This is a belated thank you for the beautiful advent reflections. I journeyed with the word “near” the whole season. The images, music, readings, prayers were so helpful and grounding to me. Thank you for your continued ministry! I am so grateful for you.
I found the Christology Ladder absolutely fascinating! As the conversation progressed, I began to wonder what understanding of God was undergirding (4 syllables) the ladder rungs. I have been read Jack Caputo’s work on Radical Theology. How do the ladder rungs relate to a weak God?
This is an excellent question -- and one that echoes my bit of discomfort about the ladder (I think both my appreciation and apprehension comes through in the conversation). I'm gonna ask Tripp.
I am listening to a conversation between Tripp and Jack from 2012. As I understand what Jack is saying (and there is no guarantee that I have got it right), our word God is a promise that becomes actualized through our response to the call of the promise. That reminds me of a Star Trek (the original) episode where the crew come upon a planet occupied by Greek gods. However, only Apollo is left. The others have died because people have stopped worshipping them. If we stopped responding to the call of the promise, would God die too? Within Jack’s schema, does the promise only exist if there are some who answer the call?
As I was reading Caputo’s ‘What to believe’ lesson 10, I think that he is saying that if we don’t respond then God will never have been. That’s something that I will need to think about…
Diana, your comments line up with the book I am currently reading, "Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life" by Dacher Keltner. It's fascinating to see one more way "new science" is "discovering" something as old as creation.
I found this somewhat different story of the epiphany in Monica Campagnoli’s Substack....
“The Epiphany day is a national holiday across Italy, with public offices closed, and marks the official end of the Christmas season.
In the Bible tradition, the feast of the Epiphany is when the Three Wise Men arrive in Bethlehem, bearing gifts for Baby Jesus on the 12th day of Christmas. The story tells that on their way to see the infant, the Magi stopped to ask Befana for directions and asked her to join them. She initially told no, but when she tried to find Bethlehem, she didn't find it. For this reason, she decided to give the gifts she had brought to other children.
The Befana has been a holiday tradition in Italy since the XIII century. Her legend arose in the 13th century, and for a long time, la Befana was a tradition confined to Rome and the surrounding regions. In recent times, the festival has become popular across all of Italy over the last hundred years. Before Santa Claus, she brought gifts to the Italian children for Christmas on Epiphany Eve. She travels on her broomstick every year during the night before the 6th, looking for good children. They receive sweets and black rock candy.”
I had never heard of Befana growing up in my redneck Sunday School.
Concerning the "cosmic christology ladder", the conversation, though somewhat above my comprehension, was very fascinating... I am all with you, Diane, when it comes to "high" and "low", the danger of supremacy and exclusion and I am glad you stood up for it so eloquently and vehemently.
The seasons of the liturgical church are not part of my history. I appreciate being invited to join in that which is unfamiliar to me. Epiphany... turning from the birth to the aha.... sacred surprise in the normal course of the day..... thanks for this.
Yes, Epiphany is about mystery! But in a dangerous world, where the Christ child has to be rescued in the flight to Egypt. Imagine the risk. We walk by faith and not by sight.
It was from Madeleine L’Engle that I learned to treasure the 12 Days. Thank you for including her words. I had a double treat with the inclusion of Howard Thurman. I’m thankful for his beautiful spirit. Such wonderful meditations on this wonder-filled holy day.
What epiphanies indeed? My wife of 44 years died about two years ago. I was her caregiver. It was exhausting: the care, the griefwork, the legal work, the sorting and donating. All of that has taken time (and continues of course).
As I move further through that journey I learned a very great deal. I learned something about how love can be eternal. I learned how bruised and dented pots still hold water. I learned that coming out of grief into new possibilities takes as much "presence" as the initial grief itself (and I expect some folks never leave that initial place).
So now, two years down the road I am asking the question "What next?" For the first time in my life I am an adult, in reasonable health, relatively financially stable with an open calendar. One thing I'm doing is setting up apartments for refugees working with World Relief. I like the irony the universe created between my career of working for large hospitals and a university to now carrying couches and setting up dining room tables.
But for myself, I'm going on Camino. There is something of the Pilgrim Way in our life, but most of us do not act out that reality. Given my name (James) and the "myth" of Santiago, it seems an appropriate life goal/destination/journey to complete. And, I can't think of anything more cool than turning 70 while walking... Epiphanies await.
Another great post. Earlier today, I read an FB post from my friend, Sue. She was talking about "glimmerings" and it made me wonder if what Diana is suggesting might be similar to "glimmerings." Just another "wonder moment" that pops up all the time for me. Best wishes to all in the New Year!
My Public Worship professor at Emory, Don Saliers, asked the question, "Why doesn't anything epiph on Epiphany anymore? I've always loved that question--great fodder for preaching.
Thank you so much for sharing “Take Us Home By Another Way.” I can see why you can’t stop singing it !
This is a belated thank you for the beautiful advent reflections. I journeyed with the word “near” the whole season. The images, music, readings, prayers were so helpful and grounding to me. Thank you for your continued ministry! I am so grateful for you.
