This is the third and final posting about the trip to Taize. Any more would stard to feel narcissistic...and blogs are too much like this to begin with!
I digress.
The theme for Bible study during our week was "God says yes." In French: "Dieu dit oui."
Our daily study was led by Brother Benoit, who was, of course, French and had lived at Taize for only a few years. He was young, funny, charming and passionate about the gospel. I liked him instantly, of course.
Brother Benoit quipped that we were going to read the whole Bible in one week. Well, a brief overview, anyway. He began in Genesis on Day 1 and ended Day 6 in Revelation with some pretty heavy editing in between. The theme of "God says yes" wove throughout the week.
It was so life affirming! God says yes to who we are and who we will become. Brother Benoit started with the two creation accounts and shared insights from the Hebrew language. He moved fluidly through the exodus story and into Elijah and God's still small voice. He challenged us to look beyond what God is calling us to do; rather, who is God calling us to be? How is God speaking and what do we hear?
On Day 4, Brother Benoit moved to the New Testament (Jesus arrives on Thursday, he said) and we studied Jesus healing the sick and Jesus washing feet. In Jesus, God says yes to our humanity; the savior is a servant.
The last day featured passages from Revelation. I seem to remember this day best-- because it was the best or because it was the last? Either way, two images stand out.
One: Rev. 3:20 when Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Brother Benoit asked us to notice that Jesus knocks. He will not kick down the door. Brother Benoit illustrated this by climbing up on a bench and doing a mock karate kick. Then he raised his eyebrows and said in a French accent: "Jesus is not a bad guy."
The second: Based on Revelation 21 where God comes to dwell with us, Brother Benoit discussed how God guides us. He said God is like a GPS, which, if you make a wrong turn will not tell you "You are a bad boy!" Rather, the GPS will reconfigure the way and keep giving you directions to get to your destination. Everytime to you take a wrong turn, it will keep giving you options to get you there by the shortest way possible. The GPS will never force you.
I'll close with a portion of "Letter from Kenya" written by Father Alois, the abbot of Taize, from his recent trip to Africa. The letter was also used as a discussion springboard during Bible study small groups.
Father Alois writes: "Yes, God is present in every person, whether they are believers or not. From its very first page, the Bible describes in a beautiful and poetic way the gift that God makes of his breath of life to every human being. So let us consent to what we are or what we are not; let us even take responsibility for all we have not chosen but which makes us who we are. Let us dare to be creative even with what is not perfect. And we will find freedom. Even when overburdened, we will receive our life as a gift and each day as God's today.
Amen!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The worship and the stillness
This is the second posting of brief reflections on our trip to Taize. For those of you who have been there you know there's something about the worship that pulls people, engages them and quiets them.
Maybe it's the sound of dozens of brothers chanting in unity or the sight of their uniform white robes. Maybe it's the 10 minute period of silence where you can connect to God, yourself, or the God of your own understanding. Or maybe it's the repetition -- three times a day, whether you feel like it or not. And that last statment is from one of the brothers!
Taize draws thousands of people each year; summers draw thousands each week. The majority are young people. Let me say quite plainly: they're not coming for the food.
Why do they come?
Yes, it's a place for seekers but it's also a place where the Gospel is proclaimed. No, not in a sermon, but in Bible studies with a brother and small group conversation to follow. There's also gospel in the proclamation that everyone is welcome, everyone is accepted. No denominational card checks. No dogma screens. You are welcome and God loves you. That's what I heard. Again and maybe for the first time.
There is something about silence. My group members said it felt too long at week's beginning at too short at it's end. I tend to agree.
I used the space at first for my own agendas, thoughts, plans and fears. Then, slowly and with no particular intention on my part, I felt something soften. I loosened my grip.
And the prayers came naturally...for the brothers, for the volunteers, for the group I'd brought from Alaska, for members of my congregation...
It was a profound spiritual experience, to sense the Spirit move through me and stirring me to look upon others with love.
It is interesting to me that silence can be so powerful.
Maybe it's the sound of dozens of brothers chanting in unity or the sight of their uniform white robes. Maybe it's the 10 minute period of silence where you can connect to God, yourself, or the God of your own understanding. Or maybe it's the repetition -- three times a day, whether you feel like it or not. And that last statment is from one of the brothers!
Taize draws thousands of people each year; summers draw thousands each week. The majority are young people. Let me say quite plainly: they're not coming for the food.
Why do they come?
Yes, it's a place for seekers but it's also a place where the Gospel is proclaimed. No, not in a sermon, but in Bible studies with a brother and small group conversation to follow. There's also gospel in the proclamation that everyone is welcome, everyone is accepted. No denominational card checks. No dogma screens. You are welcome and God loves you. That's what I heard. Again and maybe for the first time.
There is something about silence. My group members said it felt too long at week's beginning at too short at it's end. I tend to agree.
I used the space at first for my own agendas, thoughts, plans and fears. Then, slowly and with no particular intention on my part, I felt something soften. I loosened my grip.
