Jesus' passion and death exemplified in dramatic theater a "third way," which is neither fight nor flight, but a little of both. It is fleeing enough to detach oneself from excessive ego and the emotions that attach to it and fighting just enough to stand up courageously against evil.
Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation
Jesus Washing Peter's Feet (1852-56/detail), Ford Madox Brown, Tate Gallery, London
Jesus Washing Peter's Feed (1852-56/detail), Ford Madox Brown, Tate Gallery, London    
Jesus: The Servant
The Suffering Servant
Sunday, March 8, 2015  

Last week we looked at the ways in which Jesus was a quintessential Jew. This week we will see how he also seemed to positively enact Isaiah's four beautiful "servant songs" (Isaiah 42:1-4, 49:1-6, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12). These four passages show amazing prescient knowledge of what it would take to move history from "the myth of redemptive violence" to the truth of redemptive suffering. Even though Jesus walked and exemplified this upside-down notion of a Messiah, most Christians merely worshiped and admired it in him ("substitutionary atonement theory") instead of imitating such a transformative pattern in their own lives. Too-easy worship is a clever disguise for actual imitation.

 

The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue,

for me to know how to give a word of comfort to the weary.

 

Jesus' ministry was one of teaching and healing, and his healings were usually audio-visual aids for his teachings. He comforted the weary, whereas the Church largely kept "saving the saved." Jesus seemed to be into "universal health care," and now we make it a privilege for a few instead of a basic human need and right.

 

Each morning he wakes me to hear, to listen like a disciple.

The Lord Yahweh has opened my ear.

 

Jesus learned how to listen long and hard ("pray") before every major decision and before he even began to speak publicly, around the age of thirty.

 

For my part, I made no resistance,

Neither did I turn away.

 

Jesus clearly taught and lived nonviolence his entire life, up to and including his death. We could not admit or see this once we were attached to using violence. Jesus moved into the pain of the world to reveal it, to identify with it, and thus to transform it; we largely inflicted pain on others to prove ourselves "right."

 

I offered my back to those who struck me,

My cheek to those who tore at my beard;

I did not cover my face

Against insult and spittle.

 

Jesus' passion and death exemplified in dramatic theater this "third way," which is neither fight nor flight, but a little of both. It is fleeing enough to detach oneself from excessive ego and the emotions that attach to it and fighting just enough to stand up courageously against evil, paying the price for change yourself. Such a third way, I believe, is the unique pattern of the Gospel. It neither plays the victim nor creates victims of others. How rare this is, even today.

Adapted from The Great Themes of Scripture: Old Testament, p. 70 (published by Franciscan Media);
and The Path of Descent, disc 4, (CD, MP3 download)
Gateway to Silence
The way down is the way up.
The Center for Action and Contemplation is proud to cosponsor a gathering for contemplative lovers of stories and light.

 

Movies and Meaning: A Dream Space

Thursday, May 28-Sunday, May 31, 2015

Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

You are invited to a new and unique event:

 

Films curated by Gareth Higgins, founding director of Movies and Meaning and the Wild Goose Festival

 

Conversations with Richard Rohr and special guests at the intersection of contemplation, activism, art, and transformation

 

Receive 10% off registration when you use coupon code CAC2015

 

 Visit moviesandmeaning.com/festival for more information and to register. 

 

Please visit moviesandmeaning.com/festival for full details and registration. As Movies and Meaning is not a CAC event, CAC is unable to assist with registration details.

CAC is seeking extraordinary individuals interested in carrying forward our nearly 30-year history of helping people discover their unique vocation in service to the world. We're looking for someone to steer CAC's branding and communications as well as two individuals to provide administrative support. Would you like to join us? Visit cac.org/job-openings to learn more!
2015 Daily Meditation Theme

Richard Rohr's meditations this year explore his "Wisdom Lineage," the teachers, texts, and traditions that have most influenced his spirituality. Read an introduction to the year's theme and view a list of the elements of Fr. Richard's lineage in CAC's January newsletter, the Mendicant.  

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