Reflections from our Co-Pastors
August 31, 2021
One Breaking Thread in the Web of Man’s Generational Structures and Institutions
I would like to bring us back to the 1st reading from Sunday, Liberation by Irene Zimmerman, OSF, for some further thoughts on humble folk. She shows us Jesus dismissing the oppressive material and political power structure of the day. Jesus turns decidedly toward the ‘humble folk’ to proclaim the Good News…The Good News is that Jesus sees and protests the injustice. He wants the humble folk to be as heard and felt as the rich and powerful. He supports the humble folk by bringing clear vision back to God’s commandment and away from the generations of development of man’s traditions. This is when white doves hover over Jesus with bright wings.
We could imagine the unheard and unseen -- the sick, lame, beggars, women, children, etc. within the crowds following Jesus. I ask that you imagine only woman and include wealthy as well as poor, every age from birth to death noting their socialization, education levels from none to the highest allowed, sexual orientation, degrees of societal subjective beauty including color and facial features, married and widowed, pregnant and carrying children, aged and wrinkled and crippled. See them all. And see them as the ‘humble folk.’
After sitting with that parade of women and watching them parade through your mind’s eye, hear something from Joan Chittister, OSB, in Called to Question: “Men, ‘God’s highest creatures,’ theologians like Augustine taught and Thomas Aquinas later explicated, were closest to God. Males, in other words, are most like God. By virtue of their reason, men are ‘made in the image of God.’ Women on the other hand, by virtue of their single function, generation, were deficient. (Co-pastor here: Pause with me to take this in. I feel dehumanized.)
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Thomas Aquinas calls them ‘a necessary object who is needed to preserve the species and provide food and drink.’ It has always been thus, they told us, and so must always remain’ p 34-35. So, who was God to this woman-creature?
Imagine now what Jesus would say about God’s humble folk!
This God of the centuries, as taught by males in male institutions as church leaders, ‘blinded us to God.’ So, in our Mass prayers, we, co-pastors, stay away as much as possible from images of God as male only. We try to bring the female to God not because God is either male/female or mother/father but because God is All, and because as a prophetic church our mission is to move the church forward. I think that at the pace of change in our world now, it will not take centuries to bring all of God’s creation to its rightful stature but the struggle will go on after we are gone. In the meantime, we continue our life-long spiritual journey. Joan continues, “God is. God is love. God made woman, too, in God’s own image…. God is, Jesus goes before us, life is One. Where we are – the culture we’re in, the faith we hold – is not the only manifestation of God in the world or, even, perhaps, its best one…’belief’ in the canonical or theological sense of the word, is not necessary. It is presence that matters…It is the presence of God that is for our taking. And once we take it, nothing else counts for much.” Taking this in keeps us humble folk.
Jesus said to those who believed in him, “If you live according to my teaching, you really are my disciples; then you’ll know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The Inclusive Bible, Jn 8:32.
Please re-imagine ‘woman.’
Amen.
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Register by September 12th!
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
the Consecration of
The Rev. Kae Madden
as the Region’s First Local Bishop
September 19th at 3:00 p.m.
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Bethany Lutheran Church -- 4500 E. Hampden Ave. -- Cherry Hills Village, CO
In-person participants must register via this LINK.
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Praying for peace, health and well-being through challenging times
+Abdel Illah - nephew of Mary Vogl, member
+Mickey Bogart - friend of Cathy Engel, member
+Dan Scace, and family -friends of Dick and Sandra Life, members, as he is being prepared for chemo.
+Jim Carroll - husband of Dori Carroll, member
+Carol Lake, friend of Co-Pastor Jane
+Courtney Shook - daughter of Tom and Jean Christen, member
+Dorothea Grimm - Mother of Rosanna Bateman, member
+Sue Harari - friend of Cathy Engel
+Mary Detweiller - member
+Jerry Padilla, father and Ryan Cordova nephew of Lisa Jones - member
+Aidan - grandson of Mother Kae.
+Lauren Roob - friend of Rosanna Bateman
+Liz and Ken Zornes and family, whose daughter is struggling with addiction - friends of Sandra and Dick Life
+Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe
+Joanne Gallagher - member, and for her sister, Dr. Barbara Immroth
+Dona Bosse - member
+Rosemary - Fr Michael' mother
+Dani - niece of the Cloyds - members
+Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll
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+Jim and Lucille Bowen friends of Suzanne King, member
+Sharon and Leo Six – parents of Michael Six, member
+Mike Gudim
+Suzanne King - member
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A blessed and peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the families.
Delores Orsi - mother of member Jared Orsi
Herman Phillip - friend of Brad Rouse
Michael Binet - member Joanne Gallagher's Godson
Bernice Wagner - sister of member
Fr. Jim DeMuth - member
Aaron - Son of Morris & Francis Burns,
past members
Adrian - Son of Joe & Ann - friends of
members Cindy and David Cloyd
Mary Crosby - member
Clint Wisdom - brother-in-law of Joan Chapman-Smith
Leon - father of Mother Cynthia
Kristin - daughter of ECC priest Scott Jenkins.
Joan Kneeland - sister-in-law of Bill Kneeland
Rita Ortiz, friend of Deacon Rosean
Margie Weitz - member
Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones
David Heyman -member
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In gratitude for all who pray for and with our community. |
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Recording for Sunday - Aug 29, 2021
The recording of the readings and the homily given by Co-Pastor Rev. Jane Reina is available here. And here is the service document to view or print to assist in prayer.
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Past Recordings, Bulletins, and Announcements
For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during, visit our webpage. Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection with and for the community - marymagdalafc@gmail.com. And feel free to call the office at 970 493-9536.
Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal
What are our partners in ministry up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
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Who Are the 301 Faith Partners? |
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The 301 Faith Partners have a Vision,
Mission and Values statement that guides our relationships, interactions, and shared projects and ministries.
Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’
Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.
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Read the Vision, Mission, Core Values and Covenant here.
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