Ministry in Motion

We’ve come to understand the importance of practice in sports, in music, art, in other disciplines even in any successful business. But for some reason most of us do not see the need for it in the world of spirituality. Yet it’s probably more important there than in any other area.  As we sojourn towards the kingdom to come, let’s agree to ‘not get it right’ but to enjoy and learn from the journey…  Pkes       MinM

“ The pattern of transformation, the pattern that connects, the life that Reality offers us is not death avoided, but always death transformed. In other words, the only trustworthy pattern of spiritual transformation is death and resurrection” —Richard Rohr  Pkes    MinM

 The tomb is still empty… Pkes    MinM

When the Twelve Apostles had either betrayed, denied, or forsaken Jesus, four faithful women kept vigil at Jesus’ crucifixion and stood near his cross—these four women were his mother, his aunt, Mary Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. And the woman who is mentioned most in the New Testament, even more than the mother of Jesus, is Mary Magdalene—the most faithful of all Jesus’ disciples and the woman who would become the Easter Evangelist and the Apostle to the Apostles . He is Risen An Easter Sunday Thought… Pkes    MinM

Between Good Friday and Easter Sunday sits Holy Saturday. It’s been known by other names dating back to maybe the eighth century.   I’m not sure the western church gives this particular day much thought, however. It should. Holy Saturday, is the Christian religious belief and observance that ends the Lenten season, falling on the day before Easter Sunday. The observance commemorates the final day of Christ's death, which many Christians traditionally associate with his triumphant descent into hell or “to the dead” This Saturday is sometimes called the Harrowing of Hell and is referred to in the  Apostles' Creed . In this prayer it re-tells that Jesus "descended into hell” This journey is alluded to in the New Testament and in  1 Peter  which speaks of Jesus preaching to "the imprisoned spirits" Really.  So on this Holy Saturday I reflect on the mystery that as the mortal body of Jesus lay in the tomb, His spirit and soul was not at rest. Rather, the Christ was on

  Upon the cross, he bore our sin,   in His agony, our redemption did begin.   With nails and thorns, he paid the cost,  a love for us, not even death could exhaust. Darkness fell upon the land,  as nails pierced through lifeless hands.  Yet in the darkness, a light did shine, a beacon of hope for all mankind. His final breath, a solemn sigh — heaven wept and earth did cry.  For on that cross, love conquered all, and through his death salvation calls. O death, where is your victory?     O death, where is your sting?”  Pkes    MinM

Holy Thursday, also known as "Maundy Thursday," (Maundy meaning mandate) is the first day of the Paschal Triduum . Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, the humble servant attitude of Jesus.  Christians hold and believe that at the Passover meal, the Last Supper, Jesus Christ celebrated the first Eucharist, instituting the New Covenant — being poured out for many … for the forgiveness of sins. The insidious side of Maundy Thursday is that all the while, in the wings, looms   the predicted and cowardly betrayal by a “Trojan Horse” like follower.   Jesus' actions at this Supper were an act of love, an example to us:  We are called to become more like Him, to pour out ourselves in service - doing so with kindness, respect and humility, as he demonstrated. During the Last Supper, Jesus did more than just celebrate the commemorative Jewish seder meal, He beckons us to become more conformed to himself, the Christ, the son of the most high God… Pkes    MinM

Political and social agendas. Spiritual immaturity. Selfish admirers.   Hypocritical hailers.   Allegiance pledged - faithfulness forgotten.  Cheers turned into jeers.   Worshiping the King, the Savior, one week and all but denying Him the next.   The palms were symbolic. A borrowed donkey, emblematic. The fickle public, predictable. Ruling religious elite, prophetically spoken of. Palm Sunday - a life lesson for each of us...Pkes

A Sunday Thought Beauty. Pain. Sorrow. Joy. How do we find the balance and clarity to meet the suffering of our world with tenderness, wisdom, and skillful action? How do we maintain our spiritual eyes, keeping them fixed upon the resurrected Christ, while navigating the challenges of life?   Maybe balance and clarity are best found in the quiet times — the times of being still. Consider this thought by Richard Rohr: “…God offers us quiet, contemplative eyes; God also calls us to prophetic and critical involvement in the pain and sufferings of our world—both {and} at the same time. This is so obvious in the life and ministry of Jesus that I wonder why it has not been taught as an essential part of Christianity…”   What say you?   Pkes    MinM

 "Jesus is kind Do not misrepresent Him." ~ Sr. C. Betrone

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The man replied, 'It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit,  and I ate it' It started long ago. Finding, every so often, a new victim upon which to pour out our accumulated guilt or shame, fear, anxiety or hostility. When we’re feeling guilty or tense about something, it really does help to find someone else to project our anxieties upon and to make ourselves feel more innocent, a little purer, and less guilty. Stop. Reflect. Reconsider. Ponder. Own up. Father, forgive us of our scapegoating   Lord have mercy; Christ have mercy   ~ Amen   Pkes    MinM

Consider your faith journey. If we’re honest, maybe uncomfortably honest, culture sometimes forms us much more than the gospel.   I’m not saying it should be this way but….  It seems that at times we keep the basic storyline of human history in place, rather than allowing the gospel to reframe and redirect our story and our path. In the story of reconciliation, we still get to win, just not at anybody else’s expense, except Jesus. Think about it. In the Jesus story human beings are not the protagonists of the world. Love is. And that divine love is manifested in the only begotten son.    A Sunday Thought worth remembering... Pkes   MinM

The nature of God in the creation story isn’t God dominating and forcing the world into a certain mold. It is: "Let There Be Light" Let there be is permission giving power.  It’s such a fascinating phrase  “Let there be: land, sea, crawling creatures;  let there be fish, let there be humans.”  It’s a giving rather than a domination. As human beings we are made in the image of God, and God says, “You can have dominion,” and we should employ this with the same kind of gentle presence of "let there" rather than a controlling, exploiting presence. It’s not let there be exploitation - It's let there be light. Infusing. Birthing. Very different.  A Sunday Thought... #pkes   #MinM Adapted from Brian McLaren and Gareth Higgins, “ Domination Stories ,”  

In Matthew Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be greatest, should be everyone's servant.”   Mark records:  “Anyone who wants to be first, must be the very last.”   ~ Jesus.   Luke adds, Jesus saying:  “Whoever tries to keep their lives will lose it, and whoever loses their lives will keep it.”  In one epistle Paul chimes in writing:  “ When we are weak we are strong.” Familiar, strong and insightful verses.   par·a·dox. How would you define the word? Maybe like this:  A  seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true. Consider these simple paradoxical phrases that have crept into our language:  Save money by spending it;  If I know one thing, it's that I know nothing;  This is the beginning of the end;  Deep down, you're really shallow. Or this from Robert Frost,   "Men work together whether they work together or apart."  The Bible, in its literary magic, uses paradox at times t

How would you define good? A simple question on the surface. Not so simple when given some thought.  That which is good is debated. Normally it is considered to be a favorable result, action, or intention.  The term 'good' is not specific to ethics in particular, although it plays an important role in morality, like:a m I good? Am I good enough? Richard Rohr wrote:  “When we believe in a deep way that life is good, God is good, and humanity is good, we do exciting and imaginative things because we are confident that we are part of a storyline that is going somewhere good” “ God saw all that he had made,  and it was very good .  And there was evening, and  there was morning…” As Christians, we have the opportunity to live the story given to us at the very beginning (Genesis 1:31), that creation is “good,” even “very good,” and that it is our vocation to nurture and grow such goodness wherever we can…  #pkes #MinM