Michael Morwood Seminar

Monday, October 28th, 2002

Speaker Michael Morwood continued the thoughts of his Sunday (Oct 26) address with a seminar Monday evening in Hospitality Hall. A large audience heard Tom Smith-Myott introduce Morwood as an Australian educator and author of three books who has been working to develop a "new expression of adult faith". As a priest of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, he spent 25 years in youth ministry, vocations, and adult faith formation. Morwood's most recent book, just released in the U.S. is titled "God is Near". It provided a focus for his remarks during the evening talk.

Morwood began the address by asking people to give thought to what it would have been like for Jesus to have heard the news of the death/execution of his cousin John the Baptiser (MT 14). What would have been the likely thoughts and feelings of Jesus that night after hearing the news? Anger, fear, confusion, or any of the emotions we would likely feel in a similar situation? The thoughts and emotions of a normal human being? What, indeed was "the ground that Jesus stood upon"? What motivated Jesus when he got up in the morning?

We were reminded of Mr. Morwood's Sunday sermon: Jesus was a man who delivered a message of a God of extraordinary graciousness. Jesus wanted the people of his day to see a new God. Away from a God that was so distant and evoked fear. Even when Jesus paid such an enormous cost his message remained one of compassion. We ask how Jesus could continue to believe in a gracious God while hanging on the cross? We see this Jesus as someone to whom we can relate...this is a Jesus who knows what it is like to be hurting. This Jesus knows what it is to suffer loss. We can turn to him because he knows what it is to be human.

Early Christians celebrated the connectedness of people being neighbors and being compassionate toward their fellow man. They modeled Jesus in these actions and shared in the God of Jesus. In the reality of our own hearts we can use these emotions as stepping stones to be close to the message of Jesus. By a closer relationship to this human Jesus we get a closer relationship with God. As Augustine said...Walk in the man and you'll arrive at God.

The reality is, however, that religion has taught us a God who is a source of fear. The audience related with Morwood's story of being fearful as a teenager that if he were to die tonight he would go to hell. What, he asked, had religion done to make him so distant from God?

Morwood's latest book (despite being "approved" with an Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat) was criticized by Rome's Council for the Doctrine of Faith "concerning the depiction of the pre-resurrection Jesus". In his book Morwood asked if Jesus lived by faith, if Jesus could have harbored doubt, and observed that "Jesus knows what hanging onto Faith is like while hanging on the tree". The council, however, found these remarks unacceptable saying "...one cannot see how these can be compatible with the teachings of the Magisterium". The council would seem to be saying that we are not allowed to know a Jesus who was really tempted by strong feelings. The CDF contends that the "Divine Will" was always in control so that Jesus never had to live by faith. Morwood suggested it is as if they are paranoid of Jesus the human.

We have a "Christology from below" and a "Theology from above". The latter uses as its' source the writings of Paul and the author of the Gospel of John. Neither are interested in the human Jesus. Neither cared for the motivations of Jesus. Paul is not interested in how the resurrection happened, but rather in Jesus going up to heaven. Jesus is poised as the mediator between God and we who are mired in Original Sin. Our salvation DEPENDS on Jesus. John's gospel is the theology of the Risen Jesus. Original Sin caused a "lockout" between us & God which only Jesus restores.

Do we accept the edicts of catechism because Paul said so, or because the writer of John put it on the lips of Jesus?

Morwood suggests we need to formulate a new theology. We need to see the Spirit of God working in a community (not the God-in-the-stars). We should envision that humanity emerged not from a paradise, but into a challenging world. And God always was and is all over...not separate. God is Near. We are an expression of God. We live IN God.

Morwood suggests we have defenders of theology (i.e. CDF), but what we need are supporters of spirituality. During a question-and-answer session he affirmed that ritual has its' place...we are invited to gather around the symbols. We can use the Pentecostal experience as we ritualize the realization of Spirit delivered through Jesus. The spirit moves in Jesus and many great followers. We must allow Jesus to move generously in our lives.

David Rotert is a communications technician. He, his wife Sue and two boys used to walk to SJA each Sunday. They since moved to St Louis Park, but are now happy to make the drive. David and his family have been attending SJA for over 10 years. You may see him serving host or wine on Sundays, and doing the readings whenever he can help. He is also always game for a good philosophical discussion.

Theologians are hamstrung. You and I are in the position to give start to a new theology. The church of the future will thank us. We are not trying to undermine the church but build a new future. Instead, Morwood gave great voice to the idea when he said "I refuse to quit saying 'I am catholic'. I refuse to have to leave the tradition that nurtured me". But we wish to go beyond. No one should have the power to say you are not catholic anymore!

Peg LaSota comes from a photography background. She now works in the digital world, computer instruction, and with "videography" and the restoration of family films. She is enthusiastic about capturing family memories and preserving them digitally. Along with that, her time is spent with her family and her love for learning Spanish, piano, recorder.....and of course singing with the choir!