CircuOsity .21 Jim Strader-Sasser

Jim attempts to explain his current feelings of loneliness and anxiety.  Jim views himself as participating in the "Great Resignation" and is striving to frame his circumstances in a spiritual as well as vocational fashion.  Are you lonely?  How are you addressing your loneliness?  What might you share with Jim and other listeners that is valuable and wholly good.

Sabbath - We conclude with a conversation of how Jesus' mortal death transcends death into a period of creative sabbath time. We also explore the relationship of rebirth in Christ by considering Nicodemus' presence at Jesus' tomb. There are cosmic implications for both topics. The world and life as we know it changes when Jesus dies and sets God's victory over death into rebirth- beginning with Holy Saturday's quiet and silence.

Episode Six of Lenten Contemplations is live and ready for your viewing/listening.


Atonement - At-One-Ment - Jesus' death on the cross is an archetypal moment in human history. For some believers, it is the pinnacle moment for forgiveness of sins. For other believers, it is the moment when Easter actually begins with Jesus mortal death and metaphorical and salvific effort to reconcile humanity and creation to God and to one another. Whatever it may mean - this 'death' is not an end. It is a transformation of a life of faith from one depth to another. Perhaps this conversation with Dean Andrew McGowan of the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale may shine light on the all understandings of atonement and Jesus' death on the cross. The images, silence, and music by Chris Keeney may provide resources for deeper contemplation and wisdom too.

https://youtu.be/KxU9iTu-6TA
Andrew McGowan in CircuOsity's fifth episode of Lenten Contemplations helps listeners and viewers alike to consider the depths of thirstiness Jesus is experiencing on The Cross. The conversation flows from the heart of Jesus' mortality and his divinity. His statement of need is also an invitation to at-one-ment. He is, in John's Gospel, instituting deeper communion between Jesus and Jesus' followers who observe this horrible yet miraculous interchange between life and death. Chris Keeney returns with more oud music that sets the stage for periods of mediation and reflection. All of this provides those who take it in something special as Holy Week draws nearer.

Lent offers a time for reflection, repentance and biblical studies. Jesus' Seven Last Words on the Cross provide a provocatively profound framework for such activities. CircuOsity, in partnership with Dean Andrew McGowan, invite you to take in a fully sensory devotional set of Lenten Contemplations. The series begins on March 4th and continues through Good Friday in April. Listen, learn, and love God in a newly sensory way. This week's episode speaks to God's apparent absence from The Cross as well as God's full human participation in The Cross' pain. What might we imagine about The Christian God's attributes with regards to pain and suffering. Does God allow evil? Why? Why not? Would we prefer a Divine tyrant. These and some other questions are central to this podcast. We blend in portions of The Episcopal Church's Noonday Office along with oud music and illuminations for contemplation and prayer.

Jesus does not die without ensuring that his mother is cared for following his last breath.  His act of completely compassionate love should not be lost on us.  Sometimes we think that love only happens in the best of times. Perhaps the greatest acts of love happen under traumatic circumstances.  SImple acts of kindness are possible when two people like or care for one another.  What does it mean to offer love beyond mortal death.  How does God's providence happen in such places - if not especially so.  
This podcast episode seeks to unravel some of these questions along with articulating the truly gut wrenching acts of kindness we witness between Mary, Jesus, and John the Beloved Disciple. 
There are audio segments of the podcast that are 1 or 4 minutes in length offering time for reflection, meditation, and other contemplative practices.  Enjoy and may your soul be enriched.