We did not meet this week, and I have been slow to post. I considered going back to the discussion on giving back, but that didn't seem to generate much interest or discussion. I found no inspiration in any of my readings or experiences this week. I am feeling empty and spent, for no apparent reason. And just when I was ready to not even try to post anything my own words came back to bite me in the behind. Maybe this is a part of the journey and I am supposed to be learning something in the wilderness. OK, (sigh) my mind is open, my fingers are poised over the keyboard and I am waiting... for divine inspiration.
Waiting - free association - ooh! Song lyrics - waiting for the sun, waiting without reason, waiting for your call, sigo escalando sin encontrar, pero seguire buscando. (Yes, thanks again to JM!) As I let my mind wander, patience and persistence is what I am hearing. Waiting for... I guess I don't really know what I am waiting for, do you know what you are waiting for? I really do wish I had been gifted with patience. It feels imperative that I know what is next, what I am supposed to do, where my life is going, where my family's lives are going. And it feels like I need to know it all now! But patience and persistence keep coming back to my wandering, free-associating mind.
While knowing where I am going and that I am making a difference is probably my subconscious self's greatest desire, my conscious, grounded, practical self knows that just isn't going to happen. Trying to get the two to meet somewhere in the middle (I know, sounds a bit dissociative, doesn't it?) brought me back to the PBS Frontline study we did several years ago on 9-11. Why have the words of the rabbi stuck with me for so very long? I can't recall the exact quote, but do remember that he spoke about embracing the mystery of God. He made it sound so easy...
I really wanted to recall the quote without actually watching the whole program again. It was incredibly draining to watch the devastation of not just the event, but the aftermath. (It may be worth revisiting as we approach the tenth anniversary?) I did a quick search - this is a question that can be answered by Google - and found a link to an interview with the rabbi in only three clicks. Rather than going on I want to encourage you to read this, and wish you peace today.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/faith/interviews/hirschfield.html
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Mary and Martha - Grace vs. Works?
Our Fearless Leader was back this week (but will be gone next week) and we resumed our art-inspired study this week by looking at some works by the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. If you want to go out and take a look before you continue on, look at The Milkmaid, The Artist's Studio and Girl With A Pearl Earring. Those were the works for consideration at the beginning of the discussion, but the meat of the discussion centered on Christ in the House of Martha and Mary.
The introductory exercise asked us to think of a celebrity or someone famous to whom you are drawn. (Bet you know who I am thinking about!) Think about why/what you admire about them and how much you know about them. Do you know what they do when something goes wrong? Favorite flavor of ice cream? What is the difference between knowing about someone and knowing them? What is the difference between knowing about God and knowing God?
Then we revisited the works of Caravaggio and Rembrandt to remember the importance of light, chiaroscuro, in their works. There is no documentation of formal training for Vermeer, but he was clearly influenced by the Baroque painters. We looked at Vermeer's works and the use of light, but color as well. Artists send as much message through the composition of their paintings as they do the subject. To me it's as if they have a secret language. We then went on to look at Christ in the House of Martha and Mary.
So what was Vermeer saying in this painting? It's important to note that he was born into a Protestant family, but converted to Catholicism in order to marry his wife. The author of the study parallels Martha-Catholicism-works as a means to heaven with Mary-Protestantism-grace. The discussion about the scripture surrounding Martha and Mary often condemns Martha for her 'busy-ness" and her criticism of her sister, Mary. OK, I dare you to be completely honest. Which one of you HAS NEVER been so focused on taking care of busy-ness tasks that you missed opportunities to sit and visit and simply be. And which one of you has NEVER had an adversarial moment with a sibling? Seriously, these are perfectly normal, human moments and emotions. It seems to me that we read our own personal experiences into our interpretations, so we need to carefully step back and try to consider what the artist was trying to say, but then process what it says to us.
I can see the reason for the comparison between Catholicism and Protestantism. I understand the issue with works and grace. I am going to go out on a limb and say that based on the positioning in the picture, Vermeer is not condemning either sister or philosophy. Jesus extends an open hand to Mary, His left hand rests comfortably and relaxed on the chair, his body and face turn to Martha, the light illuminates both sisters. Martha provides what is needed for the body, while Mary provides spiritual support. It seems to me that both are needed, both are valued, and Jesus invites both into relationship with Him. And He is willing to meet them where they are, there is no sign of asking them to change at all.
That could also be my interpretation. As the oldest sibling it has always been my nature to take care of details and things more than relationships. I identify with Martha so I have a vested interest in her not coming out on the short end of the stick. It is a close, intimate conversation among three friends. The message I am getting is that both are needed but need to be balanced, and God doesn't care where I am in working at that balance. If I respond to the invitation, we will have a relationship.
The introductory exercise asked us to think of a celebrity or someone famous to whom you are drawn. (Bet you know who I am thinking about!) Think about why/what you admire about them and how much you know about them. Do you know what they do when something goes wrong? Favorite flavor of ice cream? What is the difference between knowing about someone and knowing them? What is the difference between knowing about God and knowing God?
Then we revisited the works of Caravaggio and Rembrandt to remember the importance of light, chiaroscuro, in their works. There is no documentation of formal training for Vermeer, but he was clearly influenced by the Baroque painters. We looked at Vermeer's works and the use of light, but color as well. Artists send as much message through the composition of their paintings as they do the subject. To me it's as if they have a secret language. We then went on to look at Christ in the House of Martha and Mary.
So what was Vermeer saying in this painting? It's important to note that he was born into a Protestant family, but converted to Catholicism in order to marry his wife. The author of the study parallels Martha-Catholicism-works as a means to heaven with Mary-Protestantism-grace. The discussion about the scripture surrounding Martha and Mary often condemns Martha for her 'busy-ness" and her criticism of her sister, Mary. OK, I dare you to be completely honest. Which one of you HAS NEVER been so focused on taking care of busy-ness tasks that you missed opportunities to sit and visit and simply be. And which one of you has NEVER had an adversarial moment with a sibling? Seriously, these are perfectly normal, human moments and emotions. It seems to me that we read our own personal experiences into our interpretations, so we need to carefully step back and try to consider what the artist was trying to say, but then process what it says to us.
I can see the reason for the comparison between Catholicism and Protestantism. I understand the issue with works and grace. I am going to go out on a limb and say that based on the positioning in the picture, Vermeer is not condemning either sister or philosophy. Jesus extends an open hand to Mary, His left hand rests comfortably and relaxed on the chair, his body and face turn to Martha, the light illuminates both sisters. Martha provides what is needed for the body, while Mary provides spiritual support. It seems to me that both are needed, both are valued, and Jesus invites both into relationship with Him. And He is willing to meet them where they are, there is no sign of asking them to change at all.
That could also be my interpretation. As the oldest sibling it has always been my nature to take care of details and things more than relationships. I identify with Martha so I have a vested interest in her not coming out on the short end of the stick. It is a close, intimate conversation among three friends. The message I am getting is that both are needed but need to be balanced, and God doesn't care where I am in working at that balance. If I respond to the invitation, we will have a relationship.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Giving Back
I was recently engaged in a conversation on giving, or lack thereof in churches. I don't really think it's any different than the shortfalls we are seeing in all kinds of budgets - personal, educational institutions, municipal, state, federal, charitable organizations. Everyone at every level seems to be in a bind these days. Some of us seemed to feel that giving to the church should fall into a different category because of the scriptural directives. Others felt that because the church has a budget that is administered by church members who are trustworthy we have an obligation to give to meet that budget. I have to confess that there were some other perspectives that I failed to hear because I had an immediate knee-jerk-shut-down-processing reaction as soon as I heard the word tithe. After I managed to get my faculties back I thought, hey! That blog thing! Lots of people could weigh in, offer new and different perspectives that might help me process better! And since we didn't meet last week... I can hijack the post with no problem! So, here goes, and please leave your comments! (You can do it anonymously.)
Stewardship, giving, tithing - those are uncomfortable words for most people. I couldn't help but wonder why? We all know the economy is bad, making it difficult to support anything outside your family. It seems that "the church" doesn't consider giving to other charitable organizations part of the "tithe", and how do you factor in time and talent for those of us who are short on cash? There are so many demands on my resources that I know I am more disposed to give to those causes that are flexible, and appreciate whatever I can give, no matter how small. That led me to think about why I give at all.
