there is no guarantee that this referendum will occur peacefully. In fact, there is every indication that violence and perhaps civil war will break out again following the referendum, no matter what the outcome.

It is for these reasons that Don Peeler and The Rev. Tom Jones, Co-Chair's of the Diocesan Global Mission Committee have developed a list of daily prayers. These prayers were crafted after Don Peeler and Bishop Ezekiel visited extensively about the situation in the Sudan. These have been specially developed for the Diocese of Nebraska, but can be shared with all who wish to join us in prayer. Please print these and share them with your parishioners and friends in Christ.

December 26, 2010 How am I? In fifteen days I will be free. I know the price of freedom is great. Millions of my brothers and sisters have already paid the price, and now I am also ready to pay the necessary price to live free. So is every other person who will vote with me. Pray for the referendum. Pray that the referendum might be held as planned without interference or intimidation. Pray for Peace. Amen.

December 27, 2010 For more than 300 years my people have struggled under the control of the North. In fourteen days we will vote for separation, but it is not separation we really want. We love those who have oppressed us just as we love ourselves. We only want the freedom to govern ourselves, to control our own land, and thereby our destiny. Pray for our neighbors who do not support the referendum, that they might find it in their hearts to also love us. Pray for Peace. Amen.

December 28, 2010 My heart is not troubled on this day, nor am I afraid. My Lord's Peace is always with me. But the world does not give us the same peace as our Lord. Peace in my land is a miracle. Pray passionately for the miracle of peace, as peace in the coming days shall be a blessing granted only by God to the people of Southern Sudan. Pray for Peace. Amen.

December 29, 2010 Twelve days to go. The sins of the past have been forgiven, but what do we do now? Our homes have been destroyed. Our families have been ripped apart by war, famine, and disease. We are a broken people. Pray for unity and strength, that together we may rebuild our society, and by doing so, we will bring glory to our God and His Son, Jesus. Pray for Peace. Amen.

December 30, 2010 The referendum day approaches fast now. What shall I do? The Lord speaks to us like He spoke to Paul. Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. At this time, silence means acceptance of slavery. We are not slaves. We are the children of God. Pray for those who have, who are, and who will negotiate the peaceful separation of Southern Sudan. Pray for Peace. Amen.

December 31, 2010 One year closes, and another shall begin. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Trust in the Lord, today in the old year, and tomorrow in the new. Pray that His plan for us shall bring the fruit of His spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness to all. Pray for Peace. Amen.

January 1, 2011 The sun rose today to mark not only a new day, but a new time for our world. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, those who have been called according to His purpose. Pray that we always remember God's purpose for us, and in gratitude that He is always with us. Pray for Peace. Amen.

January 2, 2011 The time is upon us to be strong and courageous. We are not terrified; nor are we discouraged, for the LORD our God will be with us wherever we go and through whatever may come. Pray for us during this last week, and pray for the leaders of the world, that we remain steadfast in faith and firm conviction. Pray for Peace. Amen.

January 3, 2011 Our needs at this time are great, but where do we start? Spiritually we are strong. In faith, we are stronger. In all things of Heaven we are blessed in abundance. In all things of earth, we are destitute. Our food supply for the coming year was lost to this year's flood. Pray for a sustainable source of food, for the introduction of agricultural technology, for assistance rather than relief so that we might use our resources wisely to become self sufficient. Pray for Peace. Amen.

January 4, 2011 The chains of poverty have bound us tightly for hundreds of years. As freedom approaches, we know education is the key to advancing the quality of our lives. The girl's school being built in Wangulei will accept its first students in a few months. Please pray for the best of days when every child might have the benefit of an education because with education comes the understanding needed for our people to live peacefully together. Pray for Peace. Amen.

January 5, 2011 Too many babies die as the result of birthing complications. Too many mothers join their babies in Heaven. Proper health care for all is a priority of a new, free nation, yet the rate of illness is like a mountain to be moved. Pray that safe water, better nutrition through sustainable agriculture, and health education might lessen the need for medical facilities until they can be built throughout the south. Pray also that medical facilities which exist today will no longer refuse to treat those voting for separation as no one should have to choose between medical assistance and freedom. Pray for Peace. Amen.

January 6, 2011 We are now just hours away from the vote. Our clergy have done well to prepare us for the coming day, but our clergy are tired and often ill prepared to face the tasks at hand. 270 pastors tend to a growing flock of more than 600,000 Episcopalians in Twic East Diocese alone. Many use scrap cardboard for a collar. Many do not possess a Bible, and share the Good News of God from memory only. Most can barely support themselves, yet are called to support others. Pray for our clergy, for the good work they have done, and for the strength they will give us in the coming days and beyond. Pray for Peace. Amen.

January 7, 2011 Freedom is in sight, but let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author who has made our faith perfect, the man who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. If we are free, it is because of Him as He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was set upon Him, and by His wounds we shall be free. Pray that Jesus be with us in these last hours of darkness to provide the light for all to see the glory that shall be His. Pray for Peace. Amen.

January 8, 2011 Can it be? Is it just one more day for us to live under the rule of the north? It is like 300 years have passed in one moment, but at the same time took millenniums to come. We are tired, yet cannot sleep in anticipation of the dawn of a new day. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Pray for our rest from the burdens we have carried, as we cast off the burden of our load. Pray that we might soar with the song birds, and with all angels, singing praises to God for all that is good. Pray for Peace. Amen.

January 9, 2011 How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in peace!!! Today is not our day, but God's day. This is true whether we vote today or any other day. God has looked favorably upon us, and caused us to be free. Your prayers have brought us to this day, and we are grateful. Pray for us always as we will pray always for you. The joy in our hearts will be complete when you set your feet in the soil of a free and secure South Sudan. Pray for Peace. Amen.

Blessings to all

All Saints of British Isles and Ireland

2010-11-15T14:51:00.000-08:00

The following is a brief piece I wrote for St. Andrew's Episcopal Omaha, the church I am serving at this year with my internship. You can find St. Andrew's here: http://www.standrewsomaha.org/

I would also ask people for their prayers for the Celtic Orthodox Church of St. Francis, a tiny, beautiful community which meets in the home of a monk friend near Boston. They were my source for this Icon, but were tragically robbed this past week. You can find out more about them here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Celtic-Orthodox-Church/123087377746933

Few people are aware that the Eastern Orthodox churches honored many of our saints in the West esspecially those of Britain and Ireland before the Schism between East and west in 1054. The Russian Orthodox church, recently revived a special feast day for all of these saints in 2007.

I have friends in Boston who are part a "Celtic Orthodox" church planted in Celtic Brittany (France) in the 1800's with the help of Syrian Bishops, they do some lovely work around the world, and pointed this icon out to me. As this is the month when Anglicans especially remember our spiritual ancestors in All Saints and All Souls day (Nov 1 & 2), this seemed a lovely icon to share. Of course, today Anglicans come from all people and cultures, and we have an abundance of saints to be greatful for! But I thought this icon might be of interest to people wanting to learn more about our church's history.

