News from Sophia Christi

Adultery Is Not the Issue

March 17th, 2016

International Women’s Day was this past Tuesday, which I imagine most of you know. And March is Women’s History Month. In that context it seems particularly fitting that today’s Gospel features a woman publicly shamed in a culture that views women as property rather than as persons. Women’s history, past and present, is filled with gender-specific violence done as a direct result of women being classified as ‘property.’ In South Sudan, for example, a NY Times correspondent reports that army-affiliated militias are raping and abducting women and girls as PAYMENT for their work! In his article, [“Mass Rape a Common Weapon in South Sudan Conflict”] Nick Cumming-Bruce writes that these militias have an agreement with government forces allowing them to do what they want and take what they want. They “have stolen cattle and other property,” under this agreement, he says, in addition to abducting the women. Clearly the women and girls are seen merely as another possession that is theirs for the taking.

The woman standing before Jesus in today’s Gospel is also considered property. She is a pawn in the religious power game carried out by the scribes and Pharisees against Jesus. She has no meaning to them other than as a lever for the trap they’ve set. She is a non-person in their world. How often have we seen this theme play out in the political discourse of our day? How often have we watched our church officials point fingers at victims of abuse while acting as though they themselves are guiltless? More importantly, how often have we judged someone else while being unable or unwilling to admit our own mistakes, even to ourselves? Have we ever demeaned someone else, even subtly, in a play for greater influence or value in the eyes of others? And as our own political system devolves into a megaphone of bigotry, depersonalizing others as a proposed step toward power, we can see the result of this ugly path writ large on TV screens across America.  (more…)

Genuine Transformation–Goal of Lent

March 5th, 2016

The son of a friend of mine attempted suicide a week ago Wednesday.  It is a miracle that he is alive today.  Faith has helped me see God’s presence in the details surrounding his being found, just in time, to save his life. The young man had an addiction to pain medication no one knew about.  A prescription for 100 of these capsules had been filled on Monday, just two days before he was found slumped over the wheel of his car.  The bottle lay empty by his feet when a grounds keeper found him in an isolated park.

This past week has been an excruciating journey for the boy, but even more so for his traumatized mother.  She has been fully conscious and aware of the moment-to- moment process of opiate withdrawal and the slow, painstaking recovery—if we can even use the word ‘recovery’ at this point.  As I have walked this agonizing road with my friend through countless decisions she’s had to make, supporting by listening while being otherwise helpless, I have also been in the process of preparing the liturgies for today and for our retreat next weekend. There are many experiences in life that in some way mirror the transformative challenge offered in and through the season of Lent.  My friend’s journey with her son this week has brought that home to me in a new and personal way. (more…)

Mass Schedule–March 2016

March 5th, 2016

Mass in Portland will be Saturday, March 12, at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2823 N. Rosa Parks Way at 5:00pm. Please bring soups, salads, and veggie dishes for the simple Lenten potluck meal. Choir rehearsal begins at 4:00 and all interested singers and musicians are invited to come and participate.

Mass in Eugene will be Sunday, March 13, at First Congregational Church, UCC, 1050 E. 23rd, at 4:00pm. A potluck follows our celebration. Please bring soups, salads and veggie dishes to share for the simple Lenten meal. If you are interested in being part of the choir as a musician or singer, please come at 3:00 for rehearsal.

EASTER in Eugene—Sunday, March 27, at First Congregational Church, UCC, 1050 E. 23rd, at 4:00pm. Please bring an entree, salad, veggie dish or desert to share for our Easter potluck meal. If you are interested in being part of the choir as a musician or singer, please come at 3:00 for rehearsal.