Dear Faith Family,
"The Bible is an answer to the question, What does God require of man?"
We might rephrase Rabbi Heschel's observation of the ultimate question our scriptures answer: What is required to live: truly, wholly, and free? At least, that's been the question wrestling with us over the last seven or so months since Easter.
From the resurrected rhythm to the simple basics, and most recently, looking into the depths to flourish, we've spent what on the Church calendar is called "Ordinary Time" getting into all the everyday, foundational, and granular contexts in which life is made whole and holy, free and flourishing, or something less. Well, almost all the contexts.
Before the "Cycle of Light" (Advent...Christmas...Epiphany) begins anew, there is one last place our scriptures would have us look to see, hear, and feel what God requires for Life: Church. The fact that this place is a place we go in and for faith, makes it all the more difficult to discern what's off in our orientation to it, which is why we need prophets to help us see clearly what is easily missed.
The prophet's role throughout our faith's history has been through words, performances, and their own lives, to call our awareness to the way, the work, and the with-ness of God in hopes that we might be attentive and live; truly, wholly, and free. Prophets like Isaiah and Van Gogh (yes, you didn't misread that!), which, as we learned Sunday, paint wonderous pictures of real Life, helping us see what we might be overlooking in our church-centered orbits.
If you missed Sunday, I'd encourage you to listen to the sermon or read through the notes and gaze at a Starry Night. But even if you don't, at least allow the prayer below to provide you a glimpse of the prophetic picture of Life and Light from, through, for whom we live, today.
Love you, faith family!
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