The saints included in this image are English, Celtic saints of Ireland, Wales and Scotland, and also some of the saints of Jesus' time, such as Saint Andrew and Joseph of Aremathia who tradition gives connections to in the British Isles (Saint Andrews Cross, the symbol of Scotland is the blue part of our Episcopal flag; our first Bishop was ordained in Scotland just after the Revolution when the English didn't like us so much!).

One can see the island of Britain, with a beautiful celtic cross in the center. Ireland is to the left, with saints scattered on smaller islands where many established monasteries. In the top left corner, we even see Saint Brendan- the Irish saint who went on a fantastic see journey with his monks- and whom some claim reached America before the Vikings or Columbus!

URGENT Winter Heating Aid Collection for Pine Ridge/Oglala Lakota Reservation

2010-09-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

The church I'm working at, St. Andrews Omaha is in the process this month of raising desperately needed winter heating fuel for needy Oglala Lakota families of Pine Ridge Reservation. As some of of my friends may remember, last winter was brutal to many tribes out here, and another hard one is feared this year. A real matter of life and death for many folks (especially the elders and children), efforts like this are a lifeline to the community in some of the harshest US winters outside of Alaska.

There were tragic conditions last winter when $$ ran out, and our friends and church leadership on Pine Ridge consider it urgent to be better prepared, and able to maximize donations value by buying propane early at low prices.

If anyone has interest in helping from afar, even a few dollars please feel free to drop me a comment here or via email (kconroy42 @ gmail.com). It will be distributed through our trusted contacts with a Lakota church and their Priest, Cordelia Red Owl. These two churches have been working together for many years, and I'll hopefully be meeting some of these folks on a supply run in November.

For people closer/able to send other supplies, St. Andrews is also
collecting warm clothing, essp for children 0-12 years of age, and lastly some craft supplies for their children's programs.

Our friends' church involved distributing our aid, Church of the Redeemer near Kyle, SD. Their prayers and mass are entirely in the Lakota language. St. Andrews youth and adults are honored to work with them in annual youth visits and service projects each year .

Inspired by Lincoln's Defense of American Liberty and Tolerance

2010-09-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

(Rockwell's famous 1662 "Lincoln
for the Defense," depicting the man in
his younger years as a lawyer)

On my trip out here to Omaha, my father and I had the occasion to visit Lincoln's Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, IL. Its a stop I cannot recommend more to people who love this country's better ideals. The museum offers a wonderful, immersive journey though his life and the fierce human rights and political debates he lived through. Its an incredible place, with many quotes and lessons that are still quite timely.*
http://www.alplm.org/

My favorite quote, of all of them:

"Our progress in degeneracy appears to me to be pretty rapid. As a nation we began by declaring that 'all men are created equal.' When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except Negroes and foreigners and Catholics.' When it comes to this, I shall prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty -- to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy hypocrisy."
-Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln was speaking of xenophobia in his own Republican party and the grave threats to liberty. The Republicans, which he helped found contained, despite their strong abolitionist wing also an alliance with bigoted groups that considered my own Irish ancestors, and many other religions and cultures, even European cultures a danger to America and not worthy of equal rights. It could not be more timely, as we as a country face waves of pre-election islamophbia and hysteria. Lincoln rightly connected the debates of his time on whether blacks were fully human with the questions of the equality of ALL people and right to live here in freedom.

This is not, of course an attack on the Republican, or any single party (the Democrats of the time were for slavery!), but a gentle reminder that liberty is something we must always defend with vigilance- no matter our politics. None of these debates are new.

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* Including many other parallel's to today- Lincoln, for example was not even a professed Christian OR church-goer but, like Obama faced religious attacks- in his case of atheism. He defended himself quite admirably, while being honest on his non-affiliation. He was, never the less quite the theologian, particularly when it came to making sense of the inscrutability of God's will in the midst of Civil War where both sides claimed to be Christian.

I was amazed, in fact of how passionately Lincoln openly invoked God in politics, while also refusing to be pinned down on his religious beliefs. He was quite possibly the greatest debater in our history-- yet his religious arguments did not seem disingenuous. One feels he truly believed them, but also valued his freedom of thought and belief. A guide at his tour told me, with some wry humor that certain Christian groups are trying to claim a last minute death-bed confession of faith to be able to "claim" this all too complex national hero.

2010-09-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

Landed safely in Nebraska, welcomed here by a beautiful church and park next door, which I can visit any time. The church is a beautiful living story of integration between the black and white communities here, and the park has some lovely old trees. Thanks to the Creator for taking good care of me, and prayers for the work ahead.

Missouri River near my neighborhood
(picture from KETV)

For those who don't know, I'm with the Episcopal Service Corps for a year and living in intentional community... hopefully to do some work with both church and indigenous communities in the area. Will post more after my retreat next week when we get our assignments. Tonight we had a house blessing complete with Bishop, exorcism and lots of holy water... and cake! :P
This is being back-posted, as I had some computer issues the night I wrote it on my other sites.

Celtic Retreat on the Festival of Lughnasa

2010-07-11T11:56:00.001-07:00

I've been graciously invited to lead an August 7th Celtic mini-retreat at All Saints Episcopal, Brookline, MA. All Saints has a 5 pm Saturday Celtic Mass adapted from the liturgies of Iona Island and many other sources, and they often sponsor special events at feasts or Saints Days like this.

Facebook event and press release are below. I may also do some live-blogging from Ireland for the next few weeks if the computers like me.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115089441871627
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All Saints Parish is sponsoring a retreat on “The Celtic Festival of Lughnasa” on Saturday, August 7, 3:00 - 4:30 pm. The retreat will be led by Harvard Divinity School graduate Kieran Conroy, who will share the history and themes of Lughnasa and its sister-celebrations in Scotland and other places of Celtic influence. His presentation will be illustrated with photographs from his trip to Ireland where he researched Celtic festivals, folklore, shrines, and holy places.

The ancient Irish festival of Lughnasa is one of the important “quarter feasts” celebrated with parallels among many Celtic peoples since ancient times. Like other pre-Christian holidays, the coming of Christianity seems to have transformed rather than destroyed these ancient festivals of the Gaelic people. Lughnasa marks the beginning of the harvest in Ireland, and had many beautiful customs and traditions that continued in interesting forms into our own time.

Kieran Conroy will also describe other important folk-holidays among traditional Celtic communities, particularly where Christianity harmonized with ancient customs and beliefs. He will share photographs and artifacts from his research on important religious sites in Ireland. He will lead participants in exploring how Lughnasa might inform our Christian spirituality today.

All are invited to the retreat at 3:00 pm and to the Celtic Holy Eucharist at 5:00 pm, where the preacher will be Kieran Conroy. There is no fee, but voluntary donations will be accepted. Following the service all are invited to the Celtic potluck appetizer social hour at 6:00 pm. Please bring a dish to share. Kieran Conroy suggests that people bring foods associated with Lughnasa, such as potato, fish, chicken, cabbage, berries and Irish bacon dishes or other family favorites that honor the spirit of generosity and sharing.

All Saints Parish is located at 1773 Beacon Street (corner of Dean Road) in Brookline.

For more information, contact All Saints Parish at 617-738-1810 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 617-738-1810 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or office@allsaintsbrookline.org or www.allsaintsbrookline.org.

