Remembering Mentors at the Close of this Easter Season

Remembering Mentors this Easter

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race set before us.”–Hebrews 12:1.

Today, I honor a Mentor who died in May 2020 from coronavirus, an early victim of the virus. I still remember how deeply moved we were to hear of the death of the Rev. William Barnwell, a priest in New Orleans. I treasure every moment I spent with him at the National Cathedral, at the College of Preachers, and through the adult education program, Disciples of Christ in Community, DOCC. He taught me, especially about literature and the Bible, preaching, and standing up fiercely for those society has forgotten or never cared for.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune calls William “the crusading minister of New Orleans.” I knew him best as the soft-spoken man with a rich New Orleans accent. Through his courses on the Bible and the accompanying stories from modern literature, he led us to a deeper understanding of the Bible through the lens of contemporary writers.

I treasure the books he wrote that Henry Hudson gave me when Henry left New Orleans. They are Lead Me On, Let Me Stand, and A Clergyman’s Story in White and Black. William also wrote Called to Heal and Brokenhearted: Stories from Kairos Prison Ministry International. Just the titles of these two books hint at his passionate ministry. It was indeed a God thing that a friend, Michael Hackett, invited William to dinner with us in New Orleans in January 2020, after a conference at the nearby Solomon Conference Center. I will continually cherish the opportunity to have that last meal with him.

William served in the Coast Guard but was best known as a community organizer against racism and injustice.

Easter can be a time to remember the lives of those who died from this virus and to thank them for what they brought to our lives. I will especially pray for William Barnwell, who almost died so many times as he fought to save and change the lives of others with his words from the pulpit, through the Bible and contemporary literature, and on our southern streets and in our southern prisons.

Give thanks to those who have mentored you. Continue their legacy by sharing with others what you learned from them. Call or write to thank them during the close of this Easter season.
Joanna https://www.joannaseibert.com/

Eugene Peterson and Prayer

Peterson: Prayer

“I began to understand the obvious: the central and shaping language of the church’s life has always been its prayer language. From that recognition, a conviction grew: my primary educational task as pastor was to teach people to pray.”—Eugene Peterson, “What Is My Educational Task?” in The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction (Eerdmans, 1993).

The well-known author of the popular modern Bible translation, The Message, reveals that he interprets the most important ministry of a pastor as being a spiritual director, teaching others how to pray. Of course, he is not downgrading teaching about faith, biblical writings, or the history of God’s people. Still, he calls pastors to be spiritual directors, returning to the wisdom of ancient spiritual leaders who trained people to connect with God and God’s love through various forms of prayer. 

Peterson invites us to make friends with our ancient forebears, beginning with Gregory of Nyssa and Teresa of Avila. He then challenges us to learn the language of intimacy, love, and relationship. 

He reminds us of two great mystical prayer traditions, the kataphatic and the apophatic, the first praying with our eyes open, the second with our eyes shut. Kataphatic prayer turns to icons, symbols, rituals, and incense, affirming creation's gifts as a way to the Creator. Apophatic prayer calls for emptiness—a mind cleared of thoughts and images until one experiences the silence and nearness of God. The two ways of prayer can be blended, and we will find one or the other more meaningful at different times in our lives. 

However, this former professor of spiritual theology reminds us that the Psalms were written by people of God who kept their eyes open.

Joanna joannseibert.com https://www.joannaseibert.com/

 

 

Learning from the Mystics

 Feeling or Knowing God’s Presence Through the Mystics

Modern Mystics

“But the fruit of the Spirit is ‘love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.’ Against such things, there is no law.”—Galatians 5:22-23.

I recently met with an amazing group of people seeking God in their lives. They asked several questions: “How do you know you are in a relationship with God? How do you know God’s presence? How do you know God is speaking to you?”

I have always been skeptical of people who tell me, “This is what God told me to do.” I do not recognize the voice of God until maybe after something has happened, not before.

However, I have learned that I may be doing God’s will if I feel the presence of the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Christian Mystics

We can also learn from the experiences of others who were deeply attuned to God’s presence. They are known as Christian mystics. They could more clearly see God’s love and presence all around them, in others, and within themselves. 

Richard Rolle, the 14th-century English mystic, describes being in relationship with God when he feels a physical warmth in his body, senses God’s sweetness, and hears heavenly music while chanting the Psalms. I know music touches our soul, and the warmth and sweetness Rolle feels may be among the fruits of the Spirit. 

I have heard others say they have a gut feeling of assurance when they believe they are doing God’s will. Another common experience of God’s presence occurs in nature, where we feel the presence of something greater than ourselves. Others may learn more about God’s presence when they become ill or lonely, or when they are suffering or dying. Many experience God in prayer.

Experience tells me that people of the feeling (F) type in the Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator may be more inclined to develop this relationship with the Divine. But I also know that thinking (T) people can experience this presence and assurance through logic and truth found in research and reading.

The approaching summer is a good time to read about mystics and find your favorite. I hope to spend the summer with Hildegard of Bingen, listening to her music.

[See Ursula King, Christian Mystics: Their Lives and Legacies Throughout the Ages (HiddenSpring, 2001).]

Orthodox Mystics from Susan Cushion