Thank you Diana for offering a place for adult conversations. My present listen is on the Apostolic Fathers by Bart D. Ehrman from the Great lectures series. I hear the fermentation of the early church and the wrestling they endured and what they wrestled with.
Wow.. I literally stumbled across your writings. I am so inspired by so many things you’ve written about. Your thoughts, opinions, and ideas are immensely similar to mine. I do feel alone at times, within my own thoughts and beliefs in this world of, you are either this or that. I am also Christian. But, I don’t even feel comfortable in telling people this as it groups me in with the modern day Evangelical culture. I don’t consider myself “Christian” by title. I am a follower of Yeshua. I am a former member of the Assembly Of God church and struggled with so many teachings and practices of the faith, that I left the church in 2001. I’ve served in a few different churches since then, Methodist, Church of Christ, and Disciple’s of Christ, and other non-denominational churches. I definitely enjoyed my fellowship with others, teachings and experiences that have moved me. But, I have never felt like I fit in exactly in any of them. I wanted to, but like a puzzle piece trying to find the right space in a different puzzle, I never clicked in the “right” spot.
I think I may have just found a very promising space that may be the right space for me. If not, I may have found a wonderful rest area during my journey. I have a lot to read, and I look forward to indulging myself in your works. Thank you for this particular piece. I felt an aha moment almost immediately. And like others mentioned in the comments, “this is exactly what I needed to hear”, I had inner dialogue with the exact same thought. It is definitely a God thing, as I don’t believe in chance or coincidence. Thank you so much for the “Cottage”. I can’t wait to sit down and relax with your thoughts and your works that I already feel so connected with. Many blessings to you and yours!
Wisdom is a state--never complete--that allows one to reach for insight. Such a reach may not be fruition, but it is a prerequisite for touching the divine. It is thus analogous to life itself.
I am 79 plus. I wish these words could have met me a bit earlier. Nevertheless, every future breath is an opportunity to be wiser. And taste and see that the Lord is good.
“Wisdom like Wine takes time” -My experience in developing a vineyard in NW MN after a Tuscany Trip in 2003. In 2013, ten yrs after the U of MN “Marquettes”, We had 13 bottles of good but not great wine. The wisdom came from a Hutterite, wine making neighbor tasting our 12 yr attempt, “This tastes like vinegar! Try taking more time in the brewing!
Thank you, Diana, for your unique meditation and perspective on the living bread and wine. I am grateful for the way that you transform my understanding of Scripture through your musings.
This particular meditation has been especially meaningful given that I am facilitating a book study on the Living Buddha Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh in which he emphasizes, among many other things, mindful living and, as one example, the practice of eating mindfully. That involves, in addition to the act of singularly focusing on what you're eating, focusing on how our meals come to be on our plates and then how they nourish us. There are so many things one can focus on, such as the role of light, water, soil, minerals, and warmth providing an environment in which a seed could germinate, grow, and produce grains and fruit - as just part of the process. Now I have another part of the living process that has meaning for me not only in terms of the nourishment provided by this amazing physical world, but nourishment for our spiritual lives as well.
Thank you. [5 year reader of your meditations; first time commenting :-) ]
Diana, this is one of the best musings I’ve heard about the Eucharist. Shared it with my priest today. I’ll see the bread and wine in a new light. A new living light of Christ. Thank you.
I am a retired minister living in Haiti by choice. As I consider my life in my homeland and away from my active ministry sphere, I easily pinpoint 5he missing piece of the puzzle. It is the physical separation from like minded theological partners like you though I must confess that I was not familiar with your thinking while living in the USA; and now I am left wondering why.
Your lectionary comments, which touch the notion of plurality of gifts (DEI) find a home in my household. A few weeks ago, the pastor of the little community I attend gere called me to complain that there is no wine or grape available anywhere, and, as a consequence, there will be no communion service. What a tragedy! As I reflected on the matter, the miracle at Cana came to mind and I thought if Jesus could use the occasion of lack of wine to operate his first miracle, why couldn't we serve abundant sugar cane juice to regale God's people at such a significant occasion of their sacerdotal life.
Yes.... definitely an ODD combination at first, but the whole fermentation thing made so much sense. Thank you for this. AND. Thank you for making the change on Sept. 1 about who can comment. I really need this to be a safe place... other viewpoints are valuable, when presented respectfully. Thanks, Diana.
I am very much intrigued by your message. i had never thought of the relationship of wisdom and bread and wine. your analogy to fermentation is very interesting and spot on. Thank you for this message today.
Excellent reflection. Really resonated. As a youth I began praying for wisdom ever since I herd Solomon's story. 40 years later, today's reflection really resonates and speaks to me at a time when I need it. I can let the Spirit transform my current challenges into me as something new. Thank you.
Thank you Diana for offering a place for adult conversations. My present listen is on the Apostolic Fathers by Bart D. Ehrman from the Great lectures series. I hear the fermentation of the early church and the wrestling they endured and what they wrestled with.
