why does it matter
Last week, I completed an 8-week small group course on the recent book of Rowan Williams: Discovering Christianity: A guide for the curious. It’s small book whose purpose is to describe key aspects of Christianity, particularly for those who are skeptical or simply not aware of the core essentials. It’s also helpful for those who want to recover - or rediscover - what they have forgotten. In 8 chapters, Williams, the foremost theologian of this time, and former Archbishop of Canterbury, explores history, tradition, theology, reason, prayer, community. Concluding with a chapter aptly called: ‘why does it matter?’ Our class eagerly joined in conversation and learned much along the way. I highly recommend the book. Here is an excerpt from ‘why does it matter?’
“There are all kinds of epiphanies, experiences, manifestations of the holy. There is a German poem by Rilke about an Ancient Greek statue, ending with the lines: ‘There is no place where you are unseen. You have to change your life.’ This sense of revelation that invites you to change is part of what the gospel is about; but not quite everything. The revelation is itself a revelation of an act of love realized in the life and death and rising again of Jesus, in which you are invited to come, and with which you are both invited and enabled to co-operate. Come and see. See whether it is possible for you to discover fresh horizons from here and to be made alive in the way.
“Across the human world many ways are proposed for human healing. For the restoration of humanity. But the claim of the gospel is quite simply that here, in this encounter with this person, we are brought to what that Gospel of John itself describes as a secure and eternal place, ‘in the bosom of the Father,’ next to the heart of all things the place where fear become meaningless.
“So, in considering what Christianity is all about, and what faith in Jesus really means, we are left with a question, and an invitation. ‘What do you want?’ says Jesus; and then, ‘Come and see.’ And we might remember those other profoundly resonant words in the Gospels that Jesus speaks to his friends: ‘Launch out into the deep.’ Understand that your life lies in the not knowing as well as the knowing. Your life lies in understanding your limits, in letting go and allowing love, reconciliation and intimacy to flourish; in aligning yourself with the energy of creative gift that sustains the entire universe. If this begins to hang together as a possible ground for living in this damaged and intermittently wonderful world, we shall have begun to discover what actual Christian commitment might mean.”
I’ll be in Colorado for a couple of weeks on vacation exploring Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park , and convening our annual Pastors’ retreat. It’s a rich time together combining outdoor experiences with theological reflections and conversations about life & ministry. I hope you are able to have some time of enjoyment this summer, knowing how many find that impossible.
Male ruby-throated hummingbird