Feasting and Fasting
My friend Jim Burklo sent this gem ...
Let us feast on simple pleasures, and fast from all that gets our bodies and souls out of balance.
Let us feast on kindness, and fast from sarcasm.
Let us feast on compassion, and fast from holding grudges.
Let us feast on patience, and fast from anxiety.
Let us feast on peace, and fast from stirring up needless conflict.
Let us feast on acceptance, and fast from judgment.
Let us feast on joy, and fast from jealousy.
Let us feast on faith, and fast from fear.
Let us feast on creativity, and fast from all that deadens our souls.
Let us feast on social justice, and let us fast from negligence of the most vulnerable.
Let us feast on service to others, and fast from selfishness.
Let us feast on delight, and fast from despair.
Let us feast on bread and wine in spiritual communion, and fast from all that keeps us from communing deeply with each other and with God.
So that our lives might be sufficient, fulfilled, complete, whole, enough.
Amen!
-- From Jim Burklo.
Learn about the project Jim and I are involved in - supporting a new progressive Christian campus ministry network called ZOE.
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“I Do Not Walk on Water” (a poem)
In passing, I shared this poem as part of a delightful online class with John Dominic Crossan and Tripp Fuller. Several participants asked for the poem.
You can watch past and future class sessions here: http://www.crossanclass.com/.
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I do not walk on water
Except in winter,
When ice makes the miracle more natural.
To me, these days, natural miracles are better,
Signifying lessons to live rather than shortcuts to take,
A more subtle yet more real magic.
For me, nature is already as supernatural
As it needs to be.
The simplest, humblest things --
Green moss on grey rock,
Spotted turtle basking in a shaft of sunlight --
They are true signs and wonders,
Holy, significant, wonderful.
I used to crave miracles to prove something
(most especially, myself, my faith, my tribe's exceptionalism).
Now, instead of the miracle,
I try to keep my eyes open for the meaningful.
That these sounds in air or these marks on paper
Could bear my heart to yours,
Or bring what you see to my eyes ... what
Could be more miracle?
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Letters from Ukraine: “Treasures for the Heart”
About 30 years ago, a pastor moved as a missionary to Ukraine to minister there. When the war broke out, he and his wife could have left, but their hearts told them to stay.
Last year, he wrote asking if he could translate parts of my book We Make the Road by Walking into Ukrainian for his congregation. I found what he wrote so moving that I asked permission to share selections with you. We need glimpses of the human experience in war-torn places in our world, whether Ukraine, Gaza, wherever. Every person, every child, every family ... precious human beings, beloved and fragile and of immeasurable worth.
Emblazoned upon our souls are shapes my wife and I never dreamed would occur. An Iranian drone sounds like a moped, a Russian cruise missile sounds like a bottle-rocket on steroids. We know the difference between the sound of an explosion when our air defense intercepts a drone or missile near us and the sound and feel of explosions near our home upon a successful strike. And the air raid sirens, the first notes of that sound immediately triggers alarm as we brace ourselves for explosions to follow.
On day two of the full scale invasion we completed our plans to open a refugee shelter. Over the coming months we provided hope, love, a safe place with warm beds, a shower and meals to hundreds. We prepared them for the long trip to Poland and beyond. We educated them on the signs of human trafficking and connected them with networks in Europe for safe passage.
Once the refugee crisis ended we transitioned our work to help rebuild war damaged homes in formerly occupied areas at no cost to the home-owner. As we worked in these areas we offered children’s camps to help them understand, respond and heal from the trauma they experienced.
This crime against humanity we are living in is a field of soul shaping invitation. I am thankful to Father Keating for his centering prayer gift, one I have practiced now for several years. It helps me in further discovery and centers my soul in the midst of trauma.
Some months ago I considered writing you to inquire of a possible short meeting. Marcus Borg introduced me to the idea of God as non-interventionist, a subject I am eager to learn more about. If you should have a few minutes in the coming months I would be grateful for time to learn from you on this.
