Friends in Christ,
This Easter season I find myself meditating on brokenness and healing. There are many reasons (and I believe you’ll hear some from me in the sermons to come!), and they include: the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection; the story of society healing from pandemic and death; and the creative activity of home renovations; and more. Yes, that’s right. My neighbors and I have been sharing stories on how we want to repair parts of our homes. There’s roots, and concrete, and water, and the need for organization all involved. And I’ve noticed how the story is sometimes circling around how some parts will need to change or go away — Break — so that what is new can be there now, and in a good/vibrant way.
And there is something about this that is also death and resurrection. I think there’s something about this that is also our own lives.
“It is good to realize that falling apart is not such a bad thing. Indeed, it is as essential to transformation as the cracking of outgrown shells. Self-protection restricts vision and movement like a suit of armor, making it harder to adapt. Going to pieces, however uncomfortable, can open us up to new perceptions, new data, and new responses.” – Joanna Macy
It’s springtime, and our worship and community life is also inviting us to living the baptismal story of Easter’s death and resurrection in openness, honesty, and brokenness — with trust in healing and goodness and wholeness too.
And think of how we even use that work — “Break” — to mean not just falling apart, but also emerging. Like, when there’s a viral “break out” (God, help us; hold us!). Or more encouragingly, like when our scripture and hymns mention: “The trees shall clap their hands; the dry lands, gush with springs; the hills and mountains shall break forth with singing!”
In the spirit of Easter, new life, and Spring, the world is breaking forth with praise to our God of love! Turn your heart with us; listen and lean into the promise. God is a God of creation, resurrection, and renovation. What breaks, breaks forth!
“We shall got out in joy, and be led forth in peace, as all the world in wonder echoes shalom.”
Blessed Eastertide,
+ Pastor Shaun
This Easter season I find myself meditating on brokenness and healing. There are many reasons (and I believe you’ll hear some from me in the sermons to come!), and they include: the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection; the story of society healing from pandemic and death; and the creative activity of home renovations; and more. Yes, that’s right. My neighbors and I have been sharing stories on how we want to repair parts of our homes. There’s roots, and concrete, and water, and the need for organization all involved. And I’ve noticed how the story is sometimes circling around how some parts will need to change or go away — Break — so that what is new can be there now, and in a good/vibrant way.
And there is something about this that is also death and resurrection. I think there’s something about this that is also our own lives.
“It is good to realize that falling apart is not such a bad thing. Indeed, it is as essential to transformation as the cracking of outgrown shells. Self-protection restricts vision and movement like a suit of armor, making it harder to adapt. Going to pieces, however uncomfortable, can open us up to new perceptions, new data, and new responses.” – Joanna Macy
It’s springtime, and our worship and community life is also inviting us to living the baptismal story of Easter’s death and resurrection in openness, honesty, and brokenness — with trust in healing and goodness and wholeness too.
And think of how we even use that work — “Break” — to mean not just falling apart, but also emerging. Like, when there’s a viral “break out” (God, help us; hold us!). Or more encouragingly, like when our scripture and hymns mention: “The trees shall clap their hands; the dry lands, gush with springs; the hills and mountains shall break forth with singing!”
In the spirit of Easter, new life, and Spring, the world is breaking forth with praise to our God of love! Turn your heart with us; listen and lean into the promise. God is a God of creation, resurrection, and renovation. What breaks, breaks forth!
“We shall got out in joy, and be led forth in peace, as all the world in wonder echoes shalom.”
Blessed Eastertide,
+ Pastor Shaun