And the prayers came naturally...for the brothers, for the volunteers, for the group I'd brought from Alaska, for members of my congregation...
It was a profound spiritual experience, to sense the Spirit move through me and stirring me to look upon others with love.
It is interesting to me that silence can be so powerful.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Taize, first impressions
I've just returned from the week in Taize. It was not quite and yet everything I expected and desired. It was, in sum, a deeply spiritual experience.
I didn't blog on the trip, mostly because I was in my own world of reflection. But I'd like to share a few things with anyone out there in blog-land.
It's challenging to describe a powerful experience or trip with words, especially when you just return. Perhaps the effects come slowly, they evolve as we do.
My first impression of Taize was that I'd walked into a French Bible camp. Lodging, grounds, food, bathrooms, everything was simple and in some cases primative. Some pathways were paved but most were dirt and gravel. We sat on the floor in worship. We sat on simple benches with no backs at meals. We ate small portions of simple foods. No bathrooms had any hand towels or hand-dryers.
These things might enhance the spirituality of the place, or they might hinder the experience. I think for me it was mostly the former.
My initial reaction to the schedule was that it was busier than I'd expected. Worship was three times a day for at least 30-40 minutes. Meal times took a while because there was always a line. Everyone was expected to do chores, usually at least once a day. Then there was large group Bible study and small group reflection. There were also special workshops and presentations. Oh, and tea-and-cookie time. So the time passed swiftly. We found that if additional reflection and quiet time was needed it had to be taken intentionally.
There's more I want to say. I want to say how the worship impacted my life. I want to speak of the Bible studies. I want to say what this might have to do with you, all or any of you reading this missive.
I'll say those things later. Until then, I'll just remind myself and you that we're in the season of Lent. It's a time for an inward focus, a look deeper and beyond, a time for centering. I did that in Taize but it happens everywhere.
What does it take for you to
pause?
I didn't blog on the trip, mostly because I was in my own world of reflection. But I'd like to share a few things with anyone out there in blog-land.
It's challenging to describe a powerful experience or trip with words, especially when you just return. Perhaps the effects come slowly, they evolve as we do.
My first impression of Taize was that I'd walked into a French Bible camp. Lodging, grounds, food, bathrooms, everything was simple and in some cases primative. Some pathways were paved but most were dirt and gravel. We sat on the floor in worship. We sat on simple benches with no backs at meals. We ate small portions of simple foods. No bathrooms had any hand towels or hand-dryers.
These things might enhance the spirituality of the place, or they might hinder the experience. I think for me it was mostly the former.
My initial reaction to the schedule was that it was busier than I'd expected. Worship was three times a day for at least 30-40 minutes. Meal times took a while because there was always a line. Everyone was expected to do chores, usually at least once a day. Then there was large group Bible study and small group reflection. There were also special workshops and presentations. Oh, and tea-and-cookie time. So the time passed swiftly. We found that if additional reflection and quiet time was needed it had to be taken intentionally.
There's more I want to say. I want to say how the worship impacted my life. I want to speak of the Bible studies. I want to say what this might have to do with you, all or any of you reading this missive.
I'll say those things later. Until then, I'll just remind myself and you that we're in the season of Lent. It's a time for an inward focus, a look deeper and beyond, a time for centering. I did that in Taize but it happens everywhere.
What does it take for you to
pause?
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
On the way to Taize
In about 12 hours I'll board an airplane bound for France with a small group of Lutheran young women. We're travelling to Taize, an ecumenical retreat community in the southern portion of France. As I told my congregation, it's farmland, not beach.
Taize was founded in 1940 after World War II by Brother Roger, a Swiss man who wanted to provide a place of safety for refugees traveling home after the war. Eventually, Taize grew to attract more than 100 brothers of varying deonominations. Thousands of pilgrims come to Taize each year; a large portion are young adults. Taize worship is chant-based, simple and includes a period of silence. There is no preaching and everyone else welcome. More info at www.taize.fr/en
I've long desired to spend a week in Taize. Days include three worship services, a Bible study with one of the brothers and a time of service in the community. We'll stay there March 8-15 with guests from all over the world.
There are seven traveling from Anchorage. Please keep us in your prayers. As time and access permits, I will update this blog. Now, off into the Lenten journey...
Taize was founded in 1940 after World War II by Brother Roger, a Swiss man who wanted to provide a place of safety for refugees traveling home after the war. Eventually, Taize grew to attract more than 100 brothers of varying deonominations. Thousands of pilgrims come to Taize each year; a large portion are young adults. Taize worship is chant-based, simple and includes a period of silence. There is no preaching and everyone else welcome. More info at www.taize.fr/en
I've long desired to spend a week in Taize. Days include three worship services, a Bible study with one of the brothers and a time of service in the community. We'll stay there March 8-15 with guests from all over the world.
There are seven traveling from Anchorage. Please keep us in your prayers. As time and access permits, I will update this blog. Now, off into the Lenten journey...
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