Sunday Musings - March 12, 2023
Resurrection
In the Christian tradition it is the Lenten season - a time of internal cleansing prior to the celebration of resurrection. Professed Christians prepare what for what for some is the reality of resurrection; for some a metaphor; and for others both reality and a metaphor.
Father Greg Boyle, while working for those who are wanting to escape the violent gang life into which circumstances thrust them, suggests that healing involves returning oneself to oneself which in turn facilitates others, including Father Boyle, returning to themselves.
Barring neurological birth defects children are born without fear of celebrating themselves They have yet to be taught that there is something intrinsically wrong with them or that one has to learn to live in a world where surviving never includes thriving. Most, if not all of us, learn to give away parts of ourselves; our voice, our dance, our pride, our sexuality, or other important aspects of ourselves. We quickly learn that there are prescribed ways to act according to “cast”, gender, age, race, intellect, emotions, or size. We may get bullied. We may learn that it is our job to parent our parents. We may learn, as do many children in Ukraine and other countries, it is kill or be killed. In so many ways we learn it is not okay to be us.
We know that when we give up a relationship with our authentic self we give up our connection to other people and to all parts of Mother Nature. In other words, we die to ourselves and the world. Although our death may not yet be the end of breathing, we may lose faith in ourselves: in the hope that “we can overcome” or survive other physical, psychological loss.
For many Christians, the reality is that Jesus of Nazareth was crucified on a cross, died, was placed in a tomb, and was resurrected/returned to life. Many of those same Christians believe that all believing Christians will one day be physically resurrected. Many other Christians believe that resurrection is both a metaphor and an eventual reality. For those who believe it is a metaphor, resurrection is a daily event; a reclaiming of one’s essential sacredness; a release from the shackles of hate, rejection, and other chains which prevent thriving. For those Christians it is the realization of Richard Wright’s character Bigger Thomas who tells the police person threatening him “You can’t do nothin but kill me and that ain’t nothin”. It is embracing the belief of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who stated:
“God loves human beings. God loves the world. Not as ideal humans, but human beings as they are; not an ideal world, but the real world. What we find repulsive in their opposition to God, what we shrink back from with pain and hostility... this is for God the ground of unfathomable love.” (crosswalk.com)
Resurrection is the power to say no to the social constructs of racism, sexism, ageism, gender identity or sexual orientation. Resurrection is the courage to claim a second, third, fourth and 200rd chance. Resurrection is the rejection of the false, temporary solace of assigning points to various ways we hurt ourselves and others. Resurrection is contained in the knowledge and acceptance that in the core of our being we are wandering in the wilderness and frequently lose our way.
Resurrection is reclaiming the power as expressed by Ram Dass to walk each other home no matter what anyone else says or does. Resurrection is leaving all and following the “common sense”, simple, but powerful, teaching of Christ as expressed in what is referred to as The Beatitudes:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (Matthew 5:3-11)
Resurrection is a joyful, affirming, humble dance whether done from a chair because we are without legs, from a hospital bed or on two legs. Resurrection begins deep within us and explodes like a bursting rocket. Resurrection says we are not our fear, our anxiety, a limited slice of reality or a black and white photograph.
Resurrection is possibility made manifest.
Written March 12, 2023
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Resurrection
In the Christian tradition it is the Lenten season - a time of internal cleansing prior to the celebration of resurrection. Professed Christians prepare what for what for some is the reality of resurrection; for some a metaphor; and for others both reality and a metaphor.
Father Greg Boyle, while working for those who are wanting to escape the violent gang life into which circumstances thrust them, suggests that healing involves returning oneself to oneself which in turn facilitates others, including Father Boyle, returning to themselves.
Barring neurological birth defects children are born without fear of celebrating themselves They have yet to be taught that there is something intrinsically wrong with them or that one has to learn to live in a world where surviving never includes thriving. Most, if not all of us, learn to give away parts of ourselves; our voice, our dance, our pride, our sexuality, or other important aspects of ourselves. We quickly learn that there are prescribed ways to act according to “cast”, gender, age, race, intellect, emotions, or size. We may get bullied. We may learn that it is our job to parent our parents. We may learn, as do many children in Ukraine and other countries, it is kill or be killed. In so many ways we learn it is not okay to be us.
We know that when we give up a relationship with our authentic self we give up our connection to other people and to all parts of Mother Nature. In other words, we die to ourselves and the world. Although our death may not yet be the end of breathing, we may lose faith in ourselves: in the hope that “we can overcome” or survive other physical, psychological loss.
For many Christians, the reality is that Jesus of Nazareth was crucified on a cross, died, was placed in a tomb, and was resurrected/returned to life. Many of those same Christians believe that all believing Christians will one day be physically resurrected. Many other Christians believe that resurrection is both a metaphor and an eventual reality. For those who believe it is a metaphor, resurrection is a daily event; a reclaiming of one’s essential sacredness; a release from the shackles of hate, rejection, and other chains which prevent thriving. For those Christians it is the realization of Richard Wright’s character Bigger Thomas who tells the police person threatening him “You can’t do nothin but kill me and that ain’t nothin”. It is embracing the belief of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who stated:
“God loves human beings. God loves the world. Not as ideal humans, but human beings as they are; not an ideal world, but the real world. What we find repulsive in their opposition to God, what we shrink back from with pain and hostility... this is for God the ground of unfathomable love.” (crosswalk.com)
Resurrection is the power to say no to the social constructs of racism, sexism, ageism, gender identity or sexual orientation. Resurrection is the courage to claim a second, third, fourth and 200rd chance. Resurrection is the rejection of the false, temporary solace of assigning points to various ways we hurt ourselves and others. Resurrection is contained in the knowledge and acceptance that in the core of our being we are wandering in the wilderness and frequently lose our way.
Resurrection is reclaiming the power as expressed by Ram Dass to walk each other home no matter what anyone else says or does. Resurrection is leaving all and following the “common sense”, simple, but powerful, teaching of Christ as expressed in what is referred to as The Beatitudes:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (Matthew 5:3-11)
Resurrection is a joyful, affirming, humble dance whether done from a chair because we are without legs, from a hospital bed or on two legs. Resurrection begins deep within us and explodes like a bursting rocket. Resurrection says we are not our fear, our anxiety, a limited slice of reality or a black and white photograph.
Resurrection is possibility made manifest.
Written March 12, 2023
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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