I did a little (and I do mean little) research into the reasons behind why people give. One article I read cited five reasons: commitment or obligation (because God said so); compassion (giving from the heart to make a specific difference); community (support of the people doing the work of the church, friends); challenge (goal-oriented campaigns, think thermometer on the wall); critical (believe their investment in the church is being handled wisely). I don't know about you, but I feel like I have fallen into every one of those categories at one time or another.
As I was reading through those five reasons for giving, I could see a shift in general societal attitudes. My grandparents and parents gave because the Bible said they should, it was an obligation that they took very seriously. They did also believe that the church created and maintained compassionate programs, they felt more closely tied to their friends at church, they believed that the money was handled appropriately and also gave to above and beyond campaigns, but for the primary reason they gave was obligation.
In a transient society, where we move from one place to another community is often difficult to develop and cultivate. Challenges have become and over-used nuisance. We insist on fiscal responsibility or withhold giving. Commitment is overrated. But, specific, targeted projects with tangible results allow me to do good, but also feel good about doing good. I think this is how many in my generation and the ones that follow feel today. I am not a scholar and have no basis for those statements other than my own observation and opinion.
"In the old days" "everybody gave to their church. I use the quotation marks to make a point here. When we think about stewardship, giving and tithing we think about it from our own perspective, colored by our unique experiences. Completely normal and human. The thing is, society and the human landscape are constantly changing and I can't hold on to the way things used to be done. That doesn't mean that I have to like the way things are. But complaining that they aren't what they used to be, or that things aren't done the way they "should" be has absolutely no impact on reality. I believe that if I want to make a difference in some way I need to understand the current situation, visualize the ideal situation, and then find a relevant bridge between the two.
So, in order to understand the current situation I invite you to weigh in. Why do you give? What is your motivation?
Stewardship, giving, tithing - those are uncomfortable words for most people. I couldn't help but wonder why? We all know the economy is bad, making it difficult to support anything outside your family. It seems that "the church" doesn't consider giving to other charitable organizations part of the "tithe", and how do you factor in time and talent for those of us who are short on cash? There are so many demands on my resources that I know I am more disposed to give to those causes that are flexible, and appreciate whatever I can give, no matter how small. That led me to think about why I give at all.
I did a little (and I do mean little) research into the reasons behind why people give. One article I read cited five reasons: commitment or obligation (because God said so); compassion (giving from the heart to make a specific difference); community (support of the people doing the work of the church, friends); challenge (goal-oriented campaigns, think thermometer on the wall); critical (believe their investment in the church is being handled wisely). I don't know about you, but I feel like I have fallen into every one of those categories at one time or another.
As I was reading through those five reasons for giving, I could see a shift in general societal attitudes. My grandparents and parents gave because the Bible said they should, it was an obligation that they took very seriously. They did also believe that the church created and maintained compassionate programs, they felt more closely tied to their friends at church, they believed that the money was handled appropriately and also gave to above and beyond campaigns, but for the primary reason they gave was obligation.
In a transient society, where we move from one place to another community is often difficult to develop and cultivate. Challenges have become and over-used nuisance. We insist on fiscal responsibility or withhold giving. Commitment is overrated. But, specific, targeted projects with tangible results allow me to do good, but also feel good about doing good. I think this is how many in my generation and the ones that follow feel today. I am not a scholar and have no basis for those statements other than my own observation and opinion.
"In the old days" "everybody gave to their church. I use the quotation marks to make a point here. When we think about stewardship, giving and tithing we think about it from our own perspective, colored by our unique experiences. Completely normal and human. The thing is, society and the human landscape are constantly changing and I can't hold on to the way things used to be done. That doesn't mean that I have to like the way things are. But complaining that they aren't what they used to be, or that things aren't done the way they "should" be has absolutely no impact on reality. I believe that if I want to make a difference in some way I need to understand the current situation, visualize the ideal situation, and then find a relevant bridge between the two.
So, in order to understand the current situation I invite you to weigh in. Why do you give? What is your motivation?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
No Meeting February 8
Our fearless leader is still under the weather. We will try to put something together to carry us through to next week.
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