Colourful Dreamer

During Lent we are invited to consider how we are shaped by the character of God. This week the first reading is from Exodus 20 – the 10 words or commandments. We too easily read these as legalistic or moralistic. Howard Wallace says they “were given so that people may live fully together and before God. They were not given so that people may be worthy to come into God’s presence. On the contrary … they are given after God liberated his people from Egypt and led them in the wilderness. Law or torah in the Old Testament, is always a way to live in the presence of the gracious God who first comes to us in our despair and need. They are also a reminder that living in the presence of this God brings responsibility toward God and toward all God’s creation.” [1] These commandments invite us to see afresh a gracious God who offers us grace and comes to us first. As beloved children how are we marked by that graciousness and generosity? John’s telling of the story of the cleansing of the ...

I am not preaching this week. So here are some extended thoughts on our readings. On Sunday at St. Georges we join the ancient celebrations of All Saints and All Souls. These are days that allow us to celebrate both the great saints and those we have known and loved and who, for better or for worse, have helped shape who we are. We give thanks for their lives and acknowledge our grief at their passing. It is a moment to be still and to know our loss and to give thanks. A friend posted this quote on Facebook, “Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. “Be still” they say. “Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.”” (Linda Hogan) Thanks Franciscan Action Network. We are not using the All Saints readings. Enough of Lazarus I say. It just confuses what we might say on this day of marking our hope in resurrection. Instead we are using the readings for the 31 st Sunday in Ordinary Time. They are such great stories. Firstly Ruth – written as a voice of protest...