Category: Monday Morning Blog

Chapter 14

Good Monday morning!

Welcome to the 14th week of 2023.

Jewish Humor appeals to more than just Jews because of how it relates to the human experience – maybe there’s a little “Jewish” in everyone, and that’s what we’re all laughing at. Jewish humor was one way to cope with the Jewish experience and the human experience. Many horrible things have happened to us. People have tried to wipe us out many times. But we can still laugh. As the old joke goes, “Jewish holidays all go something like this: ‘They tried to kill us, they failed, let’s eat.’”

This story takes place near the famous city of Chelm, which is known for its quote “wisdom.” In this story, the rabbi of Chelm goes missing. Local men go looking for him, and they find a body in a field. But the body has no head, so they are not sure whether
it’s the rabbi or not. No one can remember whether the rabbi actually HAD a head or not, so they figure if he didn’t have a head, it was the rabbi after all. So they go to ask people who might know.

So they went to ask the Shammes, who had always served the rabbi. The shammes replied:,“To tell the truth, I am also not sure if he, peace be upon him, had a head or not. He was always wrapped in his talis [prayer shawl] and I could only see what appeared below the talis.”

So the Khelmites went to ask the bathhouse attendant. The attendant said, “In truth, almost every erev shabes [Sabbath eve] I washed the rabbi. He would, however, lie on the topmost bench, which is wrapped in thick steam, so I would see only his feet.

So the Khelmites went to the rebitsin [rabbi’s wife]. The rebitsin answered, “I know only that my husband, may he have a bright paradise, had a nose, because every erev shabes he would prepare snuff to snort. If he also had a head – this I do not know.”

And thus, until this very day, the Khelmites do not know whether their rabbi had a head or not.

What’s the lesson of the story? First, be careful of focusing on the little details and forgetting the important thing – the rabbi is missing, and they’re debating whether he had a head or not. Second, sometimes you need to quit while you’re ahead {pause}. If they were going to ignore the bigger problem of the missing rabbi, what’s the point of debate in the first place? This could be a criticism of people who are very focused on the little details of Jewish religion and Jewish law instead of the big picture of being a good person. And lastly, if you’re going to laugh at the Chelmites, you might as well laugh at yourself as well, because there’s a little bit of Chelm in all of us.

Wishing you a good start to this new week!

Philemon

Chapter 13

Good Monday morning! Welcome to the 13th week of 2023.

Elohim is one of the most frequently used names for God in the Scriptures. It is this word which is used in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth.” In fact the word appears some 2,750 times in the Old Testament.

Elohim

God of the gods.
The plurality of the One.
Universal and unknowable.
Let us create and so control
from the start to the end
all the forces outside and within.
The shelter and the storm.
Keeping and shaping
everything as it must be.
And so I bow.

William Henke

What a powerful way to showcase who Elohim is…our creator God…well scripted.

Wishing you a blessed start to this week!
Philemon

Chapter 12

Good Monday morning! Welcome to the 12th week of 2023.

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” (Acts 10:34-35)

This week, Bern is holding an awareness week about racism, with one of the themes being structural racism. Racism takes on different forms across nations, and unfortunately, I recently witnessed Ukrainians expressing racism towards Syrians in the context of social work here in Switzerland. But was it racism, prejudice, or a feeling of inferiority? Feelings of insecurity can contribute to the development of prejudiced attitudes. For example, a person who feels threatened by individuals from a different racial or ethnic group might develop prejudiced attitudes towards them as a way to feel superior or more secure.

What distinguishes prejudice from racism?

Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or attitudes towards a particular group or individual based on incomplete or inaccurate information. Prejudice can be directed towards any group or individual, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or any other characteristic.

Racism, on the other hand, is a form of prejudice that is based on the belief that one race is inherently superior or inferior to another. Racism involves not only prejudiced attitudes, but also systemic power structures and practices that perpetuate discrimination and inequality based on race.

