I love your writing Sean. Jurgen Moltmann’s book “The Crucified God” was required reading when I was a seminary student at Luther Sem. in the 80s. After leaving organized religion and eventually becoming a Course student, I threw the baby out with the bath water. Thank you for reminding me of Moltmann. I will be reading him again.
Thanks for being here Barry. Reading Moltmann is slow going for me, but it's very provocative. Let me know what you think when you go back to him - I'm curious.
You said, "I am not especially gifted at any of this. The road is long and I am still on it. But I am not discouraged." I also feel the road is long and I am on it too, along with hopefully many others. I am not discouraged today, but it does creep in every so often. I do feel I am making progress, since my peace of mind is growing. Your words are helpful for me and it is great that you bring different authors in as well.
Thank you, Robyn. That means a lot to me. My spiritual progress - or walk - has shifted a lot in the past year, year and a half, and this writing project has as well. I'm really grateful for folks who read and share. My sense is that we do this work together or we don't do it at all! Thank you again 🙏🙏
I find it very individual work... watching my mind and forgiving regularly. We do help each other on the path by hearing/reading something that is inspiring or makes us think. Perhaps things said/read change our mind. You are helpful for me since I understand a gem and it shifts me. Pure Gold!!
I am glad to be with all of you. I stumble alongside with moments of clarity, right now I’m listening to the clarity of the birds outside my window singing their hearts out because its morning in this corner of England and it’s what they do and I am grateful. Xxx
Thank you, Sean, once again. I like this, "the way of Love, and the healing power of God, is active without our knowledge or awareness. It originates prior to our comprehension and outside our will." Isn't that great? So much can be seen or done differently once I am aware and following the Way of Love. I would also say that I don't need to have full comprehension. But I struggle, I struggle. Let me have faith like St. John of the Cross:
Thanks, Susan. Yes - I think that is true and important, that we don't need to have full comprehension. I think there are reasonable arguments that we CAN'T have full comprehension, and the drive to try is part of what makes us sick and fearful. In another passage, Moltmann talks about how knowledge of God ascends AS knowledge of self descends and where the two meet is in God but - as Saint John says - there is nothing one can say there, or even do, other than be home.
So the struggle goes on but with increasingly lighter stakes. I don't feel as frightened as I once did, and the "natural serious happiness" that Jack Gilbert taught me long ago was Heaven feels increasingly at hand.
Thanks again for being here and sharing, Susan. I appreciate you 🙏🙏
I love this piece, Sean. And yes, I am with you. Reading this reminded me of videos I see from Gaza. For them, especially the children, it seems they find joy even in the midst of destruction--whether they are singing, dancing, playing with kites, and more. I don't mean to minimize their pain and grief, but even in the midst of that there is "sumud." That means steadfastness, rootedness, and firmness. I want to be consciously rooted in Christ. We all are rooted, of course, but I want to be conscious of that fact even in the midst of so much sorrow. Thank you.
I opened substack on my laptop a few minutes ago and, Sean, the article you wrote on 28 November 2024 titled 'becoming the manger' (my son's birthday!!) was the one that showed up. I couldn't find your April 27 article so had to return to my phone to write this comment. I love these 'holy instants' 🪷
Last night, I was called upon to do something uncomfortable, to give up my home and leave many of my things and move into my daughter’s house. In that moment of intense emotion, amidst the pain of my son in law it was easy to say yes it’s not a problem, no worries. This morning, I find myself thinking Oh bloody hell, as the ramifications sink in, it’s not just the physical work of doing it, it’s also letting go of my comfort and it’ll be the little things, it’ll be the distress and confusion of my grandchildren. It’s a call to be an anchor and accept the times when I feel bit useless. Thanks Jesus, just what I needed. Writing this to this community because you are there.
Thank you for sharing, Hilda. The "yes" you offered the night before was generous and staying with it as the ramifications land, is courageous and faithful. I think "anchor" is the right word here, and I want to honor it. Words are clues to where God lives in our living. Anchors don't feel useful - they are largely invisible, feel heavy, and they do their work by holding still while everything else shifts and pulls. That is how they work.
Thank you again for sharing, and being here. I'm here too.
I love your writing Sean. Jurgen Moltmann’s book “The Crucified God” was required reading when I was a seminary student at Luther Sem. in the 80s. After leaving organized religion and eventually becoming a Course student, I threw the baby out with the bath water. Thank you for reminding me of Moltmann. I will be reading him again.
