08-27-21

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
August 27, 2021
Scripture: Luke 15:6
And when the shepherd comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.”

Thought for the Day: The lost sheep has returned. The Prodigal has made his way home. Ok, that might be a bit dramatic, but today is my first official day back after Sabbatical. A lot has happened since leaving town in mid-July. In fact, I am doing a lot of catch-up as the staff, very kindly, didn’t want to burden me with everything that occurred in my absence. On top of everything, I have an infected tooth that required the first of a couple procedures yesterday. I know when someone returns from a wonderful experience (not the tooth thing), there is the tendency to immediately plow forward as if everyone else had the same experiences, or in this case, read the same books and interviewed the same people. Over the last month or so, I have tried to drop some hints along the way, whether in Highlights or in my daily Etchings. I guess one of the more important takeaways goes back to something I learned right at the start of the Sabbatical. Faith Formation does not begin with ideas or creeds, rules or beliefs, but with belonging. Though many have attempted to make the Gospel into a set of regulations that one must learn, it is first and foremost about finding a place where one belongs. Love not only assumes belonging, but requires it. We will never change the world if we continue to think of our purpose as nothing more than an indoctrination of beliefs. Holy transformation happens when one experiences true belonging. Indoctrination has an underlying tactic of fear, creating the assumption that there must always be insiders and outsiders. Once you’re indoctrinated, there is still an underlying possibility of falling out. The indoctrinated spend all their energy trying to remain in, which is exactly where those doing the indoctrinating want you to spend your energy. They never want you to actually question the system itself. Jesus not only questioned the system, but put forth the design of a whole new worldview. The indoctrinated felt very comfortable with the 99, and they had no reason to consider the value of the one that was lost. Jesus’ parable inferred how going after the one was really good news for the 99. If the 99 so easily gave up the one, would they feel comfortable when it was 98 or 97. Suddenly, the 99 might begin to wonder who is the next one out. That’s not belonging. That’s a state of anxiety. We want to make sure, from the beginning, that everyone feels a sense of belonging. If we put Love First, I’m pretty certain will be setting a stage where people find a sense of belonging.

Prayer: Loving Jesus, Holy God, there was always room for more. Not only for those who appeared at the door, but for those who were lost and estranged. May the belonging we claim reflect the belonging you showed. Amen.

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