Therefore, while prejudice can be directed towards any group or individual, racism specifically involves discrimination and inequality based on race.

There has been concern regarding the worldview of social justice, activity, and awareness in regard to racism. As Christians, we are called to seek justice and love our neighbors as ourselves, just as Jesus taught us. It is possible to be fully engaged in social justice activities while also maintaining a worldview that is consistent with Jesus’ teachings.

One way to do this is to approach social justice work with humility, compassion, and a willingness to listen and learn. We should strive to understand the systemic injustices that exist in society and work to address them in ways that align with our faith values. We should also seek to build relationships with people who are impacted by social injustice and support them in their efforts to advocate for change. To stay grounded in a worldview consistent with Jesus’ approach to social justice, we should regularly be reminded of “WWJD” (what would Jesus do), engage in prayer, reflection, and study of His life, His deeds, and His approach. This can help ensure that our actions are guided by love and compassion rather than other motives. As followers of Jesus, we are called to do good works. In fact, James 2:26 tells us that “faith without works is dead.”

Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus confronting social injustices of His time, such as the mistreatment of the poor, the marginalised, and the oppressed. He showed compassion to those who were often excluded from society, such as lepers, prostitutes, and tax collectors. He also challenged the religious authorities who used their power to oppress and exploit the people.

One example of Jesus confronting social injustice is when He overturned the tables of the money changers in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13). These money changers were exploiting the poor by charging exorbitant fees for their services, and Jesus saw this as a clear injustice that needed to be addressed.

Jesus’ call to action would be rooted in love, compassion, and justice, and would encourage people to stand in solidarity with the oppressed, speak truth to power, work for systemic change, practice forgiveness and reconciliation, and cultivate a sense of community. He always emphasised the relationship to God his Father and his dependence upon this relationship, and believed that God was working through him. His call to action would also involve encouraging people to deepen their own relationship with God and to recognise the ways in which God is calling them to work for social justice.

Wishing you a blessed start to this week!
Philemon

Chapter 11

Good Monday Morning to this new week 11 of 2023

Sacred reading (Lectio Divina)

Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. Psalm 97.2

Though Jehovah shrouds himself in mystery, and comes with irresistible might, it is the consolation of His people to know that His kingdom is founded upon righteousness. Here, as elsewhere, the Theophany of Sinai supplies the symbolism.

1. Divine presence and the revelation of God to humanity.
2. The burning bush, not being consumed by the flames, represents the presence of God that is both powerful and unchanging,
3. The mountain Sinai, the transcendent nature of God.

In relation to the practice of Lectio Divina, the symbolism of the Theophany of Sinai can be understood as a representation of the encounter between the reader and God through scripture. Just as God revealed himself to Moses in a profound and transformative way, so too can the reader experience a profound encounter with God through the practice of sacred reading.

A few quotes from David G. Benner’s book “Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer”:

The transformational potential is found in the experience of engaging with the words of scripture as a way of opening ourselves to the loving presence of God.

The purpose is not to master scripture, but to be mastered by it, to allow the words of scripture to transform us from the inside out.

The practice is a way of slowing down, of intentionally creating space in our lives for the presence of God. It can be practised anywhere, at any time, as a way of cultivating a deeper sense of connectedness to God and to the world around us.

The most important aspect is not the technique itself, but the relationship it fosters between the reader and God.

There are seasons in life when “standing still” lets you know you are indeed “making progress.

The truth is that we have brushes with the Divine every day but simply fail to notice the presence of Christ.

The geography of the soul is mapped in the Sacred Text. The Spirit provides the needed insight to identify the landmarks within our interiority.

The pursuit of Christ and the spiritual journey is not a one-time event or a destination rather, it is a continual process of striving, of growth and transformation to become more like Christ and to deepen one’s relationship with him.

Paul’s use of the word “perpetual” emphasises the ongoing nature of this pursuit.

Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead… For St. Paul, the “press” toward what was still to come was perpetual.