(a slightly delayed) Beltane Prayer All Families in the Gulf

2010-05-12T14:55:00.000-07:00

I started this a few weeks ago, wanted to share but delayed by papers, one of which included it. The paper was meant to demonstrate ways these traditions can inspire worship today... also dealt with some of the imperfections of the Carmina text which I won't get into here. Please enjoy!
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May 1st is Celebrated as Beltane, the Celtic holiday others people know as May Day. This day is a traditional “new fire” festival in both Scotland and Ireland, and especially associated with hills such as Tara, or more local bonfires celebrating the new year's fertility and life. Its one of many indigenous traditions from this part of the world that continued with the coming of Christianity, and I was blessed to read some beautiful descriptions from the Carmina Gadelica, a work that tried to preserve many of these traditions from the highlands of Scotland in the 19th Century.* I celebrated it privately at sundown the eve before, the traditional start of a new day by both Celtic and Jewish reckonings.

I chose a secluded rock outcropping in a local forest, overlooking a lovely lake. I had studied the Carmina Gadelica as well as older traditions, and was especially moved by his descriptions of bho baile gu beinn, the day of migrating that appeared on or near Beltane too. On this day, Catholics and Protestants in highland families would move from townland to moorland, leaving homesteads and winter barns to reach the summer pastures with their flocks. I was profoundly moved, as a scholar of indigenous traditions here to see how close their pastoral cycles were to the hunting and gathering of the local Wampanoag peoples, who maintained summer and winter homes in sites suited to their needs—indeed I had just been blessed to help some Native friends at the college erect one of these homes, a "Wetu" in Harvard yard. In these customs I saw a shared closeness to the land and sustenance we are so lacking today.

The migration to the hills was not a chore, but a chance for the entire community celebrate, reunite and lead even their animals in a special procession. They offer prayers, safeguarding their herds and the whole community with caim, or encircling prayers of protection (God before me, God behind me, etc.). These Christian prayers combined with the older Beltane ritual itself, passing one's flocks and, sometimes people between two fires for special protection and purification. As I read one particular Blessing recorded by Carmichael, I was deeply moved by the prayers of loving protection for family, house and animals, in the coming year. I'll quote a little here.

Bless, O Threefold true and bountiful,
Myself, my spouse and my children,
My tender children an their beloved mother at their head.
On the fragrant plain, on the gay mountain sheiling,
On the fragrant plain, on the gay mountain sheiling,

Everything within my dwelling or my possession,
All kine and crops, all flocks and corn,
From Hallow Eve to Beltane Eve,
With goodly progress and gentle blessing,
From sea to sea, and every river mouth,
From wave to wave, and base of waterfall.

Be the Three Persons taking possession of all to me belonging,
Be the sure Trinity protecting me in truth;
Oh! Satisfy my soul in the words of Paul,
And shield my loved ones beneath the wing of Thy glory,
Shield my loved ones beneath the wing of Thy glory.

Bless everything and every one,
Of this little household by my side;
Place the cross of Christ on us with the power of love,
Till we see the land of joy,
Till we see the land of joy.

What time the kine shall forsake the stalls,
What time the sheep shall forsake the folds,
What time the goats shall ascend the the mount of mist,
May the tending of the Triune follow them,
May the tending of the Triune follow them,

Thou Being who didst create me at the beginning,
Listen and attend me as I bend knee to Thee,
Morning and evening as is becoming in me,
In Thine own presence, O God of life,
In thine own presence, O God of life.

I read the prayer twice, once in English and once in a painful Gaelic attempt (I am trying to learn a little Irish!) I asked my ancestors' forgiveness for in advance, while lighting a very tiny, symbolic fire. I used a Pascal candle from an Easter vigil fire service, remembering Patrick's famous fire-challenge to an Irish king-at the time a religious conflict, but in my practice a harmony—I, as a Christian celebrate Easter first as it is my hope in the bursting of God's Life into the world, healing all pain, sorrow and sin in the end. But Easter hope does not conflict with continuing to honor the memories of my ancestors and rhythms of this world, in light of that hope.

I was especially moved by the loving care the farmer spoke for his animals, worrying after them nearly as his own family as mothers and young went off to the high, misty places. This was not some overly romantic, unrealistic love of nature since, of course the farmer would also eat some of these animals in the coming year. But it seemed a genuine, deeper love of the world and relationships with one's ecology, seen also in Native traditions which hunt animals, but also deeply respect them. Celtic peoples do not have a monopoly on this closeness, though we certainly lack it in our cold, industrial society, causing so much pain.

As I closed my little ritual, my heart especially ached for the Gulf Coast, where I had just learned dolphins were calving and sea turtle nests, too lay right in the line of the horrific oil spill our own broken human nature had created. I offered a final prayer, as the sun slipped below the horizon for those families, and all human families too for protection in that “high, misty place” in our time. The last three verses spoke esspecially deeply to me, as I prayed to God for our world in an uncertain future. (I'll add them in Gaelic in a few):

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* Alexander Carmichael, a native-born highlander Scot gathered stories, prayers and poems for decades. Many have been used by people interested in Celtic spirituality, including the Iona community, though one has to be careful of the way he was known romanticize or simplify some things. Still, his work saved many beautiful traditions being pushed out by the forces of his time and I'm grateful for them.

St. Patrick's Day Book Review: Liz Babbs' "Celtic Treasure"

2010-03-17T15:37:00.000-07:00

A very blessed Fhéile Pádraig (Feast of Patrick) to all! Author, performer and retreat-leader Liz Babbs was kind enough to share a copy of her book (Celtic Treasure: Unearthing the Riches of Celtic Spirituality) if I'd write a review of it by Ireland's highest holiday, so here goes!

It so happens I'm studying Celtic Christianity formally this semester, so while much of the background is familiar its been a real delight to have Liz's book brings it to live with breathtaking images of the Irish, Scottish and British landscapes and sacred sites her sources evoke. The book seems crafted to pay tribute to those two ancient Irish specialties, the breathtaking manuscript tradition that preserved so much of Europe's literature, and wild, bold journeys of the spirit into the wildest and windiest places on Earth.

Babbs' little book carefully reads like a pilgrimage in fact, through both time and space as she covers topics such as the great Celtic saints, prayer and solitude, God and Creation, and hospitality. It is full of story, history and ancient verses that have made their way down to us, and combines a simple accessibility with a careful treatment of what scholars know of these times -- making it an enjoyable, but authentic window into Celtic Christian traditions. She intersperses the text with her own poetry, evocative scripture and more recent poets as well, really giving one a sense of being immersed in a full "Communion" of spiritual voices. Its a lovely book for daily devotion, for Celtic worship groups or anyone simply wanting to learn more about this fascinating spiritual tradition.

You can find out more about Liz at her blog, or go to her website for information on her book:
http://celtictreasure.blogspot.com/
http://www.lizbabbs.com/

Avatar For Real? Indigenous People fight to protect their homes- and us.