Wow.. I literally stumbled across your writings. I am so inspired by so many things you’ve written about. Your thoughts, opinions, and ideas are immensely similar to mine. I do feel alone at times, within my own thoughts and beliefs in this world of, you are either this or that. I am also Christian. But, I don’t even feel comfortable in telling people this as it groups me in with the modern day Evangelical culture. I don’t consider myself “Christian” by title. I am a follower of Yeshua. I am a former member of the Assembly Of God church and struggled with so many teachings and practices of the faith, that I left the church in 2001. I’ve served in a few different churches since then, Methodist, Church of Christ, and Disciple’s of Christ, and other non-denominational churches. I definitely enjoyed my fellowship with others, teachings and experiences that have moved me. But, I have never felt like I fit in exactly in any of them. I wanted to, but like a puzzle piece trying to find the right space in a different puzzle, I never clicked in the “right” spot.
I think I may have just found a very promising space that may be the right space for me. If not, I may have found a wonderful rest area during my journey. I have a lot to read, and I look forward to indulging myself in your works. Thank you for this particular piece. I felt an aha moment almost immediately. And like others mentioned in the comments, “this is exactly what I needed to hear”, I had inner dialogue with the exact same thought. It is definitely a God thing, as I don’t believe in chance or coincidence. Thank you so much for the “Cottage”. I can’t wait to sit down and relax with your thoughts and your works that I already feel so connected with. Many blessings to you and yours!
Wisdom is a state--never complete--that allows one to reach for insight. Such a reach may not be fruition, but it is a prerequisite for touching the divine. It is thus analogous to life itself.
This bread maker just "made" 10 loaves last night. I love the closing poem, hands in the dough. Thank you for all your yeasty insights.
This is beautiful - thank you. I love how your mind and heart work - may the fermentation continue.
I am 79 plus. I wish these words could have met me a bit earlier. Nevertheless, every future breath is an opportunity to be wiser. And taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh WOW! Diana, you have so much God given ability to bring light! Here's to living a yeasty life, fermented by the Holy Spirit!
“Wisdom like Wine takes time” -My experience in developing a vineyard in NW MN after a Tuscany Trip in 2003. In 2013, ten yrs after the U of MN “Marquettes”, We had 13 bottles of good but not great wine. The wisdom came from a Hutterite, wine making neighbor tasting our 12 yr attempt, “This tastes like vinegar! Try taking more time in the brewing!
Thank you, Diana, for your unique meditation and perspective on the living bread and wine. I am grateful for the way that you transform my understanding of Scripture through your musings.
This particular meditation has been especially meaningful given that I am facilitating a book study on the Living Buddha Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh in which he emphasizes, among many other things, mindful living and, as one example, the practice of eating mindfully. That involves, in addition to the act of singularly focusing on what you're eating, focusing on how our meals come to be on our plates and then how they nourish us. There are so many things one can focus on, such as the role of light, water, soil, minerals, and warmth providing an environment in which a seed could germinate, grow, and produce grains and fruit - as just part of the process. Now I have another part of the living process that has meaning for me not only in terms of the nourishment provided by this amazing physical world, but nourishment for our spiritual lives as well.
Thank you. [5 year reader of your meditations; first time commenting :-) ]
I enjoyed your comment! Thank you for some additional ways to be mindful (which seems like wisdom to me!)
Very thought-provoking.
Diana, this is one of the best musings I’ve heard about the Eucharist. Shared it with my priest today. I’ll see the bread and wine in a new light. A new living light of Christ. Thank you.
I am a retired minister living in Haiti by choice. As I consider my life in my homeland and away from my active ministry sphere, I easily pinpoint 5he missing piece of the puzzle. It is the physical separation from like minded theological partners like you though I must confess that I was not familiar with your thinking while living in the USA; and now I am left wondering why.
Your lectionary comments, which touch the notion of plurality of gifts (DEI) find a home in my household. A few weeks ago, the pastor of the little community I attend gere called me to complain that there is no wine or grape available anywhere, and, as a consequence, there will be no communion service. What a tragedy! As I reflected on the matter, the miracle at Cana came to mind and I thought if Jesus could use the occasion of lack of wine to operate his first miracle, why couldn't we serve abundant sugar cane juice to regale God's people at such a significant occasion of their sacerdotal life.
"The fermented life" is just what I needed this morning. So complete, so rich.
Yes.... definitely an ODD combination at first, but the whole fermentation thing made so much sense. Thank you for this. AND. Thank you for making the change on Sept. 1 about who can comment. I really need this to be a safe place... other viewpoints are valuable, when presented respectfully. Thanks, Diana.
I am very much intrigued by your message. i had never thought of the relationship of wisdom and bread and wine. your analogy to fermentation is very interesting and spot on. Thank you for this message today.
Excellent reflection. Really resonated. As a youth I began praying for wisdom ever since I herd Solomon's story. 40 years later, today's reflection really resonates and speaks to me at a time when I need it. I can let the Spirit transform my current challenges into me as something new. Thank you.