Corpus Christi

Our readings for Corpus Christi Sunday are:

1. Genesis 14: 18-20
2. Psalms 110: 1, 2, 3, 4
3. 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26
4. Luke 9: 11b-17

• Separation of Church and State
• The US founding fathers came from a generation fraught with nations that had a state religion, that permitted no deviation from that official, accepted religion, and they wanted none of that.
• We pledge our allegiance to "one nation under God".  What does that mean?
• Do you think that we in the US have all but abandoned the original intent of those words?
• What would "one nation under God" really look like if we got it right?
• How far would religious tolerance extend in "one nation under God"?
• Why would it matter?

• Source of all power
• All of us have power of one sort or another, but the key lies in how we use it.  As parents we have a certain power over our children.  As managers, we have a certain power over our subordinates, as friends, we are able to influence those close to us.  We maybe shy away from thinking of relationships in that way, but there is a power there, however muted.
• Do you think that all power ultimately comes from God?
• If someone, say a malign dictator, however small, misuses that power to oppress others, what ultimately happens to such people?
• How would you define oppression?
• Would oppression include trying to influence someone to life a life that they were never meant to live?  For instance, go to a college that God never intended for them, marry the wrong person, ...?

• If every Eucharist is a meal, is every meal a Eucharist?
• We claim that Eucharist is a meal, an exchange of gifts, a feasting on the Body and Blood, but what does that mean?
• Why do you observe a Eucharistic fast?
• Are we really being true to God's intent if anyone is excluded from that feast because of skin color, culture, imprisonment, divorce, ...?
• To what extent is true communion possible if we do not truly celebrate Jesus' original intent?

• You have to be kidding
• On the job training (OJT as we called it) has three steps: you watch me do it, I watch you do it, you do it all by yourself.
• Jesus honestly seems to think that the disciples were ready to feed all of those people.  Was He delusional?
• How has Jesus prepared you for the various ways that you serve others?
• If you had it to do all over again, how might you have preferred to have been trained to do what you are doing?
• How are your current ministries preparing you for what is coming? 

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Where is God calling me to be more prophetic in local governance?
2. Where is God teaching me mercy?
3. How can the meals that I share with friends and family be more Eucharistic?
4. How can I be more open to what God is preparing me for?

Make me a Blessing

God, make me compassionate, like you.
Help me to be a blessing to those around me.
An answer to prayer that they may not know yet.

Help me to see with your eyes of mercy.
To see your children rather than needs.
To see opportunities rather than burdens.

That I might learn true humility
From the master of all humbleness
And walk the path of the true disciple.

Shalom!