Weekly Liturgy : May 18-24
- John
- May 18
- 2 min read
John 20:19-23
NRSV
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples had were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
REFLECTION
from John
If we forgive each other, we’re forgiven.
If we don’t, we’re not.
God has granted us the power to shape the reality we share. Either we can make it heaven on earth for one another, or we can make it hell.
May we so receive this authority in peace.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
Acknowledge your teammate’s efforts, not just their results. For example, when the plans for a project change or end, express gratitude for the work that has already been completed.
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
Don’t know how to initiate a difficult conversation? Start by naming objective facts and your own emotions toward those facts. Then invite your conversation partner to share their own feelings in return.
Let each other’s humanity dictate the best path forward.
Pathway Toward Center
Nature (Loving God through natural creation):
Bring some flowers into your home! Spend a minute each day intentionally enjoying and celebrating their color and smell.
Questions for Reflection
Who do you need to forgive?
From whom do you need to ask for forgiveness?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
Copyright (C) 2023 Church at the Park. All rights reserved.
