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A website for open-minded discussions and exploration on spiritual topics, moral issues and life's big questions. Brought to you by the people of The United Church of Canada.
The following Minister's Minute columns were written by Rev. Rose-Hannah Gaskin and appeared in The Delta Optimist on the dates indicated.
February 20, 2010
I read that the human body has 206 bones and 639 muscles, skin, internal organs, blood, fat and nervous system, to name some of the components. It is one of the most complex systems in existence. That is why the metaphor of the Church as the body of Christ is so compelling.
Paul did not invent this metaphor when he wrote to the new church at Corinth, it had been used before. But Paul changed the way the metaphor was used by implying the parts were equal in importance and inter-dependent, that is, not a hierarchy.
For Christians, our baptism makes us part of the Body of Christ. It changes us; we are no more just an individual. Every single person in the Church matters. We know God loves us when we are held in a community of love.
Many people today are longing for a safe community where they can be valued and loved for who they are. Baptism into the Body of Christ offers that sense of belonging, but baptism also gives us the responsibility of participating.
The healthy congregation invites each member to find their answer to the question of being who they are and staying closely connected to others. We need to embrace BOTH individual and corporate health to function well, to be truly whole.
January 23, 2010
How can the preacher preach about God’s abundant love in the face of the tragedy in Haiti? Where is God's abundance and love, and compassion there? These questions are timeless.
If God is all-powerful, why would he let such disaster befall the already down-trodden people of Haiti? There is no simple answer.
There is, however, abundance in this situation; abundance of tragedy and now, abundance of response from many countries. This action of coming to the aid of these poor people immediately is perhaps a sign of God's love - enacted through humankind. And just maybe, there will be some ongoing action on the part of the world to ensure that Haiti gets the help and support that has been needed for more than 100 years, to redress the poverty and starvation of the people and the abuses of the rich and powerful in leadership/governance.
Our God has a special concern for widows and orphans it is said. A preferential option for the poor and dispossessed. A passion for justice and peace. This God, often works through people of faith like you and I.
In the wake of this unspeakable tragedy, we have the opportunity to understand the interconnectedness of all life. We can see that we need to care for others, in far away countries and to work towards justice and peace for all.
December 26, 2009
We've been talking about Advent and last week, John the Baptist's message of repentance.
Given that the word 'repentance' means to get a new mind, to turn around, to change your way of seeing things, I think there are applications for our day and time in history.
One example that I think of is the need as Western Christendom to re-think how we see the 'other' part of Creation.
Seems we have thought of it as for our use, and in everlasting abundance. The evidence of this can be seen in the history of mining, forestry practices and, as I learned last night, fishing practices. We are now seeing the signs of all this running out in a few decades. We could add fresh drinkable water to this list, maybe even clean air itself.
To be sure there are always several 'sides' to every controversy, but for me, the environmental crisis is real and action is urgently needed. I hope and pray that the important conference in Copenhagen yields some significant repentance on the part of countries such as our own.
As a citizen, I am prepared to 'pay' for the changes needed. Let us act for change and preservation, and let us act now. I can see John the Baptist preaching in our streets as I listen to those who advocate for speedy and decisive actions to address the looming crisis on our planet. I see it as an act of faith and good stewardship of God's creation.
November 28, 2009
On Sunday, November 29th, the Christian church begins a new year. It starts with four weeks of preparation for the wondrous birth of the Christ Child at Christmas. We call this season Advent. It is a time of waiting and preparation for the Holy One to be born anew in us. It is an invitation to slow down and take the time to be reminded of how precious life is, and how fragile.
I love this season, as it feels authentic to me, resonating with real life, and its highs and lows. Often I find the commercial side of Christmas tends to convey that all is happy and bright, and in my heart I just know that ALL is not.
For example, despair is a familiar and prevalent human emotion, and Christmas or holiday festivities can serve to deepen despair for many who find their life looks nothing whatsoever like the picture perfect version on greeting cards and TV.
One of the themes in Advent that speaks directly to this deep sadness about life is HOPE. Hope that is grounded in God's promise of justice and peace. God's faithfulness and steadfast love is a central theme throughout the bible and it can bring light into the darkest night.
Our faith tradition invites us to cling to the hope that God’s promised kingdom will indeed come on earth even though it may at times seem impossible. We are encouraged to watch for the small signs of hope and light in our daily lives, and to wait with patience and confidence for the Holy Mystery to unfold.
October 31, 2009
I believe that God is at work in our lives today.
First of all, I believe God made us to be in relationship with one another and with God. And, we were made with free will-power to make choices.