2010-02-27T08:10:00.000-08:00

http://news.mongabay.com/2009/1222-hance_avatar.html

I posted about this when it started last summer, but Avatar fans should actually look at where its REALLY happening in what scientists have described as the "lungs" of our planet. A few thousand indigenous people decided putting their lives on the line to protect all of us from US-Peruvian free trade agreements devastating what scientists see as one of the most critical buffers against global warming, not to mention the source of our planets oxygen balance.

Unfortunately, their dramatic, temporary victory is facing ongoing threats from a racist president and the US' own trade agreements.

"We will fight together with our parents and children to take care of the forest, to save the life of the equator and the entire world." -Leaders of pan-indigenous uprising last summer*

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*Quoted from http://www.realclearworld.com/2009/06/24/amazon_uprising_more_urgent_than_irans_101943.html)

Irish Humor and Ancient Steriotypes

2010-02-15T20:45:00.000-08:00

Been doing alot of comparative study during my time at Harvard Divinity of Celtic religion and history in relation to Rome and early Christianity in parallel to my studies of Native American missionary experiences/injustices. Its been an interesting/eye-opening experience in many ways, but no means a simple story but one which has shown me some of the underlying tensions of civilized/barbarian and ethnic tensions in Europe well before modern of ideas of racism came about. I'd long known that, in America at least it took a while for the Irish to truly become "white people," * and of longstanding English racism to the Irish, but some of the older stories and accounts show a much longer story.

The Romans and the Greeks enjoyed calling anyone outside of their culture "barbaros," (greek originally coming from the "babbling" speech of foreigners), and by the time of the Roman Empire this idea of superiority had evolved into an ideal of cultural superiority which matched their military superiority in encouraging the conquered peoples to assimilate into Roman culture. Unlike US and Canadian conquests of the their First Nations, the elites of the Gaulish and Briton Celts, and many other peoples were encouraged to keep their gods and even some aspects of their culture -- but still pressed to adapt them into Roman molds.

Early Christianity was an odd paradox, a Jewish Messianic movement seeking to convert the greek, roman celtic and other "barbaric" people's (from their own ethnocentric perspective), and many of these peoples seem to have been interested, as they were already seeking out Jewish "exotic"religion as eagerly as our own culture seems to pursue various eastern or indigenous spiritualties today. By Constantine, however Christianity had split thoroughly from its Jewish roots, and became the new state-sanctioned religion. Christianity was the civilizing religion, the new carrier of Roman civilization and ideas.

What we know of Ireland is messy, carried in folklore and eventually the somewhat biased writings of Irish Christian monks (though folks who preserved a surprising number of "pagan" traditions and stories). St. Patrick, a Celtic Briton was quite Romanized and saw the Irish as barbaros-- but also found a irresistible love for them in his time as a slave and a desire to go back, live and even die among them. The early Irish Church, one of the few Christian missions adopted to a local culture with a great deal of home-control and indigenization long showed distinctly "barbarian" traits, writing in Latin but working within political, cultural and religious frameworks that still carry their uniqueness to this day. We see tensions with Rome at numerous points, and powerful Abbots/Monastery-founding Saints and their followers challenging the Pope's own agendas with a sense of equality that reminds one of the Eastern Patriarchs. Ireland remained a center of learning as Europe fell into the dark ages, and founded schools in Italy itself, an ironic twist as "barbarians" became the sole teachers of the greek and Roman writings in Europe.

One of these teachers, John Scotus Eriugena lived in the 9th Century, and was asked to lead a French university due to his great knowledge of Greek Christian writers. Seems he carried an ongoing interest in Eastern Orthodoxy's critique of Original Sin, even helping the Catholic Church, at its own request to carefully critique a monk who denied human beings free will completely. He, like Origin and other Neo-Platonist figures worked ideas of a radical wideness to God's salvation-- the hope that all might eventually find redemption eventually got criticized for some of his ideas-- though not completely until after his death.**

Scotus is an interesting chap, and one I hope to learn more about, but the point of my thread comes in a snide comment to a French king, according to William of Malmsbury, on a topic are long used to being steriotyped for:

The king asked "What separates a drunkard from an Irishman?"

Scotus was said to wryly reply, "Only a table."

After all my studies, I can't ignore the hints of racism/steriotyping in the king's words, though Scotus decided to have fun with him on it. An amusing anecdote, and one I'm sure would humor leading Emerging-Church troublemaker and philosopher Peter Rollins when he's in town this April 7th for a national Pub-Tour.

If anyone's around Boston, drop me a line as our Emergent Cohort is helping to organize it. Peter's a great speaker, and actually leads a church that meets IN a pub in Belfast. Should be a fun time--- and I'm pretty sure we'll have at least one table. :P

__________________________________________________________________
*Ironic, since we're about the whitest people out there, next to some Scandinavians, and cook in approximately 3 minutes in the sun. :P

**He's an interesting bridge between some of the earlier Palegian-Agustine battles over original sin/free will, and later fierce Reformation arguments about predestination vs. grace/free will. Hoping to do a little digging on him to add to an interesting conversation hosted by a constructive, thoughtful critic of the Emerging Christian movement:
http://www.novuslumen.net/a-preface-to-pagitt-and-pelagius-an-examination-of-an-emerging-neo-pelagianism

Caed Mile Failte: Thankgiving Redone in a Good Way

2009-11-28T14:51:00.000-08:00

As a note, I'm always cautious about writing on ceremony or events I'm aware of in Native circles for concerns of privacy and respect- but was told it was ok to blog in this case by the organizer and other folks who planned to do the same. Wanted to share a few thoughts, and gratitude for how I was able to spend "Thanksgiving" this year.

Cead Mile Failte is Irish Gaelic, my ancestral tongue for 100,000 welcomes,* (an expression I learned courtesy of a gentleman in the Outdoor Church where I work), and has been on my heart since returning home this evening from an incredible weekend. The patient few who follow my blog may know by now I've been increasingly getting to know Boston's Native community in my work at Harvard Divinity School, and hope to eventually do some work in solidarity with the first peoples of this land I feel humbly blessed to grow up on. It has been, of course a challenging process, finding ways to serve which respect the boundaries and tensions injustices and racism have created between Native people and the wider culture. I am grateful for the many patient teachers I've had along the way, including many of the folks at the Center I describe below.

I first met Robert Peters, an artist and local member of the Mashpee Wampanoag (the local tribe who, incidentally were the people to keep the Pilgrims alive** so long ago) at the North American Indian Center (NAICOB) where I did my summer internship. I'd heard of his work from folks there, which included, among other things a project teaching Native youth traditional home construction and the creation of art which dotted the Center's offices. Robert helped to open the sacred fire for this year's Powwow, creating a beautiful pit with the four-directions of his own tribe's medicine wheel in colored sand. We got to talking during my off-times working the grill at the Powwow, and I felt deeply welcomed as he shared stories about his art and people with me. I was really surprised, however when he asked me "why don't you come back tonight, we could use some help with the fire."

Knowing fully what a special request this was, I agreed, and spent an incredible night camping out under the stars with members of his family and community. It was a little intimidating, I admit, approaching the fire that first time- I the white guy who, though invited was coming in suddenly out of the dark to a trusted circle quite laden with a painful history of racism and injustice from my part of society- but this dissolved in seconds as I was warmly welcomed an encouraged to share my story. It was one of the most special nights I've had, sleeping out on the ceremonial ground of a place I'd spent my summer getting to know. In some small way, too joining an act of resistance, camping out in one of the biggest cities on the East Coast, and affirming that these original ways of community and life still have so much to teach us today.