But to my request. Between COVID and the full scale invasion our church is now 18 people. In light of my new journey, serving as a shepherd now looks very different for me and us. I have purchased a copy of your book, “We Make the Road by Walking,” and have downloaded the support materials. We will take a chapter a week in 2024 to help shape our journey together in 2024. I am writing to ask your permission to translate just the stories to be read aloud in our gatherings into Ukrainian. We would not translate the entire book, but only those short sections. We will not reprint, save or distribute anything we translate.
Thank you Brian for your work and the witness of your life
Of course I was happy to grant permission to use the book. More recently, he wrote ...
Good morning Brian,
I awoke this Sunday morning to the beauty of a gently falling snow. A fresh white blanket now covers the ground and trees in the forest near us. It is a magical scene. Today is our first Sunday following the The Road We Make by Walking. I have prayerful chosen chapter 19 and the message of hope and change offered by John the Baptist and Jesus.I sat reading and reflecting on what you have written, taking notes in preparation for our church gathering. The Spirit inspiring me by the stories of Solomon, John and Jesus and their families. These stories have a special and personal meaning for us in Ukraine. We share the uncertainty of those in the first century, the longing for freedom, justice and renewed hope. We too think of the past, the days before the sirens began piercing our peaceful lives. It is estimated we have all heard 16,000 since February 24th, 2022.
As I sat in contemplation of how God would take this lesson and make it our own, the reality of the present shattered the beauty of this new day. It begins with a few notes, those we know so well, sounds that demand our attention, almost at a soul level before you even hear them, another siren. Now what shall we do, leave the relative safety of our homes to gather, wait for the "all clear", or meet online? One week earlier our city was hit by seven cruise missiles, all civilian targets. Five hundred yards from our village home, the remains of a downed Iranian drone destroyed a small museum honouring the life of a hero who gave his life fighting Soviet oppression.
The story you share in chapter nineteen becomes very personal for us in the context of our lives. We reflect on the past, endure the present, and long for a different future, one that promises our children never again know the horrors of missiles destroying our homes, schools, hospitals and families.
Thank you my friend for your messages of hope, for your life, a prophetic life which exemplifies the invitation from God, to see differently, to think differently and be inspired by our personal welcome from God to journey together as one in and for peace and love in this world.
Peace be upon you this Sunday morning,
Then a few days ago, he wrote to let me know I could include his name and the name of his church when I post this, but I decided not to do so. He has enough troubles already, and I know that some people can't resist adding more. So, I'll leave him to decide when his "coming out party" should be.
Hello Brian. I am humbled at the thought of including our plight in your blog, thank you. Yes, please share whatever you would like and feel free to include my name. Our church is ...
A search of both by people will find much of my past in the conservative evangelical world. I would not want to confuse any of your readers. I am thankful for my past, but have moved beyond that to embrace Christ in a growing contemplative way. I have not yet "come out of the closet" as a mystic and contemplative, which, when that happens, will result in levels of alienation from some, and loss of much or all of our missionary support. I enjoy the encouragement of CAC, and am excited about the grassroots reformation within the church occurring in our lifetime. I plan this year to begin sharing openly my experience of deconstruction and reconstruction ( My coming out party!). And trust God for what comes next.
I am finding treasure within the experiences of this war. They are there, sadly at such a tragic cost.
We live in a small village on the edge of XXX ... Our village center is filled with coffee shops, restaurants, museums, pubs and beautiful architecture. In the first months of the full scale invasion we averaged 2 or 3 sirens a day. Our city had been struck often. Many of the explosions were not far from our home. I became easily triggered by loud noises. We have had several cruise missiles and drones fly over our house. The sound is unmistakable. I am still alarmed by similar sounds.
On a beautiful fall day the first year of the full scale invasion, I met my friend [Jim] for breakfast in a favorite coffee shop . [Jim] was visiting from [a Western European country]. As we sat enjoying conversation and our food, there was a sudden loud BOOM. I was immediately shaken and thought, "They have penetrated our air defenses so we could not respond," and braced myself for what might come next.
I looked at [Jim] who sat, unmoved, and in peace, enjoying his eggs. Then another BOOM. This time I noticeably jumped and [Jim] said, "What's wrong?" "You didn't hear that?" "No, hear what?"
