Discovering Spiritual Aw9areness (series), Shadow and Substance, by Rev Steven R Mitchell, based on Genesis 1:27-28 and Psalm 13

Discovering Spiritual Awareness (series)

“Shadow and Substance”

By Rev Steven R Mitchell

Mountain View United Church, Aurora, CO 6/28/2015

Based on Genesis 1:27-28 and Psalm 139:1, 13-20, 23-24

 

        Have you ever felt like the odd-person out in your family?  I was the religious freak in my extended family and when inviting family members to attend church with me, the battle cry in refusing my invitations was, “I don’t need church to be spiritual”, and they were correct.  You do not need church to recognize God and the reality that there is a higher being that seems to have woven the universe and life together.  Today I hear the same from non-church going folks, “I’m spiritual but not religious.”  

So what does being Spiritual really mean?  How do I recognize a spiritual journey?  How do I measure the relevance of spirituality within my life?  Or, in a world of Donald Trump’s what value is there to being “spiritual?”  These are questions that the modern church (religion) has not been very effective in answering, sometimes not even asking the questions.   Over the next few weeks I would like to focus on concepts around discovering spiritual awareness.  As we think about our relationship with God, how does that affect my relationship with Jesus, with a faith community, with other people, and how does my relationship with God affect my relationship with myself?  I believe it is in the recognition and the understanding of one’s spirituality that lays the foundations in which we build and live our daily lives.  For spirituality is the most foundational piece of our humanity. 

This past Friday there were two major events taking place, one at the national scene, the other in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood.  On Friday morning, the Supreme Court once again upheld the constitutional understanding that “all people are created equal”, and based on the protection of the 14^th Amendment that: all citizens of these United States shall not be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.   In the battle of recognition of equality for all Americans to marry who they chose, the court cited the Plaintiffs request saying, “They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law; the Constitution grants them that right.”  The new law of the land now states: marriage is between two people.

The other event took place Friday evening as over two hundred people, Black, White, and Latino, took to the streets of the Park Hill district in Denver, on a prayer walk asking God to help bring peace back to that neighborhood and all of the Metro area.  As we walked, we would speak to neighbors about the request to God for peace against gang violence, drive by shooting, and other crimes against those living in that neighborhood.  I cannot tell you the feelings of connection when we would stop at locations where someone had been killed by gun violence and pray for forgiveness and restoration for those who died and their families.   

So what does the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage and the walk for peace in Park Hill have in common and more importantly to do with spirituality?  More than what we might think.  A part of our spirituality is becoming aware of who we are, of how we perceive ourselves and how we relate to other human beings.  Are we solely single individuals or are we a part of something that is larger than ourselves.

Some of the ministers who were leading in this prayer walk are former gang members.  These men who were once “gang” members were always “spiritual”, but somewhere in their lives, their awareness of being created in the image of God changed the whole direction of their lives.  In the very first book of the Hebrew Scriptures, we read:  So God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  As a human we exist as the image of God.  I can look around the room and quickly see that I do not look like anyone else, so I must also conclude that the image of God doesn’t mean the color of one’s skin, the sex of one’s body, or any other physical attribute that one exhibits.  The image of God must be something more intrinsic.  I propose it is what we call a soul.  That piece of us that we cannot physically identify, but yet is revealed in all aspects of our lives. 

        Our soul is at the heart of our “Image.”  Hear the words from the hymn, Shadow and Substance: We are your image, formed in community; sisters and brothers of Adam and Eve.  You gave us color, custom and history; teach us to honor what others receive.  For those who live in a society that demonizes homosexuality, there is a constant struggle to maintain a healthy and positive self-image; For those who live in a society that demeans people of color, there is a constant struggle to maintain a healthy and positive self-image; People who immigrate to this country, documented and non-documented alike, struggle with healthy self-image because of societal prejudices. 

Low self-image is most often a result of receiving negative reinforcement by outside sources. As an example, many young girls are inadvertently given information that the ideal woman should look like "Barbie".  Young boys are taught that men do not behave in certain ways, such as showing emotion that would be conceived as weak, such as crying.  Society tells each and every one of us, what is appropriate and what is desirable.  We call them norms.  Norms are what helps a society function with some order and hopefully providing less anxiety for individuals.  But what happens when these "norms" do not ring true with the individual?  What if society says "blue eyes" are better and you happen to have "brown eyes?"   Studies have shown that those who possess what the general norm is, tend to be less tolerant toward those who do not fit the accepted norm.  This intolerance provides the basis for negative reinforcement, which leads to lower self-image for those who are not meeting the expectations of those they live around.

