Divinity Journey – November, 2024
Divinity School Blog #2: 11-22-2024
Thanks again for joining me on my divinity school journey. As I draw to the end of my first term, I am reminded how quickly we can be transformed in God’s spirit by spending time in The Word and practicing spiritual exercises.
This fall I have had the pleasure of taking an Old Testament class that helped me to see the importance of keeping covenant with God. What do people led out of slavery in Egypt have to do with us today? Plenty. In Deuteronomy, Moses provided direction to the generations of Israelites whose forebears didn’t follow God’s covenant. Through Moses, God shared His laws so that they (and in turn we) might live a more meaningful life. When we are enslaved by things (e.g. material goods or cell phones or social media) we are sometimes no different than the Israelites were in Egypt. Similarly, when we fail to take much needed rest in Sabbath, we forego a gift from God to have a refresh. Is there something in your life that you could set aside so that you can focus on what’s most important? I am giving this more thought myself now, and the subtle shift in awareness has led to more meaningful time with my family, friends, and congregation.
Another way to draw closer to God is through spiritual exercises. This fall I have found ways to refresh my practices of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina and try out some new ones. I am spending more time “seeing” the world around me and reflecting on God’s company in my life. I have even had the pleasure of trying out the St. Ignatius method for examining God in our life, lovingly referred to as the Examen. This practice allows us a way to reflect on one of our days, to give thanks, to see how and where God showed up, and to ask for His blessing. Prior to trying out this spiritual exercise my prayers were intentional, but this approach allowed me to see a slightly bigger picture and to discern God’s path more fully.
As the term winds down and I finish my papers, exams and final steps, I look back over the entirety of the past few months and give thanks for the gift of this new journey. I’ve had the chance to meet some amazing people – new classmates, professors and staff – that have all brought thoughtful perspectives and gracious moments of vulnerability that have taught me how to be a better Christian. At Thanksgiving this year, when I break bread and say grace, I will be thanking our beautiful maker for this new wisdom as well as all the bounty we have, even if we experience them in times of suffering. In expressing gratitude, we are inviting God to join our table, even in our brokenness, and helping us to see the goodness and hope that He offers. May you be blessed in this holiday season of thanks.
Kathleen