Then the third BOOM. I nearly came out of my seat. [Jim] looked at me, "Maybe you shouldn't be here." There is a construction site next to the coffee shop. When a dump-truck raises it's bed and the load of gravel slides out, the tailgate swings back into the truck creating a loud BOOM that sounds like a missile or drone strike absent the pressure wave.
I spent time reflecting on that experience. I thought of God speaking to little Samuel who was inexperienced at distinguishing God's voice and presence. God spoke to my heart saying, "I am helping you grow to be equally triggered in the awareness of my presence and voice in you."
"I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name." (Isa.45:45:3)
A word from my wife as I was lost in my Dark Night of the Soul just a year earlier. I have learned the journey may be costly, but the discoveries along the way are filled with treasures for the heart.
Wishing you peace & joy,
I hope you'll join me in praying for this dear couple, their congregation, and all who suffer from the arrogant decisions of violent men, in whatever country, of whatever political persuasion or religion or race. War is hell. May more and more of us learn what makes for peace. And may every war cease ... We pray with tears.
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Bulk Ordering My Books
If you have a book group or large event and you are planning to order my books in bulk, here's what I recommend.
First, if you have a local independent bookseller, I hope you'll ask them for help. Often, they can give you a discount of 5 to 15% for less than 25 books, and a larger discount for 25 or more books, and if you pick the books up, you save shipping charges.
If you're looking for an independent book store that handles bulk sales, here's a contact in the Eastern, Central, and Western zone of the US:
RJ Julia (Connecticut) - juliearriens@rjjulia.com
Watermark (Kansas) - rebekah.rine@watermarkbooks.com
Warwick's (California) - mallory@warwicks.com
Another great option: Porchlight specializes in discount bulk orders. Here are links for my recent and upcoming books:
Life After Doom: https://www.porchlightbooks.com/product/life-after-doom-wisdom-and-courage-for-a-world-falling-apart--brian-d-mclaren/isbn/9781250893277
Cory and the Seventh Story: https://www.porchlightbooks.com/search?q=cory+and+the+seventh+story
Do I Stay Christian: https://www.porchlightbooks.com/product/do-i-stay-christian-a-guide-for-the-doubters-the-disappointed-and-the-disillusioned--brian-d-mclaren/isbn/9781250262790
Faith After Doubt: https://www.porchlightbooks.com/product/faith-after-doubt-why-your-beliefs-stopped-working-and-what-to-do-about-it--brian-d-mclaren/isbn/9781250828378
The Great Spiritual Migration: https://www.porchlightbooks.com/product/great-spiritual-migration-how-the-worlds-largest-religion-is-seeking-a-better-way-to-be-christian--brian-d-mclaren/isbn/9781601427922
Most of my other books are available here too - just use the search box. I hope this will be of help to you in your upcoming book group or event!
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Two questions about Thich Nhat Hanh and Engaged Buddhism and Christianity
A reader writes:
Appreciated your piece yesterday on the CAC daily readings email. I too discovered Thich Nhat Hanh during a time of struggle and change and was immediately struck by the simplicity and readability of his books, their exoteric truths.
Around the same time, I read Merton's Asian Journals, which recounted his similar spiritual path.As you have noted, we have to keep learning, relearning, expanding our spirituality. That which kept me sane yesterday may not do so today. And in reading of other traditions other than the one in which I was raised, I can gain new insights into what makes this life a thing to be cherished rather than something I hope to be rescued (raptured?) from.Huston Smith shared with me a comment in one of our correspondences, that "Mystics of all climes speak the same language." That answer to the question I posed now seems obvious - it is inconceivable that they would do otherwise. But they are of course limited by language to express the divine as it reveals itself to them, and so too often their efforts are misunderstood (or their own efforts to convert the experience into an art form or writing gets lost in the translation).On this last point, I return to Thich Nhat Hanh and his accessibility. As a poet, and as a non-english speaker originally, I think he had the rare gift of being able to choose each word carefully, deliberately, and express his thoughts succinctly.And so that you, Rohr, Thich Nhat Hanh, Merton were on the same spiritual journey isn't that surprising to me. To borrow from Aldous Huxley's "This I Believe" essay, once we are able to "de-eclipse the light' within blocked by our egos, we are all mystics, speaking the same language and walking the same path - at least during those brief moments of "de-eclipse," when the divine in all is able to be see with the eyes of a child.
