Categories: uncategorized
Date: 06 September 2004 15:20:51
I had a house full of guests on the weekend. I love having people around. I love cooking for people. I love trying to meet the small needs of others. Needs that when met, make people feel more at home. None of my guests were Christians. When I explained my little story of why I wasn't going to church on Sunday, someone said, "So you're on sabbatical then." Amazing.
We talked a bit about Buddhist monks. I talked a bit about "the new monasticism" some Christians were experimenting with, practicing community while living in their own homes. I talked about supporting and caring for and loving each other, sharing physical stuff, meeting needs, helping the poor and oppressed, seeing each other everyday, eating together. Having said all this, I see that rituals are not enough. They may be good for me, they may make me an easier person to live with, but I suspect that it is when people see our love for each other that it's then they know Jesus makes a difference. I think this love thing may just be 'faith in action'. The real love thing, love we're only capable of with the love of God in us. Not just loving family, and friends. But everyone. Loving people I can't stand, and people who refuse to meet my expectations, children with lunch and families without, lawyers in suits and fishermen in blue singlets, drug addicts in lane ways and even Pharisees.
I didn't have much to say on the weekend. But I love to talk about God, faith and spirituality. Now if I can just learn how to put it all into practice.