Be still, and know that I am God; Psalm 46.10a

May God work that same grace in us. May your week be filled with meaningful moments of the presence of God.

Philemon

Chapter 10

Good Monday Morning to this week 10 of 2023

The other week, some young people at work asked me about my Enneagram type. We had an interesting conversation about it, particularly about its usefulness in our spiritual journey.

But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Isaiah 52:12.

A verse cut out for the Eights; self-confident, strong, and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering.

Brene’ Brown did a quote for the spiritual journey of each Enneagram type. This is her quote to the type eight.

Vulnerability is not weakness; It’s our most accurate measure of courage.

Ignatius Loyola , the founder of the Jesuits, developed a method for spiritual direction and has three core points.
1. To sense the various stirrings that occur in the soul’;
2. To recognize them,’ that is, to understand their origin and goal and to make a judgment on them whether they lead constructively to the meaning-goal of my life, or destructively lead away from it;
3. To take a position toward these stirrings, that is, to accept them or reject them.

Summing up a lot of her spiritual journey, K.J Ramsey puts it this way:

We need water that flows when we are fragile, grace that girds when we are weak, hope that holds us when our hands are empty, holiness that hears and shatters our pride, and a faith far deeper and more mysterious than a mere affirmation that God is good. We need to be pulled into God’s goodness in embodied experiences reflecting who he is.

Wishing you a blessed spiritual journey this week.

Philemon

Chapter 9

Good Monday Morning to this week 9 of 2023.

The question of whether to have faith in God can seem strange, implausible, or even meaningless to many people in our society. However, for one student, answering this question and approaching it from a different angle was crucial to finding a way to believe in God today. She discovered that the key lies in our image of God.

God, the primordial and original existence
God, the quiet but dependable source of comfort and protection
God, creative power that brings forth new things
God, embodiment of love and regret
God, both concealed and unveiled
God, watches over us like a shepherd
God, provides protection and guidance like a helping hand
God, enlivens and awakens us like a fresh spring
God, responsive and communicative, acting, speaking, and explaining
God, interacts with us through all our/his emotions and senses
God, listening, watching, and feeling
God, can receive our faith as an action, in openness, trust, and hope

Faith is a culmination of various moments that encompass both the desire to seek and the willingness to give. It is a profound experience that involves encountering the intangible by receiving the transformative eventful moment; The gift of faith.

Wishing you the gift of faith this week!

Philemon

Gottesglaube / Faith in God
Summarized from Ref. 03.2023/R. Balmer

Chapter 8

Good Monday Morning to this week 8 of 2023

A prayer for Antioch – God be present in these times of suffering and show your comfort.

Seventeen ancient cities in Turkey were named Antioch, but only two are remembered by any but scholars today. One is Antakya (the ancient Antioch in Syria) and the other is Antioch in Pisidia, Asia Minor.

Antakya’s collapsed church revives hope after Türkiye quake.

The church foundation board’s chairperson, Fadi Hurigil, recently shared a message regarding the church’s current status.

Paul’s first missionary journey began in Antioch. You may notice that maps of the ancient world often have two cities labelled Antioch. They’re both named after Antiochus, father of Seleucid I. The Antioch in Acts 13 was the third largest city in ancient Rome and capital of the province of Syria. Today, it’s part of southern Turkey. The other Antioch was part of Pisidia, an ancient region which is also now part of Turkey. Your Bible likely refers to it as Pisidian Antioch or Antioch of Pisidia.

“Antakya was not an ordinary city. It is an ancient city whose history and cultural heritage dating back to 300 B.C. is still alive today. It is the queen of the east. The place where Saint Peter and Saint Paul wrote the teachings of Jesus. A holy city where believers were first given the name ‘Christian,'” he explained.

