CARTS …practicing resurrection

Last updated on: September 6, 2012 at 5:58 pm by Ron Cole

CARTS …practicing resurrection 2012-09-06T17:58:55-05:00 Ron Cole

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“We have longed to taste the resurrection… the insurrection of life… We have longed to welcome its thunders and quakes, and to echo its great gifts. We want to test the resurrection in our bones. We want to see if we might live in hope instead of in the … twilight thicket of cultural despair in which … many are lost.” – Daniel Berrigan, priest and radical peace activist.

Faith should be filled with the redemptive imagination we need to envision the reality of the resurrection ” now “, for out the the resurrection comes the inauguration, the revelation and the building of the Kingdom Jesus imagined, and lived in.

There was nothing special about the parking lot behind the Capitol Six Theater, and the transition to the Traveller’s Inn. What was special was that a few people took likely what they thought was a mustard seed of faith and planted it. They nurtured it, cultivated, prayed and loved and it grew. There was a vow of commitment, of faithfulness, that despite cold, rain, wind they would be there. The same time, same day, week after week, year after year.

There was a profound evolution of borders and boundaries being erased. What was once “us ” and ” them ” became a community of friends. It became an anticipation and expectation of watching, and looking for the arrival of friends. It was hugs, it was conversations and prayer. It was the worry of wondering about someone if they failed to show up on Friday…to now Sunday.

It was a circle of friends, holding hands, it was faces, it was eyes and smiles. It was improvisation of a God talk, a few minute sermon that sparked imagination. It was communion with the street community distributing the sacraments. It was the parable of the feast, the servant with invitations in hand going to the back allies, the gutters, skid row hotels, anywhere and everywhere so his Fathers table would be full.

It was hot chocolate, peanut butter and jam sandwiches, baked goods, cookies, fruit, socks, mitts, toques, blankets, sleeping bags, shoes, under-ware, clothing. It was, I was naked and you clothed me, I was hungry and you fed me. It was whatever you do for the least of these you do for me.

” What is this “, the young man kept saying to me.” I’ve never seen anything like this.” I really believe it was the reality of the resurrection, the ” now ” presence of Jesus risen in the midst of a community living out radical scandalous faith. He caught a glimpse of the Kingdom now. He saw people acting as co-creators in the revelation and building of Jesus’ Kingdom. He saw a place with out borders, boundaries…a place where people aren’t reduced to labels and stereotypes. He saw radical hospitality, grace, and mercy. In his ” lost-ness ” he felt the loneliness and separation of the prodigal son. But, more, he saw God in that parking lot with open arms welcoming him home. My son which was once lost, is now found.

For me CARTS has become a wild and crazy church. We long to feel the resurrection in our bones.We long for the Kingdom. We long, and welcome its thunder and quakes, and to echo its great gifts. The Kingdom coming into being can seem messy and chaotic. But as someone once said, at the Rainbow Kitchen…even in chaos there is beauty yet to be recognized, if we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear.

Practice resurrection in your daily life…simply let your life be your religion.

emerging Christianity

jesus

missional

poverty

Previous Post

September 5, 2012

Prayer, is it just wishful thinking?

Next Post

September 6, 2012 Emergents Need to Embrace Anti-Oppression with Inclusivity and Humility

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Addiction Advent Atheism Authority Bible Cartoons Christian Year Christmas church church planting Civil Rights Community Contemplative Spirituality Culture emerging church Empire Eschatology Evangelism Events Gender Healing Humanism Islam Justice Kingdom Lent Movement Building Multi-Faith Music mysticism New Wave Emergence origins Personal Poetry politics Prayer Preaching Privilege Racism Religious naturalism Resurrection salvation SKEPTIMERGENT Theology Trauma Uncategorized

Select a Month December 2017 November 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What were Jesus' followers called?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Prophets Judges Disciples Shepherds