I follow the CAC Daily Meditations and attended the Wild Goose Festival last summer. Like Richard Rohr, you have a unique ability to distill faith into clear and relatable concepts and I am so glad that the two of you have come together at the CAC.
I loved the inclusion of Thick Naht Hanh’s full 14 precepts for engaged Buddhism in today’s meditation and was sad that all 14 of your precepts for a just and generous Christianity were not included. A Google search did not reveal them either - even on your own website. I could, of course, buy the book referenced in the footnotes and probably will (I have read a couple of your books already and loved them) but I would think that such great messaging for progressive Christianity should be readily available to all seekers of a just and inclusive Christianity. Perhaps this lack of availability is a restriction by your publisher and if so, that’s really a shame because it’s the message that matters and this message is important enough to be available to all just as Thick Naht Hanh’s is.Thank you for your work and witness,
14 Precepts of Just and Generous Christianity
Christianity isn’t the only religion that loses its way from time to time. That’s why every religious community has prophetic voices who arise and call for spiritual migration. Thich Nhat Hanh has been such a voice in his tradition, calling for Buddhists to embrace an “engaged Buddhism.” I’ve taken his “14 Precepts of Engaged Buddhism” and adapted them for “Just and Generous Christianity.”
1. Humility: Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Christian ones. Christian systems of thought are guiding means, a pathway rather than a destination.
2. Lifelong Learning: Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow minded and bound to present views. Be open to the Holy Spirit and practice childlike humility, demonstrating curiosity about others’ viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.
3. Gentleness: Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrow-mindedness, and be ready to gently and humbly share what gives you life whenever it is appropriate.
4. Compassion: Do not avoid suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the life of the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering and to be an agent of comfort and healing. Awaken yourself and others to the reality of suffering in the world. And do the same regarding joy, so you can weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.
5. Generosity: Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simply and share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need.
6. Love: Do not maintain anger or hatred. Learn to penetrate and transform them when they are still seeds in your consciousness. As soon as they arise, turn your heart toward God in order to see and understand the nature of your hatred, so it will not be translated into word or deed. Make love your highest goal.
7. Serenity: Do not lose yourself in dispersion and in your surroundings. Dwell in the presence and peace of God to come back to what is happening in the present moment. Be in touch with what is wondrous, refreshing, and healing both inside and around you. Plant seeds of joy, peace, and understanding in yourself in order to facilitate the work of transformation in the depths of your consciousness.
8. Reconciliation: Be careful with your words. Do not utter words that can create discord and cause the community to break. Make every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
9. Communication: Do not say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people. Do not utter words that cause division and hatred. Do not spread news that you do not know to be certain. Do not criticize or condemn things of which you are not sure. Always speak truthfully and constructively. Have the courage to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten your own safety.
10. Justice: Do not use your faith community for personal gain or profit, or politicize it for partisan ends. A faith community, however, should take a clear stand against oppression and injustice and should strive to change unjust and unhealthy situations without being manipulated or controlled by outside forces or interests.
11. Vocation: Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to live. Select a vocation that helps realize your ideal of compassion.
12. Non-violence: Do not kill and do no harm, and do not stand by when others seek to do so. Find creative, just, and nonviolent ways to prevent or end conflicts and to promote and strengthen peace.
13. Property: Possess nothing that should belong to others. Respect the property of others, but prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on Earth.
14. Body: Do not mistreat your body. Learn to treat it with respect. Practice self-control. Sexual expression should not take place without love and corresponding commitment. In sexual relations, be aware of future suffering that may be caused. To preserve the happiness of others, respect the rights and commitments of others. Be fully aware of the responsibility of bringing new lives into the world. Be aware of the ways your body connects you to all creation, and be grateful for every meal, every heartbeat, and every breath.
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