The Great Misfortune

In light of the message @ WBCC this morning, we thought we’d re-share a beautiful parable by Peter Rollins that we read a few weeks ago.  THE GREAT MISFORTUNE  looks more directly at how we can walk alongside those in suffering, rather than what our answer should be.  Enjoy:

THE GREAT MISFORTUNE (from The Orthodox Heretic)

There was once an old man named Benoni who had known great misfortune through life, having lost his wife and children to poverty, disease, and war. The many lines on his face betrayed his pain, and his heart was filled with sorrow and regret. Indeed he barely had the strength to carry on.

But there was one who had drawn alongside him in his sorrow. His comforter was the village blacksmith, a strong but caring man who exhibited a gentle, humble, and charitable way of life. People knew very little about this blacksmith, as he was

Stray Cat

A great illustration from Peter Rollins on how spiritual practice can become empty ritual.  made me laugh and then think deep about how I practice faith too!

There was once a wise teacher who would go to the temple every evening to pray with his disciples.  By the temple there was a stray cat who would wander in every evening and disturb these prayers and disturb the peace.  So, each evening before prayers the teacher would tie the cat to a tree outside before entering.  The teacher was old and passed away a few years later.  His disciples continued to tie the cat to the tree each evening before prayers.

Eventually the cat died and so some of the disciples purchased a new cat so that they could continue the ritual.  After a hundred years the tree died and a new one was quickly planted so that the cat (by now the 18th generation cat!) could be tied to it.  Over the centuries learned scholars began to write books on the symbolic meaning of the act.

from How (Not) to Speak of God

what’s your motivation?

tonight, we’ll dive into a discussion with Jesus and the crowds in John 6 as well as hear about $200 conversions via video with Peter Rollins.  The question at hand: What motivates you & I to engage Jesus and perhaps attempt to believe & follow him?  Since Rollins gives a lot to consider in just a couple minutes– here’s a look at the video that will be part of tonight.  Remember, we’ll also share about the group experiment from last week- see the previous post.  and see you tonight!  

$200_Conversions

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deeper community, the suspended space, and great irish accents

Some of us recently discussed some videos by writer/speaker Peter Rollins. In this short video, Rollins discusses the suspended space, and challenges us to consider what sort of community we’re hoping to create when we come together and meet eye to eye. take a minute to listen & be provoked…

suspended_space

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