God Is Calling You Into Relationship

The Beatitudes are not a playbook.

Each week as I prepare worship, often with the sermon in mind, there are a variety of practices I employ. In addition to time invested in prayer and studying the scripture passage, I dig into theologians' writings who have also studied our scripture passage. This week's readings offered the introductory line to this week's letter.

"The Beatitudes are not a playbook."

In fact, the Gospels nor the bible is a playbook. One cannot simply identify a scripture lesson, implement it into their daily life, and expect an outcome (i.e. a relationship with God, a clarifying delineation of Christianity, salvation, nor a guaranteed ticket to heaven). Sadly, the lessons of scripture teach us that our faith is not as simple as an adornment or cloak we can cover our shoulders with and claim as our identity.

Our sermon series and the cries from our communities are reminders that our theological endeavor as Christians is an internal journey of transformation. We are called to relinquish our human desire for control, independence, and even domination for a recognition and conversion of heart, mind, and body to embrace our interconnectedness to those who look like us, to those who are a stranger to us, and to the wider creation.

The Beatitudes are simply signs above our metaphorical roads giving us nudges for paths that we may not inherently seek by our own volition.

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This week's video was made available last Friday, June 19, 2020, and even though a week has passed, its message remains relevant and imperative.

Peace be with you,
Rev Elizabeth

Take the 11 minutes to listen.
If you get uncomfortable...don’t resist...wrestle with God in it.
If you get inspired...don’t wait...boldly follow Jesus.
If you get emotional...don’t despair...allow the Holy Spirit to tend to you.
No matter what...do something...press on toward freedom!

This week Bishop Karen Oliveto posed a question in a Facebook conversation with clergy, "What is church? And, how does it deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ?"

In the discomfort of shifting realities and the breaking away of reality from what we have previously known, I encourage you to break open the scriptures of the Hebrew Bible and read of when the temple fell - the temple, home to the Holy of Holies thusly home to God.

May the offerings of the weekly calendar simply be the tip of the proverbial iceberg in the practices and engagements that will deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ and recognize that you are looking at the church when you glance into a mirror.