Progressive Theology

Hope [Inspired by Rabia’s ‘The Way the Forest Shelters’]

I have confidence
in God’s miraculous love
amidst this time of terror –
through signs and symbols
from Mother Earth.

In the serotinous cones of the lodgepole pines –
resins dripping and releasing seeds
after consumed by rampant wildfires –
bringing a new generation of life
amidst death.

In the interdependent relationships of plants –
the trinity of beans, corn, and squash –
Holy Sisters, mutually sharing life-giving
minerals, nitrogen, fertilizer, and water –
amidst times of depletion and scarcity.

In the ecstatic ecstasy of human touch and companionship –
the wells of physical interconnection
and soul-expanding depths of conversation
amidst the valleys of shadow and despair.

There is a tremendous constancy of
Possibility,
hope and New Life,
all plainly modeled for us from
our Holy Mother, Earth –
and embedded in our incarnate bodies –
if we only listen
and follow.

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Inspired by ‘Love (III)’ by George Herbert

adult and child hands holding red heart on aqua background, heart health, donation, CSR concept, world heart day, world health day, family day

God’s love is an open-armed greeting,

but teachings of sin caused me to pull away:

Unworthy.

God stood saddened still, but not stunned,

knowing from the human evil it came:

Control.

God sent an Advocate before I was formed

to be ever-present with me, reminding me:

Love.

God demonstrated to my heart, helping me

to see the wrong in ecclessial espoused self-hate:

Healing.

God extended means of Grace, and I retreated

drowning in family, culture, and church:

Tradition.

God persisted, loving without condition

and inviting me into the Love abundance:

Experience.

God led me to encounter texts and people

with different messages and teachings

coaxing my brain where my heart wasn’t ready:

Reason.

God opened my eyes to read and interpret

in holistic and healing ways:

Scripture.

God encountered my in God’s love through

self-love, neighborly love, and love of enemy –

a least-of-these love:

Calling.

And God’s call was to teach and to love

as a conduit of God’s love in the world:

Disciple.

Amen.

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Sin [Inspired by George Herbert’s ‘Sinne’]

Familial God, you have formed us in a world of care,
parents grow us, teachers educate us,
the law directs us, the world defines us.
We become fixed in binding rules and expectations
of who we are and who we can become.
The Church and its members are tasked
with disrupting this terrifying trap.
But all too often, the ecclesial body
becomes a co-conspirator in the maintenance
of power and domination.
When we gather to worship and praise,
interpret and learn God’s love in scripture,
and sharpen our skills of discernment and justice,
God can operate world transformation through us.
But when we cast our cares and sites on
the power and principalities, and privileges,
of the world, we sin against the divine purpose
of Love that God has tasked us with.
Sin is the alignment with power and domination.
Alignment with God casts out all sin.
May we evermore align with God’s Love.
Amen.

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God’s Love [Inspired by Thomas Aquinas’ ‘God’s Nature’]

When a social claim
is absolute about God
it is probably a deception.

We must test this claim
with the Truth of God’s Love.

Does the claim bear the fruits of Love?

God is love
and the fruits of Love
include and challenge
are abundant and generously given
uplift and make whole.

If the claim demonizes or terrorizes
harms or scares
excludes or makes scarce
it is antithetical to Christ
and God’s Love.

Resist.

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