“This city of peace, friendship and brotherhood, where people from three divine religions live together, sets an example for all humanity. It is also the city where three of the region’s four largest earthquakes hit the hardest. About 260,000 people lost their lives in a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in A.D. 115. Another 250,000 people died in A.D. 525. One-third of Antakya was destroyed in the last great earthquake in 1872,” he added.

“Unfortunately, our Greek Orthodox Church, one of the most prominent 10 churches in our country, was destroyed once again. The historical city, which suffered from devastating earthquakes dozens of times in history, was rebuilt each time. Just as our ancestors rebuilt this holy city and our church in the past, we shall do the same, rising from our ashes. Antakya will rise again,” he said.

Now ruins, “Antioch-on-the-Orontes,” which was in ancient Syria, is near Antakya, a city in southeast Turkey, just 12 miles from the Syrian border. The ruins of Antioch—the ancient city walls—are not only near Antakya, but are buried beneath modern Antakya as well. Antakya is home to “the Cave Church of St. Peter,” also known as the Grotto of St. Peter, which may well be the oldest church in the world.

The Sts Peter and Paul parish church in Antakya, one of the few buildings spared so far by the earthquake (because it is lower and stronger), is in taking displaced people. “There is no electricity, no internet in the city; phone services are poor,” said Fr Francis Dondu, the parish priest.

“Early reports suggest that the main quake razed the old quarter to the ground; many buildings have collapsed and many fires are raging.” The church “has opened its doors to Catholics, Orthodox, Muslims,” he added. Now the goal is “to figure out how to proceed, because it is cold, we are in the middle of winter, and shelter is needed.”

“Antakya is one the most isolated centres in Turkey,” Zambon noted; “at present, it is hard to reach by land because the roads are damaged, if not wiped out, and many people are still missing, under the rubble. Even the airport is unusable.”

The synagogue that stood near the church also collapsed. Together, they created “an ecumenical and inter-religious mosaic” that the quake directly hammered.

In this corner of the world, “in the 1st and 2nd centuries, we witnessed the elaboration of Christian theology with Luke, Paul and Barnabas,” said the vicar of Anatolia. “Open to the nations, it is deemed a point of reference even in the Acts of the Apostles.”

Malalas wrote that in 526, “Pregnant women … gave birth under the earth and came out with their infants unharmed,” echoing the survival of a baby girl who was born in Antakya on Feb. 6, 2023, under the collapsed rubble of her home, and has been named Aya, an Arabic word that loosely translates as a sign from God.

The city’s history, though, is one of transition and rebirth, and I believe there is hope amid the wreckage write Fadi Hurigil on the 14th of February.

Praying for the rebirth of this city and comfort for all that have lost loved ones.

Philemon

Chapter 7

Good Morning to this week 7 of 2023

A renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. Colossians 3.11

Culture is not just about what we do, but about what we believe, what we value, and how we understand the world. Margret Archer

In a sense, both Colossians 3:11 and Archer’s quotes encourage us to look beyond surface-level differences and focus on the underlying power behind it.

Hans Joas writes in The Power of the Sacred: An Alternative to the Narrative of Disenchantment.

Religion is not just a part of culture; it is a formative force in culture.

The religious transformation of the modern era did not lead to the decline of religion but rather to its diversification and pluralization.

The concept of the sacred is a central category in the understanding of religion, and it also has a broader significance for the study of culture.

The history of religion is not a linear process of decline and disenchantment, but rather a complex and diverse set of developments that have resulted in a pluralization of religious traditions and beliefs.

The sacred is not only a source of meaning and moral guidance but also a force that shapes individual and collective action.

Joas also argues that faith is not just a personal matter, but also has social and cultural dimensions. He contends that faith can be a source of community and social cohesion, as well as a factor that shapes cultural attitudes and values.

In Colossians, the idea of renewing one’s mind is central to the concept of transformation in Christ. Colossians 3:10 says, “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” This verse states that the process of becoming a follower of Jesus involves not just a change in behavior, but a change in the way we think and understand the world.

