Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11; Titus 2:11-14,3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16,21-22; Psalm 104
January 9, 2022
Roger Gateson
Good Morning
My homily this morning is about a recent personal experience. I suppose that my desire to share it may exceed your desire to hear it … but that’s a risk every homilist takes.
Last Thursday, January 6, was officially the Feast of Epiphany. However, for me personally, my own epiphany came - not last Thursday, not at Worship last Sunday, but during Advent at our last Seed Group meeting … and just in time for Christmas.
Over the last few years my faith journey has been rather bumpy probably because of my experiences with both reading scripture and the institutional church. I believe that the inspired word of God must in some way be true, but interpreting many passages was beyond me. The long history of misinterpretation and injustice perpetuated by the church was also undermining confidence. In the last few months, I have been close to walking away from what was once my valued faith practice. What to do? Prayer, of course. And reading. And talking to close friends. I needed a new road map and new guideposts.
I was about to be given both.
Our seed group is called “My Container Doesn’t Fit Anymore”. We focus on exploring new approaches to the Bible and Christianity which align better with our evolving understanding of God, life and the universe. It certainly is challenging. However, having an open, honest community willing to share longings and difficulties and new insights has been freeing and life-giving.
On the evening in question, we watched a video of Mirabai Starr from The Center for Action and Contemplation in Santa Fe interviewing Rev. Michael Petrow.
I can only skim the surface of what we experienced that evening, but there were a few concepts, which, as I heard them, shone like stars in a dark night sky.
The first deals with how to read scripture. The suggestion is not entirely new to us, but I found that the questions which followed were. Petrow advises: “Before discarding any text as impossible, false, or irrelevant, reread it several times on multiple levels”. Instead of becoming affronted, reactionary, and argumentative, as I sometimes have, remain open, and willing to revisit the text often from different perspectives.
- A text can be read on a literal level, as a story, but the historical/cultural/political context should be taken into consideration. Helpful questions might be: What would the readers or listeners of the time have heard in the story? What would they have wanted to hear? What would they have needed to hear?
- A text can also be read on a psychological and experiential level. Helpful questions would be: What would the original listeners and readers have experienced or felt? What do you experience or feel as you read it? Is there a difference? Does that give a clue as to why the text was written as it was?
- It might also be read contemplatively on a spiritual, mystical level. Helpful questions: What does it say to your heart? To your spirit? Why? Is this perhaps what the passage means eternally? Sometimes you can’t explain logically. Like falling in love, you just know.
Before Christmas I tried reading the stories of the nativity this way. It was a rewarding experience.
In addition to the advice about how to read scripture, 4 phrases really stood out that evening. They relate to the purpose and process of the faith journey. The first is this:
- “Perfection is not an absence of flaw, but a perpetual state of transformation”.
Neither Faith nor wisdom nor relationship to God demands we be flawless.
We will never be without flaws; but we can, as long as we live, allow ourselves to be transformed. That continual transformation will be our perfection. When our faith has become routine or in doubt, Petrow recommends digging deeper. As he says, “Lean in”.
The second and third phrases relate to undertaking this open-ended journey of transformation together in community rather than journeying alone.
- “Exploration is better than explanation.”
- “Discussion is better than definition.”
Revisiting issues, talking with others in a trusted community is good only if there is open-mindedness and a willingness to share both discoveries and reservations. The goal is not to win a debate or to come to final definitions and explanations. Exploration and discussion are their own rewards.
- Lastly, “Life is not a straight line; it’s a circle” and that circle contains the arc of healing and transformation”
Petrow suggests that the best way forward is to be willing to circle back to the past whether it be interpretations of faith or life experiences. He says to “ sit at the feet of our stories” reverently, expectantly, in order to discover new things about our faith and ourselves.
I was really inspired during our meeting 4 weeks ago to follow up on some of these ideas.
Reading scripture on the 3 levels: literal, experiential, and mystical
Asking those provocative questions.
Focusing not on gaining certainty and getting it right and more on welcoming whatever transformation comes.
Placing more value on exploring questions than on answers I may or may not find.
Recognizing that instead abandoning the past, the best way forward may be circling back.
I hope that some part of this is helpful to you, because for me that evening in Seed Group was really exciting. A light shone revealing a way forward resulting in a renewed ability to celebrate with joy and gratitude. I don’t know if it was God speaking, but I’m glad that this year, for me at least, Epiphany preceded Christmas.
Blessings on the journey.