Loving the Mystery Peter Fitch, St. Croix Vineyard Sunday, July 3, 2016

Are there holy places? Or can anyplace become holy?

Last week Laurie’s talk on prayer Treasure old and new But wait, there’s more... Leslie, not to mention Tony

Other times Tom and Cathy Knox Ancaster Sunday Richard Rohr day Karen’s gift

Matter of flow, rather than of correct understanding? Remember that any prayer you might say consciously is but a wave on the surface of the great prayer being prayed deeply in you by the source of love every moment of your life. Remembering the mystery of God’s presence with us, which is at once immanent, transcendent, and all-pervasive, it is obvious that we cannot be attending to the true presence of God if we are focusing solely on a word, phrase or image.

At the very best, these are only symbolic reflections and expressions of God’s presence and our desire. In moments of sheer grace, the symbols become icons: windows that give us a glimpse into the all-pervading presence of God’s love. But always they are the means, not the end. Gerald May, The Awakened Heart

Mystery may be an important concept... Gerald May mentioned the “mystery of God’s Presence with us” Turns out that it’s a fairly prominent word in the New Testament For instance, some of Jesus’ parables are about “the mystery of God’s Kingdom” It also turns up quite a bit in the writings of St. Paul

Early Church Leadership Qualifications (1 Timothy 3:8-10) 8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double- tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. How do you “hold to the mystery of faith”? Sounds like holding firmly to a mass of Jello...

Colossians 1:24-29 (NRSV) 24 I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. 25 I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:24-29 (NRSV) 28 It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me.

My guesses... Probably every human has experiences of “mystery” Perhaps it is possible to have more of these if we live or “flow” in certain ways I think we experience quite a few in our community, though I’m sure there are places that experience many more Rather than holding jello, or living with vague uncertainties, perhaps the NT writers are correct in suggesting that Christ Himself is the Mystery If so, we need to learn how to hold on to Him

Colossians 2:1-3 (NRSV) For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face. 2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

What can we learn about the Mystery? Hidden throughout the ages but, St. Paul says, now revealed A mystery full of riches and glory It is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” A maturing appreciation of this is possible So is an “assured understanding” So is access through Christ “to all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”

I’m not sure how it works... But it probably has something to do with “knowing” Christ in some form of mystical union It also must involve an attempt to become like Him It also must entail the ability to “hold” on to Him in spite of bad circumstances or problems with shame and self-image You almost get the feeling that if you can do these things, it’s not so important to be so moralistic; rather, it’s like a river that carries you in its flow toward what you are supposed to become

Game at Assisi

Mystical Moment: Instructions for today: Take a few moments of silence right now Ask God the following question: What aspect of Jesus’ life would you like me to learn about this week? Next, ask this: Is there anywhere special you would like me to look? Then ask: Is there someone You would like me to help as I’m learning this?