Imagine the church unrestrained
I was reading some comments by contemporary theologian Walter Brueggemann regarding the season of Pentecost. He makes these comments firstly of the church ….
“It is not an institution, but rather a community of folk who are propelled by God’s own spirit, situated in Jesus’ own narrative, and alive in the world in alternative ways.”
In making these comments Brueggemann is not only making comment on the nature of the early church situated around Jesus human incarnation some 2020 years ago but also and as importantly he is making comment on the nature of the church we need to live in today. Where we are a community that stands over against institution – where we are propelled not by regulation or fear but by God’s own Spirit. Continue reading “Imagine the church unrestrained”
What is true?
It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss —
This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction —
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever —
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world —
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers —
This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.
adapted from Testimony: The Word Made Flesh, by Daniel Berrigan, S.J. Orbis Books, 2004.
