Easter 6 (May 29, 2011)

 ¹⁸For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, ¹⁹in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, ²⁰who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.

²¹And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ...   1 Peter 3:18-21 (NRSV)

Obedience has certainly gotten a bad rap these days; it is probably running neck and neck with discipline for the bottom of the barrel in terms of desirable qualities. Status is more likely to be bestowed on those who cheat the establishment (and get away with it) or ones who flagrantly defy authority (even if they get  caught). 

The Greek word translated 'obey' (and the Hebrew Old Testament also rendered 'obey') do not carry the meaning to adhere to orders or commands; in both cases the  root meaning is to listen closely. 

How do you listen to God?

Lindisfarne, England

In what ways do you hear God?

George Wishart Memorial, St. Andrews, Scotland

Bethany Beach, Delaware

Are we listening deeply as a people?

Lindisfarne, England

Pasture beside Kilmartin Church, Kilmartin Glen, Scotland

How can we better practice a radical (foundational, deeply rooted) obedience?

With thanks to the Rev. Donna MacArt Havrisko for permission to include 

photos with her image from the Redstone Presbytery 2006 Celtic Spirituality Pilgrimage.

 

Easter 5A (May 22, 2011)

I'm looking this week at the First and Second lessons -- stones we throw and living stones we are called by God to become. I was really struck by David von Schlichten's comment on the 1 Peter text: 

  'What does a living stone look and act like? ... like Christ, 

   being a part of the building called the Church, and, 

   of course, being strong, solid. 

   Being a LIVING stone means not being passive 

   but being organic, active, growing.
   We are to be strong but also growing and active. 

   Stone-strong but not petrified. '

Stone-strong but not petrified. That's all.

It's just that there's an awfully fine line between the two.

Glendalough, Ireland

Even for stones, if they are living, then my inner image requires movement, like living water

Staffa, Scotland

Or, at the very least, unexpected plantlife growing from between the carefully placed stones

 

 

The Nunnery, Iona, Scotland

What signs of life are there in your stone?

In the stones that are your congregation?