Friends, I am so grateful for our community. I am grateful to be a part of a community that is willing to learn from and engage practices from deep streams of the Christian tradition that are different than ours. Last night we welcomed Eastern Orthodox teacher and author Frederica Mathewes-Green back to The Practice. Following our opening liturgy, Frederica introduced us to the Rite of Forgiveness.
She pointed out that the most persistent formation we receive in how to see our life and identity comes from advertising. We are told that we are the center of the world, that we are superior, and we should enjoy ourselves at all costs. But this formation stands opposed to the humility of Christ, who emptied Himself in order to become one of us and redeem His creation.
The Rite of Forgiveness stands as a counter-formational practice. It reminds us that our sin is more than a collection of things we have done or not done, it is a condition like air pollution that we all contribute to and suffer from. As we stand across from one another and ask forgiveness for the way our sin pollutes the world in which we all live, we are formed into the kind of people who can own our brokenness and live in humility and love.
It was a beautiful practice. I was deeply moved as I confessed to our community and friends to my mother-in-law and to Erin. Thank you for engaging this uncomfortable and holy practice.
Have a listen to the full teaching and practice.
Kingdom Practices
This week, let’s continue the practice of forgiveness. Is there anyone God might be inviting you to humble yourself toward and ask for forgiveness? We will also continue our practice of imaginative prayer. This week’s original contemplation was written by Joan Kelley, and it places us in the boat with the apostles as Jesus calms the storm.
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