Where our Journeys Meet - November 9
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 80; PM Psalm 77, [79]; Joel 1:1-13; Rev. 18:15-24; Luke 14:12-24
I worshipped last night. I know that sounds weird coming from a priest. But, I went to church at our 5pm service with no intention other than to pray with the community and sit in silence and work to feel connected to the people in my life and the people of Saint Stephen’s. There were about twenty-five of us spread out through the nave. Candles adorned the altar and the steps leading up to the sanctuary. The light danced throughout our simple and modest space, reflecting in the windows behind the altar and yet drawing our attention to the center of the room. It was lovely and much needed.
Two weeks from now, the tone and candor of the service will change. We will be introducing Celtic words and prayers. Lore has it that the community of Iona in Scotland was founded by St. Columba in 563. Iona is home to one of the most ancient communities of Christians and their words are still relevant today. This prayer taken from the worship book from the Christian Community of Iona will be used to welcome those who have joined our 5pm service on November 22.
“Leader Creator of the world, eternal God,
People We have come from many places for a little while.
Leader Redeemer of humanity, God-with-us,
People We have come with all our differences, seeking common ground.
Leader Spirit of unity, go-between God,
People We have come on journeys of our own, to a place where journeys meet.
Leader So here in this shelter house,
let us take time together.
For when paths cross and pilgrims gather,
there is much to share and celebrate.
People In your name, three-in-one God, pattern of community. Amen.”
I love this image. Imagine how profound the reminder is that we have come with all our differences, seeking common ground. How important today and all days to be reminded that our journeys meet with all of the messiness of our opinions, our experiences, with the profound hope that we will find common ground and unity.
The story in today’s Gospel reading from Luke gives us an idea of how this practice might take place. Jesus is once again using the image of a beautiful banquet to help us imagine the kingdom of God. As is often the case with Luke’s way of sharing the story, the focus is on the sick, lame, poor, and blind. Luke seems to be especially mindful that for our parties to truly reflect the kingdom of God, they need to be more expansive, more inclusive, and open. This seems to be so challenging because our natural human inclination around building community is to find people that we have shared experiences with and build off those shared experiences. But Jesus says, “No! You must dig deeper.”
Luke’s image is one of people with profound differences gathering together for a feast. The prayer from Iona reminds us that whenever paths cross and pilgrims gather, “there is much to share and celebrate.” If you are struggling with the divisions of our country, then see the words of Luke as a reminder that it is actually a hopeful image to find people with different world views, experiences, and beliefs and to gather as pilgrims. Notice Luke doesn’t focus on the conversation. Instead, the focus is on celebration.
“We have come from many places for a little while. We have come with all our differences, seeking common ground. We have come on journeys of our own, to a place where journeys meet. In your name, three-in-one God, pattern of community. Amen.”
John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: What does it take for you to feel welcome in a new community? How do you work to welcome others.
Daily Challenge: Think of someone today that you find yourself in conflict with and consider how your journeys have overlapped and where the journeys do meet and can continue to meet.