Happy Palm Sunday, everyone! Oh, how I miss our normal celebrations and gatherings on this day... However, having been invited to "participate" online to not just one, but several Palm Sunday masses, I am reminded of how connected I can still feel...in the deep familiarity of the service, in those oh-so-special readings, through the virtual presence of the priests and ministers on my screen, with all of our gathered church communities--universally!--so near and yet still too far away. I guess the most surprising sadness that overwhelmed me this morning was when I watched those who were actually right there, the ones who "got to" taste of the physical bread of the Eucharist...*sigh*. How poignant has the Truth become to me now: "Distance doth make the heart grow ever fonder."
So, here's hoping that everyone's heart and spirit are faring well as we enter week, what, three? four? two hundred billion? of COVID19 quarantine and social distancing. Please know that we are all praying for each other--for the special intentions and truly heartfelt prayer requests that have been coming through our study group. Thank you, Lorraine, for sending them out--and thank you to everyone who has been able to post and comment and keep us connected! Love to you ALL!! I know that I haven't been able to keep up with the usual banter in texts or emails (or blog!), so please forgive me if I sometimes fall away from the conversation at hand. It's been a fascinating challenge keeping the household running while practicing full-on quarantine measures. hooboy...and wow, have I developed a keen appreciation for the clean up crews in hospitals, hotels and public facilities. It is HARD keeping all common areas clean and contaminated areas contained. And that's with all of my charges being well-informed and capable adults!!! Hah!
Ok--so, first off--wow! What a wonderful session last week...again! Thank you to all who were able to join us with your voices and smiling faces. The Scripture verses everyone offered were wonderful "jumping into" places from which we literally dove into our discussions about trials vs opportunities (perspective!), distractions vs time of sequestering and re-set (seeing/working/walking/THINKING in real Truths that REALLY matter), Trust, joy and excitement (even in the midst of sorrow) in everything--from new approaches to individual prayer and true relationship to a deepening appreciation for the privilege of corporate gathering for worship in music and prayer... And of course, there resurfaced the ever-present, oft-repeated concept that ALL remain under God's sovereignty and love for us, where the bigger question looms: ARE we choosing to walk in the Truth of a resurrected life of Christ-love-and-hope...or are we CHOOSING to wallow in the darkness of judgment and condemnation, not just of self, but of 'others'...you know, we all know these "others"--the ones we consider "more" different (from me), the "more" lost (than me), the "more" unworthy (than me...)...? Great questions came up about the bewildering surrealness of the pandemic--and how it has taken away the given notions of normalcy--the given notions of not just everyday work, but of the given notions of necessary work, school, grocery shopping, travel, exercise, celebrating... "normal" sickness and dying, even--as we all used to think of it. I loved the Truth spoken that no, this pandemic is NOT of God (allowed by Him, perhaps, as a means to a reset, a time to go back to our corners, to our tribes, to our selves, and reconsider...remember...rethink...who and what and where and why...and just how we have become what we have become...). I also loved the reminder that no, the pandemic is not of God BUT...redemption IS. And once again, we began to consider for ourselves: am I walking in the spirit of redemption? in the spirit of the resurrected life, the second chance, the aha! moment we will all be celebrating--quietly, personally, in small groups of less that 10--in one week...?
Where am I as we all walk through "the valley of the shadow or death"? Do I KNOW that God walks beside me, through me, with me, IN me through this time of...redemption? Who (or what) is currently sitting upon the throne room of my heart, my focus, my mind...?
Cool stuff, ladies. Stuff that, as someone mentioned, makes for a really really REAL...Lent.
Here are some of the verses that I managed to catch (please add if I missed any). Look them up in your bible when you have a moment...and see what wonder-filled pauses the HolySpirit so desires to speak into your moments this week:
Jeremiah 29:11-14
Matthew 6:33
Romans 8:28-39
Prov 3:5-6
Psalm 37:4
Ephesians 3:16-19
Romans 15:13
Romans 5:5
Ephesians 6:10
For THIS week, we will be moving on to--the NEW TESTAMENT!!! YAY!!! We will be discussing Session 18: Messianic Fulfillment Part 1 (pp 129-132 in the workbook). Please try to view the DVD session as soon as you can BEFORE the class, so that everyone is on the same page for discussion. The readings center around the first 9 chapters of Luke through the Transfiguration--again, all familiar wonderful stories that, maybe we can read through slightly different lenses...!
Ok--that's it from me. Hope to see everyone on Wednesday!!
Love,
Maggie
