The Bible holds a place of privilege in Christian faith. Spanning thousands of years, it tells a story of God’s relationship with humanity. The Hebrew scriptures, most commonly called in Christianity the Old Testament, tell a story of creation, salvation, loss, and hope from the perspective of the Hebrew people. Chosen by God to be a light to the nations, we learn about the trials, struggles, successes, and failures of generations of those devoted to God.
For Christians, this story culminates in the story of Jesus in Christian texts known as the New Testament. Jesus was a Jewish man living in Roman occupied Palestine around 2,000 years ago. He grew up in the traditions of his ancestors and was well versed in the Hebrew scriptures. And so we read his story with all that came before in mind. The Gospels (literally “good news”) tell the story of Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection. The remaining books of the New Testament give us a glimpse into the early happenings and teachings of the church. How did the early church leaders interpret what Jesus had lived and taught? How did the early church live out their calling to continue what Jesus had started in the world?
Spiritual Practices in Times of Crisis and Isolation: Centering
Previously, we looked to prayer as one means of coping with the chaos and uncertainty of times like this. We discussed the role of honestly sharing not only our joys and praises with God, but also our laments and our griefs. We looked at using the daily office as a means of marking time and providing structure to our days. And we looked at reaching out to a prayer partner to hold ourselves accountable and to provide us with much needed social interaction.
Today we turn to a more individual form of prayer, centering. In general, centering is about finding peace in the midst of chaos and slowing things down to make ourselves more aware of the world around us. Through centering, we let go of our fears and worries and attempt to bring balance to our inner thoughts. The idea of centering has a home in many traditions and disciplines, from religion to martial arts to modern psychology.
Today we turn to a more individual form of prayer, centering. In general, centering is about finding peace in the midst of chaos and slowing things down to make ourselves more aware of the world around us. Through centering, we let go of our fears and worries and attempt to bring balance to our inner thoughts. The idea of centering has a home in many traditions and disciplines, from religion to martial arts to modern psychology.
Spiritual Practices in Times of Crisis and Isolation: Prayer
Communication is a key aspect of all relationships. It is extremely difficult to have a relationship with someone with whom you have no way of communicating. This communication can take many forms, from speaking to writing to nonverbal cues such as a raised eyebrow or a gently squeezed hand.
Our relationship with God is no different. It requires communication.
Obviously one of the primary ways we communicate with God is through prayer. We turn to God in moments of individual prayer and communal prayer, in prayers spoken out loud and prayers offered in silence, in carefully scripted prayers and in prayers that flow forth spontaneously. Prayer is a time for us to offer to God all that we are thinking, feeling, and desiring in that moment.
Our relationship with God is no different. It requires communication.
Obviously one of the primary ways we communicate with God is through prayer. We turn to God in moments of individual prayer and communal prayer, in prayers spoken out loud and prayers offered in silence, in carefully scripted prayers and in prayers that flow forth spontaneously. Prayer is a time for us to offer to God all that we are thinking, feeling, and desiring in that moment.
Spiritual Practices in Times of Crisis and Isolation: An Introduction
With everything going on in the world right now, I know that there are those in need of support and guidance. Many people are feeling disconnected, out of sorts, and anxious. Some of you may be feeling alone and struggling with acute fear. And some may be feeling simply overwhelmed with all of their different emotions. This time of both crisis and isolation is affecting everyone in different ways, and can have an enormous impact on people’s mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
For over 15 years, I have been studying and teaching Christian spirituality. Drawing on my knowledge and experience, I am writing this series as an aid for those who are seeking ways to settle themselves and to maintain their spiritual well-being in our current situation. Over the course of this series, we will delve into practices that seem almost ideally suited to not only our present time but also to other times of calamity and uncertainty. Some of these are based on ancient practices with little adaptation. We will see that other of these practices are adapted in ways that would have been difficult if not impossible in previous generations. Each session will touch on practical approaches to these relatively broad topics.
Today, we will look briefly at what I mean when I talk about spirituality and introduce our upcoming topics.
For over 15 years, I have been studying and teaching Christian spirituality. Drawing on my knowledge and experience, I am writing this series as an aid for those who are seeking ways to settle themselves and to maintain their spiritual well-being in our current situation. Over the course of this series, we will delve into practices that seem almost ideally suited to not only our present time but also to other times of calamity and uncertainty. Some of these are based on ancient practices with little adaptation. We will see that other of these practices are adapted in ways that would have been difficult if not impossible in previous generations. Each session will touch on practical approaches to these relatively broad topics.
Today, we will look briefly at what I mean when I talk about spirituality and introduce our upcoming topics.
A Light to the Nations: A Light of Growth
This week we return to the motif of light we picked up at Epiphany. Jesus comes into the world as a light to the nations. Over the last few weeks, we have looked at what this light can mean for us and considered what it means for us to continue to reflect that light to the world.
This week, we look at 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 as we consider growth. How does the light coming into the world help us to grow? And how do we in turn help others to grow?
* * *
I think it is interesting as we hear this text to think about how similar at times the early church actually was to how things remain today. I hear Paul questioning the church at Corinth that he had been instrumental in starting, and I think that some things never change. The third verse in particular feels so convicting: “When jealousy and fighting exist between you, aren’t you unspiritual and living by human standards?” It is almost like Paul had a crystal ball that allowed him to look ahead to the present day church in general. As we consider what is going on in our world, in our nation, even in our local congregations, it is hard not to feel like Paul is speaking directly to us.
This week, we look at 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 as we consider growth. How does the light coming into the world help us to grow? And how do we in turn help others to grow?
* * *
I think it is interesting as we hear this text to think about how similar at times the early church actually was to how things remain today. I hear Paul questioning the church at Corinth that he had been instrumental in starting, and I think that some things never change. The third verse in particular feels so convicting: “When jealousy and fighting exist between you, aren’t you unspiritual and living by human standards?” It is almost like Paul had a crystal ball that allowed him to look ahead to the present day church in general. As we consider what is going on in our world, in our nation, even in our local congregations, it is hard not to feel like Paul is speaking directly to us.
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