2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Paul formerly known as Saul, persecutor of the fledgling church. Present at the stoning of Stephen. He knew the threat to the law was this new group called the Way. He knew he had to stop it and then the Paul we now have in second Corinthians is not the Saul from before. Here we get in his own words what this experience on the road did to him. It totally turned his world upside down. He can't even quite describe it. This is why he goes around to communities stressing the power of Christ's love. Love is the outgrowth of what has happened in Christ and the law is not what is most important anymore. It's grace and mercy and all the wonders of which we cannot boast because we all come short.
This week the General Convention has started in Austin, Texas. The first thing to kick off this conference has been an introduction into "The Way of Love" which are practices for a Jesus-centered life. Now this is exactly what we are talking about in our morning study, a rule of life. Our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry has asked we approach these in this way. For those of you, who like me, cringe when you hear the word rule think of it this way. The original Greek word for this was canon, no not law as we equate it to today, no it means trellis. The thing which supports a plant helping it to grow towards the sun and flourish. Without a trellis some plants become a tangled mess and die. So think of these in this way.
First one is turn. Turning involves this pause, just like Paul. In the book of Acts we are told Paul was blinded by his experience and had to be led into the city and wait for Annanias to be told to come and heal him. We have no story of how long this took. This pause is crucial though because it not only changes a name, but gives the gift of Paul being able to listen to what had happened to him. Losing your sight heightens your sense of hearing. When Paul is turned around he has to pause and listen. In a world where people instantly respond pausing and listening is key to understanding where Jesus is in this situation. So first turn, pause and listen.
Second is learn. Read the scriptures, reflect on Jesus' life and what it means. If this is the Way of love try to see where love resides and who with in the story. Third, pray. Make sure to intentionally dwell with God each day. Where was God in this task, in this day? Make sure to ask and connect with those times you have seen Jesus or connected with God. In class the suggestion has been to carry a token and when you pull it out to say a quick prayer. Fourth is worship in community. Jesus didn't call twelve disciples for nothing, Paul didn't go out alone to travel the known world. These were all done in community. God is communal, just like we highlighted this year in the Trinity.
Fifth is bless. Bless others and you will receive blessing. I wonder if Paul ever knew how widely the blessing of the thirteenth chapter of Corinthians would be? It is a blessing to us all and we use it to bless others. Blessing is an outgrowth of abundance too. Try it and you will see.
Six is go, go out into the world. Listen to people on the boundaries of society, just as Jesus did. Go and hear what is being said. Go not to do, but to listen. In our culture we think going is a doing word. Going and listening is very different. Again it is in a practice of listening where we learn much about God and the world.
Lastly remember to rest. We need rest to restore our souls. Jesus pulls away from the crowds to rest. God created then rested. Rest helps us to recharge and helps us to reengage in this process. Rest gives us time to listen and reflect. Paul when he is writing this must be resting. He is given the chance to reflect once again on his experience of turning to Jesus and all that it has meant. The good and the bad he is not shy to list. Only in rest do we have the opportunity to do this.
So this is it. The trellis or rule to help us grow in the way of love, the way of Jesus. Let us remember: to turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, and rest so we may fully become who we were meant to be in Christ.
Paul formerly known as Saul, persecutor of the fledgling church. Present at the stoning of Stephen. He knew the threat to the law was this new group called the Way. He knew he had to stop it and then the Paul we now have in second Corinthians is not the Saul from before. Here we get in his own words what this experience on the road did to him. It totally turned his world upside down. He can't even quite describe it. This is why he goes around to communities stressing the power of Christ's love. Love is the outgrowth of what has happened in Christ and the law is not what is most important anymore. It's grace and mercy and all the wonders of which we cannot boast because we all come short.
This week the General Convention has started in Austin, Texas. The first thing to kick off this conference has been an introduction into "The Way of Love" which are practices for a Jesus-centered life. Now this is exactly what we are talking about in our morning study, a rule of life. Our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry has asked we approach these in this way. For those of you, who like me, cringe when you hear the word rule think of it this way. The original Greek word for this was canon, no not law as we equate it to today, no it means trellis. The thing which supports a plant helping it to grow towards the sun and flourish. Without a trellis some plants become a tangled mess and die. So think of these in this way.
First one is turn. Turning involves this pause, just like Paul. In the book of Acts we are told Paul was blinded by his experience and had to be led into the city and wait for Annanias to be told to come and heal him. We have no story of how long this took. This pause is crucial though because it not only changes a name, but gives the gift of Paul being able to listen to what had happened to him. Losing your sight heightens your sense of hearing. When Paul is turned around he has to pause and listen. In a world where people instantly respond pausing and listening is key to understanding where Jesus is in this situation. So first turn, pause and listen.
Second is learn. Read the scriptures, reflect on Jesus' life and what it means. If this is the Way of love try to see where love resides and who with in the story. Third, pray. Make sure to intentionally dwell with God each day. Where was God in this task, in this day? Make sure to ask and connect with those times you have seen Jesus or connected with God. In class the suggestion has been to carry a token and when you pull it out to say a quick prayer. Fourth is worship in community. Jesus didn't call twelve disciples for nothing, Paul didn't go out alone to travel the known world. These were all done in community. God is communal, just like we highlighted this year in the Trinity.
Fifth is bless. Bless others and you will receive blessing. I wonder if Paul ever knew how widely the blessing of the thirteenth chapter of Corinthians would be? It is a blessing to us all and we use it to bless others. Blessing is an outgrowth of abundance too. Try it and you will see.
Six is go, go out into the world. Listen to people on the boundaries of society, just as Jesus did. Go and hear what is being said. Go not to do, but to listen. In our culture we think going is a doing word. Going and listening is very different. Again it is in a practice of listening where we learn much about God and the world.
Lastly remember to rest. We need rest to restore our souls. Jesus pulls away from the crowds to rest. God created then rested. Rest helps us to recharge and helps us to reengage in this process. Rest gives us time to listen and reflect. Paul when he is writing this must be resting. He is given the chance to reflect once again on his experience of turning to Jesus and all that it has meant. The good and the bad he is not shy to list. Only in rest do we have the opportunity to do this.
So this is it. The trellis or rule to help us grow in the way of love, the way of Jesus. Let us remember: to turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, and rest so we may fully become who we were meant to be in Christ.
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