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Richard Rohr – on the Edge of the Inside” SLD08.07.16 19th Ordinary Emory Presbyterian Church Philippians 2: 5-11 Jill Oglesby Evans “Richard Rohr – On the Edge of the Inside” Philippians 2: 5-11 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Y’all, we have flat covered some territory this summer with our saints series. I mean, I guess we always do, but every year I’m yet again astonished at the breadth of lives and lessons imparted by the not-so-holy-but-waaay-interesting people we, you, choose to enrich our personal discipleship. We started back in early June with a titillating tango between the Reformed and Celtic traditions, one moment dipping into the depths of our depravity, the next spinning the threads of glory woven into the fabric of every human being. Eternal Mess vs. Eternal Marvel – with most of us somewhere in between. So while we allowed as how 1 we could probably learn as much about discipleship from the first ten schmoes who wander by the church, what a fascinating list we anointed, starting with activist and first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt; followed by AME Church founder, Richard Allen; choral conductor extraordinaire, Robert Shaw; global public health miracle worker, Paul Farmer; brilliant 16th century thought leader, Vittoria Colonna; reality-rearranging astro- genius, Galileo Galilei, gentle but influential educator and activist, Mr. Fred Rogers; exceptional autistic engineer and activist for the differently abled, Temple Grandin, to today’s globally recognized ecumenical elder, Richard Rohr. Next week Lisa Schrott will explore the intersection between creativity and spirituality through the artist Rembrandt, and conclude our saint series the following week inviting us to step alongside 19th century activist and abolitionist, Angelina Grimke. It’s quite a line up on which you will be tested on August 28, which, so you know, will be graded and count for credit toward your final evaluation in the School of Life. Let’s turn now to today’s saint, contemplative activist and Franciscan friar, Richard Rohr, who has in recent decades become world renown for his fresh, loving, authentic and evocative insights about all things related to God. Rohr’s own "wisdom lineage", that is those thinkers and movements that have most influenced his work, include the Bible of Nature and Creation; the Hebrew Scriptures interpreted by the Prophets; the Gospels, the Incarnation and Jesus; Paul as first Christian mystic; the Desert Mothers and Fathers, the orthopraxy (or correct practices) in much of Buddhism and Hinduism, non-dual thinkers of all religions; early Franciscan theology, the unique witness of mythology, poetry and art; the non-violent recovery of Gandhi and 2 Martin Luther King, much of Carl Jung’s teachings; 12 Step spirituality, Spiral Dynamics and Integral Theory, whatever that is, and scientific evidence from the universe.1 Perhaps in part because of this eclectic mix of influences, Rohr has become something of a religious Rock Star, though I’m not sure he’d favor the characterization. At the same time, as for many rock stars, there are those who are crazy about Rohr, and those who simply can’t stand him. On the one hand, writer and retreat leader, Paul D’arcy, describes him this way: “With the cutting skills of a surgeon and the heart of a Franciscan, Richard exposes the misperceptions and counterfeits that have shaped our faith. He then promises and delivers a ‘staggering change of perspective’ along with a taste of the intimacy of love, both human and divine. Every word (of his) is a rare gift from a true elder and a worthy guide.” On the other hand, the group, Novus Ordo Watch, that tasks itself with “exposing the errors of the Modernist post-Vatican II Catholic Church” regards Rohr as only just short of the antichrist: “One of the most infamous Modernist apostates the Vatican II Sect in the United States has to offer under the label of "Catholic" is Mr. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest notorious for his dissent even from official Novus Ordo doctrine on faith and morals, not to mention his rejection of traditional Roman Catholic teaching.”2 Me, it should come as no surprise that I’m crazy about Rohr, as are Rose Peach and Truette Stubbs, both of whom independently suggested him for this series, though for different reasons. Smart, thoughtful Rose, raised in the traditional church, has hung out around it long enough to be disaffected by it , even though she loves this particular quirky communion. To see what most frustrates Rose about organized religion, check in your bulletin for the list she drew up in 2006. For Rose, I think it’s fair to say, Rohr’s 1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Rohr 2 http://www.novusordowatch.org/wire/richard-rohr-modernism.htm 3 insight and language cuts through much of the nonsense of organized religion as well as effectively companions her on her very lively personal faith journey. Rose? Rose Some things that draw me to Richard Rohr: 1.) From pg. 40 of the book Yes, And..., a book of daily meditations by Richard Rohr: “It seems to me that it is a minority that ever gets the true and full Gospel--in any denomination. Most of us just keep worshiping Jesus and arguing over the right way to do it. The amazing thing is that Jesus never once says, ‘Worship me!’ whereas he frequently says, ‘Follow me’... Christianity is a lifestyle--a way of being in the world that is simple, nonviolent, shared, and loving. However, we made it into an established religion (and all that goes with that) and avoided the lifestyle change itself. One could be warlike, greedy, racist, selfish, and vain throughout most of Christian history, and still believe that Jesus is one’s personal Lord and Savior or continue to receive the sacraments in good standing. The world has no time for such silliness anymore. The suffering on earth is too great.” I have had issues with most organized religion for a long time. This is one example of Rohr “calling it out”. And yet he continues to work from within the church. 2) He is inclusive, accepting of the whole--”good” and “bad”--(non-dual thinking) both in individuals and in the world. He asks us to sit with “what is” and not be judgmental. This is really hard to do. How wonderful if we could all be open to other opinions, to other perspectives, to other beliefs, without feeling threatened. Reading several of his books (with plans to continue to do so) and receiving his online daily meditations have been part of my spiritual walk . An example of how his daily meditations have affected me: On July 9, when I retrieved our newspaper and saw the headlines about the police shootings of men in Louisiana and Minnesota and about the sniper shooting of 5 policemen in Dallas, I thought to myself, “What would Father Rohr say?” The answer I got was amazing. In my July 9th daily meditation that I get via email, I found this: “Spend some time meditating on the image of the cross. Allow your body, mind, and heart to be completely present to the suffering of Jesus. Welcome your own memories or sensations of pain, sorrow, grief. Hold them gently within the circle of God’s presence--God’s solidarity with human suffering. See if you can hold the suffering with 4 God and, at the same time, rest in faith that from every death comes new life; in every wound there is the opportunity for healing and hope.” Truette, on the other, while raised in the church, in this church, as a matter of fact, pretty much hadn’t fooled with this or any other one for nigh on to fifty years. Living high and fast was far more fun, and alternative spiritual paths, far more engaging. But as you’ll hear, in Richard Rohr Truette has discovered both fresh language for the gifts of Christianity as well as deep support for his personal contemplative leanings. Truette? Truette “Richard Rohr confirmed for me that I have indeed entered the second half of my life, that I have fallen upward. although my ego is very alive and well, showing up often, my values have strongly turned toward matters of my heart and soul. Rohr encourages me to consent to the presence of my spiritual and heart felt being he encourages me to be still and listen. As a Franciscan Rohr encourages simplicity and service which have become my most cherished qualities. I fall far short of my mark almost always, but Rohr keeps showing me the way by his example of good humored service and gentle reverence. That Rohr named his work in New Mexico the "Center for Contemplation and Action" tells all that our nearness to God must include work on His behalf. I am challenged to be in action with the courage to follow a Godly path in my daily life and with good humor as is displayed by Rohr.
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