The disciples are disturbed and confused over this
message of farewell and frightened over what the future might hold. We
too share in this liminal time where the future seems uncertain. But what if we
look at this as a time of grace?
Liminal Space...Betwixt and Between
May 20, 2020
In today’s reading we continue with John’s farewell discourse, where Jesus at the Last Supper prepares the disciples for his departure. He reassures them with the promise of the Advocate. Today, we await that reconnection with the Advocate as Pentecost approaches. Yet there are many unanswered questions from the disciples. Jesus lets them know that he just can’t tell them everything, as it’s just too much for them. And so they are left in this tension, this in-between space known as liminal space.
Yesterday the MPB School 8th grade families treated our teachers to a
"thank you" parade!
Richard Rohr defines liminal space as:
“…a unique position where human beings hate to be but where the biblical God is always leading them. It is when you have left the tried and true, but have not yet been able to replace it with anything else. It is when you are finally out of the way. It is when you are between your old comfort zone and any possible new answer. If you are not trained in how to entrust and wait, you will run...anything to flee this terrible cloud of unknowing.”
And so we find ourselves today with the future unknown, in liminal space. It can also be an opportunity for grace, especially when we remember that we are not alone.
The following prayer, by Pádraig Ó Tuama, helps me put words to my feelings about this liminal time, this uncertain time of change.
2019 Interfaith Concert with the
Prayer In Time of Change
God of Yesterday,
we knew you then:
your promises; your words;
your walking among us.
But yesterday is gone.
And so, today, we are in need of change.
Change
and change us.
Help us see life now
not to yesterday's stories
but true today's.
Amen
God of Endings,
What we thought would not end
has ended.
And we find ourselves here
wondering where we are
and how we got here
and where to go
from here.
Be with us, here, at the end.
Help us place our feet on this ground
help us lick our wounds,
help us look up and around.
Help us believe
the story
of today.
Because you know all
about the endings
of today.
And you are not afraid.
Amen.
God bless and be well,
Ann Zimmer
Social Outreach Coordinator
Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you.”
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you.”
MPB Livestream Mass Reaching Across Borders!
- We continue to reach out to current and past parishioners far and wide to serve as ministers during our Livestream Masses every Saturday at 4:30pm. Two weeks ago Kayla, Kevin and Eleanor Jennissen joined us from Minnesota to lead our sending forth song. This Saturday, Rita Mailander (former Director of Faith Formation at MPB) will lector and her son, Joe Mailander (Okee Dokee Brothers), will sing for preparation. Thank you to ALL who serve each week.
- All parishioners are invited to be a part of the "safer-at-home" virtual assembly. Sign up by Fridays HERE and you will be sent a Zoom videoconference link and instructions by Saturday morning. "Seats" are limited to 450 households per Mass.
- Watch the weekend Mass on your own once it's posted online (by Sunday morning) for the remainder of the week.
Please send any questions to tstone@mpbdenver.org.
Please share with friends and family.
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