Clarion: Journal of Spirituality and Justice

Inspiration and Affluence - Poetic Journaling by Ted Hill

Inspiration

Inspiration erases the simplicity of serving.
Energy courses and bumps to repaving the humble road of obedience.
Grabbed by vision and dynamic creative blows
that see through invigorated eyes of hope.

Naivety concludes that I am on the wrong path;
Change must come or I die inside or become the cause of the next “holocaust” by my inaction: If a butterfly’s wings have the power to create a hurricane then I must act.

My mind heaves with adrenal pulses;
My chest rises and falls with self-absorbed excitement;
My eyes are blind with intention;
My ears seek only the word “Go!”

I do not hear a “Go!”
But I slowly focus on the nail pierced hands of Christ
holding out a towel dripping with excited readiness!

The Lamb of God by Fiona Calder

I climbed into bed and pulled the blankets over my head. I sure felt embarrassed at my inarticulate comments earlier that evening alongside those of the intellectual giants who’d triggered my thoughts and responses. Yes, I just wanted to hide.

Under the covers I let my imagination take me to the Jordan River. It had been a meeting place for me for a couple of weeks now. The waters were pretty deep and wide, but I felt steady on my feet next to John the Baptist with the water up to my waist. I had relived this scene a few times now. Jesus is walking along the riverbank, approaching us from the right. I follow John’s gaze as we watch Him coming closer. Almost without thinking I whisper to myself ‘behold the Lamb of God’.

2:1 think linear by Al Sergel

“Considering the Bible’s general theological understanding of history, we certainly find in it a linear chronological conception, from the creation account to the covenants of Noah and Moses, to David and the prophets, to Jesus, the era of the Church and finally the eschatology of the end time.

For man…must go through the experience of evil in order to gain enough maturity to lead, eventually, a life “in the flesh” in imitation of Christ and to reach perfection through Eucharist and resurrection. We should note that in this linear conception the reality of sin can be seen as educational means.”
-Hans Urs Von Balthasar “Dare We Hope That All Men Be Saved”

“All words are inherently double-voiced or double-valued: he calls this multi-accentuality.”
-A concept of Mikhail Bakhtin

Corporatism, Commonweal and the Just Society by Archbishop Lazar Puhalo

Is not this the manner of fast that I have commanded: to loose the bonds of repression, to lift the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free, and that you should break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you shall bring the poor that are cast out to your own home? Is it not that when you see the naked, you shall clothe him; and that you do not hide from your own weaknesses? Then shall your light break forth as the dawn, and your spirit will quickly spring forth: and your righteousness shall go before you and the glory of the Lord will be your recompense. (Isaiah 58:6-8)

Paradise and Hell According to Orthodox Tradition by Protopresbyter George Metallinos

On the Last Sunday of Lent "we commemorate the Second and Incorruptible Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ". The expression "we commemorate" of the Book of Saints confirms that our Church, as the Body of Christ, re-enacts in its worship the Second Coming of Christ as an "event" and not just something that is historically expected. The reason is, that through the Divine Eucharist, we are transported to the celestial kingdom, to meta-history. It is in this orthodox perspective, that the subject of paradise and hell is approached.

The Spiritual Audacity of A. J. Heschel - Audio Interview

This audio is from a recent episode of NPR’s 'Speaking of Faith.' It’s a mix of live recoding’s of Heschel taken from various lectures he gave, along with an indepth interview by Krista Tippet with JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen. The Chancellor shares stories and anecdotes about Heschel and talks about how Heschel’s message is still relevant today. Many thanks to Al Sergel for passing it along. You can listen by clicking here.

Advent Conpiracy - www.adventconspiracy.org

The Jesus Pledge by Bob Ekblad

The Jesus Pledge: Pledging Allegiance to Jesus and the Kingdom of God
Bob Ekblad
Nov 14, 2008

On November 4, election day here in the USA, I had the privilege of speaking before some 2,000 students and faculty at Messiah College in Pennsylvania. An orchestra played at the beginning while young women students processed in carrying flags of all the nations. The students lifted high their flags, and I kept thinking that these symbols of national identity were taking people’s focus off the human beings carrying them—made in God’s image and likeness. The girls placed all the flags into stands and I was surprised that the American flag was in the second row, somewhat hidden. After the opening prayer though I opened my eyes to find the flag had crept to the front left corner—the most prominent position. I thought of the first commandment:

“I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything… you shall not bow down to them or serve them” (Exod 20:1-4).

Identity Storm by Eric H Janzen

Part One What's the Point? The Eye of the Storm…

I shudder as I begin writing this and nearly get up from the keyboard and run away. A crisis of identity has recently turned my inward life upside down, and the blame can be squarely put on the shoulders of my beloved pastor Brad Jersak and a well meaning prophetic teacher named Graham Cooke. Now neither of them could have known it, but it was almost like they had conspired against me, which really means that God was up to something. The result of this conspiracy has been some serious reflection on some pretty large questions, which has led to some conclusions. Though I will share them, I respectfully declare that I am on a journey of discovery and offer these thoughts in the hopes it will help others on their journey.

Words of Fear, Words of Hope: (an exercise)

Words of hope, words of fear. An exercise in discernment of spirits... in four parts

Part I: Read James 3:9-18 slowly and out loud. (twice)

Part II: Watch the Will.I.AM video below. (twice) You can view it here:

Part III: Read the Focus on the Family 2012 retrospective letter -- hypothetical prophecy (skim if need be). It is viewable by clicking here.

Part IV: Read the word of rebuke and correction by Jim Wallis of Sojourners. Viewable if you click here.

Ponder.