Psalms 139, speaks about negative reinforcement as speaking against God.  The Psalmist says, "They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name."  So how does one commit evil against God - by misuse God's name.   How does this happen?  How does someone misuse God's name?  It has been my observation that many well meaning Christians and ministers often misuse God's name.  Pulpits all across this country Sunday after Sunday speak evil of God by misusing God's name and do not even recognize it.

We misuse God’s name whenever we speak against the “image” of God.  The Psalmist reminds us of our relationship to God: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written i your book before one of them came to be.  From the creation stories we learn that what God created, God pronounced "good."  The Psalmist see's that each of us is made by God, to God's specification, when we diminish a human being as "less than", we are in truth telling God that God has done wrong.  When we see ourselves as less that who we truly are, we are tell God that his work is not worthy.  This is not a good thing to do according to the Psalmist.  For who are we, as Job was reminded, to question the works and wisdom of God?  When well meaning Christians start to beat people up in the name of God, whether physically, socially, or verbally, then they are acting in evil against God.

We have much to learn in the Church about how we abuse God.  When we stand on traditions that have been handed down to us from generation to generation, without examining how these traditions affect humanity and the world in which we receive our daily bread, we might very well be acting as evil agents against God.  When our actions and words are used to deniger another human being and we use those words and actions in God's name, we are acting in evil toward humanity and toward God.  It is through these negative actions and words that we create and cultivate within any brother or sister low self-image. 

For God created each and every one of us, we are His children; we are brother and sister to one another.  Like the Psalmist we need to be in constant prayer asking, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  Does our need to demean another come from our own anxieties about who we are deep inside? Is our self-image consistent with the image of God? By allowing the “image of God” into our heart and mind, we will recognize the full beauty of each person that God has placed in our lives.  We will recognize the spirit of unity, who guides us to mystical union.  Amen

Thoughts inspired by Psalm 139

I would like to share a couple of thoughts or observations from the Psalm 139.  We usually focus the most on the passage that speaks about, "praising God because we are fearfully and wonderfully made."   Sometimes we read scripture for the sake of reading and looking to have something pop out at us with a new revelation of understanding.  There are times when we read a set of passages with an agenda in mind.  Not to proof text specifically, but rather recognizing the general message of a particular text and looking more deeply into it hoping and seeking further clarification of the agenda item.  My reading and reflection of this particular Psalm on this particular day was focusing on "self-esteem".  So, as I read through this Psalm, my mind is looking for phrases that might spur deeper contemplation of how the writer's relationship with God might help one deal with issues of low self-esteem.  Specifically from the perspective of someone who identifies with the LGBTQ community and growing up in an environment that does not understand human sexuality as being a non-moral issue. 

For those of us who have grown up in a society that demonizes homosexuality, there is a constant struggle to maintain a healthy and positive self-esteem.  Of course, many people struggle with issues of self-esteem where sexual orientation is not the issue.  It is what we often write off as part of the "human condition" or some Christians would say, "a part of the fallen state of humanity."  I feel uncomfortable when I hear this type of language for it can be a cop-out from taking responsibility at either a personal or societal level.  Low self-esteem is most often a result of receiving negative reinforcement by outside sources.  As an example, many young girls are inadvertently given information that the ideal woman should look like "Barbie".  Young boys are taught that men do not behave in  certain ways, such as showing emotion that would be concieved as weak, such as crying.  Society tells each and every one of us, what is appropriate and what is desireable.  We call them norms and that is what helps a society function with some order.  But what happens when these "norms" do not ring true with the individual?  What if society says "blue eyes" are better and you have "brown eyes?" Studies have shown that those with what the general belief is, tends to be less tolerant toward those who do not fit the accepted norm.  This intolerance provides the basis for negative reinforcement, which leads to lower self-esteem for those who are not meeting the expectations of those they live around.

Psalms 139, speaks to this situation in recognizing that there are people who speak against God.  The Psalmist says, "They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name."  So how do people commit evil against God - they misuse God's name.   How does this happen?  How does someone mis use God's name?  I has been my observation that many well meaning Christians and ministers often misuse God's name.  Pulpits all across this country, Sunday after Sunday speak evil of God by misusing God's name and do not even recognize it.

