Monday, October 02, 2006

We ask God ..., God asks us ... (October Reflections)

Lynn did a sweet job helping everybody to "Clear the Way and Open to God" in September. Now, it's on to October. Here are some notes from Thursday's planning chat (oh, and if you're pondering leading reflections or a practice or offering any other gifts in November or December, it's not too early to speak up …):

-- October Welcome Crew:
??? = Oct. 5
Ken = Oct. 12
Lynn = Oct. 19
Kendra = Oct. 26
I'll also hang outside as part of the Welcome Crew from 6:10 to 6:30 p.m. We still need a greeter for THIS Thursday. Brave souls?

-- Corey Sloane will share his theological genius this month, exploring what happens when "We ask God & God asks us" (In the four gospel lessons, we noticed that people come up and ask Jesus for something, usually something that enhances their power or prestige or otherwise complements their current lifestyle; he responds by asking them to live a surprising, compassionate, generous, humble, courageous new way. Good stuff. Readings are pasted below.)

-- Jason Stonehouse will take us through the labyrinth, a perfect opportunity to breathe and literally walk with a particular question you need to bring to God (walking in) and then to listen for what God needs to share with you or ask of you (walking out). Ah, the listening time. During worship, he's exploring some smaller, handheld labyrinth options.

-- Steph is away: Finally, just wanted to let you know I'll be away once in October and once in November. We've got some dynamite celebrants lined up: first is October 26, when we'll welcome Devin McLachlan, another young priest in the Diocese who leads an alt worship service in Newton called Night Prayer (Check it at http://www.blogger.com/www.nightprayer.org -- beautiful!). November 16 brings EITHER Brian Murdoch, a veteran priest who is pure spirit power, or Arrington Chambliss, who carries much the same great spiritual presence and energy. Either will be a treat!

-- Publicity: We got great cards and posters now, so take some wichu! Bars, bookstores, yoga studios, co-ops … wherever two or more are gathered, share a word and invite folks to join this emerging journey.

Blessings for the road. Now, for some holy words to meditate with this month ...


The Good News for October:

October 5: Mark 10: 2-9
Some Pharisees came, and to test Jesus they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her." But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

October 12: Mark 10:17-22
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.'" He said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth." Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

October 19: Mark 10:35-40
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What is it you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They replied, "We are able." Then Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared."

October 26: Mark 10:46-52
Jesus and his disciples came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.