Thanks for being here Barry. Reading Moltmann is slow going for me, but it's very provocative. Let me know what you think when you go back to him - I'm curious.
🙏🙏
~ Sean
You said, "I am not especially gifted at any of this. The road is long and I am still on it. But I am not discouraged." I also feel the road is long and I am on it too, along with hopefully many others. I am not discouraged today, but it does creep in every so often. I do feel I am making progress, since my peace of mind is growing. Your words are helpful for me and it is great that you bring different authors in as well.
Thank you, Robyn. That means a lot to me. My spiritual progress - or walk - has shifted a lot in the past year, year and a half, and this writing project has as well. I'm really grateful for folks who read and share. My sense is that we do this work together or we don't do it at all! Thank you again 🙏🙏
~ sean
I find it very individual work... watching my mind and forgiving regularly. We do help each other on the path by hearing/reading something that is inspiring or makes us think. Perhaps things said/read change our mind. You are helpful for me since I understand a gem and it shifts me. Pure Gold!!
I am glad to be with all of you. I stumble alongside with moments of clarity, right now I’m listening to the clarity of the birds outside my window singing their hearts out because its morning in this corner of England and it’s what they do and I am grateful. Xxx
Thank you, Sean, once again. I like this, "the way of Love, and the healing power of God, is active without our knowledge or awareness. It originates prior to our comprehension and outside our will." Isn't that great? So much can be seen or done differently once I am aware and following the Way of Love. I would also say that I don't need to have full comprehension. But I struggle, I struggle. Let me have faith like St. John of the Cross:
"I entered into unknowing,
Yet when I saw myself there,
Without knowing where I was,
I understood great things;
I shall not say what I felt,
For I remained in unknowing,
Transcending all knowledge."
Thanks, Susan. Yes - I think that is true and important, that we don't need to have full comprehension. I think there are reasonable arguments that we CAN'T have full comprehension, and the drive to try is part of what makes us sick and fearful. In another passage, Moltmann talks about how knowledge of God ascends AS knowledge of self descends and where the two meet is in God but - as Saint John says - there is nothing one can say there, or even do, other than be home.
So the struggle goes on but with increasingly lighter stakes. I don't feel as frightened as I once did, and the "natural serious happiness" that Jack Gilbert taught me long ago was Heaven feels increasingly at hand.
Thanks again for being here and sharing, Susan. I appreciate you 🙏🙏
~ Sean
Thank you Susan
Thank you Sean from the bottom of my heart for helping me come closer to our shared Identity and recognise more and more that It is Real🙏
Thanks for being here Aysin - we walk the road together and I'm always grateful 🙏🙏
~ Sean
I love this piece, Sean. And yes, I am with you. Reading this reminded me of videos I see from Gaza. For them, especially the children, it seems they find joy even in the midst of destruction--whether they are singing, dancing, playing with kites, and more. I don't mean to minimize their pain and grief, but even in the midst of that there is "sumud." That means steadfastness, rootedness, and firmness. I want to be consciously rooted in Christ. We all are rooted, of course, but I want to be conscious of that fact even in the midst of so much sorrow. Thank you.
🙏🙏
I opened substack on my laptop a few minutes ago and, Sean, the article you wrote on 28 November 2024 titled 'becoming the manger' (my son's birthday!!) was the one that showed up. I couldn't find your April 27 article so had to return to my phone to write this comment. I love these 'holy instants' 🪷
I love that, Tricia . . . no accidents in salvation 🙏
~ Sean
Last night, I was called upon to do something uncomfortable, to give up my home and leave many of my things and move into my daughter’s house. In that moment of intense emotion, amidst the pain of my son in law it was easy to say yes it’s not a problem, no worries. This morning, I find myself thinking Oh bloody hell, as the ramifications sink in, it’s not just the physical work of doing it, it’s also letting go of my comfort and it’ll be the little things, it’ll be the distress and confusion of my grandchildren. It’s a call to be an anchor and accept the times when I feel bit useless. Thanks Jesus, just what I needed. Writing this to this community because you are there.
Thank you for sharing, Hilda. The "yes" you offered the night before was generous and staying with it as the ramifications land, is courageous and faithful. I think "anchor" is the right word here, and I want to honor it. Words are clues to where God lives in our living. Anchors don't feel useful - they are largely invisible, feel heavy, and they do their work by holding still while everything else shifts and pulls. That is how they work.
Thank you again for sharing, and being here. I'm here too.
~ Sean
Thanks Sean for the acknowledgment.
Sorry