Robert and I stayed in touch, running into each other at a few events and Powwows, and he informed me there were plans to actually hold a special Thanksgiving program, a Healing Fire begun within his tribal community, at NAICOB this year. This Wampanoag Medicine Fire actually began the very year of September 11th as a way to honor ancestors and strengthen indigenous communities for the future in this new era of our nation. The fire has occurred every year since 2001, traveling to many of the tribes which remain (though often overlooked/without Federal standing) here in Massachusetts. This year there would be two fires, one at its Mashpee birthplace, and one in Boston to welcome the city's large Native community and the work and history of NAICOB. I was invited again to come, this time as a Firekeeper to help him keep the four day vigil and welcome people (as well as do a little publicity). I was humbled beyond words, but accepted.

So I headed out for a "different sort of thanksgiving," bringing a tent and lots of rain-gear down to camp out in that field. Its a peaceful, if somewhat odd site- sandwiched between a branch of the Greenline E-Train, and a small highway, though with a beautiful pond/park just below and a hill and fence masking the city traffic above. A sweeping willow and a ring of smaller trees hang over a playground and the ceremonial/Powwow grounds below, and various fire-rings and remains of past events have quietly faded into the grass. The place holds a great deal of history, and one can feel it there... almost 40 years of events public and more private for Boston's indigenous community. Painfully, however its days may be numbered- as the State of Massachusetts attempted to sell the entire site to fill its own coffers a few years back- predictably considering Boston's only Indian center the first to go. The Center just barely won a struggle for the building itself, but their beloved ceremonial grounds were sold to developers. They are grateful to still have permission to use it- and various obstacles seem to have delayed any "development"*** of the land, but it was hard to know the land we were using- land which spiritually if not on paper feels very much the property of generations of Native folks- could be bulldozed at any time. The Medicine Fire was held in this spirit- and awareness that this could be one of the last possible here.

I arrived Thursday morning just before dawn and was present for a simple circle that greeted the new day with new fire. A small, but surprising number of folks made it, and the willow tree exploded with birdsong, all at once halfway through the ceremony. It was really beautiful, sun over the lake and the world coming to life around us.

The rest of Thanksgiving day was peaceful and, thankfully devoid of rain until its end. People trickled in all day from family dinners, staying for a few hours or more to tend the fire and share stories and conversation. We heard from folks working at NAICOB, folks just arrived in the city, folks with hard stories from reservations up North in Canada (where, as one man put it many folks would "rather come here and be homeless but have something to do."). It was a fascinating experience, people simply coming and going, getting smudged with sacred sage or sweetgrass to enter the circle but with few formal expectations or demands beyond that. A sense of deep sacredness pervaded it, however, unspoken but real- and I was humbled at the intimacy and trust, as people shared their stories with old friends and new folks alike. Folks even gathered willow branches from a fallen tree partway through, and started making dream-catchers and other weavings around the fire, sharing local techniques and traditions.

The night was rainy, and turned cold all of a sudden- though not as bad as it might be. We learned some winds seemed to be blowing heavier rains to the south away from us from one community member with an internet/GPS connection. As night and the mists fell, despite the noisy highway that never quite emptied even on that lazy thanksgiving night, a sense of enclosure and privacy still filled the area. This felt like a home, and holy ground and not much else out there mattered. A friend came and stayed a long vigil so Robert and I could sleep- praying deeply into the night and relishing the silence... the stories, and pictures he shared of that "thinness" around the fire with us later were very special... and I think I caught a hint of it in my dreams, a few feet away.

The next day was wet and cold, though I stayed for a grateful thanksgiving care package sent from Robert's family. Home to get some work done in hopes of staying the second night-- but quickly stressed at how much I had to do. Robert told me not to worry, simply come the next day if I could for the big Talking Circle, but this was when things got interesting.

I decided to turn in a little early, frustrated at how much was left and hoping to get up early to work in the morning too... but I couldn't sleep. My bed was too warm (ironic after a night of cold rain!). My mind too wired. Most of all the wind (or its spirits?) kept whistling against my window. Which was OPEN, but still not giving me any cool air. It was a beautiful, haunting sound, reminding me of the wind over that lake the night before, and was calling to me.

But most of all, it was the thought of folks still out there... folks who'd offered me such tremendous hospitality and trust, in a community that has every reason to hold such things in careful reserve. I knew they'd be ok without me, there was no guilt... but in the face of such GRATITUDE, I could not spend the night indoors- no matter how wise it might be academically. So I snuck out at midnight, caught the last bus (with an extra quilt**** trailing behind me in the rain to bemused passengers), and surprised a few folk at the fire. "You're supposed to be studying" Robert said, amused. I just shrugged with a grin.

I made it back here eventually, in time to write half a paper after this blog post. Today was our most packed, though and it was wonderful to stay for the Circle. Lots of kids there... and I was able to share a little of my story- something I'd held back a bit out of desire to listen on other days, when it came to my turn. I summed it up in that Gaelic phrase above- 100,000 welcomes, as gratitude to this community for asking me to be a part of something so sacred. Something which, frankly should have been the fruits of thanksgiving the FIRST time. But humbled, most of all that a community which had endured so much injustice still carried a hospitality, and generosity that could put an Irishman to shame.

Abundance beyond words. I think the Irish sense for exaggeration even falls short, 388 years after that first mixed try at a Thanksgiving.

Caed Mile Failte- 100,000 welcomes. It doesn't quite cut it, but comes close.

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*Expressions of this sort often spoke of infinity, or unfathomable abundance in the ancient world- 70 or 7x70 in the Hebraic/Semitic culture (Jesus' use for the # of times to forgive being the best-known), "10,000" shows up frequently in ancient Chinese and other East Asian texts. Never ones to be outdone, the Celts go all the way to 100,000 in common expression today.

**And, a generation be enslaved after a brutal war triggered by colonial greed, the side of the story most folks don't know.

***Development being a word laden with enough irony and contradiction to make one's ears bleed as anyone who knows my own activism in my community expects me to note. Land inhabited by century old trees, birds or animals is somehow lacking, and must be "completed" by cold iron, pavement and sterile desolation. The fact should not be overlooked that the same idea was applied to PEOPLE as an excuse to repeatedly depose "undeveloped" people from their ancestral birthright and create the country we live in today- leaving them the dregs of the bottle. Its continuing today, as the only formal site for Native culture and spiritual practice in the city of Boston is secondary to the State's need to cover up its inabilities to balance a budget justly.

****Let them stare... I ended up needing that quilt, durnit. :P

Indigenous People's Day of Resistance Vigil at Harvard today, 5 pm

2009-10-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

Students from the Native American's at Harvard College, as well as other groups will be gathering today in front of Matthews Hall* at 5 pm. All are welcome to join in celebrating an alternative to "Columbus Day" in solidarity with the indigenous people of the Americas.

