When the Muse Isn't Speaking

Its been a weird feeling the last (almost) two weeks. I have been photographing and I have been walking but the writing just hasn’t been there and honestly still isn’t. So today is going to be just a mix of things - some photos and some things I have been watching/listening/reading.

First,

MaryAnn McKibben Dana

and I have scheduled our next two Pop Culture Pastors Hour conversations. The first will be this Friday at 11am ET as we’re going to talk about the Netflix hit film KPop Demon Hunters and the messages and theology within it! The second will be the following Wednesday at 10a ET as we do the second of the Charlie Brown holy trinity - Happy Thanksgiving Charlie Brown. We’ll be sure to have some jellybeans and pretzels at the ready!

A Podcast I Listened To - “Quantum Refuge” from Radiolab

I cannot recommend this podcast episode highly enough. It is a conversation with Qasem Waleed, a 28 year old physicist who has lived in Gaza his entire life. It is an incredible conversation about the reality of his experience living in Gaza and especially during over the last two years with the Israeli government’s campaign and genocide. It is a remarkable conversation about how he has been able to view his experience through the lens of quantum physics. The portion about Schrödinger’s cat was…well…there aren’t really words. Like the photo above, it is a conversation that ackowledges the cold, brutal reality he’s faced (like the hard frost) but there is amazing beauty and resilience, just like the leaf in the center.

Quantum Refuge - Radiolab

Something I’ve Been Reading - CAC’s Emails Last Week about the Sacrament of the Everyday

Goodness, the daily messages last week from the Center for Action and Contemplation (organization founded by Fr. Richard Rohr) were so life-giving. This page is the week’s summary and from there you can click through to each day. The heart of these reflections were most definitely an affirmation of how I have come to experience the presence of God through the sacrament of the ordinary and everyday around us. Here are some of the key quotes along with photos from the last few days.

All we have to do is walk outside and gaze at one leaf, long and lovingly, until we know, really know, that this leaf is a participation in the eternal being of God. Our relationship to reality allows us to meet things center to center or subject to subject, inner dignity to inner dignity. —Richard Rohr

Sacramental vision means not only that we grow in our love of God’s ways in the world but also that we grow in our sense of kinship with creation. —Christine Valters Paintner

When Jesus spoke the words “This is my Body,” I believe he was speaking not just about the bread right in front of him, but about the whole universe, about every thing that is physical, material, and yet also spirit-filled. —Richard Rohr

The sacrament of baptism becomes a symbol that all water is sacred, not just the water present in the baptismal font. Because it is sacred, we need to honor water, take care of water, and treat it with holiness, reverence, and love. —Grace Ji-Sun Kim

I define “sacred” as that which pulls us beyond the bounds of our individual selves, envelops us within mystery, and gives us a glimpse into the vast, entwined, eternal network of living beings that we are in relationship with. —Chelsea Steinauer-Scudder

Stunning Depictions of the Parable of the Good Samaritan and of Mary

I was also at part of a conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan last week and the host church had this beautiful depiction of the Parable of the Good Samaritan. I was especially moved by two things. First, the post-it notes that were placed on it. Second, if you look closely, you’ll see one of the people who passed the injured man is walking looking down at his phone. A powerful message about how much we miss (and goodness knows I’m guilty of this) as we have our eyes down at that too-tempting tiny screen…

And then this depiction of Mary, the mother of Jesus. RJC folks, you’re going to see this one a few times in the Advent season coming up.

A Movie I Watched - Frankenstein (Guillermo Del Toro, director)

Amy and I watched Guillermo del Toro’s take on the Frankenstein story that premiered on Netflix a few weeks ago. It is a beautiful (if gruesome and gory at times) film that covers so many themes - parental issues, the nature of life and death, and the one that spoke most to me - the responsibility we have for what we have created. I don’t want to say more than that but simply to say that it is a profoundly moving take on the classic story. This photo seems to speak most to this for me of the contrast between the plane (that which we have created) and the waning crescent moon (that which we did not).

A Show I’m Watching - Pluribus

Amy and I also recently started this show on AppleTV…Pluribus. It is one that I cannot really say much about it other than to say that it feels so original in the story and how it is moving through its first three episodes so far. Honestly, I’m not sure I like the show but I am fully drawn in and want to see where it goes. If you do want to start watching, do not read anything about it - just jump in and allow yourself the beauty of being surprised.

Feels a bit like this - not 100% clear what’s on the other end of the bridge (at least from the photo) but there is something really unique that is immediately before me.

Calendars and Advent Devotionals

Just a reminder that my calendars (Psalms with Scout, Herons, and Expansive) are for sale at the link below. I also have gotten my Advent Devotional that I wrote a few years ago to be available as a print book from Amazon. So if you are interested in a 28 day reflection on Advent, you can find the print copy here and the PDF copy here.

And Scout of Course Too!

The middle photo is Scout being an incredible good and amazing dog at our regional church gathering - church dog Scout doing her job well!

Well, I guess for the muse not speaking, there’s a lot here. Funny how that works.

Grace, Peace, Love, Hope, and Joy,
Ed

---