LENTEN RETREAT III
Welcome
* Leave
Solitude
Silence
Method
Session I
PAUSE
Session II
SMUDGE
are available by
scrolling down
below this posting.
******
Dear All of Us,
Sometimes
we just have to
"Leave it alone."
That's what the
Desert Mothers
and
Fathers
had to do
and did do
literally.
Alone
they left Sin City
to find and live
"Essential
Christianity"
and they didn't stop
to close the door
on the way out!
They left as is
for what needs
to be
and
can be
These good folks
were earnest,
high octane,
full torque.
They took a pass
on what passes for
social and spiritual
systems and situations
that don't have
even a shadow of
sanity or realness.
From Dark Dodge
to desert bright they went.
That pass relocated
more than their address
and how they dwelt there.
We don't have to go desert.
We do need to go new
on how we address life.
Our Lenten Pause
maps out
what we leave,
where we go,
how we transition
and relocate.
It does that so we can
refresh and reset to
"Essential Christianity."
We move away from
tolerance, support, engagement
in systems and situations
that darken, degrade:
- gauche, cruel entertainments
- tolerance of incessant wars
- excessive consumption
- media addition
- compromised governance
- culture warring
- intolerance
religious, sexual,
ethnic, racial
- spiritual shallowness and inertia
- demagogues and dictators
in
government
commerce
communication
education
religion
medicine
- being sacred shy
- anyone or thing soul dulling
- religiosity trumping spirituality
We move to
systems and situations
that enable, support,
enhance
The Common Good:
- truth telling
- pristine air, water, earth
- free, fair elections
- stable marriage
- vigorous, full time family life
- equity in opportunity, housing, salary
- ethnic, racial, environmental justice
- disciplined, judicious media involvement
- education open, truthful, respectful
- embracing God given diversities
- spiritual earnestness and expansiveness
- social sharing
- Spirit Centered
- Soul Liveliness
- Spirit Community
- Genuine discipleship
- Deepest, most intimate prayer
Yes, our investing,
entertainment,
voting, housing, politics,
prayer, time allotments,
what, where and how we buy,
with whom and how we socialize,
are at issue here.
Do they darken us, other, creation?
Do they Love Light us, other, creation?
Do we need to get a move on?
In our small group,
or with a trusted other,
we pause to pray, ponder,
skinny dip in scripture.
This week,
Matthew Chapter 3,
Desert Dynamite
The Message
translation
- free online
Google:
The Message
Book by Eugene H. Peterson
What's going on there?
What needs to go on here?
We listen, share and support.
Spirit Led
we retreat forward
to locate in
a life of
"Essential Christianity."
Lent starts with smudge.
It ends sharing light from the
Christ Candle
symbols of
where to locate
what to
LEAVE
******
Next Edition
Online Posting: Wednesday
February 28, 2024
Email Delivery: Friday
March 1, 2024
******
This week we were blessed with
many first time participants
from the USA.
Welcome!
Great to
RETREAT FORWARD
together and toward ever more
"Essential Christianity."
frankly speaking
spirituality for the street
johnfrankshares.blogspot.com
Click title top left
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Holding us all
in prayer and love
as we migrate right.
John Frank
******
PS:
A solid read and support,
a superior one,
for leaving as is
to find as can be
with a radical,
new focus is:
Stolen Focus,
Johann Hari,
2022,
Crown,
an imprint of
Random House
******