*Matthews Hall is near the bottom of Harvard Yard, T-side, and near the "dig" at the old Indian College. Students will be gathering in front of a plague on Matthews commemorating Harvard's founding commitment to educate Native students in a building that once stood there.

Returning From Sacred Ground

2009-10-05T16:58:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a Powwow at Black Creek in New Jersey. It takes place on a 10,000 year old Native American site preserved by grassroots efforts by local Historians and the Nanticoke-Leni Lenape tribe of New Jersey, and celebrates their victory in preserving this historic and spiritually significant site of New Jersey's first peoples.

I've been hoping to get to know some of the local tribes of my region better, especially after discovering in my time here just how many non-Federally recognized tribes are out there and active in preserving their ways of life and community. Many of these groups have a hard time because they lack the leverage and programs of Federally recognized groups- and in many cases suffer more because they refused to the "deals" offered to be driven from their homelands.

The Leni Lenape people were made up of many distinct communities spread throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Southern New York, including the people who probably inhabited the beautiful mountains I call home. The people from my area, likelyMunsee Lenapi, were driven west long ago, but my family and I have been doing some historical research and were excited to learn of this Powwow, as we've been hoping to get to know some regional communties and better represent the history of our own town and the beautiful land that has always been so significant to us as a family.

It was a beautiful day, smaller because of a rain-date but still a wonderful event. We were able to tour the trails and learn about the lives of the peoples here since the last Ice Age- rolling grassy hills, forests and the hauntingly beautiful Black Creek with its cattails, wild-birds, turtles and unique trade route with many of the Hudson tribes to the North. It was beautiful to get a sense of the home of one of several people's responsible one of the first, true names for this continent "Turtle Island." In addition to a research and educational site, Black Creek is increasingly place of pilgrimage and prayer for Native people around the continent. We were also able to meet a local archaeologist doing some work just next door to my friend (Historic District Comissioner Christopher Lotito), and learn of some more incredible pictographic sites in our own area.

Many dancers, drummers and members of the Nanticoke-Lenape Tribe were made a four hour trek to support the event. I was able to speak to the Red Blanket drum group, and learn a little more of their fascinating history- actually the union of two peoples, Lenape and Nanticoke, a people further to the South with ties to the tribes in Virginia and Maryland, who survived by coming together after many of their people were driven west. Their drum group has great energy and their first CD, and is unique for working hard to continue composing music in their language as a means of preserving it. They even honored us with a traditional story and dance not ussually shared at Powwows, which honors the "Three Sisters" (Corn, Beans and Squash) who have fed their people for millenia.

Their a great group of young people and doing good work for their people and traditions well worth supporting. You can find them on Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/redblanketsingers
http://www.myspace.com/nllipowwow

Some other Links:
More about the Black Creek Site:
http://vernonhistoricalsociety.com/Site/Black%20Creek%20Site.html

Nanticoke-Lenape Tribe- they are now state recognized, which is thankfully helping them gain more programs for their people, including a Diabetes Program which tabled the Powwow.
http://www.nanticoke-lenape.org/

The nearest nation to us, the Ramapough Lenape. They are NJ State recognized, and seeking it in New York. Turns out they were involved in some watershed protection work my mom was involved in as well, as one of the streams in our town reaches their community. Amazing how small our world can be.
http://www.ramapoughlenapenation.org/
Their present struggle to seek recognition in New York

Papal Dreams

2008-04-17T11:05:00.000-07:00

I just thought I would share an interesting, and somewhat amusing dream I had, in light of some experiences yesterday.

As many know, Pope Benedict is visiting America right now. I admit being witness to this is interesting, given my current study of some of the "crack-downs" he led against a number of theologians in the area of interreligious dialog (and also liberation theology) as Cardinal Ratzinger who served as a doctrinal "police man" of sorts. He was, and continues to be seen as a contraversal figure by some. We just read a bittersweet interview with Jacques Dupuis and another friend, both insiders from the Vatican II era, who critiqued the direction things were going shortly before dying a few years back. Dupuis had been one of Cardinal Ratzinger's targets for his work pondering the role of the Holy Spirit in other religions, though the Vatican was unable to prove his work to be anything more than "potentially confusing"- they could not prove it doctrinally in error.

Dupuis and his friend were lamenting the passing of their generation, and feeling much of the spirit of Vatican II had been left unfulfilled. Each died shortly before Ratzinger became the next Pope, leaving their promises to write more on this at the interview's end unfulfilled.

All the same, I've tried to keep an open mind about our current Pope. I was impressed with his choice to pray in the Blue Mosque in the wake of his paper's hurt in the Muslim world- something I had NOT expected from the formal Cardinal's past stances on inter-faith prayer. The gesture, in my mind showed a willingness to genuinely reach out and, as Pope take on a wider role, in the spirit of his predescesor than he might have been comfortable with up to that point.

All this in mind, I was curious about his visit but also unsure how much time I'd have to follow it. He isn't coming here, a fact which has hurt some in this the groud-zero of sex abuse scandels, though he did (finally) offer two serious apologies this past week. Still, I decided to watch a little last night, pondering ways to continue to remain true to my Catholic heritage.

It was an interesting footage, catching bits on CSPAN and the other networks. I saw him speaking of the scandels, as well as questions about pastoral issues, what Christian mission/salvation can mean for young people today, and his favorite topic of secularization. The newsprogram pointed out, in a helpful way the framing of this visit as a pastoral, spiritual concern. I saw this in his words- long as they were, being an academic at heart :), they really did focus more than I expected on simple issues like living out love, community and hope in our world. Pope Benedict's first official teaching was on love (still need to finish it, I admit), which was also telling. Even his talk on Priests was very practical and down to earth, talking about ways to discuss the value of celibacy today, not throwing around tons of theological jargon but speaking, I sensed to his fellow Bishops out of a shared experience of lived-community between them. It felt, simply put, like a careful display of another worldview, and attempt dig deep into parts of the Christian tradition which he wanted to share, and remind us of with new eyes.

There was also a celebration of his 81st birthday, and a gift given in solidarity to the churches of New Orleans. While I admit stately gold-flowers don't seem the best gift to me, it was a moving gesture.

Lastly, one thing he said struck with me- on a question of how salvation/the Gospel can even mean anything to todays' culture, he said something pretty radical- that new, imaginative ways of explaining what salvation means are needed. While he didn't go into details, I had a sense of things I've been talking about, of wider, deeper understandings of Jesus than sometimes gets tossed around as "getting saved from you sin!" in some circles here. It reminded me that, for all its beaurocracy the Catholic Church, as one of the oldest continuous traditions can bring uinque gifts when it shares its own diverse history and treasures.

After all of this, I went to sleep... partway through the night I found myself back in St. Pat's, the church I was Baptized and initially grew up in. I've had a few church dreams here/in similar places, but in this one I was getting Confirmed- again, oddly enough. I was a little unsure/puzzled by this, but as I have been recently pondering ways to participate and honor the two heritages I grew up in, it seemed ok, I supposed. I looked around though, wondering where the Bishop (who confirms people for Catholics) was. There wasn't one, only the Pope. I remembered the Pope is, of course the Bishop of Rome, but evidently he was confirming me! I wasn't sure what to think of all of this, obviously it was a great honor, but I also have the above-mentioned mixed feelings. Still, in light of the personal, and pastoral side of him I saw last night, it didn't feel quite as weird as one might expect.