The answer to this observation comes from the Psalmist understanding of his relationship with God, as a creation of God.  Verse 13 states, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written i your book before one of them came to be."  From the creation stories we learn that what God created, God pronounced "good."  St Peter was chasticed about what was acceptable and unacceptable food from Jewish rituals in a vision of God presenting everything acceptable to be eaten.  The Psalmist see's that each of us is made by God, to God's specification, when we denimish a human being as "less than", we are in truth telling God that God has done wrong.  This is not a good thing to do according to the Psalmist.  For  who are we, as Job was reminded, to question the works and wisdom of God?  When well meaning Christians start to beat people up in the name of God, whether physically, socially, or verbally, then they are acting in evil.

We have much to learn in the Church about how we abuse God.  When we stand on traditions that have been handed down to us from generation to generation, without examining how these traditions affect humanity and the world in which we receive our daily bread from, we might very well be acting as evil agents against the Creator of all.  When our actions and words are used to deniger another human being and we use them in God's name, we are acting in evil toward humanity and toward God.  It is through these negative actions and words that we create and cultivate within any brother or sister low self-esteem. 

For God created each and everyone of us, we are His children, we are brother and sister to one another.  Like the Psalmist we need to be in constant prayer asking, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  Is our need to demean another coming from our own anxieties about who we are deep inside?  Let God in, so we might recognize the full beauty of each person that God has placed in our lives.  Amen

The Caveat in Forgiveness, by Rev Steven R Mitchell, based on Mark 3:20-35

The Caveat in Forgiveness

By Rev Steven R Mitchell

Mountain View United Church, Aurora, CO 6/07/2015

Based on Mark 3:20-35

 

        This past week I had the privilege of attending Dawn Skerritt’s graduation from Iliff.  Seminarian graduations affect me much like weddings do most married couples attending a wedding.  Although a wedding ceremony is a public declaration of commitment between two people, it also serves to remind those who are married of their continued commitment to one another.  While attending the graduation allowed me to wonder down memory lane of my own graduation, it more importantly reminded me of the immense responsibility that comes with professional ministry.  It reminded me once again of the privilege that as a minister I hold within the church community and within the larger community that I live.

        For many years I use to identify myself as more of a Moses type person, leading my people around the wilderness of faith living.  Yet, as a pastor of a congregation, one is more than a Moses, even though we dare not voice it.  The pastor in many ways carries on the position that we read Jesus holding.  Like Jesus, pastors find themselves surrounded with people in need, sometimes being so over whelmed with the needs of others, the pastor can’t find time for himself/herself, or as this morning’s text puts it, “unable to eat in peace.”   Pastors are always being criticized for the way they do things, from the sermon to not doing enough; for bringing visions to the congregation that the congregation does like to the way they dress.  The list goes on and on.

        If that isn’t enough, the pastor often is second guessing him/herself.  Am I a good leader?  Am I teaching sound doctrine?  Did I show enough empathy to the person I just encountered?  Or worse, like in the movie, “Left Behind” will my congregation and I be those “Christians” not taken up in the rapture, because I was teaching a wrong doctrine?  An interesting side note to the Billy Graham picture “The Prodigal”, the church used in that setting representing the liberal, ungodly, soft gospel message, was First Baptist Church of Seattle, where I was a member at one time.  So maybe I do have rightful reasons to question what comes out of my mouth as to sound doctrine or heretical and blasphemous teachings.

        This morning’s story once again shows how the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, were accusing him of blaspheme and of being of the devil.  So great were these accusations that Jesus’ own family came to take him away because they felt that he was putting himself in danger and I suspect jeopardizing their own standing within the community as well.  Jesus is obviously saying and doing things that are upsetting a lot of people.  One of the most blasphemous teachings that Jesus was teaching at that point in his ministry was that “all sins and blasphemies were forgiven.”  “Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter;…”  This was scandalous news, for everyone knew that sins could only be forgiven by God and God was only found at the Temple in Jerusalem, and that there was a formula that had to be followed in order to receive this forgiveness.  There had to be a sacrifice offered at the altar of God and words spoken by the priest before you were forgiven.  Who is this man who says, “People will be forgiven their sins and even the blasphemies they speak?”