Hans Joas, in his work on the sociology of religion and culture, also emphasizes the importance of cultural and spiritual transformation. He argues that religious and cultural traditions have the power to shape the way people understand and experience the world, and that the process of cultural and spiritual renewal can be a catalyst for personal and societal change.

Renewing our minds is an essential part of the process of becoming more fully human and experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us.

Wishing you a blessed start to this week with renewed thoughs!

Philemon

Chapter 6

Good Monday Morning to this week 6 of 2023

This past week we had a huge misunderstanding about a word. It worked in one language but meant something else in another.

For example the use of the word; “Gift” (English) vs “Gift” (German) – in English, “gift” means a present, while in German, it means “poison.”

Apart from that misunderstanding, I heard a very questionable interpretation of a verse in the bible … leading me to write a few very basic thoughts on this topic.

Here some misunderstood verses from the bible to which interpretation and use of wordage can be of utter importance;

1. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) – this phrase is often interpreted to mean that the punishment for sin is death, but the word “wages” in the original Greek actually means “payment.” So the phrase is better understood as “The payment for sin is death.”
2. “The eye is the lamp of the body” (Matthew 6:22) – this phrase is often interpreted to mean that our eyes give us light and help us see, but the word “lamp” in the original Greek actually refers to a source of light, not the eye itself. So the phrase is better understood as “The eye is a source of light for the body.”
3. “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:21) – this phrase is often used to justify paying taxes to the government, but its original context was much more complex. Jesus was actually challenging the Pharisees to consider the source of their authority and whether it was from God or from the government.
4. “Money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10) – this phrase is often quoted as a general statement about money, but the original text actually says “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” So the problem is not with money itself, but with the love of it.
5. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13) It is sometimes used to argue that Christians should not be politically active or engage in activism. However, other passages in the Bible, such as the prophets and Jesus’ teachings, show that God’s people have always been called to speak out against injustice and to advocate for the marginalized.
6. Exodus 21:20-21 deals with the punishment for causing harm to a slave. The passage reads as follows: “If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod” This passage has been widely criticized and misunderstood due to its endorsement of the use of violence against slaves. Consider the broader message of the Bible, which consistently calls for compassion, justice, and the protection of the vulnerable. The New Testament, in particular, teaches that in Christ there is no distinction between slave and free (Galatians 3:28), and that all people are equal in the eyes of God. Therefore, this passage should not be taken as a endorsement of slavery or violence, but rather as a reflection of the cultural norms and laws of the time, and a call to do better in the treatment of all people.
   
   Or how about some pronunciation?
   
7. Christians around the world know the Christ of the Bible as “Jesus,” but this was not His real name – in fact, He probably wouldn’t even have been able to pronounce it. The letter J did not exist in any language until about the 14th century – and remains absent from the Hebrew alphabet. Jesus most likely spoke either Aramaic, in which He would have pronounced His name as “Eashoa,” or Hebrew, in which His name would have been “Yeshua.” He could also have known Greek and gone by “Iisoús.”
   
8. The Bible condones certain divination and fortune-telling techniques … but many modern Christian churches shun mysticism, fortune-telling, and magic of any sort, but these things were all alive and well in biblical times. Though the Bible does condemn dark magic, it doesn’t forbid magical arts outright, as the following verses demonstrate: Jewish high priests regularly used divination stones called Urim and Thummim to obtain oracles and signs from God (Exodus 28:30, 1 Samuel 28:6). People often cast lots – stones or sticks bearing symbols, similar to runes – to determine the will of God (Proverbs 16:33). Daniel, of “Daniel and the Lion’s Den” fame, was not only a renowned magician and interpreter of dreams, but also “made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers” by the King of Babylon (Daniel 5:11). At the command of God, Moses engaged in what more or less amounted to a wizard’s duel with the magicians of Egypt (Exodus 7:9-12).