I shared this story, jokingly in my Hindu-Christian dialog course today. My professor, and advisor Father Clooney joked that it would perhaps be prophetic if I ended up a ordained 20 years from now! It was an odd, but symbolic dream of where I am spiritually at the moment, as I try to dialog with the many parts of my Christian-roots- just thought to share.

2008-04-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

New post, to spare people's browsers. :P

Nabbing Phil's list, these are all the people involved in the "Synch-Blog," a monthly international blog discussion Pastor Phil started.

Phil Wyman at Square No More - Salem: No Place for Hating Witches
Mike Bursell at Mike's Musings
Bryan Riley at at Charis Shalom
Steve Hayes writes about Khanya: Christianity and social justice
Reba Baskett at In Reba's World
Prof Carlos Z. with Ramblings from a Sociologist
Cobus van Wyngaard at My Contemplations: David Bosch, Public Theology, Social Justic
Cindy Harvey at Tracking the Edge
Alan Knox at The Assembling of the Church
Matthew Stone at Matt Stone Journeys in Between
John Smulo at JohnSmulo.com
Sonja Andrews at Calacirian
Lainie Petersen at Headspace
KW Leslie: Shine: not let it shine
Stephanie Moulton at Faith and the Environment Collide
Julie Clawson at One Hand Clapping
Steve Hollinghurst at On Earth as in Heaven
Sam Norton at Elizaphanian: Tesco is a Big Red Herring
Kieran Conroy at Emergent Wrestlings: Just Mission and the Wounds of Christendom

Any Electronic Exorcists Out there (Last Rites also Welcome)

2008-04-15T19:31:00.001-07:00

Apologies to anyone looking for my shared post with Jeff on church-visiting. My laptop took a metaphysical dive into the unknown last week, unfortunately not giving any return address. :P Fortunately most of my post is saved, but not having a computer this close to finals has been stressful to save the least. I hope to have the post finished and here soon.

Also stay tuned for an Earth Day liturgy I created from what became a beautiful class discussion on religion, ecology and peacebuilding in my BU peacemaking course.

Holy Saturday: Prayers for the Healing of our Land in the Tomb of Christ

2008-03-22T09:39:00.000-07:00

The terrible suffering of our world, in many places and forms has been esspecially on my heart in the last weeks of Lent. I've been feeling close to the suffering of Jesus, and the belief that Jesus, the "God who is with us" (Emmanuel) of the Christian tradition is esspecially present with the suffering of our world. It seems to give many people's hope in the face of problems and injustices which seem overwelming.

As someone who grew up esspecially close to nature, the sufferings of our non-human neighbors is esspecially painful to me as well. I shared an experience I had in Salem at our Good Friday service in Salem last night- walking along the shore of the inlet by the train, currently low from the receeded tide, I was struck by the beauty of the setting sun- then with sadness as I saw the heaps of garbage close up. I had just been reading of discoveries of traces of Oceans and hints of life on other worlds (Mars and Titan, Saturn's moon), yet now literally stumbling through filth we have made of our own life-giving waters.

For generations (a class is being taught at Harvard now on this, actually), many religions and cultures have believed in the cleansing power of water, that the world's waters could wash away any stain. We have, tragically used this as an excuse to throw most of our junk in the ocean, with the result that there are now massive, island sized drifts of toxic garbage in the Pacific Ocean:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2007/10/19/SS6JS8RH0.DTL&type=politics

I know that many Christian groups have been leary of "environmental" issues in this country, although that seems to be changing recently with growing talk of "Creation care" and stewardship. I think the reasons for this are complex, though at least some are a sense of this world's fallen/passing nature and fear that care for the earth is "New-Agey" or worshipping nature. The unfortunate result I have seen, tragically is that people get the impression that Christians only care about Heaven, and end up supporting the abuse of the world since its going to end soon anyway.

I'm a strong believer that each religion needs to address these issues, but should do so from the heart of its own beliefs. There are many Christian strands of love for the earth, and reminders (in the Eastern churches esspecially) that God is redeeming/ultimately renewing ALL of creation, not just disembodied souls. While that final healing is in God's hands, many Christians down through history have seen a deep call to work towards it here too.

There are many calls in the ancient traditions of Native peoples which inspire me, and strongly echo deep things in our own tradition. A reminder that the care of this earth, of all life IS a care for people too, that we're all connected because the Creator/Great Spirit/Great Mystery made it that way. Scientists are literally realizing the rainforests our world's lungs, they produce the oxygen we breathe and cleanse the air of toxins and excess CO2. Every tree is literally helping to keep us going! Native peoples have long believed this, and call for a deep recognition of our failings to honor what we have been given, to purify ourselves and pray and work deeply for the healing of our land. The Plains idea of prayer is called "Crying for a Vision," where you fast (purify) and humbly pray deeply for holy wisdom in a time of great need.

The ancient Hebrews, who also felt deep closeness to their land as a gift have a similar call, one I think might help Christians recover some of our own concern for Creation:
"If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Ch 7:14

At the Salem Gathering, talk of sharing one's faith in the different ways we have been called seemed for many to embody Christ's healing in a hurting world. For me, I think this is a big part of mine. I'd welcome people's thoughts on these ideas, which I might share more at some point.

I offered a sea-shell at our Good Friday service in our contemplation of the "Tomb" like old bank vault- a beautiful pearly purple piece I found amidst the garbage. Christians believe that our world's sins and pains have died with Christ, that we might all rise to new life. Such is my prayer for our wounded world, its peoples... and its Oceans and trees, this Holy Saturday.

Three prayer requests, in the spirit of the Celtic saints

2008-03-17T19:32:00.001-07:00

I won't be "celebrating" St. Patrick's day with beer tonight... partially because work keeps me from it, because its Holy Week, but also because of some difficult issues facing our world this week. I thought I'd raise three up, with requests for prayer/action as one feels led.

Many people don't know, but St. Patrick has a strong connection to liberation- he was a former slave himself, finding himself led by dreams to return to the people who enslaved him... and during his time in Ireland, he at one point he widely circulated a vitriolic attack on a tribe of bandits who kidnapped an entire peaceful community of new Christians, men women and children. He called on all local chieftens and leaders to condemn/act against this barbaric act, roughly 1200 years before the British/American abolition movements.

The first is the recent uprising/repression in Tibet as we approach the Chinese Olympics. I was at the UN this weekend for a conference on religion and peace work amongst the churches and non-profits, and we saw a large protest there... some people actually got arrested, I think for crossing the line while we were just upstairs. I spent a few moments respectfully joining them in silence and prayer. This article in the Times looks at the current situation and the Dalai Lama's response... not sure what else one can do at this moment besides prayer...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/16/world/asia/16cnd-tibet.html?ex=1363406400&en=21eebbeb
3ea7f31b&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Amnesty posted this concern, for a man in Georgia convicted in a seriously questionable murder case who is yet again facing execution. I was following this when it came up last year, if people could send a quick letter it would be a huge deal:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&
template=x.ascx&action=10022

Lastly, if people could pray for my community... we're facing another election tonight, of two Village board members. Our people are unopposed at the moment, but with all that's happened we're hoping the other side isn't planning to quietly do a surprise write-in. People seem frustrated and discouraged with everyone at this point, it hurts me to see my homeland in such turmoil, even the plan I support has its drawbacks, but I still believe its the best course. Its a hard time though, and we don't know what's going to happen.