        This should be of great comfort for ministers, to know that what they speak of wrongly shall be in the end, forgiven.  But then comes the caveat to forgiveness.  Jesus continues to say, “but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness…”  Well, now I’m back in deep water, aren’t I?  One of the most often asked questions of me as a minister comes from this one utterance from Jesus about what is the “unforgivable sin.”  When most people are thinking about the “unforgivable sin”, they are not looking for a forgiveness that will bring inner peace, but rather are thinking in terms of exclusion from heaven.  This is a logical thought process if you think of Jesus’ teachings as a guide book to get into “heaven”, and if you understand “heaven” solely as a place after death.

But if you think of Jesus’ teachings not as a guide book to getting into “heaven”, but rather as a way of living life in the “now”, then what implications does this caveat to forgiveness have?  The state of un-forgiven does mean exclusion.  When you are in a state of un-forgiven with your spouse, ie: being in the dog house, you are out of relationship in some degree.  It is only by being forgiven that you are back in relationship and out of the dog house.  As an example, when I am in the state of being “un-forgiven” with a member of this faith community, there is nothing I can do to alter that state.  The forgiveness has to come from the one who is withholding forgiveness before I can be back into full relationship with that person. 

So, what does it mean to “blaspheme the Holy Spirit?”  There is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding on that.  I have had people tell me that when they swear in God’s name, that they have blaspheme the Holy Spirit.  Others say, “you have blasphemed the Holy Spirit when you deny the divinity of Jesus.”  I think to help shed some light or confusion, depending on how you hear what I am about to say, I think we first need to understand how we “image” God.

Language is the best way we have to express our thoughts, but there are images and concepts that have no clear definition, so we use words as ways of creating images of those concepts.  As we try to describe the essence of God, we have developed what we call a “Trinitarian” language describing God.  We say God is “three persons in one”.  We have divided God up to be 1) Creator, 2) savior through the person of Jesus, and 3) the constant companion to the faithful, as the person of Holy Spirit. 

Out of this language to help us image God, we have inadvertently created images of separate beings.  What would happen if we thought less of God in a traditional Trinitarian language and thought of all three of these as being different characteristics of God?  What if God is not three separate beings, but that God’s nature is creating, is salvation (forgiving), and is a constant presence among and within us?

Marcus Borg suggests: the Hebrew word for ‘spirit’ (Ruach) means wind and breath.  Both are invisible yet manifestly real.  We cannot see the wind, though its presence and effects are felt; it moves without being seen.  When it blows, it is all around us.  Breath is like wind inside the body.  For the ancient Hebrews (as for us), it was associated with life.  Metaphorically, God as Spirit is both wind and breath, a nonmaterial reality outside of us and within us.  Our breath is God breathing in us, and God is as near to us as our own breath.  Speaking of God as Spirit, as both wind and breath, evokes both transcendence and nearness. The God We Never Knew, Marcus Borg, pg 72  

I understand Jesus to mean, when he says: non-forgiveness exists when one blasphemes the Holy Spirit, as denying the existence of God in our world.  This means denying God’s vision for God’s creation.  What is this denying of God’s vision?  Jesus spent his ministry battling the evil of scarcity that exists in the form of domination systems that humanity almost always operates under, and spoke of the possibilities of distributive justice on earth, where there is abundance for all creatures.  The blaspheme of the Holy Spirit comes with the perception that God is not in humanity or exists in nature, but that both are commodities to be exploited; as opposed to experiencing God in both nature and humanity and to be valued equally.  Blaspheme of the Holy Spirit is acted out in our attitudes toward how we use our mother earth; it is acted out in how we dishonor diversity of cultures; it is acted out through the aggression of war.  Blaspheme of the Holy Spirit is being out of relationship with God, of denying the possibilities that God has for his creation.  That possibility is called distributive justice and mercy, of living into the possibilities of wholeness (salvation) of heaven on earth in this life.

Our image of God is import as it forms our theology and philosophies of how we approach life.  If we image God as something distant and separate from creation and humanity, then we see ourselves as needing to live by rules to ensure “entrance” into that far off kingdom of God’s.  If we see God as something that breaths within us and within creation, then we will not see rules for entrance, but rather precepts that help in living the here and now.  In the image of God as being the breathe we breath, there existence the reality that all sins, and foolish thoughts and actions are forgiven.  Blaspheme of the Holy Spirit isn’t in using God’s name in vain or denying Jesus as Lord, but in the denial of God’s breath within and among us.  Amen.