I was privileged this recent weekend with being able to attend the class The Spirituality of “Stuff” in the Gospel of Luke. It was taught by Eric Barreto and was a part of the Certificate in Spiritual Formation program through the Office of Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary.
The format of these Spirituality Courses are always so enriching on so many levels. I love how not only we explore particular information, but we form a small close knit community in such a short amount of time. This was especially profound for this particular class considering that our main focus surrounded the image of the table, and the "stuff" that surrounds us. The "stuff" we bring to the table, and the "stuff" that keeps us from the table.
The format of these Spirituality Courses are always so enriching on so many levels. I love how not only we explore particular information, but we form a small close knit community in such a short amount of time. This was especially profound for this particular class considering that our main focus surrounded the image of the table, and the "stuff" that surrounds us. The "stuff" we bring to the table, and the "stuff" that keeps us from the table.
3 Observations from this event:
1. The practice of eating around a table is more than a great social construct to employ with your own family. It is a deep spiritual practice that not only connects you to those who surround you, but it is the great setting for our work in the body of Christ.
In two different Gospels (Matthew 11:19 & Luke 7:34), we have this interesting description of Jesus. The writers say that Jesus was called a glutton and a drunkard. A person would not be called this if they did not spend a great deal of time eating and drinking. We know for certain that Jesus ate and drank with others because that is always where his ministry seems to happen. We see frequently in the scriptures where Jesus is eating and drinking with somebody. Jesus turns water to wine at a wedding party. Jesus’ Last Supper is the sacrament we all share and participate in over and over. The image of the table is inviting and brings memories of large family meals during the major holidays.
Despite the inviting image of the table, we find ourselves wanting to protect the table. We find a tension between hospitality and cleanliness. We want to choose who comes to the table, yet we see again and again that Jesus chooses those rejected to eat with. He chooses those who have been considered the most unclean, and shares fellowship with them.
In two different Gospels (Matthew 11:19 & Luke 7:34), we have this interesting description of Jesus. The writers say that Jesus was called a glutton and a drunkard. A person would not be called this if they did not spend a great deal of time eating and drinking. We know for certain that Jesus ate and drank with others because that is always where his ministry seems to happen. We see frequently in the scriptures where Jesus is eating and drinking with somebody. Jesus turns water to wine at a wedding party. Jesus’ Last Supper is the sacrament we all share and participate in over and over. The image of the table is inviting and brings memories of large family meals during the major holidays.
Despite the inviting image of the table, we find ourselves wanting to protect the table. We find a tension between hospitality and cleanliness. We want to choose who comes to the table, yet we see again and again that Jesus chooses those rejected to eat with. He chooses those who have been considered the most unclean, and shares fellowship with them.
2. We do not have the ability to judge who has a seat and who does not. Even those who are viewed as our greatest enemies are not excluded from the table.
When I was a child I frequently sang the song about Zacchaeus. Some of the words were,
When I was a child I frequently sang the song about Zacchaeus. Some of the words were,
“Zacchaeus was a wee little man,
and a wee little man was he.
He climbed up in a sycamore tree
For the Lord he wanted to see.”
If you are familiar with this song, you know that there are not any lyrics about how he was a tax collector, and on top of that he was a rich tax collector. What was worse in the context and culture of the time, a wee little man was not someone prized in the culture. A person’s height was important, and those who were shorter were considered less of a person, literally. Zacchaeus was a despised person in his community because he had lots of money, money that was considered robbed from his own people. This was why it was such a big deal that of all the people Jesus would share a meal, Jesus chose Zacchaeus. It was literally Zaccheaus’ stuff that stood in the way of him and his community. Zacchaeus’ wealth created a judgment and opinion about him, yet Jesus sought him out. Jesus chose to eat with Zacchaeus.
3. The practice of setting “stuff” down is not a removal but a renewal.
On Saturday, we had a communal labyrinth walk. We began with a stone that we held in our hands, and as we slowly made our way through the labyrinth we thought about what “stuff” was getting in the way between us and God. When we reached the center we were to lay the stone down, and pick up a butterfly. This was to symbolize our freedom that God has granted us, and that we can always return to this spot and lay down the “stuff”. I saw this in a different way. I saw it as a transformation of the stone. The butterfly is such a trans-formative creature, and in that transformation we can find freedom. I remember from my Theology class in my second year that we coined the term, Not Freedom From, but Freedom For. It represented the grace we received from our sin. I think this implies to our “stuff” as well. It is not that we remove it from our lives, or throw it away. We already are a culture of throwing away, and what we need to realize is that nothing is ever truly thrown away. Instead, I saw this as a changing of ownership. What was mine is now God’s. If I find myself spending all my time on Facebook, it is not that I find another “thing” to fill my time instead, but I need to renew that time and make it God’s. If I am spending all my money on silly things, then I will renew my stewardship of the resources I'm blessed with and employ wisdom in being able to care for myself and others. It is not that I throw away all my clothes, but I repair them and give it to those who need it most. We will always be surrounded in “stuff”, but we can be free to decide how to work around it in ways utilizing God’s wisdom.
On Saturday, we had a communal labyrinth walk. We began with a stone that we held in our hands, and as we slowly made our way through the labyrinth we thought about what “stuff” was getting in the way between us and God. When we reached the center we were to lay the stone down, and pick up a butterfly. This was to symbolize our freedom that God has granted us, and that we can always return to this spot and lay down the “stuff”. I saw this in a different way. I saw it as a transformation of the stone. The butterfly is such a trans-formative creature, and in that transformation we can find freedom. I remember from my Theology class in my second year that we coined the term, Not Freedom From, but Freedom For. It represented the grace we received from our sin. I think this implies to our “stuff” as well. It is not that we remove it from our lives, or throw it away. We already are a culture of throwing away, and what we need to realize is that nothing is ever truly thrown away. Instead, I saw this as a changing of ownership. What was mine is now God’s. If I find myself spending all my time on Facebook, it is not that I find another “thing” to fill my time instead, but I need to renew that time and make it God’s. If I am spending all my money on silly things, then I will renew my stewardship of the resources I'm blessed with and employ wisdom in being able to care for myself and others. It is not that I throw away all my clothes, but I repair them and give it to those who need it most. We will always be surrounded in “stuff”, but we can be free to decide how to work around it in ways utilizing God’s wisdom.