March 20, 2011
Dream, part 2: Jesus
Mark 8:27-30
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
One of the central questions we must ask, especially as Christians observing Lent, is “who do we think Jesus is?” Part of the question implies who we think Jesus was, but it really asks who we continue to think Jesus is today for us to follow his teachings in 2011. And for us particularly as progressive, evolving Christians, I believe it is imperative to be articulate about who we know Christ to be and what we see it is that Christ does for us, the world and the entire cosmos. To call ourselves “Christians” means to have something to say about Christ. And with so many others saying things about Christ that are at best unpalatable to us, we have to tell the world our vision and experience.
So, here are my words: I believe that in Jesus we see a life lived as divinely as humanly possible. Jesus is not different from us in substance, and if different from us it is a matter of degree (the degree of Jesus’ ability to be open to God in his life). When we look at Jesus as the Christ, we do not directly see God. We see what a human can reflect of God to others. I experience Christ in the creative spirit, in arts, often in worship, in acts of compassion, in humor and joy. Does Jesus save me? Yes, Jesus saves me from a meaningless, joyless life. Christ connects me to the Source of life.
The clip from DreamThinkBeDo is not as dynamic as last week. Marcus Borg doesn’t have the presence of Yvette Flunder. But what he has to say about an ongoing Easter is gripping. Here is the link for clip from the study: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HblDiNywdMw
Experiential Field: In worship, in service, in community we experience Christ.
So, how do we experience Christ? How do we help others experience Christ? And especially for those of us who struggle to experience Christ (or for whom the usual definitions of experiencing Christ do not make sense), how do we invite them (ourselves) to continue the journey toward Easter? Even a great soul like Mother Teresa came to say: "I am told God lives in me -- and yet the reality of darkness and coldness and emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul."
So, in the grand scheme of things, who do we say that Christ is?
I think Borg is a little "wordy." I like using a clip from the series to remind folks that it is going on!
ReplyDeleteIn yoga class yesterday my Christology came to me as my mantra was "christ in me". As a Christian I find Christ in me in three ways.
ReplyDelete1) Christ, the Loving, Compassionate Presence of God Seeking Wholeness and Justice in the World...this Christ is birthed over and over again.
2)Jesus - Christ as human like me ... an example of Christ birthed in a human body
3)Jesus Christ - the Christ as told in Acts-Revelations. The Easter Jesus ... the Christ of my experience and my learnings.
I still have to work on it but it is my present answer to "who we say that Christ is?"
Class tomorrow and Dr.Appt. I hope to be back in April. Enjoy the corned beef.
ReplyDeleteJudy
I love what Dan wrote!
ReplyDeletehere is an additional thought:
Also, here is the excerpt from the "Christ of the 21st Century - A Power Not a Person" by Robert V. Thompson (Reprinted from The Examiner in www.SBNR.org on 11/5/09
"The Christ power is the power to cross over into the consciousness of another. It is the power to understand without criticism, to perceive without passing judgment, to comprehend without analyzing. This challenge and possibility meets us in every moment, every encounter, every relationship, in every human being.
In whatever form, the cosmic Christ always manifests in the same way; humility, simplicity, trust, kindness, a forgiving and open heart rooted in the profound awareness of universal connection. I do believe that the Christ appeared in the first century through Jesus of Nazareth.
But I also believe that if Christ is to appear in the 21st century, it will be through each and every one of us."
Dan and Elaine have said a lot. Jesus, for me, is my source to a full life in the love of God. His selflessness, compassion and love is the model to which I would aspire whether the resurrection occurred or not.
ReplyDeleteMarcus Borg is such a thoughtful word crafter that almost every word he uses needs to be unpacked--a work well worth doing. Barbara
March 20, 2011
ReplyDeleteWorship Outline 2.0
Experiential Field: We experience the living presence of Christ as we discover the incarnation of Christ in Jesus and ourselves.
Worship coordinator(s): Tara
Tech: Glen and Shelli
Mics: assign Sunday Morning
Scripture/Readings: Donna to ask
Communion servers: Doyle, doyle to ask
Usher: Dean
Rover: Linda
Action Items:
1. Donna G to contact a scripture reader
Logistics:
Bulletin: Space to begin writing “The Gospel according to …”
Outline
Youth Video – the youth video will be played during the pre-service slides.
Gathering
Jazz/Candlelighting
Song – up beat song
Welcome – meet and greet
“Dream, Think, Be, Do” video clip - Intro trailer from “Dream, Think, Be, Do”
DVD’s on Jesus
Community Time, Joys & Concerns
Prayer
Children’s Church
Jesus’ Incarnation
Mark 8:27-30 – – Donna g to ask Mark Wise
“Dream, Think, Be, Do” video clip – Marcus Borg talking about the pre and post Easter Jesus
Reflection – Seeing God in Jesus
Song
My Incarnation
“Dream, Think, Be, Do” video clip - John Dominic Crossan talking about the gospel according to …
What would your gospel be like? - Bulletin Exercise – either writing or selecting words describing Christ/maybe small dialog groups – Doyle to decide.
Song -
Re-Incarnation
Reflection – transforming healing power of Christ
Box, Basket and Connection Card
The Faces of Jesus – video montage of Jesus in art with a jazz meditation
Communion – with the words of institution read by the congregation.
Song - Holy Now by Peter Mayer – use Holy Now during Lent instead of Our Creator
Benediction