Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation
"From the Bottom Up: Summary"
"Breach-Menders"
Sunday, December 24, 2017
---
"From the Bottom Up: Summary""Breach-Menders"
Sunday, December 24, 2017
---
The ancient ruins will be rebuilt,
You will build on age-old foundations,
You will be called “Breach-Mender,”
Restorer of ruined houses. (Isaiah 58:12)
Throughout this year’s Daily Meditations, I have tried to follow in the footsteps of great reformers like Isaiah, Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, and Martin Luther. In 1205, Francis heard these words in a vision: “Rebuild my church, for you see it is falling into ruin.” Francis simply focused on different things, an alternative orthodoxy that he believed was the “marrow of the Gospel.”
Every so often, religious institutions become rigid and need to be revived, reformed, and reborn. When churches become machines more than movements, it’s a sign that they must shake off the historical and cultural calcifications so they can continue evolving as a living movement. Just as in Scripture and our own lives, growth is never in a straight line; it is often three steps forward and two steps backward.
This year, the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation—when so many people are leaving the church and Christianity’s reputation may seem irreparably damaged—felt like a good time to again rebuild our faith “from the bottom up.” Rather than coming from those in power at the top, the most effective and lasting change happens at the grass-roots level, led by those who are on the “edge of the inside” and are not dependent upon the status quo.
This year we’ve explored many first principles or essential elements of the Christian tradition, attempting to clear away the rubble of unhelpful theology, low-level thinking, abuse of power, and misunderstanding. Even if you aren’t Christian, I hope you’ve been able to apply universal themes to your own spiritual journey. Here are just some of those topics (find more in the online archive):
As this year draws to a close, may you go and grow forward as a breach-mender, restoring the places in which God’s presence has become hidden or misrepresented. Have courage and be tender.
The ancient ruins will be rebuilt,
You will build on age-old foundations,
You will be called “Breach-Mender,”
Restorer of ruined houses. (Isaiah 58:12)
Throughout this year’s Daily Meditations, I have tried to follow in the footsteps of great reformers like Isaiah, Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, and Martin Luther. In 1205, Francis heard these words in a vision: “Rebuild my church, for you see it is falling into ruin.” Francis simply focused on different things, an alternative orthodoxy that he believed was the “marrow of the Gospel.”
Every so often, religious institutions become rigid and need to be revived, reformed, and reborn. When churches become machines more than movements, it’s a sign that they must shake off the historical and cultural calcifications so they can continue evolving as a living movement. Just as in Scripture and our own lives, growth is never in a straight line; it is often three steps forward and two steps backward.
This year, the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation—when so many people are leaving the church and Christianity’s reputation may seem irreparably damaged—felt like a good time to again rebuild our faith “from the bottom up.” Rather than coming from those in power at the top, the most effective and lasting change happens at the grass-roots level, led by those who are on the “edge of the inside” and are not dependent upon the status quo.
This year we’ve explored many first principles or essential elements of the Christian tradition, attempting to clear away the rubble of unhelpful theology, low-level thinking, abuse of power, and misunderstanding. Even if you aren’t Christian, I hope you’ve been able to apply universal themes to your own spiritual journey. Here are just some of those topics (find more in the online archive):
- Scripture, Experience, and Tradition
- Contemplation
- Trinity
- The Cosmic Christ
- Salvation as At-One-Ment
- Law and Grace
- Sin as Separation
- Nonviolence
- Faith and Science
- Sexuality and Gender
As this year draws to a close, may you go and grow forward as a breach-mender, restoring the places in which God’s presence has become hidden or misrepresented. Have courage and be tender.
Gateway to Silence: You make all things new.
---
References:
Adapted from Richard Rohr, Near Occasions of Grace (Orbis Books: 1993), xv-xvi.---
We wish you a joyful Christmas and a peaceful New Year! The Center for Action and Contemplation offices and visitor center are closed December 23 through January 1.
CAC’s online bookstore, store.cac.org, is open year-round! Due to the holidays and our annual inventory process, fulfillment of orders may be delayed; please allow additional time to receive your purchase.
---
References:
Adapted from Richard Rohr, Near Occasions of Grace (Orbis Books: 1993), xv-xvi.---
We wish you a joyful Christmas and a peaceful New Year! The Center for Action and Contemplation offices and visitor center are closed December 23 through January 1.
CAC’s online bookstore, store.cac.org, is open year-round! Due to the holidays and our annual inventory process, fulfillment of orders may be delayed; please allow additional time to receive your purchase.
---
Copyright © 2017
The Center for Action and Contemplation
PO Box 12464 (mailing)
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87195, United States
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment