Let us pray...

Like many across the nation, I am shocked and very saddened about the recent tragedy of the shooting at the elementary school in Connecticut.  

I am not sure what else can be said that has not already been said. 

Many are angry and blaming the lack of gun control laws and how easy it is to purchase a gun.  

Many are citing the lack of available mental health care and the lack of funds for social services.  

Some are citing the overexposure to violence in our society via the mass media, the news, movies, TV shows, computer games, etc.  

Bullying, mean-spiritidness, cultural narcissism, shallowness, cynicism, polarized thinking, narrow mindedness, materialism and consumerism, hate talk radio and the blame game of "those liberals" or "those conservatives" or "those religious fanatics", etc.

Wondering if mass murders are on the rise, I did a brief Internet search.   I found there have been unfortunately, dozens of mass murders the past fifty years... at high schools, movie theaters, in front of grocery stores, Army bases, Post Offices, colleges, youth camps, Sikh Temples, malls, churches, mosques, and the list goes on.   Here in the USA and in many other countries. 

Sigh.

Perhaps these horrible and tragic occurrences are not just because of the lack of gun control, or the lack of available mental health care, but symptoms.

Symptoms of a much deeper societal spiritual illness.  

Let us reflect and pray on these things...
Pray for the dead.  Pray for those who grieve and are crying many tears.  Pray for those who need help, and a way to get the help they need.  Pray for those in power make the changes and reforms needed.  Pray for healing not only for those who are mentally ill, but for the spiritual health, well being and healing for our nation, and our world.   

Let us pray.

Are you a giver, or a receiver?

Last week I preached my first Sunday sermon at Trinity Cathedral.  Being that it was Veteran's Day, the sermon was (naturally) on Veterans and serving.  The gospel for the day was the story of the widow's mite.  You know, the story where the poor widow donates her last 2 cents, gives all she had into the Temple treasury.

I think it is safe to say, the widow was definitely a giver!

Service, serving others is a form of giving.  And some people as we know, give all.  Even their lives.

But the story of the widow's mite is troubling for many.  Why would anyone give their last few cents, all they had to live on, to the "church"?  Leaving themselves with nothing, not even money for food!  The Temple should have been helping the poor widow!

Well, perhaps there is a deeper meaning to the story.  Hmmm.

Many people are natural givers.  My sister (who is now passed) was a giver.  My home is full of the many gifts she gave me over the years.  No, it does not bother me or make me sad to see them everywhere.  I love seeing them.  They remind me what a generous and loving person she was. 

But as we  know, giving does not come naturally for many people.  Our society is a consumer society, essentially based on money, stuff and greed.  It is all about receiving.  If not receiving from others, then receiving from ourselves!

Come on admit it, how many times have you gone gift shopping and wound up buying things for yourself?  OK, I admit it too.  Sigh.

The night before I preached my sermon last week, I watched a movie I had seen many years previously; Babbette's Feast.   And this movie, along with the Veteran's Day and service theme, plus the story of the widow's mite made me think even more about giving.

In the movie, (it takes place in the 19th century) Babbette flees France, her homeland, as her family had all been killed in the revolution.  She winds up in Denmark a refugee and essentially penniless.

Babbette finds refuge serving two older women (sisters), and they give her a place to live. In exchange, she cooks, cleans and cares for them and their little "flock", the aged member's of their deceased father's Protestant church. 

Seventeen years go by and Babbette faithfully serves them.  Little do the sisters realize it, but Babbette was once a master chef and was very famous for her cooking talents in Paris.

One day, she receives a letter in the mail from France, she has won the lottery, ten thousand dollars!   The sisters are happy for Babbette, but are also sad, as she will probably leave them.  They have grown accustomed to her and liked having her around. 

Babbette prepares the feast

The sisters want to give a celebration for their father, as it was soon to be his one hundredth birthday (had he been alive).  Babbette asks the sisters if she can cook for them and their little flock a fine French meal, as her gift.  The sisters agree, but are a little apprehensive.  French food (and wine)  seem a bit too foreign, perhaps even, "sinful".  But they allow Babbette to go ahead.

And so Babbette places an order for the fine foods and wines, and she spends days preparing the feast.  The meal has many courses and varieties of wines and foods the townspeople had never tasted before.  The feast was a great success and brought much joy to all.

The sisters are then sad, they think Babbette will now leave and go back to France.  But she tells them she is not leaving, for she has spent every bit of that $10,000 on that fine French dinner!

Naturally, the sisters are shocked, and then realize the great gift they had just received from Babbette.

Babbette, a gourmet chef of the highest caliber, gave it all away so she could experience her art one more time...and the joy of giving.

And like the widow's mite, she gave all.

Have you ever given like this?  Have you ever been the receiver of such a great gift?


It is amazing.  Generosity like this takes one's breath away.  For so rarely do we meet someone of such generosity.

Or do we?

Chanting, praying, singing, and all that jazz

Medieval monks chanting

It is with the greatest joy that I am serving as the assisting priest at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.  After the year I lived through last year, I am so very grateful just to be alive.  And now, that I have been blessed to be back in the land of the living, I am learning much as a new priest.

Among the many things I am learning and doing, I am learning to chant.  The Music Director has been giving me chanting lessons, so that soon I will be able to "sing" the Eucharist (the mass). 

It is an interesting learning process.  Being that music has always been such a big part of my life, I find it "fun" learning to chant.  It is also a challenge, because I was never really a professional singer,  I was a bass player and a percussionist.  So pitches and harmonies were never my strengths.  Oh, I did some back up vocals over the years.  OK, at least I can hold a basic melody and am not tone deaf.  Thanks be to God.  But this, celebrating the Eucharist, AND chanting it up there at the altar will be like being a lead singer on center stage!  Gulp!

Chanting may seem like it is an archaic or very foreign form of the arts.  It was originally done in large churches and cathedrals as a way to project the voice, as there were no microphones back then.  It was done so people could hear.  Over the years, it became an art form and served as the basis of Western music notation! 

Chanting is done in many religions, not just ancient Christianity and a few denominations.  Buddhists chant, Hindus chant, African, Hawaiian, Native American all chant.  Jews chant, Muslims chant the Qur'an, and on it goes.

Chanting is done by many as a spiritual practice.  Chanting, much like drumming tends to open up a certain aspect of our psyche, it can slightly altar one's consciousness.  It can put some into a trance.  It can open one up to a very spiritual experience.

One time, I was playing bass for a Taize service with the Sisters of Mercy in California.  Sr. Suzanne Toolan was playing piano, we had a viola, a harp and a few other musicians.  The church was dim and candle lit and packed with people.  Over and over we chanted and played the Taize songs.  I "suddenly" felt a pain in my shoulder, and wondered what time it was.  And to my shock, when I looked at my watch, two hours had flown by!

Prayer and chant became a way of life for monks, singing prayers throughout various times of the day known as the Daily Office.  For Episcopalians / Anglicans, there is Morning Prayer, there is Noon Prayer.  There is Evening Prayer (Vespers), and there is Night Prayer (Compline).

Chanting, celebrating the Eucharist with a liturgy that is very ancient, and praying the Daily Office is not of these times!

It is all so VERY different than when I was a minister with the UCC!

Gregorian chant notation

But here we are, still chanting and praying and celebrating the Eucharist after all these years!

There must be something to it!

"¿Como se dice 'female priest' en español?" No Translation!

Ancient Priestess, Egypt

I am taking a Spanish refresher, and when asked by the "profesora" what it is I do, I was supposed to respond in Spanish.  But I was not sure how to answer.  How do you say "female priest" in Spanish? 

"¿Como se dice 'female priest' en español?"  I asked her.  She looked totally perplexed.  Due to my limitations in Spanish, I reverted to English, explaining to her I am a priest in the Episcopal Church.  

She looked at me all the more confused!

She is from Mexico and she is a Roman Catholic.  There are no female priests in the Roman Catholic Church, (well, not officially anyway).  For her, there is no word for female priest!  It does not compute!

Sacredote is the Spanish word for priest, and it is in the masculine.  It literally translates as "sacrificer" as priests usually perform and lead rituals, rites and other sacred activities of a religion.  Many times it includes performing sacrifices.

So when I got home, I did a Google search.  I found the word "sarcerdotisa", supposedly meaning "priestess" in Spanish.    

Many professions have both masculine and feminine terms, such as "doctor / doctora", or "profesor / profesora", and so forth.  But some websites stated there is no feminine translation for "priest"!  It does not compute! 

Languages are very interesting.  They tell so much about the psychology of its culture / society, and its worldview.  

Isn't it interesting that English is a language that for the most part does not have the masculine / feminine word associations that Spanish, Arabic and many other languages have? 

Any yet, English does have some words for masculine and feminine, such as "actor / actress", "prince / princess" and so on.  

Yes, we can use the words "priest" and "priestess" in English, but the term "priestess" conjures up thoughts of religions and cultures of antiquity.  Or the New Age religions.  Hmmm.  

Priestesses were aplenty in ancient Greece, ancient Sumeria, and Egypt, even ancient Rome.  And priestesses are aplenty in Wicca and other New Age religions.

Yes, it is no secret that the Abrahamic faiths kind of put a crimp on the profession of the priestess.  

However, it is interesting to note that many other religions of the world have and have had female priests / clergy; Shinto (Japan), many African tribal or natural religions, many indigenous and Native American religions and cultures have and had female shamans, healers, medicine women, and so forth. 

And here we are in modern times, and many religions do have female clergy; priests, ministers, rabbis, imams, pastors, deacons, etc. and yet this female priest thing still presents problems! 

Especially when trying to say "female priest" in Spanish!

I am very privileged to be learning and serving as a priest.  I can tell you, it is no easy task being up there at the altar leading such important and holy activity.  It is intense.  And it is amazing.

Priest Laura+ at Trinity Cathedral

After the year I had this last year (going through a life threatening illness),  I did not know if I was ever going to have this wonderful privilege and be able to do this ministry. 

And it is wonderful! 

It makes me think of all the many women priests / priestesses who have done this...hundreds and thousands of years past...in cultures and religions all around the world.

I have a feeling, there are and have been many more female priests than we can possibly imagine....

Even if there is no direct translation in Spanish!

Smile!

The Spirituality of Music

My Grandfather and Grandmother, jamming

Music has always been a very big part of my life. 

Music is in my blood and there have been many professional musicians in my family.    My grandparents on my mother's side both met playing music back in the '40's!  She a guitarist, he a bass player.  After they married they had many years of gigging and enjoying music together.

My grandmother, now getting close to her nineties, recently had a large Gibson jazz guitar sitting in her living room, complete with cords and amplifier.  A keyboard was there too for my aunt to play.  And I proudly say, "That's my Grandma!"

In earlier times, there was always a drum set for my uncle to play.  And an acoustic upright bass for my grandfather to play.

Our family gatherings and holiday meals were always accompanied with a jam session!   I remember as a child being very frustrated as they played, for I so wanted to join in and play too!  But I just didn't know how to yet!

Funny thing, I was not raised around my grandparents, and what instrument called to me when I was a teenager?  Bass!  I always heard, in fact felt the beat, the rhythms, and the bass line.  At age 17, I bought my first electric bass guitar.  This was after playing drums for a couple of years.

When I went in the USAF,  I was snare drummer in the Drum & Bugle Corps in Basic Training.  It was pretty surreal, playing for all kinds of military functions, parades and even generals flying in at the airport.   But it sure beat doing KP!


By age 20, I was doing my first real "gig" as a bass player and getting paid for playing music at the Phoenix Performing Arts Center.   What a blast!

Sirena, 1980s performing at a festival in Tempe, AZ

Soon I was playing in other bands.   Sirena, (pictured here) was one of the bands I played in over the years.  

While in college I played music on the weekends, earning my way through school.  Weddings, proms, dances, parties, night clubs, festivals, quinceañeras, churches, and so forth.  Some gigs required travel and overnights.  So much fun and laughter. 

These were the happiest of times of my life.  Playing music, learning and going to college!  Food for the soul on so many levels.

Many of the musicians I played with during those early years have become life long friends.

After college, I had to work full time and my time of being able to play music was greatly lessened.   It was the times when music was not in my life, that I was the least happy.

I became aware that needed to make time for music.  For music is the language of the soul.  And it fed my soul.  Playing music brought such joy....a feeling and energy that goes way beyond words.

I remember the time I met my great uncle, my grandfather's brother, who was a professional keyboard player.  He was 75 years old when I met him, and he had a full head of bushy white hair and big, blue shining eyes.  His living room was full of keyboards and synthesizers.  He was all excited, because he wanted me to hear some new "patches" that he had just created.  And he played his different keyboards for me, saying with each sound and chords he played, "And check this one out!"  (music sound)  "And, and check this one out!"    He absolutely delighted in playing his keyboards and having me hear his sounds.  As he played, his eyes flashed with excitement and joy.

I remember thinking, 'Wow, if I ever live to be that old, I hope I have that kind of zest!'

In these times, it is easy to get caught up in playing music as a way to make money.  Or the thought that you are not "successful" as an artist unless you sell a bunch records or CDs and make a bunch of money.  Or that you become "famous".

Those are traps.  And every artist faces them, whether they be musicians, song writers, singers, actors, visual artists, dancers, and so forth.

It is no coincidence that music is a BIG part of religion and spirituality.  Ever go to a worship service with not so good music?    Not many people will return!

For music is rooted to the feel and  emotional aspect of the worship service or ritual...and it can open the door to the spiritual. 

In fact, music can be, and is a spirituality. 

But more on that in my next post!

Facing Fear...the Spirituality of the Christian Martyrs

St Ignatius of Antioch

FACING FEAR.  I think one of the toughest things for us living in post modern times is understanding, I mean really understanding the Christian martyrs …who willingly walked to their deaths.  We marvel at their courage and faith and gasp in horror at what they endured... the gruesomeness of their deaths.   

We wonder, how did they do it?  How did they face it?  How did they overcome their fear?

Today is the feast of St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch who lived and was martyred in the first century.  St. Ignatius became the third bishop of Antioch in the year 67 AD, making him the earliest of the Church Fathers.  It is said he was a student of John the Apostle, and that he was one of the children Jesus took in his arms and blessed! 

St. Ignatius regarded salvation as one being free from the powerful fear of death and was thus to bravely face martyrdom.  He was executed in Rome at the Coliseum in 108 AD.

Yes, we are a culture that fears death.  Martyrdom, facing death, even talking about death is just not a comfortable subject for many of us.  Death is the great unknown.  For many of us, we may say, “Oh, I am not afraid to die…it is just the way I may die that worries me!”

I remember back in the nineties (the 1990s that is) when I saw the movie Titanic when that version came out.   I went to an afternoon showing, as that night I had a “gig”, a musical performance.  Back then, I was still playing music professionally and was the bass player for a local blues and R&B band called Sistah Blue.

I intensely remember the part of the movie where the ship was slipping into the ocean. There was a quartet of musicians on the top deck playing.   As the ship tilted and slipped toward the ocean, the musicians saw they had only moments before they would be in the freezing water.   And what did they do?  They shrugged and continued to play their music enjoying their last moments of life!

I remember thinking, 'Wow, I hope that I could be that graceful and fearless in my last moments of life'.    

But in reality, I am not so sure that I could!

Gerald Sittser, professor of Christian History and Spirituality at the University of Chicago stated in his recent book, Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries, “The martyrs did not die to prove something to God or earn something from God, but to witness to the life they had received as a gift from God.”

I know, martyrdom is still hard for us to understand.

But all of us have suffered in one way or another.  Some of us may have even faced death or endured a life threatening situation or illness.   And in this experience, there are gifts.  It strangely has a way of helping us grow spiritually and in faith by leaps and bounds. 

In walking through that dark valley, facing our greatest fears....realizations of…what a gift life really is.  It can be a great awakening for us….To living, I mean really living….and being fully alive, free.  The illusions of life become much more apparent. The worries, the things that caused anxiety and fear, greatly lessened with the greater awareness that God is always with us, in darkness and in light and life…and a deeper awareness of God’s love.

It goes way beyond words.

Perfect love casts out all fear.

It has been said that we tend to die the way we lived our life.  The martyrs did not die to prove something to God or earn something from God, but to witness the life they had received as a gift from God. 

May we overcome fear, walk in love and dare to truly live! 

The Real Gem Inside the Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem / Al Quds

In my visit to Jordan and Israel in 2005, I was privileged to go inside the Dome of the Rock.  For Jewish people, Christians and Muslims, this is one of the most holy sites in the world.

Built in the 7th century by Muslims, it sits where the ancient Jewish Temple once stood, right on the very spot that was the Holy of Holies, the most sacred room in the ancient temple.  It is the tip top of Mount Moriah, (the rock), the very spot described in the story in Genesis, where Abraham was going to sacrifice his son Isaac.  (Abraham's son Ishmael for Muslims.) 

Walking around on the temple mount, it was pretty amazing to see and experience in person.  The Dome of the Rock on one end, and Al Aqsa mosque on the other.  Not dressed appropriately to go inside such a holy place, I returned a day or so later, properly attired. 

The Rock inside the dome

I was stopped at the door, and the door man asked me if I knew the Bismillah, or al Fataha, which is the first verse in the Qur'an.  It is a short prayer Muslims say every time they pray.   Coincidentally, I did, so I began reciting it in Arabic.  After reciting three lines or so in my really bad American English accent, he waved me in.

I walked in nervously and amazed.  Inside, it is very beautiful, with lots of artwork designs and calligraphy.  Many Muslims were in there quietly praying and or reading the Qur'an, men and women.  I saw the rock, the tip top of Mt. Moriah and walked around.  It was quiet and peaceful.  How I wished people could see this, as the news is so full of such misinformation and negativity about Islam. 

One little old Muslim lady with blue misty eyes came up to me and spoke to me in Arabic, but I could not understand her.  So a group of young girls came up to me and translated.  They told me, 'she is telling you that God loves you!'  I was touched.

Then the young girls, (they were Palestinian) gave me a small pendant as a gift.  They did this as they could see I was a foreigner.    Again, I was touched, but also quite embarrassed as I had nothing to give them in return.    So, a big tip for all of you if you ever travel to holy sites, bring gifts to give!

Pictured to the right are the young ladies I met in the Dome of the Rock, including the kind older Muslim lady who told me in Arabic, "God loves you!"

Now, here was the real gem inside the dome!

How privileged and blessed I was to have seen and experienced this!

A Spirituality of Worship - A Visit to a Non Denominational Church

Visiting a non denominational church

It never ceases to amaze me all the ways we can worship and experience God.

As a chaplain in the USAF / Air National Guard,  I have had the privilege of leading and participating in many different styles of worship; Liturgical services, Traditional Protestant, Contemporary Christian, Gospel services, and more.    I am used to working with and serving people who are a variety of world religions, Christian denominations, no religious preference, atheists, Native Americans, and you name it.

Do I like one style more than others, or do I feel more at home or comfortable in certain styles of worship?  Well yes, of course.  But that does not mean I do not appreciate them all. 

I am glad for the variety.    I had a blast leading the Gospel services when I was deployed to Arabia, even though that style of worship is nothing like Episcopal Church services.  And I really love liturgical, or sacramental worship too, naturally!

As for worship and church services, what "works" for one, may not work for another. So, I say it is a good thing there are so many styles of worship!  And denominations.  And religions!
 
However, there is the recent phenomenon of certain mainline Christian denominations that are in decline.  Declining in membership and attendance that is.  Many are wondering why.

Statistics show that in the past ten to twenty years, denominations such as Presbyterian USA, United Methodist, the United Church of Christ, Lutheran, Baptists (including Southern Baptists) and Episcopalians are declining in members and church attendance.  Even the Roman Catholic church is in slight decline.  Many churches (parishes) in these denominations have even been closed down. And there are many unemployed and underemployed clergy.

The plain fact is that many people just no longer attend church, or never really have.  It is true.  Religion statistics from every unit and wing I have served in the USAF and Air National Guard  over the years show the highest or second highest numbers in religion population are "no religious preference".  Going to church, and or being part of a religion is just not part of many people's lives these days.

But for those that do go to church, some have left the mainline denominations and moved on to Non-Denominational churches.   The LDS (Mormons), Assemblies of God and the Pentecostals are of the few denominations that also show growth. 

Many clergy in the declining denominations are waving their arms, "We've got to do something to increase church growth!"  Or ,"We need to have more workshops on congregational development!", There are multitudes of books, articles and blogs on "what went wrong, why we are losing people and what we need to do about it"...or why this is happening.

But that is not the purpose of this reflection. 

Bright & early before morning worship

Last weekend I attended a large Non-Denominational Church called "Real Life Church" in southern California with my cousins.  This is where they attend church, and so I joined them.

What follows is a description of the church and the worship service I attended.  I make no critique, just a few observations that I will share here...

The church building and grounds are very contemporary and large, (but not as big as the mega churches).   The decor is modern and sleek.  The building itself from the outside looks like a wave, (no steeple or bell tower here)!

Outside there is a huge sunken amphitheater for outdoor concerts and services.  On the lower level is a large and sleek, and I mean sleek coffee house complete with comfy couches and a stage for live musical acts.  I enjoyed a really good cup of Americano iced coffee with my cousins.  A percentage of the profits made by the coffee sales are donated to various charities, and they posted the dollar amounts in plain view. 

The lobby has a booth that kind of looks like a check-in stand, and it has a big sign over it, "Guest Services".   And there was a huge cross made of various odds and ends, including old license plates. (Picture is above.)

We were at the early morning 8 am service and arrived a little early.  The church offered three Sunday morning services and an evening service.   As well, a service on Saturday afternoon.

Countdown to worship...

After my cousins showed me around the place, we went into the worship hall with our coffees (which was OK).  The worship hall or "sanctuary" looked like an amphitheater concert hall, huge and complete with professional sound system and three large video screens above the "stage", lots of high tech lighting, an array of personnel running sound, lights, video, camera persons, etc.   Rock music played on the PA as people found their seats.

The screens posted the time in minutes and seconds when services would begin.   The stage was large and there were drums, bass, keyboards, guitar and mic stands set up.   There were also some props, such as a large scrabble looking thing to hold large letters.  The seats were like in a movie theater and had cup holders.   They thought of everything!

Worship began with the musicians coming on the stage and playing about 3 or 4 songs.  The people stood during the music.  The music was loud, but not obnoxious, and the style was contemporary Christian rock. The lyrics were posted on the video screens.  The people did not seem to know the songs very well, I noticed not too many sang along.  The sound system was top notch, clear, crisp, sub woofers and all.  Any professional large name act could perform in this venue.  I am sure many have.

Band playing

After the music, a pastor came out and gave a little pitch on programs of the church.  He was young and wearing jeans and tennis shoes.  Very polished and friendly.   Then a humorous video was played by the "Church documentarian" on the status of the construction outside.

Lead Pastor giving the message

Then the Lead Pastor came out and gave his message.  He opened his sermon with a word and then spelled it with the huge block scrabble letters.  With this word / concept he then read a scripture passage from Colossians and Romans and proceeded to give his message.  He was wearing jeans and tennis shoes.

A tall table was brought out and stool for him to sit on as he spoke.  No podium or pulpit here.   It was like he was sitting at a coffee house talking to us, which gave it more of a casual feel.  He used his iPad, although his delivery was very polished and memorized.  His preaching style was as a teacher, and his sermon  a teaching sermon.  At times short video clips were added.  His message was overall very good and lasted about 20 to 25 minutes. 

A few other things I noticed.  He was very friendly, articulate, professional and polished.  He used humor and things in ordinary life in his message that people could relate to (football).  He taught the scripture.  Then he taught how to apply it in life.  It was very practical, very simple and very easy to relate to.    He explained the most basic of things and did not assume the people had prior knowledge or study in religion.    Hey, not everyone has advanced degrees in theology or religious studies. 

After the message (sermon) there were some short prayers led by the pastors, and then Communion was distributed (trays and little cups of grape juice with wafer in it). There was no liturgy of the Eucharist, no words of institution, no blessing of the wine and bread.  The words of scripture pertaining to "do this in remembrance of me" were posted on the video screens as the little cups were passed around and people helped themselves.

The people in the modern day "pews"!

The service lasted about an hour.  And the place was packed with hundreds of people.  And did I mention, it was huge?

Aside from worship services, the church also had numerous small groups that people could join, youth activities, college aged & high school groups, outreach ministries and more.  There are groups for dealing with grief, depression, for men who struggle with pornography, for young women and girls to teach them healthy esteem, etc.  There are Bible Study groups, retreats and so on.

Yes this church is hopping, and very much alive.

A couple other observations.  The church did not seem political, "conservative" or "liberal" or preach against certain things, lifetstyles, women in ministry, etc.  It did not seem "preachy", or emphasize a certain morality, nor did the people get into the trance induced glazy eyed intense cries of "JEEZUS!".   Yes it was focused on God.  But not overly "Jesusy", if that is a word!

The church and its pastors were very non authoritative, non hierarchical and non threatening.   For example, the lead Pastor was the "lead Pastor" not the "head Pastor", or "Senior Minister" or "Rector" or "Senior Pastor".  He went by his first name, no title.  The assisting pastors were not assisting, they were "one of the pastors" or the title of what they were in charge of (Youth Pastor, Pastoral Care, etc.).  I did notice the church's website has a very large staff, not sure if all were paid or volunteer. I did notice the pastors were all male, and many of the non clergy staff were female.

Prior to worship, Twitter and Facebook on video screens

The attendees were mostly young adults and young families.  I did not see one grey or white head in there!  Well OK, maybe one or two.   Dress was very casual for clergy and the people.  No robes, albs or stoles for the clergy here!

The whole experience was very "of these times", with iPad, music, video, Twitter, Facebook, wifi, coffee house, concert hall, primo web site and all. 

And so this is where many people go now.  This style of church or worship rather seems to speak more to the people here in our modern day world.

Their mission statement, "Helping people find and follow God". 

Yes, I am ordained in the Episcopal Church.  But I am glad these large non denom churches are around.  If it helps people learn and experience God, the Holy, feed their soul and grow in their spirit, then that is good!

Religions and denominations will always be in flux.  Numbers increase, numbers decrease.  Nothing ever stays the same.  The one constant in life, is change.

Churches and worship styles like the Episcopal Church reach and touch many people.  It does not, and will not touch all.   No one church or denomination ever will.  No one style of worship ever will.  No one religion (dare I say) ever will.  There are as many varieties in worship styles and churches, denominations and religions as there are people.  Something for everyone, should they choose.

And what of a spirituality of worship?

The term "liturgy" is usually interpreted as the worship style or service.   Denominations such as the Greek Orthodox, (or any Orthodox), Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran are said to be "liturgical" in their worship style.  But really, every style of worship is liturgy. 

Liturgy actually means "the work of the people". And worship is about God.   And God is love.  Worship really, at its root, is about love and experiencing and growing in love.

As one monk said, "Worship is not something we do for God, but something God does in us".

We are all similar and yet different.  Different personalities, ethnicities, cultures, levels of education, family traditions, different ways of thinking, different talents.  Some of us are introverts, extroverts, feelers, thinkers, intuitives, sensers, judgers and perceivers.  Some of us are artistic, some intellectual, some creative, some mathematical, some more physical and athletic.  Different levels and places on the path.   And on it goes.

Spirituality being something we practice, yet also something mysterious, undefinable and related to our inner most being.  For each and everyone of us, spirituality, or practicing spirituality is different.

And interestingly, like two sides of the same coin, both spirituality or our inner most being and worship / liturgy are intricately related.   One helps grow the other.  And vice-versa.

Liturgy, in all its varieties invites us to experience the Holy, in all its flavors, varieties and colors.

What a dull world it would be if we were all the same!

Living like a monk in the modern world...or at least trying to...

Illuminated script, with monks chanting artwork

Monks.  Is there something or anything of this somewhat unusual yet spiritual, counter-cultural lifestyle that we here in the modern world we can live and learn from?  Let's take a look...

[By the way, I use the word monk to mean both male and female.  The word "monk" comes from Greek μοναχός, (monachos) meaning solitary, or to live alone, and the term is gender neutral.]  

Yes, the life of a monk is an unusual lifestyle here in our active, modern day world. 

Instead of life in the world, some are drawn to living a life of simplicity, prayer, contemplation, spiritual growth, serving others.... as a solitary or living in community in a monastery.....

And as we know there are monks in different religions of the world; Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and so on.  And there are different types of monks. 

Orthodox monk praying

Lately I have been reading a lot on the spiritual practices of the Eastern Orthodox Churches.  It is quite rich in its depth.    I am finding much food for the soul.

Within Eastern Christianity, the inner life, quiet, stillness and prayer of the heart is emphasized.  The focus is on experiencing the Holy, or union with God.  

In many ways it is a spirituality of "be" rather than "do".

In Eastern Christianity there are three types of monks; an anchoritic monk,  meaning a solitary, a cenobitic, meaning living in community in a monastery under the spiritual leadership of an abbot or abbess, and the third type, a skete, a community of individuals who live alone but in close proximity to one another.   

But no matter what type of monk or what religion, prayer is central in the life of a monk.   And prayer all throughout the day.  Prayer in listening, chanting repetitive prayers with a prayer rope or beads, breath prayer, praying at designated times throughout the day and night, and so on.

But the big difference between the West and East in this is the emphasis of silence and listening for God rather than talking to God and asking or pleading for something.

The monasteries produce(d) many things to sell in order to pay their operational expenses and maintain self sufficiency.   Many monasteries provide(d) services to their local communities such as education and teaching, research, medical care, and so forth.  In fact, many modern day universities and colleges evolved from monasteries.

But unlike our modern, mainstream, money making, profit oriented world, monastic money making is/was only done in order to keep the monastery running.  The excess money earned is/was given to the poor and various charities. 

Young Buddhist Nuns praying

So, let's revisit that original question at the beginning of this post...

Is it possible to be a modern day monk?  Is there something or anything of this spiritually rich lifestyle that we,  in the modern, mainstream world we can live and learn from?  

What do YOU think?

A Spirituality of Hope

"Hope" in many languages

Faith.  Hope. Love.
All three very important to be sure.  However, I think "hope" tends to get the short end of the stick as compared to "faith" and "love".    We hear all about faith and love.  But hope...well, not nearly as much.

But..it is hard to have faith, hope and love or practice one without the other two.  All three are inescapably intertwined with one another. 

I took this photo (to the left) of the "HOPE plaque" posted at the Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona.   It is the word hope in many languages.  How many languages can you decipher?

Or, in how many languages can you say hope?  (See below for "hope" in many languages translated.)

What is it about hope?  For starters, it implies something is not right or totally perfect in the present, here and now.   It implies the future.  For example, we hope things will someday be better.

Hope is also associated with suffering...from the most great to lesser forms.  

Remember the story of Pandora's Box in Greek mythology?    When Pandora opened her box, all the good spirits escaped except hope, who stayed behind to comfort humankind. 

Yes, hope suddenly becomes VERY important when.... you or a loved one are in the hospital, or dealing with illness and or injury.  Or you are far away from home, such as on a deployment on the other side of the planet, hoping to come home someday.  And or if you are unemployed or underemployed, we hope to find a good job!  And on it goes.

Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl talks about the importance of hope in his book Man's Search For Meaning.  While imprisoned and starving in the concentration camp, he observed that no matter how starved and emaciated, those that held on to hope, the hope they would someday be free, someday see their loved one's again, stayed alive and survived.  But the one's who lost hope and gave in to despair, were usually dead in a day or two...even the people who still had their health.  Yes, the people that kept hope alive, stayed alive and survived.

I believe hope is key to life.  Real life.  And I mean really being alive, really living, not just existing.  

Hope is future oriented and it is positive.  But it is much more than wishful thinking.

What is the difference you may ask?  Well, just as there is a difference between happiness and joy, so as with wishful thinking and hope. 

In a world where despair, anxiety, stress, negativity, fear and worry pound us from all angles...

What we need is a spirituality of HOPE.

And what is a spirituality of hope?

Faith, Hope, Love and St. Sophia icon

A spirituality, being something that is practiced is something we work on.  It is focused on God, Spirit.  It is love based.   Hope is life giving, it is both something we do and try to be...

Hope anticipates, has expectation, inspires trust, helps give us confidence and inner peace.  

And in a world of economic crises, wars, violence, distress, illness, fear and disease... we all need a spirituality of hope.  Yes, it takes work.  It takes a lot of work.  Hope is not easy.  It takes focus and energy.  You really have to work at it.

And I will be working on a spirituality of hope...all the rest of my days.  

"Hope" in many languages...

ελπίδα (elpsis) in Greek, esperanza in Spanish,  أمل  (amal) in Arabic,  hopp in Swedish, आशा (asha) in Hindi, надеяться (nadezhda) in Russian, habe in Danish, hoffnung in German, speranta in Romanian, speranza in Italian, espoir in French,   希望 (zi wang) in Chinese, תִקוָה (tikvah) in Hebrew,   harapan in Indonesian,   바람 (himang) in Korean, spes in Latin, kibou in Japansese, umut in Turkish, remény in Hungarian, seehazin in Navajo,امید (omid) in Farsi (Persian), toi hy vong in Vietnamese, ความหวัง (khwam hwang) in Thai, pag asa in Tagalog (Filipino), hoop in Afraikaans, toivoa in Finnish, nadzieja in Polish, haper in Norwegien... and on it goes! 

"For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord..." Psalm 71.5

"Endurance produces character, and character produces hope...and hope does not disappoint us..."  Romans 5.4-5

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer."  Romans 12.12

"May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit ". (Romans 15:13)

Thoughts on spirituality and work; Ora et Labora

Monk laboring

Having work, a good job / career is a blessing to be sure.  Especially if we enjoy our work.

