Dinner Party

 In last weeks Gospel, Jesus asks Simon, “Do you see her?” 

Which is also to say, “Do you see me? 

A prophet shouting loudly with his life, 

pointing the way to God’s lavish love and forgiveness.

Whether or not we really see each other, 

not as caricatures but as unique icons of God’s image, 

makes all the difference. 

Otherwise we miss the wondrous complexity of our human condition. 

We judge each other and hold back parts of ourselves for fear that we will reveal too much.  

Lavish love says we can be all of who we are. 

We can unlock our doors and let go of our most precious gifts. 

We can dare to see, really see, who is at the party.

 Kayla McClurg

I guess it's to be expected ...
the longer we come to Rosebud, 
the more people we know;
the more people we know,
the more people we want to catch up with while we're here -
people who want us to check in with them
and whose feelings are often hurt if we don't.

It's a strange dance that we never quite get right - 
trying to strike the right balance between
wanting and needing "to get something accomplished" -
some project, some task we've been asked to help with -
and being faithful to the reality of being called into relationship 
with our brothers and sisters in Christ  - 
the ones who just happen to live on the reservation.

 

 

"Community, I am beginning to understand, 
is made through a skill I have never learned or valued: 
the ability to pass time with people you do not and will not know well, 
talking about nothing in particular, 
with no end in mind, 
just to build trust, 
just to be sure of each other, 
 just to be neighborly. 

 

 

A community is not something that you have,
like a camcorder or a breakfast nook. 
No, it is something you do. 

And you have to do it all the time".
Wendell Berry


You can say that again, Wendell!
ALL. THE. TIME.

We practice every day on Rosebud.
To be honest, it can be exhausting.

Especially after a full day of working under the
relentless South Dakota sun.

 

 

  The work on the ball field was immediately appreciated!

 

As was helping the domestic violence shelter

plan for, purchase and install 

a "Peace Garden"

 

 

Creator of all races and ethnicities, 

help us see that a diverse community is the way 
to deepen our lives
and to know you more deeply.
Guide us to see that entering into a vital and just relationship 

with others who are different from us 

is the way to make ourselves whole.
Guard us from fear of the other,

from the fear that our own security is threatened 

if we become truly willing to make a place at the table for all.
Open us to live out what we profess to believe:
that our true security is in You
and in your call to justice and peace;
that we are a part of your global family;
that, because of your Incarnation,
the human dignity of everyone is sacred,

And that we are constantly called
to conversion and inclusive community.

We pray that you help us recognize any forms of racism in our hearts,

in our legal systems and social structures.

Forgive us our sins of exclusion.

Heal our souls and spirits.

Ground us in compassion for all through your grace.
Help us take the steps you call us to take

to build a more just community,

where difference is respected,

where we can all join hands

and rejoice in the common good.

Through the mercy of God, we pray.
Amen