A number of us gathered on Wednesday evening for a time of sharing a meal, hearing new ideas, and sharing our thoughts in a safe and caring space. We began our 6-week program on following Jesus through the use of videos by a number of theologians.
We began our study by reading scripture connected with the evening’s topic, since we as Episcopalians are people rooted in scripture. We listened to and engaged with the story of the Good Samaritan.
We then continued our study by listening to Father Greg Boyle who states that following Jesus means standing outside your circle or comfort zone and standing silently until the people you are standing with find their own voice. It sounds so simple, yet is a very complex command. We discussed the steps to get there: identifying where we draw the lines, crossing over the line into a place previously unknown to you, standing there, being present to, and being silent, until your steady presence helps the others to find their own voice. We talked about the trinitarian theology inherent in this process (God, the One who puts the desire in our hearts, Jesus, the One who offers and finds the place of healing and reconciliation, and The Holy Spirit, the One who makes the relationship alive and changes all involved). We spoke how it can be easier and important, yet not the same thing to cross over the line, learn about the people who live in that space, walk back over to your comfort zone and advocate for them. The call is to be present to, be attentive to, and stand silently with others.
We ended our time with Thomas Merton’s prayer,
MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. —Thomas Merton
I think we left with much to ponder. Following Jesus has so many dimensions to it which stretch our souls and minds.