Module Two: begin
Cézanne made a living thing out of a teacup, or rather in a teacup he realized the existence of something alive. He raised still life to such a point that it ceased to be inanimate.
Wassily Kandinsky, Concerning the Spiritual in Art, 17
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgement.
Indeed, I was born guilty,
a sinner when my mother conceived me.
Psalm 51:1, 2
Module Two: begin
Study:
In preparation for this week's liturgy, please read Part 3 of How to Be Here by Rob Bell. Please read the Wisdom for the Way essay titled, “begin” found here.
After you have completed the above, choose one or more of the the following:
Still Life With Jar, Cup, and Apples, Paul Cézanne
Chair, Vincent Van Gogh
Questions:
In, “Spiritual Rovolution,” from Concerning the Spiritual in Art, Kandinski writes, “That which has no material existence cannot be subjected to a material classification. That which belongs to the spirit of the future can only be realized in feeling.” (p 12) Kandinski was a visual artist who created art with material existence. What role do artists, pastors, and other creatives play in translating the ineffable to the vernacular? Is anything lost?
What emotions does the idea of ikigai produce in you? Can you imagine why?
It is easier for you to start something complicated or something simple?
When you look at the painting by Cézanne and Van Gogh, what do you feel beyond the reproduction of an item.
The Liturgy
nothing
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgement.
Indeed, I was born guilty,
a sinner when my mother conceived me.
Psalm 51:1, 2
Opening Prayer
Creator, in the beginning you were. Help us be that which impelled you to speak light. Please, oh Divine Spirit, give us the courage to listen to the stillness before the beginning and hear the foundation of creation whisper to our souls infusing us with longing to participate. Incarnated God, you spoke to us, help us to hear. Impress on our souls the love that poured into the original Word and that continues to echo through creation. Help us to choose loving creation.
Amen.
Confession
Divine Gentleness, we confess that we are a harsh and judgmental species. We have chosen to believe that the love that sparked an, as yet, expanding world, must be fought over and apportioned carefully. We have seen the gratuitous splendor of the Milky Way and, somehow, assumed that there is not enough for all of us. Soften our hearts, reassure our minds: teach us to love.
Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Exchange this acknowledgment of confession.
From the freedom of confession, I greet the Christ in you.
From the freedom of confession, I greet the Christ in you.
The Inquiry
These questions will be used each week to guide a time of sharing. If you are unable to share, please raise two clasped hands and the other participants will offer you a blessing.
What have you this week?
What suffering have you encountered this week?
What longs for salvation?
After each person shares, the group will offer a blessing to each person:
[Person’s name], in the name of Jesus Christ know you are beloved of God
The Reflection
Read aloud:
The Practice
create centers on creative spiritual practices. Each week, participants will be offered a creative practice in the Spirited Words Substack Newsletter.
For Thought
I looked for universal things—perused
The common countenance of earth and sky:
Earth, nowhere unembellished by some trace
Of that first Paradise whence man was driven,
And sky, whose beauty and bounty are expressed
By the proud name she bears—the name of heaven.
The Prelude, Wordsworth, 43
Read Aloud:
Show us that we are part of the the whole of creation “nowhere unembellished by some trace of that first Paradise.” Into our souls is seeded the garden from which we came.
Amen.
The Response
These questions can be used to help the group engage with the reflection.
Do you feel like a part of creation or something different?
How does each paradigm effect human behavior?
or
What would you like to create this week?
After each person shares, the group will offer a blessing to each person:
Christ, give us the courage to hear and be heard.
Responsive Reading
A. In the beginning, God started with light.
B. Teach us to simply begin.
A. Little by little, the universe was imagined into being,
B. Teach us to persist.
A. We feel distant from holiness,
B: Teach us to connect.
Closing Prayer
O, God, we ask that you infuse our souls with the assurance that you are love. We are restless and voracious. Allow us to rest in the abundance of just enough. Clear our souls and minds so that we may participate in the Creation that you speak into being from the first moment to this moment.
Amen.
Blessing
Have courage. You are creating the world. Love well. We are all connected. Be assured. We are creating the world together.
My youngest daughter loves to make clothes. So far, she mostly repurposes (cuts up) her socks into doll skirts and crop tops.