"Everything Belongs, the Gift of Contemplative Prayer"
Spring 2003 Bible Study

Coda and Conclusion

"St. Joan of Arc Bible Study is an open and growing group that meets for fellowship and to discuss the Bible and other faith-centered literature. Our informal study group draws from biblical scholarship, historical perspectives, current events and personal reflections. We welcome, honor and respect the personal ideas and spiritual journeys of all who join us."

Greetings

We concluded Richard Rohr's Everything Belongs by discussing the Coda and Conclusion of the book.  So many wonderful things happened it is hard to know where to begin.

As one entered the meeting space one couldn't help but notice beautiful pieces of luxuriant fabric, the color of Royal Purple, folded neatly on our chairs.  Upon closer inspection, one also noticed gorgeous golden tassels sewed to opposite corners.  Were we graduating?  Celebrating the last chapter of the book?  Celebrating a feast of the Passover - passing over from one level of consciousness and attainment to another?

We sat down not knowing what to think and the facilitator asked for the opening prayer.  A dear cousin of ours had prepared the opening prayer and it was she who was responsible for the creation and distribution of our glorious velvet.  She said she had been attending the SJA bible study for one year now and was so grateful for all she had received and wanted to give something from her heart to us.  She hand made these Prayer Shawls and presented them to us in a very touching way.  What an act of love and appreciation.  Here is the opening prayer that went along with the shawls.

"Everything we say and do has an effect on the fabric of humanity." - Gandhi

The Prayer Shawl

At a recent introductory weekend for students entering the school of ministry, we all participated in a ritual with a deep purple shawl the color of wine that was fringed on the ends with thick, golden threads.  All weekend long our fingers looped the golden threads as we tied knots in the threads with our prayers. A prayer shawl is a metaphor for the atmosphere of our consciousness.  Whatever we dwell upon with our hearts and minds are our prayers.  These prayers form the atmosphere of our countenance, as discernible to those around us as if it were a visible prayer shawl.

 What does your prayer shawl of consciousness look like?  Is the fabric rich and plush because you know that your connection with God makes you heir to the kingdom of blessings?  Are the threads of your prayer shawl golden because you have dwelled upon the radiance of divine love, wisdom and faith?

Allow yourself extra time in the morning to sit down and meditate in the peaceful silence, and then affirm a favorite prayer: "My life is immersed in divine love, peace and wisdom.  I appreciate the many blessings that shine through my life.  Thank you, Life."  Then as the final touch to dressing for the day, place upon your shoulders the prayer shawl of your heart and soul intentions.

Today I cloak myself in the consciousness of the divine.  I walk in the love, peace, and power of God, wearing my prayer shawl of divine radiance. I give thanks for the many blessings of my life.

Thank you, cousin from the very center of our hearts!

As if that wasn't enough, we had one more opening prayer and this one involved music.  We listened to the song, Holy Now, by Peter Mayer, the guitar player/singer that has graced SJA Sunday services more than once. What a gorgeous song.

On top of all that, a cousin was found (not due in any part to the All Points Bulletin) and made his way back to the old country church.  It was with peaceful minds and radiant hearts that we began the overview by another two-time-facilitator!  Here is the handout.

THE PARADOX OF THE CROSS  (as seen by Richard Rohr "Everything Belongs") Coda & Conclusion

Personal Comment:  This is my favorite part of this brilliant little book  I find myself returning to it again and again.     We live in uncertain times... rife with turmoil,  exponential change ..kind of an "anything goes" mentality.  On the other hand, these are also hopeful times...burgeoning with promise and a true understanding of  our relationship to God our Creator and  to one another...to the God within  and around us...as Thomas Merton once said..." people walking on the streets around us...all shining like the sun." (commented by Merton one day when he went to Louisville from the Monastery for a dental appt) (on the way to the dentist!. Can you believe it!!)

Back to the Coda   (with more comments)

The Cross has been a stumbling black for some (and for me all my life) in this group.  We have struggled with the concepts of ransom, original sin, bloody sacrifice, the Jews as "bad guys," salvation thru suffering, the saved and the unsaved,  the baptized and the un-baptized...the list goes on.

We have discussed High Christology" and "Low Christology"   we're pretty 'hip' on new understandings.  (And this is not meant sarcastically. We really not only 'get it" but rather welcome these ways of viewing our faith. Many of us have been harboring these thoughts and interpretations for some time, but have learned here to luxuriate in the opportunity to process these ideas with one another in a sincere, supportive and  stimulating environment.  (Sometimes too stimulating.  We've been known to go home on a Tues night with more questions than answers...BUT we keep coming back...)

I personally resonate to Rohr's statement (beginning of chapter (old book / middle of 1st paragraph)- IT IS THE ESSENTIAL AND PARADOXICAL MYSTERY OF THE CROSS WHICH I DO NOT BELIEVE THE RATIONAL AND CALCULATING MIND WILL EVER COME TO IT BY ITSELF

That's the Contemplative" way of seeing that I believe Rohr is talking about....not contemplating as thinking ... perhaps not even as contemplating, but as   'Being, as co-existing' with ... this "in your face" event!

Comments?

Rohr goes on to identify what he believes the Doctrine of the Cross is doing in history and in our lives.  They're all there for us to read. So I won't burden you with copying them all out.

HOWEVER I have selected (as Facilitator I exercise my option) those that speak most meaningfully to me (Heck! They all speak to me)

But here goes...

Final Personal Comments:
I am heartened by Rohr's re-stating/amplifying the Doctrine of the Cross in ways which are meaningful and true to me.  That's why I find myself returning to his words again and again.

How about the rest of you?

Thank you so much for a wonderful job and keeping this unruly bunch in one large group the entire time and actually getting through the overview! 

We did stay in large group (after breaking for about five hundred boxes of cookies and several gallons of coffee!) this night and the insights and questions were exhilarating. 

Falling in love with people, life and creation and how different the world looks!  Being so in love with God, that nothing can happen to us!  The whole scene of the crucifixion, between a good thief and a bad thief and the resurrection and what that means in our lives!  How life is cruciform at a very fundamental level.  The discussion of the Mayan practice of Christianity.  Asking ourselves, if the crucifixion / resurrection never happened, would we live our lives any differently?

So, do you see what we're saying?

We complete another fantastic book and are now ready to taste Michael Morwood's "Is Jesus God?"  This session begins Tuesday June 24 when we will be discussing the first chapter.  Since there are 10 chapters in the book, we will read one chapter per session and end August 26th. We will take a break on Tuesday, Sept 2, have a Pot Luck on Sept 9 and begin the fall session on Sept 16th, reading the book of Exodus.   Books may be found at the SJA bookstore after the 9 and 11 Sunday services.

Privileges for next week

Namaste'

Rik


Rik Murray
(612) 872-8694

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