Learning to be more careful in the use and interpretation of words, especially when it comes to cultures and languages, requires a combination of knowledge and sensitivity. Here are a few steps that may help:

1. Study the context: To understand the meaning of a word or passage in the Bible, it’s important to consider the cultural and historical context in which it was written. This can help to avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations that are based on our own cultural assumptions.
2. Seek out diverse perspectives: Engage with people from different cultural and religious backgrounds, and learn from their experiences and perspectives. This can help to broaden your understanding and increase your sensitivity to different interpretations and meanings.
3. Read multiple translations: There are many different translations of the Bible, and each one can offer a slightly different perspective or interpretation. Reading multiple translations can help you to see the richness and depth of the text, and to avoid relying on one narrow interpretation.
4. Consult commentaries and study resources: There are many resources available that can help you to better understand the meaning and context of specific passages in the Bible. Commentaries, study Bibles, and online resources can provide valuable insights and information.
5. Pray and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit. Ask for wisdom and discernment, and trust that God will lead you in your understanding of his word.

I’ll conclude with one of my favourite biblical jokes:

Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
Noah! … he was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.

Wishing you a good week as you wrestle with misunderstanding and interpretation!
Philemon

Chapter 5

Good Morning to this week 5 of 2023

The biblical principles of resilience ultimately show us the quality of our faith in the Lord. Hard times reveal to us our hearts and the depth of our faith in God. Are we like waves in the ocean or vapor in the wind, easily tossed and blown away? Or are we rooted in God in our faith?

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Psalm 25.9

I look through a book with some life hacks. Why do some have resilience, or in certain situations – while others don’t. The title looked promising and for sure has some nuggets within the many lines. Here a few quotes to start your week!

In Do Hard Things, Steve Magness beautifully and persuasively reimagines our understanding of toughness. Toughness has long been held as the key to overcoming a challenge and achieving greatness, whether it is on the sports field, at a boardroom, or at the dining room table. Yet, the prevailing model has promoted a mentality based on fear, false bravado, and hiding any sign of weakness. In other words, the old model of toughness has failed us.

• Pillar 1- Ditch the Façade, Embrace Reality
• Pillar 2- Listen to Your Body
• Pillar 3- Respond, Instead of React 
• Pillar 4- Transcend Discomfort   

Toughness is having the space to make the right choice under discomfort.

Instead of wrestling the giant monster, start with the smallest item that you can have control over that’s related to the problem. Is it your breath? Can you intentionally slow your breathing down? Or maybe it’s something as simple as showing up on time or getting through the first mile of your marathon.”

The old model of toughness, in essence, throws people into the deep end of the pool but forgets that we need to first teach people how to swim.

“It’s training the mind to handle uncertainty long enough so that you can nudge or guide your response in the right direction. To create space so that you don’t jump straight from unease to the quickest possible solution, but to the “correct” one. The first step in redefining toughness is to understand where we went wrong, why bulldozing through often leads to a worse outcome.”

Research consistently shows that tougher individuals are able to perceive stressful situations as challenges instead of threats. A challenge is something that’s difficult, but manageable. On the other hand, a threat is something we’re just trying to survive, to get through. This difference in appraisals isn’t because of an unshakable confidence or because tougher individuals downplay the difficulty. Rather, those who can see situations as a challenge developed the ability to quickly and accurately assess the situation and their ability to cope with”

Real toughness resides in being humble and wise enough to acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses. To find the right point of risk versus reward, to balance upon the expectations-versus-demands scale.”

The lesson wasn’t that we just need to put people in difficult spots and force them to deal with adversity. We need to teach them how to navigate the discomfort they’ll soon face.”

Negative thoughts of quitting are normal. They don’t mean you are weak. They represent your mind trying to protect you.”

We’ve demonised doubt. Showing any weakness, having any hesitation, is a sure sign that you don’t deserve the raise. Humility and vulnerability are signs that you can’t handle “tough” situations.”

Toughness is having the space to make the right choice under discomfort.

Wishing a good start to this week!
Philemon