I found the Christology Ladder absolutely fascinating! As the conversation progressed, I began to wonder what understanding of God was undergirding (4 syllables) the ladder rungs. I have been read Jack Caputo’s work on Radical Theology. How do the ladder rungs relate to a weak God?
This is an excellent question -- and one that echoes my bit of discomfort about the ladder (I think both my appreciation and apprehension comes through in the conversation). I'm gonna ask Tripp.
I am listening to a conversation between Tripp and Jack from 2012. As I understand what Jack is saying (and there is no guarantee that I have got it right), our word God is a promise that becomes actualized through our response to the call of the promise. That reminds me of a Star Trek (the original) episode where the crew come upon a planet occupied by Greek gods. However, only Apollo is left. The others have died because people have stopped worshipping them. If we stopped responding to the call of the promise, would God die too? Within Jack’s schema, does the promise only exist if there are some who answer the call?
As I was reading Caputo’s ‘What to believe’ lesson 10, I think that he is saying that if we don’t respond then God will never have been. That’s something that I will need to think about…
Diana, your comments line up with the book I am currently reading, "Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life" by Dacher Keltner. It's fascinating to see one more way "new science" is "discovering" something as old as creation.
I found this somewhat different story of the epiphany in Monica Campagnoli’s Substack....
“The Epiphany day is a national holiday across Italy, with public offices closed, and marks the official end of the Christmas season.
In the Bible tradition, the feast of the Epiphany is when the Three Wise Men arrive in Bethlehem, bearing gifts for Baby Jesus on the 12th day of Christmas. The story tells that on their way to see the infant, the Magi stopped to ask Befana for directions and asked her to join them. She initially told no, but when she tried to find Bethlehem, she didn't find it. For this reason, she decided to give the gifts she had brought to other children.
The Befana has been a holiday tradition in Italy since the XIII century. Her legend arose in the 13th century, and for a long time, la Befana was a tradition confined to Rome and the surrounding regions. In recent times, the festival has become popular across all of Italy over the last hundred years. Before Santa Claus, she brought gifts to the Italian children for Christmas on Epiphany Eve. She travels on her broomstick every year during the night before the 6th, looking for good children. They receive sweets and black rock candy.”
I had never heard of Befana growing up in my redneck Sunday School.
Concerning the "cosmic christology ladder", the conversation, though somewhat above my comprehension, was very fascinating... I am all with you, Diane, when it comes to "high" and "low", the danger of supremacy and exclusion and I am glad you stood up for it so eloquently and vehemently.
The seasons of the liturgical church are not part of my history. I appreciate being invited to join in that which is unfamiliar to me. Epiphany... turning from the birth to the aha.... sacred surprise in the normal course of the day..... thanks for this.
“Take us home” is definitely a perfect opening to Epiphany! Happy 12th Night!
Diana, The Aha moments that you describe are the core of life. They are everywhere - We just need to look. D
Yes, Epiphany is about mystery! But in a dangerous world, where the Christ child has to be rescued in the flight to Egypt. Imagine the risk. We walk by faith and not by sight.
It was from Madeleine L’Engle that I learned to treasure the 12 Days. Thank you for including her words. I had a double treat with the inclusion of Howard Thurman. I’m thankful for his beautiful spirit. Such wonderful meditations on this wonder-filled holy day.
What epiphanies indeed? My wife of 44 years died about two years ago. I was her caregiver. It was exhausting: the care, the griefwork, the legal work, the sorting and donating. All of that has taken time (and continues of course).
As I move further through that journey I learned a very great deal. I learned something about how love can be eternal. I learned how bruised and dented pots still hold water. I learned that coming out of grief into new possibilities takes as much "presence" as the initial grief itself (and I expect some folks never leave that initial place).
So now, two years down the road I am asking the question "What next?" For the first time in my life I am an adult, in reasonable health, relatively financially stable with an open calendar. One thing I'm doing is setting up apartments for refugees working with World Relief. I like the irony the universe created between my career of working for large hospitals and a university to now carrying couches and setting up dining room tables.
But for myself, I'm going on Camino. There is something of the Pilgrim Way in our life, but most of us do not act out that reality. Given my name (James) and the "myth" of Santiago, it seems an appropriate life goal/destination/journey to complete. And, I can't think of anything more cool than turning 70 while walking... Epiphanies await.
Our pastor’s message for last Sunday shared the title of this piece. Thank you for sharing. Happy New Year!
Another great post. Earlier today, I read an FB post from my friend, Sue. She was talking about "glimmerings" and it made me wonder if what Diana is suggesting might be similar to "glimmerings." Just another "wonder moment" that pops up all the time for me. Best wishes to all in the New Year!
yes indeed! “ expect epiphany”88
My Public Worship professor at Emory, Don Saliers, asked the question, "Why doesn't anything epiph on Epiphany anymore? I've always loved that question--great fodder for preaching.