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As we commemorate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we might wonder why we celebrate the cross, a symbol of suffering and death. I don’t know about you, but when I’m in the midst of my own pain, my first reaction is not to praise it. Why would I rejoice in it? Let’s see what the Spirit has to say to us about the crosses in our lives . . .
Read MoreIt seems like Jesus is asking us to make a strategy around our discipleship, planning like we would do if we were doing a building project. But how do you plan in the spiritual life, especially as a finite human in the face of the omniscient mystery of God?
Read MoreJesus is calling us to alignment between our attitudes and our actions, an authentic living out of our faith. He's interested in transforming the whole of us, and if we’re open, we allow that transformation to happen, just as it happened to him.
Read MoreWhat if we stopped worrying about worthiness? God, with great pleasure, wastes God’s big, crazy love on us, like a giant waterfall. What if we were to simply receive God’s abundant love and mercy?
Read MoreWe encounter Jesus as he heals a deaf person with the words, “Be opened.” His invitation to openness shows that the problem isn’t an illness that can be cured but a closedness that can opened. How open are you when it comes to speaking your truth? When it comes to listening to others? How open is your heart?
Read MoreGod cared for the first Christians in their time of distress, and God is caring for us too. We, too, will navigate through it, and as we’re dealing with it all, why not give ourselves over to the comfort of God’s care?
Read MoreAll things are possible with God, and people can change if we want to. If we’re open, we can grow into the people God calls us to be. It’s not something we can do on our own, but with God’s help, all things are possible.
Read MoreThere’s a lot going on in this Gospel, and the quick pace makes it seem like Jesus’s life is an action-packed adventure with lots of people who need help. Are these encounters just part of a busy day in the life of Jesus, or do they have much to tell us about the healing ministry of Jesus – for those in the story and for us too.
Read MoreWhether we stay or go, God is still with us. Christ accompanies us, and we accompany Christ in the company of each other. Yes, sometimes it’s hard. But to whom else shall we go? Christ has the words of eternal life.
Read More“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit.” We tend to use this reading from First Corinthians to affirm community and unity in diversity, and that it does. However, when we think about real life in communities and families, how does a diversity of gifts manifest? Do we really affirm the gifts in each person? And do we appreciate our own gifts?
Read MoreIn our Second Reading, Paul reflects back over his life, noting with satisfaction that he has finished the race faithfully. When you look back over your life, what do you notice? We’ll take some time in our reflection this week to look at our lives with God and see how our journey is going.
Read MoreThe Feast of Corpus Christi may be a good time to reflect on what we are consuming. Is what we’re eating the lift-giving bread of faith and hope? Are we feasting on contemplation, fruitful prayer, and honest self-examination? Are we eating the bread of the life of the world that puts us in touch with reality and people’s needs?
Read MoreHappy Pentecost – this feast of wind and flame and each one hearing the Good News proclaimed uniquely, as only we can hear it. The Spirit is always with us, even when it comes in unexpected ways. How has the Holy Spirit shown up your life?
Read MoreWhen we’re at our best, noticing and appreciating each other’s gifts, and our own gifts too, our community is better for it. Loving the diversity of gifts we have, and the diverse people who have them, makes us one, as God is one.
Read MoreGod’s call to us is clear; we are to love one another. But what does that look like as we each follow that call in our lives?
Read MoreGod cared for the first Christians in their time of distress, and God is caring for us too. We, too, will navigate through it, and as we’re dealing with it all, why not give ourselves over to the comfort of God’s care?
Read MoreOur times are uncertain and institutions are deconstructing, and we don’t know what’s going to happen, but God has called us into mission. Christ is still saying to each one of us every day: "Do you love me? Follow me.”
Read MoreDarkness and light are neither good nor bad; they’re both parts of the whole. We can’t consider suffering apart from resurrection, and we can only enter into resurrection joy while bearing the experience of suffering. Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death and resurrection? Christ is with us in darkness and light.
Read MoreMaybe we, too, need to move through this time of disintegration. As things unravel and one struggle after another emerges, it can feel disconcerting and frightening. But that doesn’t mean God has abandoned us. We are living into this story, the beauty and the heartbreak and the love and betrayal. Jesus’s story is our story too.
Read MoreNot only does transformation always come, whether I want it to or not, but God’s love is in that movement, whether I see it or not. And God invites me to see it. “See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
Read MoreGod Space is a spiritual community, a space of welcome and belonging. We’re not a church, but some of us go to church, and some are more spiritual than religious. However we identify, we come together to explore faith and build connection through small groups, social events, prayer, and community service. Come and connect at God Space. You belong here.