In our modern society, where quantity, production and the dollar seem to reign, it is easy to forget that work is much more than money and income, jobs and the economy.
   

Certainly it can come down to income and money,  especially when we have no work...no income...or not enough.    

Yes, work and a decent income is very much a blessing indeed!

And "work" is much more than just "work". 

For many, one's very identity can be very much wrapped up in work, career, title, income, rank, prestige, degrees, etc.  If you are asked, "Who are you?"  how do you answer this?   Are you your work?

I guess it depends on who you are!

Labor and work and the work we are drawn to can be essentially a big part of our spirituality and can be part of our spiritual practice(s).

It may or may not be the actual job we do, hold, or the money we earn.  Our life's work, or calling may go beyond this.  Take for example the many who work in menial or unglamorous jobs and or those behind the scenes humbly and quietly doing what they do...the job helps pay the bills but it is not who they are.

Think of the countless volunteers, people who share their gifts, time and talent for no pay or very little, bringing light to a world that very much needs it.

Oh yes, and how about the blessing of being healthy enough to work?  This is a blessing indeed.

'Ora et Labora' is Latin for "pray and work" or "pray and labor".  It refers to the monastic practice of working and praying, and is associated with the Rule of St. Benedict.  Throughout their day, the monks work, labor and pray.   It was (is) a way for living a balanced life.

Perhaps we in the modern world can learn something from this. 

Let us reflect on and give thanks for the many blessings of work .... whatever our work may be  ...

The Praying Monk on Camelback Mountain

Camelback Mountain

One of my earliest memories as a child is when I first saw Camelback mountain, a very prominent landmark in Phoenix, Arizona.  The mountain is reddish, rocky and looks like a camel keeling, hence its name. Can you see its hump and its head?

At age fifteen I ventured to climb it for the first time.   It was intense, parts of it are fairly steep.  That was a long time ago.  Since then I have climbed it many times...but not lately.

The Praying Monk

The Praying Monk is one of the the most prominent features on the mountain.  It is a rock formation on the camel's "head", and it actually looks like he is walking up (or kneeling) on the mountain to pray.

Interestingly, there is a small cave about midway up the mountain.  

This was a very holy site to the ancient native people, the Hohokam who lived in the area we now know as Phoenix and other parts of Arizona before the 1400ds. 

It is easy to see why.

Perhaps it is time, once the weather cools to hike to this ancient holy place of quiet, beauty and solitude that is now surrounded by a large, busy metropolitan city. 

And pray.

What is Spirituality, exactly?

Spirituality.  The term is very popular these days....it seems to be much more "in" than "religion", (organized religion, that is).  But what is spirituality, exactly? 

No matter where we may look, how much we research, how many different books we read on various "spiritualities",  finding a definitive explanation  of spirituality proves to be quite elusive. 

Where to begin?

For starters, let's look at the root word "spirit".  Spirit is the animating force, the vital principle within all living beings.   Interestingly the word "spirit" comes from the Latin word espiritu, which means "breath".  Interestingly, it has the same translation in many languages; ruach, (Hebrew) al ruh, (Arabic), pneuma (Greek).  One's spirit is breath!   Being alive!  Alive and really living!

God is in on this too.  Yep, it's true.  The very word spirituality is rooted in the Spirit of God and is a big aspect of many religions of the world; Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Baha'i, Hinduism, indigenous religions, etc.    Although beliefs about the Spirit differ by faith tradition, overall it is the aspect of God that inspires, gives life, creates, and is that intangible and aspect of the Holy...like the wind...it is free...it blows where it will. The symbol of the Holy Spirit is the dove.  

But back to spirituality.  The Oxford dictionary defines spirituality as "relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things".  And yet, spirituality also implies a holistic view rather than separate, whole, as in "body - mind - spirit".  We are all of these things, and they are all interconnected.  One affects the other. 

Ironically, spirituality seems to imply something supernatural,  incorporeal, up there or out there, but it is very much linked to our human experience and our being.  We experience and feel it, (such as a spiritual moment or experience).  

There are many types of spiritualities or spiritual practices.  So it is linked to something we do, usually as a path, a method, or a way, a practice.   Such as prayer, meditation, types of prayers, contemplation, yoga, hiking, music, silence, solitude, etc. 

Spirituality has a transformative quality about it.  Spiritual growth changes us.  There is also a sense of the mystery when it comes to spirituality.  And thus in many ways it is linked to the mystical, mysticism. 

Also quite ironically spirituality is actually very closely linked with religion, not opposed to it, or out of context with it, as is implied in the ever popular saying "I'm spiritual, not religious".   And yet spirituality goes beyond religion too, beyond doctrine, theology, ecclesiology, hierarchy and so forth.  

One more thing.  Spirituality also goes beyond the intellect and discursive thought.  Perhaps this is why it is so difficult to define or explain.  It refers to matters of the inner life,  the heart.  

But now,  I turn this conversation to you and ask, what is Spirituality?