A prayer, inspired by St. Francis and the Celtic saints:

God be with us, before us, behind us, in our rising and our falling. Light of sun, rush of stream, dancing mist, soaring rock, by all the living beauty of this Creation, in the company of saints and all who have come before. Peace be upon our world tonight, Lord, near and far. Grant us peace, peace beyond all understanding, in a world that bleeds. In the name of Jesus, God who suffers with us, Amen.

(Most of) a Free Philip Yancy Book on Googlebooks

2008-03-15T22:23:00.000-07:00

I linked this in my first post, but feared it wouldn't be noticed. There is a wonderful recent book by Philip Yancy on prayer, inspired by an article he wrote years earlier on "prayer/does God change?" Its a googlebook, most if it seems fully readable.

If you haven't read Yancy yet, check him out. He's one of the most graceful, broad, and intellectually vulnerable Christian writers I know, had the "emergent" spirit, I'd say years before any of us started talking about it! He recaptures so much of the richness of the Christian tradition and shares it so freely, you always feel he's completely honest and asking questions he himself has pondered for years. Many have hailed him as coming close to a next CS Lewis. :)

Book>

Reaching for the Invisible God, The Jesus I Never Knew and What's so Amazing About Grace are other classics. Soul Survivor is a personal testement to the authors and persons who have shaped his spiritual journey profoundly, from Henri Nouwen to Tolstoy/Dostoevsky.

Wrestling Angels, Standing at a (Cross)Road, Listening to the Wind (aka why I'm a sucker for theological multitasking)

2008-03-15T15:25:00.001-07:00

Took me a while to get this place up and running, wanted to be sure it began on the right foot, so to speak.

"Holy Wrestling" is a lifelong practice of mine. Whether it was demanding exact details on the afterlife as a four year old or spending hours in the woods looking for God as a teenager, I've always had a mind to meet life, personal and theological problems head on. I'd grab a sports drink, head out into the wilderness and tackle whatever problem or angel came my way. Diving straight to the source, which usually led to the "Ultimate heavyweight" Him(El)self.*

Wrestling with God? Isn't that blastphomous? Well, I seem to be in good Biblical company. From Abraham trying to argue God out of torching cities, to Jacob's bronze-age WWF action, to the obvious example of Job, the Bible's full of this stuff. Which makes sense, because anyone who's been in a genuine relationship knows it takes hard work to maintain (sometimes a full mediation team!) But if you love someone, you're willing to take that trouble, 'cause you believe there's something good on the other side. As a Christian whose worships the Ultimate Source of Love, being faithful means making sure I, my faith*** AND God are living up to that standard.

Scripture and my own experience lead me to believe that wrestling is worth it, that sometimes it takes wrestling to be blessed (but beware of broken hips!). And so I'm creating a place where I can do that, along with anyone interested in the ride.

This has all been spurred by some profound experiences of community and the Holy Spirit's stirring in new ways in my life over the past few months. I'm deeply grateful for what I've been given, and wish to be faithful to it and my future calling/ministry by taking some time to do some passionate seeking/discernment. I admit to sometimes pondering such issues in isolation, so I'm welcoming you, my online community along the journey.

It should be noted that this blog is a place for wrestling, "working out" and experimentation. Like myself, it's a work in progress. Like many "Emergent" Christians I will ask tough questions, challenge assumptions and risk trying new ideas. One should not assume this is my definitive theological view, but neither should such questions, the good ones at least, be taken lightly. Its my observation that the questions I ask as a devout Christian are often the same which many people within and outside the church are struggling with. Paul teaches us that much of the spiritual life is lived "through a glass darkly" (1 Cor 13), but perhaps in honest, friendly conversation we can help each other in the journey.

As a result, I encourage discussion, critique and challenges, though I ask, above all that discussions occurring here aim to be in a spirit of Love. Religion can all too easily hurt people, and this is intended to be a safe place, a Sanctuary.

As for actual content, it will be evolving, but expect range of reflections, discussion questions and prayers. I'm also hoping to get in on my friend Pastor Phil's monthly global synchroblogs, and joining my Jeff the Gent's plan to do some monthly "Live-bloggery" of Boston-area Emerging/Emergent communities. If you have any other thoughts or requests, let me know!

~~~

*It should be said, from the start that I do not consider God to be "an old man". Jesus taught us to pray to Abba/Daddy, but then you have him and the Psalms (4, 17, 36, 57, 91) longing to gather us like a mother. Its taken more than a few brave feminists to remind us of what should be an obvious point, imho. I will generally refer to Jesus as "he," since the incarnation does have specific human features, but also recall elements of Sophia/Holy Wisdom which have ties to ancient understandings of the 2nd person of the Trinity. If all of us equally bear God's image, the Son/Word would need to affirm/in some mysterious way uphold the female as Divine as well. Jesus' treatment of women, perhaps unequaled in the Bible would could hint at this. Some have argued the very plausibility of the Resurrection has stronger grounds today because Jesus first appeared to women, who in that time could not testify in court. If the Gospels accounts were fully "doctored," why leave that in?

English doesn't have a neuter personal pronoun, but perhaps that's for the best- it challenges us to creatively ponder God's uniqueness. I don't like saying He/She, and God certainly doesn't deserve "It!" So I've stolen Christian author Madeline L'Engel's habit of referring to God with one of the oldest names in the Bible, "El." VERY deep in the linguistic history of the middle east, I understand it to also share roots with the name Allah (which, for the record has been used by not simply by Muslims, but Arabic-speaking Christians for centuries).

Still, I am a man/limited by my own perceptions, and I find myself relating to God the Creator as male sometimes. To balance this, I've reclaimed ancient conceptions of the Holy Spirit as feminine, and I also reserve the right to throw all these rules out the window on occasion. I blog like I pray, which means making generous use of the box cutter. :P

I don't seek to impose these rules on anyone, and welcome discussion. But I thought I'd make my phrasing clear for folks here.

**Does this mean I think we can change, even correct God? Good question! The Bible seems to have God changing and not changing El's mind in different places. While there are some interesting writings on this, my lived experience has generally been that God's bigger than any of my expectations, so maybe I'm wrestling to see more clearly. But for any relationship to be truly reciprocal, not to mention interesting it takes some mutual learning. The Bible and my own experience uphold this possibility. Why would God create humanity with free will if El didn't want a few surprises or wonders along the way (the mystery of Omniscience notwithstanding, I think there is something qualitatively vital about our being free/able to co-create with God)?

***Faith is for me not a modern rationalistic belief but a combination of holistic felt/known beliefs ( Buddhists talk about a heart-mind, which I love! ), lived practice, and a hope that transcends both. I may ponder the roll of all three as a form of "witness" in future posts