News from Sophia Christi

Last month I told you the Parish Council would be meeting the end of March to discuss the results of our Social Justice survey and to decide how we might use our collective resources to support the hungry, isolated and suffering people of our region.  That meeting took place 3 weeks ago. Sophia led us through the forest of different points of view on a path that led to a surprising outcome.

In this first year each location—Eugene, Portland and Battle Ground—will identify an organization where one of our members is currently volunteering.  We will begin an informal ministry partnership with that organization, developing a relationship between Sophia Christi and that particular group through our member volunteer. Our involvement might include collecting food, other material goods or financial assistance as needs arise with the intention of engaging all of us in one way or another as time goes on.  At the end of the year the Council will decide what portion of our year’s income to divide equally between the three ministry partners.  Next year’s budget, however, will include a line item for this purpose.  As a community we will share our resources with those in need in a deeper and more extensive way than we have before.

During the potluck after Mass we will discuss this plan more fully, weigh one of the options for our Portland/Eugene ministry partner for this year and, hopefully, make a decision before we leave today.  Our collective mission to those absent from society’s table widens this Easter with this decision.

It IS still Easter in our Gospel and in our Church. Mary Magdalene met the risen Jesus outside his empty tomb just this morning.  Now it is evening. The disciples have locked themselves in the upper room fearing the Temple authorities will come for them next.  All, that is, except Thomas.  He isn’t there.  When building community, the absence of one member MATTERS.  It matters to Jesus that Thomas isn’t there. So, as the Gospel continues it is a week later, and Jesus returns to the upper room for the sole purpose, it seems, of connecting with Thomas.  Thomas, the absent one.  For all the absent, inclusion is especially important. (more…)

In 1991 Enya popularized a song written in 1860 by Robert Lowry, a Baptist minister. It begins like this:

My life goes on in endless song, above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the real though far off hymn that hails the new creation:
Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul—how can I keep from singing?”

In our time, when missiles can range across entire continents and we hear news daily about innocent people slaughtered senselessly by rogue militias and well-armed militaries as well as crazed individuals, when we witness the effects of climate change on water supplies and ocean levels and recognize the long-term effects of political power-plays and ideological decision-making on all of us, especially the poor of the world, we need hope.

And every Spring Christians around the world turn from the gaping desolation of an empty tomb, as Mary did, to gaze into the eyes of that Hope.  And if, like Peter, we see without believing, and no one calls our name, we may return home more confused, more bereft and even more despairing than before.  But if, instead, we are able to see as the Beloved Disciple sees, observe burial linens neatly folded in that tomb and recognize what that means, then we might be able to turn around, like Mary, and go back to our homes transformed.  (more…)