Our Shared Vulnerablity

Sometimes it seems a reading was intended, made, or meant for us.  I am a firm believer that the Spirit works in wonderful and sometimes unexpected ways.  This week's article comes from the Christian Century - where I usually go first to look for our weekly article.  It just so happens that it's perfect for the conversation about Ash Wednesday that we started at the end of our last TOT and in relation to the Alternative Worship service this past Sunday. 

First read Psalm 103:8-17a

⁸The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

⁹He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever.

¹⁰He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

¹¹For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

¹²as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.

¹³As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.

¹⁴For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust.

¹⁵As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field;

¹⁶for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

¹⁷But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear God.

Then read the Fear of Flying in the Christian Century. 

Here are some questions to ponder:

1. What is your experience of flying?  How vulnerable do you feel when flying?
2. What does it mean that we have shared vulnerability?
3. What does Stephanie Paulsell suggest we should do with this vulnerability?  What does she suggest we often do with it?  
4. How do you understand your own vulnerability? 
5. How is our vulnerability one of our strengths?
6. How is our vulnerability related to God and our relationship to God?

I hope to see you all at 7:00 PM this coming Sunday, March 7th at ABC for an interesting conversation, good food, and good beer!