Theme: Teaching and Learning in the Spiritual Journey
M3M: August 21, 2008
Opening #8 As We Gather in Your Presence
Prayer #36 Holy One, Holy and Mighty
Table #57 Reveal Yourself to us, O Christ
Sanctus #32 Holy, Holy, Holy One 2
Closing #2 All Creation, Dance and Sing
A Reading from the Christian Gospel: John 1: 29-41 The Message, paraphrase
The very next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and yelled out, “Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb! He forgives the sins of the world! This is the man I have been talking about, the One who comes after me but who is really ahead of me. I knew nothing about who he was – only this: that my task has been to get Israel ready to recognize his as the God Revealer That is why I came here baptizing with water, giving you a good bath and scrubbing sins from your life so you can get a fresh start with God.”
John clinched his witness with this: “I watched the Spirit like a dove flying down out of the sky, making himself at home in him. I repeat , I know nothing about him except this: The One who authorized me to baptize with water told me, “The One on whom you see the Spirit come down and stay, this One will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” “That’s exactly what I saw happen, and I am telling you there is no question about it: This is the Son of God.”
The next day John was at his post with two disciples, who were watching. He looked up, saw Jesus walking near by and said, “Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb.” The two disciples heard him and went after Jesus. Jesus looked over his shoulder and said to them, “What are you after?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), where re you staying?” he replied, “Come and see for yourself.” They came, saw where he was living, and ended up staying with him for the day. It was late afternoon when this happened. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s witness and followed Jesus. The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother Simon, telling him, “We’ve found the Messiah” (that is, Christ).”
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
A Reading from the Jewish Tradition: “A Teacher’s Blessing: Berakhot 17a Eyes remade for Wonder P. 217, Lawrence Kushner
May you live to see your world fulfilled. May your destiny be for worlds still to come, and may you trust in generations past and yet to come.
May your heart be filled with intuition and your words be filled with insight. May songs of praise ever be upon your tongue and your vision be on a straight path before you. May your eyes shine with the light of holy words and your face reflect the brightness of the heavens. May your lips ever speak wisdom and your fulfillment be in righteousness.
Even as you yearn to hear the words of the Holy Ancient One of Old.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
A Reading from the Continuing Revelation of God to People of Faith: Teachers, Spirituality and Healing: Spiritual Practices for Human Being”
Whether they are called sages, masters, elders, crones, rebbes, gurus, shaikhs, ministers, or priests, teachers play an important part in our spiritual unfolding. They instruct directly and indirectly through stories, parables, koans, sermons, lectures, and personal example. They recommend readings in sacred texts, assign exercises and tasks to be accomplished, demonstrate devotional acts, and challenge us to reach the sacred fullness of our potential.
Of course, eventually, in the spiritual life, there comes a point when we realize that everything we encounter and everyone we meet is a teacher. We can even learn from seemingly negative experiences such as difficulties, personal warps, enemies, suffering, illness, and death. The first step in this practice, then is to choose to see all life as a classroom filled with spiritual lessons. Be a lifelong learner who walks in humility and with receptivity.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
