In my research for my sermon, I found that the American Sign Language sign for Jesus is to touch the right palm with the left middle finger, then the left palm with the right middle finger. The deaf identify Jesus by his wounds, and Jesus sees us in our wounds/woundedness.
I have found myself thinking of bread. The Easter bread that is prepared by Eastern Orthodox faithful, and how even in the midst of the war Putin has chosen to wage on other mostly Eastern Orthodox believers in Ukraine, that Ukrainians in the worst kinds of situations were preparing the Easter bread for Ukrainian defenders, for children, for themselves. They were painting the eggs - so fragile yet so full of meaning. They were bringing their food gifts to be blessed by the priests if they were able to do so in some safety. Putin carried a candle on Sunday even as far from him people were being shelled, people were dying. The juxtaposition breaks everything into shards of grief that only begin to be healed when bread gets blessed, broken and shared among all peoples with a deep belief in the oneness of humankind - not one language over another, not one religion over another, not one people over another, not one color better than another. Putin was carrying a candle but he held no bread in his hands. The history of the region tells us that religion has been a central factor in the past as it is today. The wounds are on the Body of Christ. A description Christians understand as one image for the gathered community.
A Wounded God .. Since having 2 heart attacks in 5 weeks plus having my heart probed twice, people have seen me differently. They know that I know pain, frustration and distress. I am fascinated by the conversations that are started because of that, and in some cases, the sense of comradery because of that identification . There is a comfort in knowing that God knows my physical and emotional pain. There is also comfort in knowing that one can move beyond the pain to joy and resurrection
What a great concept! Just finished reading your new memoir on Jesus, and I really appreciate your way of linking head and heart in your understanding of the message of Jesus.
History has given Thomas a hard time. But Jesus didn't. He came back to be sure Thomas knew. He blessed him, and then blessed all who will believe without seeing. That's where the story transitions to us. We will not be able to touch Jesus' wounds, but we can touch the wounded among us and bring healing and be healed too.
Thank you, Diana. Insight that I'd so true and grounding in God these days. I have believed for many years as Preacher that at judgment God won't ask about our sins, but rather will say, "Show me your scars." Roy Green
Elaline Pagels, in her book, Beyond Belief, explains the conflict between the author of the Gospel of John and the apostle Thomas. Her analysis of the the Gospel of Thomas led her to understand a conflict between the two early followers of Jesus: The author of John was deeply opposed to Thomas, who taught (with the author of Luke) that "the Kingdom of God is within you" and the image of God is within you. These ideas are totally absent from the gospel of John, who presents Jesus as a totally other worldly being, rather than a human, who might also be divine. I follow Elaine in thinking that the author of John made up this story to discredit Thomas.
Right, I remember being impressed by Elaine Pagels' reconstruction of what the Thomas-Christians believed, and how the Gospel of Thomas can today be much more relevant than the canonical Gospels to certain believers, or better, seekers.
It is the prevailing style of reading John's Gospel, to interpret various characters as representatives or symbols of particular ideological groups. IMHO this makes that Gospel come across as no better than second-rate religious literature.
“I will not believe until I see and touch the scars” (John 20:24) makes me think of America’s attitude towards the sick, infirm, poor, and racialized other. I admit that facing another's woundedness is difficult. I try to avoid pain and reminders of my own vulnerability. But where "The wounded God and the wounded world touch" is where, as Jacob remarked, "The LORD is in this place, and I didn't even know it." Thank you for your insight. I'm still learning.
I was struck by the line in the poem as breath prayer. Breath forgiveness in. breath forgiveness out. A great way to begin to heal my own wounds and then go to work on other wounds. There is so much to do.
In my research for my sermon, I found that the American Sign Language sign for Jesus is to touch the right palm with the left middle finger, then the left palm with the right middle finger. The deaf identify Jesus by his wounds, and Jesus sees us in our wounds/woundedness.
