Day 932: Tuesday, October 4, 2022

We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny

In his 1967 Christmas sermon on peace and nonviolence, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stressed the interrelatedness of Earth, nations, and all life:

"Now, let me suggest first that, if we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. . . . We must develop a world perspective. No individual can live alone; no nation can live alone, and as long as we try, the more we are going to have war in this world. . . .

It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. We are made to live together because of the interrelated structure of reality."

Writer Victoria Loorz, co-founder of the “Wild Church Network,” believes religion’s true purpose is to restore our relationships with each other and the earth:

(Single Garment of Life)

The word religion, at its roots, means re, “again,” and ligios, “connection,” like ligaments. Religion is meant to offer us support to connect again what has been separated. Apparently we need constant reminders to continually reconnect with the fullness of life, the whole, the holy. What we’ve created is more like disligion: disconnection from people and species unlike us. When religion loses its purpose and colludes with the forces of separation instead, it becomes irrelevant and even irreverent. . . .

Loorz seeks to encourage people towards deeper love by encountering the Holy outdoors:

The new story is emerging, and I cannot pretend to know all the layers. Yet one aspect that seems essential relates to the worldview of belonging—a way of being human that acts as if we belong to a community larger than our own family, race, class, and culture, and larger even than our own species. The apocalyptic unveiling happening in our world right now makes it difficult even for those who have been sheltered in privilege to look away from the reality, both tragic and beautiful, that we are all deeply interconnected. Humans, trees, oceans, deer, viruses, bees. God.

Many people, whether they go to church regularly or avoid it, feel closest to God while they are in nature. Even a simple gaze at a full moon can be a spiritual experience if you are mindful enough. And a glorious sunset can summon hallelujahs from deep in your soul. Humans are made to engage in life-affirming conversation with the whole, holy web of life. . .

Mystical experience in nature—those moments when you sense your interconnection with all things—are more than just interesting encounters. They are invitations into relationship. Beyond caring for creation or stewarding Earth’s “resources,” it is entering into an actual relationship with particular places and beings of the living world that can provide an embodied, rooted foundation for transformation. The global shift necessary to actually survive the crises we’ve created depends on a deep inner change.

Announcement from Annette Lomont: Vatican II

Vatican Council II: A Discussion featuring Michael Sean Winters (he's fun and smart!)

Thursday, October 6, 2022 This fall, in honor of the 60th anniversary of the convening of Vatican II, St. Ignatius Parish will host a six-part series looking at the teaching of the Council and the continuing effect (and controversy) it has sparked in the Catholic community. In this first session, which takes place from 6:30-8:00pm in-person at St. Ignatius church and via livestream followed by a reception, Michael Sean Winters from the National Catholic Reporter opens the series with an overview of the context in which Vatican II took place, and why it matters today.

This presentation will be followed by time for dialogue and questions. Registration is not required, though we ask that you RSVP below so that we can prepare the event accordingly. RSVP Michael Sean Winters is a columnist for the National Catholic Reporter. Winters is also a senior fellow at the Greenberg Center for the Study of Religion in Public Life at Trinity College. He is the author of God's Right Hand: How Jerry Falwell Made God a Republican and Baptized the American Right (2012) and Left At the Altar: How Democrats Lost The Catholics And How Catholics Can Save The Democrats (2008). Background Readings - use this link Conservative criticism of synodality suggests Pope Francis' process might be working

Announcement #2: Change of Time for Emmaus Celebrations?

Consider:

About the change in starting time from 5 pm to 4 pm…there is yet another consideration which I heard spoken aloud, though ever so quietly, about 6 weeks ago on Zoom,…and that is to have a different starting time as early as needed to avoid traveling (driving) home in the dark.

According to the chart below, found on google, Sunset is at 4:51 pm on the 21st of December….suggesting a starting time around 3:00 pm.

It may be that 3 pm is way too early, and not at all what the majority is interested in doing…Your thoughts?