Eastertide is the 50-day period in the Christian calendar that starts with Easter and concludes with the beginning of Pentecost. It is believed that “Easter” is connected to the Proto-Germanic word austron, which means “dawn” and reflects themes of rebirth and renewal associated with springtime.
So, during Eastertide, we will reflect on the resurrection of Jesus for insight into how we might live into our resurrections (renewals) more fully.
“Jesus is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!”
Really?
For many persons, their answer to that sincere question determines whether they consider themselves “Christian” or not. Either we believe that the resurrection of Jesus from the dead was historical fact or it is superstitious fiction. Or perhaps we simply do not care one way or another.
Read More“It is finished.”
Uttering his last words, perhaps barely a whisper, Jesus released his last breath and died.
His struggle subsided; pain ceased; consciousness extinguished.
Jesus was dead.
He was taken down from the cross, and his body was hurriedly and quickly entombed before the beginning of Sabbath. Jesus felt nothing, thought nothing, was no-thing.
Holy Saturday follows the crucifixion of Good Friday, just as the existential torpor of death follows the bodily struggle of dying.
Read MoreAs the most solemn day in the Christian year, Good Friday commemorates the unjust trial and horrific crucifixion of Jesus.
Read MoreMaundy Thursday is primarily known for the “Last Supper”, when Jesus celebrated his last Passover with the disciples. In the years that followed, this commonplace act of sharing a meal developed into the most defining ritual in Christianity, known also as the Eucharist and Communion.
Read MoreWe move into Holy Week, looking through the Passion of Jesus into what might be revealed of our own Christophany, in which the Christic unity of ourselves and God is ultimately revealed in Easter resurrection.
In Jesus’ Passion Story, we witness Jesus living the truth of who he truly is, suffering lesser stories of identity, fear, and abandonment. We accompany him until all is released, dead and buried.
How will we be called this week to dwell more deeply in our true essence, surrender our lesser stories, and lie dormant in our true being until we are called to spring to new life?
How will we die to what is false and abide in true essence? How will the tomb’s emptiness generate life anew?
Read MoreThis week, we invite you …
Every time we tell our story, it is new. There are elements we feel compelled to include, and others we feel ready to let go of or go deeper. Telling our story always includes releasing lesser stories and embracing new ways of understanding our journey.
Read MoreThe gospels tell the origin story of Jesus’ divine vocation. Along with the birth narrative and a few stories of his early life, the lineage of Jesus is given twice, tracing his human and divine heritage. All four gospels recount the story of Jesus’ baptism as a foundational experience in his calling. We have welcomed how “Being named” is a core aspect of vocare, and Jesus receives his mystically from a voice from heaven, “This is my son, the beloved, in whom I have delighted.”
This season of Lent echoes the 40 days in the desert Jesus spent following his baptism. These, and others, are significant events in the origin story of Jesus.
The gospel of John begins by adding another layer to the deeper origin of Jesus.
This week, we invite you to tell your origin story of divine vocation. Or, in other words, the story of the ways you’ve been called in your life.
How has God summoned you to be and to move throughout your years?
How have you received the “true names” of your most essential being—the names of your soul?
What is the deeper spiritual story of your life?
Read MoreDuring this Lenten season, we’re inviting a journey into the divine story. The divine story is not something we read in a book, but one we live every day. It is not just about Jesus, but Christ living in us. It is about our true Origin and our Eternal Life coming into the here and now.
We are invited to release the lesser stories we tell about ourselves, letting go of the limited ways we see who we are.
How can we uncover and embrace more fully our true nature, our divine essence, who we truly are?
May we enter into stories that live not just in the past, but in the fullness of life still to come. Telling the stories of our divine vocation, living and expressing here and now.
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