I have found myself thinking of bread. The Easter bread that is prepared by Eastern Orthodox faithful, and how even in the midst of the war Putin has chosen to wage on other mostly Eastern Orthodox believers in Ukraine, that Ukrainians in the worst kinds of situations were preparing the Easter bread for Ukrainian defenders, for children, for themselves. They were painting the eggs - so fragile yet so full of meaning. They were bringing their food gifts to be blessed by the priests if they were able to do so in some safety. Putin carried a candle on Sunday even as far from him people were being shelled, people were dying. The juxtaposition breaks everything into shards of grief that only begin to be healed when bread gets blessed, broken and shared among all peoples with a deep belief in the oneness of humankind - not one language over another, not one religion over another, not one people over another, not one color better than another. Putin was carrying a candle but he held no bread in his hands. The history of the region tells us that religion has been a central factor in the past as it is today. The wounds are on the Body of Christ. A description Christians understand as one image for the gathered community.
Yes, a stunning idea.
A Wounded God .. Since having 2 heart attacks in 5 weeks plus having my heart probed twice, people have seen me differently. They know that I know pain, frustration and distress. I am fascinated by the conversations that are started because of that, and in some cases, the sense of comradery because of that identification . There is a comfort in knowing that God knows my physical and emotional pain. There is also comfort in knowing that one can move beyond the pain to joy and resurrection
What a great concept! Just finished reading your new memoir on Jesus, and I really appreciate your way of linking head and heart in your understanding of the message of Jesus.
Beautiful - comforting. Thank you
History has given Thomas a hard time. But Jesus didn't. He came back to be sure Thomas knew. He blessed him, and then blessed all who will believe without seeing. That's where the story transitions to us. We will not be able to touch Jesus' wounds, but we can touch the wounded among us and bring healing and be healed too.
I am thrilled we will have you teach several Wednesday nights for the Immanuel, WI congregation where I worship, too.
<3
Thank you, Diana. Insight that I'd so true and grounding in God these days. I have believed for many years as Preacher that at judgment God won't ask about our sins, but rather will say, "Show me your scars." Roy Green
Thank you
Elaline Pagels, in her book, Beyond Belief, explains the conflict between the author of the Gospel of John and the apostle Thomas. Her analysis of the the Gospel of Thomas led her to understand a conflict between the two early followers of Jesus: The author of John was deeply opposed to Thomas, who taught (with the author of Luke) that "the Kingdom of God is within you" and the image of God is within you. These ideas are totally absent from the gospel of John, who presents Jesus as a totally other worldly being, rather than a human, who might also be divine. I follow Elaine in thinking that the author of John made up this story to discredit Thomas.
Right, I remember being impressed by Elaine Pagels' reconstruction of what the Thomas-Christians believed, and how the Gospel of Thomas can today be much more relevant than the canonical Gospels to certain believers, or better, seekers.
It is the prevailing style of reading John's Gospel, to interpret various characters as representatives or symbols of particular ideological groups. IMHO this makes that Gospel come across as no better than second-rate religious literature.
I am a wounded healer, serving a wounded God, helping wounded people. And the joy to be found there is undescribable.
When all you have are your wounds and your faith, God answers.
Peace and All Good to you. Thank you.
“I will not believe until I see and touch the scars” (John 20:24) makes me think of America’s attitude towards the sick, infirm, poor, and racialized other. I admit that facing another's woundedness is difficult. I try to avoid pain and reminders of my own vulnerability. But where "The wounded God and the wounded world touch" is where, as Jacob remarked, "The LORD is in this place, and I didn't even know it." Thank you for your insight. I'm still learning.
Thank you, Diana, and Al too, it is a large "classroom," one that has room for me...and my doubts!
Roger
www.yourreluctantdisciple.com
Even broken and wounded by humanity God in Christ believes in us still.
I was struck by the line in the poem as breath prayer. Breath forgiveness in. breath forgiveness out. A great way to begin to heal my own wounds and then go to work on other wounds. There is so much to do.
Thank you all. I so appreciate this community and your thoughts too.
Bonita