For this week we read chapters 4 & 5. Next week we'll look at chapters 6 & 7.
Lifting
Nouwen writes, “…as we lift up our cup in a fearless gesture, proclaiming that we will support each other in our common journey, we create community.” He then notes, “Nothing is easy or sweet about community.” Often we speak of the church, or the congregation, as a community (community of seekers, community of believers, community of love, etc.). However, creating community in such a setting seems somewhat difficult, so say the least.
I’'m reminded of a song that was in the curriculum materials when my dad taught Sunday school many years ago. It went:
I can be a Christian by myself
Leave my dusty Bible on the shelf
Sing a hymn and pray a bit
God can do the rest of it
I can be a Christian by myself
Often I think that we believe that by showing up and singing and praying together that we're somehow in community, when in reality we’re still doing it by ourselves, along with a group of other people doing it by themselves.
Our individual wounds, when shared, become sources of healing, according to Nouwen. However, many in church community are reluctant or unwilling to share themselves. How might relationships of trust be established that lead us beyond the types of relationships we often find in the world around us? And, what of someone who places their own agenda ahead of the common journey?
The Cup of Blessings
“Staff and patients cannot have lunch together…we have reserved the Golden Room for this occasion, and no patient has ever been allowed in that room. It is for staff only.” That statement from the hospital reminds me of the church. Trevor's toast produced a very church-like response with the panic it wrought. Imagine if such a thing happened in worship!
Perhaps in our desire to keep things moving, safe and convenient, we miss the potential for blessing. Perhaps we are too self-conscious to risk being a blessing to others, or to allow them to be a blessing to us. How might we allow ourselves to be surprised, and blessed by, "the mystery of the Eucharist" (Holy Communion)?
Lifting
Nouwen writes, “…as we lift up our cup in a fearless gesture, proclaiming that we will support each other in our common journey, we create community.” He then notes, “Nothing is easy or sweet about community.” Often we speak of the church, or the congregation, as a community (community of seekers, community of believers, community of love, etc.). However, creating community in such a setting seems somewhat difficult, so say the least.
I’'m reminded of a song that was in the curriculum materials when my dad taught Sunday school many years ago. It went:
I can be a Christian by myself
Leave my dusty Bible on the shelf
Sing a hymn and pray a bit
God can do the rest of it
I can be a Christian by myself
Often I think that we believe that by showing up and singing and praying together that we're somehow in community, when in reality we’re still doing it by ourselves, along with a group of other people doing it by themselves.
Our individual wounds, when shared, become sources of healing, according to Nouwen. However, many in church community are reluctant or unwilling to share themselves. How might relationships of trust be established that lead us beyond the types of relationships we often find in the world around us? And, what of someone who places their own agenda ahead of the common journey?
The Cup of Blessings
“Staff and patients cannot have lunch together…we have reserved the Golden Room for this occasion, and no patient has ever been allowed in that room. It is for staff only.” That statement from the hospital reminds me of the church. Trevor's toast produced a very church-like response with the panic it wrought. Imagine if such a thing happened in worship!
Perhaps in our desire to keep things moving, safe and convenient, we miss the potential for blessing. Perhaps we are too self-conscious to risk being a blessing to others, or to allow them to be a blessing to us. How might we allow ourselves to be surprised, and blessed by, "the mystery of the Eucharist" (Holy Communion)?
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