This has been an eventful week for me. I hope to have a pleasant surprise for my readers next week, so I thought I might end the week with a thought that have been swirling this week. In fact for a long time.
My thoughts were clarified by my friend Rob who sends out various meditations, on occasion. I’ve been honored to have him quote the Pew a few times, but most of today’s come from Richard Rohr.
Anyone — male of female — who has not gone on journeys of powerlessness will invariably abuse power. — Richard Rohr.
What do you think about Rohr’s statement? I’m not inquiring about politics as the current climate might lead one to think. Actually Rohr talks about it in terms of the clergy and their reluctance to preach the gospel because it makes the laity uncomfortable. I find that observation interesting for I’ve always felt a good sermon must at some point make me uncomfortable, and the more uncomfortable I feel, the better the sermon. The prospect of being uncomfortable by a sermon is so unlike the messages coming out of the mega or prosperity churches that seem to be everywhere these days.
Rohr reminds us that Jesus taught his disciples about surrender, humility, the necessity of suffering, and non violence, and his disciples fought those messages everyday. To finally get them through their thick skulls he had to take the journey himself and tells them, “Follow Me.” Then Rohr goes on to say that some clergy and laity want to hear his message to be “Worship me” because that message is risk free, where following Jesus changes everything.
What do you think? I’m certainly no expert, I’m just trying to get you to think.
Have a good weekend and enjoy the beauty of Fall. Webb.
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