I believe that one must cultivate a relationship with God, just as we do with a person or animal. The spiritual wisdom of the ages says that this is often done through regular prayer, silence, meditation, contemplation, or whatever word one wishes to use. Again, the wisdom of the ages says this requires, an attitude of openness, trust, humility, patience, and a commitment to a daily discipline of what one author calls "resting in God".
So that is what I mean about discerning the path ahead. Waiting, in patience and trust, watching to see if there is a door opening, all the while in a non-anxious manner.
I rarely achieve all these qualities in any measure, but once in a while I see the lightness of it all. Part of this requires a letting go of what one thinks one knows. Sometimes one must let go of things and people and places too --- certainly the Bible gives witness to that.
At the foundation of it all, is a trust in God, or at least-the desire to trust in God. Sometimes it means acting as if one has trust in God.
October 3, 2009
There is something curious about human nature that apparently has not changed since biblical times.
In the book of Exodus we read about the people of Israel wandering in the desert. They are somewhat afraid about all the uncertainty and they do a lot of complaining...about food, water, basic comforts, and survival itself. Most often, their leader, Moses intercedes, asking God for help with the specific requests for food and water and also, at times, help for himself in dealing with the complaining people. Invariably God responds and provides.
These stories draw a sharp contrast the peoples' ongoing fear and complaints and God's faithfulness, protection, and gracious care. Is it our human nature that makes us fearful and never satisfied? Or, was it just these particular peoples' traumatic experience in Egypt? Strangely, they don't like their freedom and are complaining about the experience! The amazing thing is that God brings faith out of just such weakness and failure.
This is but one among many stories in the sacred scriptures that show human beings as they are. We aren't so different than our forbearers when it comes to ‘desert’ times of dramatic change and uncertainty. But, the message is that God is with us on the journey into the unknown future, and we can trust in that.
September 5, 2009
What better time to talk about gratitude than summer!
The English word gratitude comes from the Latin gratia or gift. Gratitude as conviction, practice and discipline is part of being fully alive.
All major spiritual traditions name gratitude amongst the highest goals. In the face of tragedy and evil, it is the hardest spiritual practice of all and one that develops over a lifetime.
In his book, Seasons of Grace, Alan Jones tells us that without gratitude we are left vulnerable to cynicism, anger, low-grade depression, and a nagging sense of dissatisfaction.
We suffer a loss of vitality and delight. We become closed rather than open to what life offers us.
In practicing gratitude even in the worst circumstances, we give our life integrity, choosing to view life fundamentally as a source of joy, the world as loving and giving of what we need rather than the opposite.
A practice of gratitude is an antidote to disconnectedness and a distorted view of life.
It can renew our life force, rekindle our love of life, our deep joy at being alive. It begins as we slow down and awaken to what is all around us.
It grows as we cultivate a sense of wonder and awe again. It is nurtured as we recognize and cultivate the sources of these feelings.
August 8, 2009
Where to From Here?
The present day church is really in a challenging place in post-modern North American society. As a leader, I am frankly confused about where to lead!
Does one stick to known, comfortable routines and places as long as it is humanly possible? Or does one ride out to meet the challenges head on, new plans in hand?
The problem is that those who show up every Sunday morning for worship are the very ones who are comfortable with things as they have always been. Why upset them on the off chance, that new liturgy, or music, or styles of worship will bring in new people to share the life of the faith community?
On the other hand, if one waits until change is forced upon the community, there will likely not be time or choices with which to respond! How do church leaders find the creative balance and help the congregation evolve and adapt to new times? What should we hang on to resolutely and what needs to be let go?
The only thing I am convinced of is that God’s Holy Spirit is in the midst of this fast-changing picture, and a skillful church leader remembers to take the necessary time to attune his or her self to that powerful Force for bringing new life out of death. This is one constant in a sea of change.
June 2009
Today one often hears the statement, “I am spiritual, not religious”.
This short statement usually means many things. Likely this speaker does not attend Sunday worship services. Perhaps they have a mixture of spiritual “rituals” or patterns that they have found to be meaningful to them. It is frequently a way of saying my spiritual life is private, and unique to me.
John’s gospel has a story of a religious teacher who was very eager to learn from Jesus how to ensure he would have eternal life. It’s an interesting story in the light of the statement mentioned earlier because here, it’s almost as if the man responds to Jesus’ teaching by saying “I am religious, not spiritual”!
You see this man, Nicodemus, is very learned, rational and logical in his thinking. Jesus, in his characteristic way, does not give the man a logical, rational answer to his searching question, and the man just cannot get what he is being told, because it “doesn’t make sense”!
Jesus is telling him that one cannot earn eternal life. It is already ours as a gift from the God who loves us unconditionally. Spiritual life is not calculated or logical. God’s Holy Spirit is free like the wind.
Isn’t it true that sometimes we can get stuck in a way of thinking that makes us blind to the point?
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