In this sermon, Kate invites us to reflect on how we find meaning in our lives through various frameworks, particularly the liturgical calendar that guides our spiritual journey. As we move through the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, we experience a consistent rhythm in our worship. Each time we cycle through these seasons, we are not the same as we were before; our lives bring new experiences and understandings. This year, as we sit on the edge of Eastertide, she emphasizes the significance of the Cosmic Christ, which helps us understand the transition from the historical Jesus to the resurrected Christ. The disciples, like us, grapple with this profound shift, and their struggles remind us that our frameworks can be challenged and reshaped as we grow.
Kate then expands our understanding of the incarnation beyond just Jesus, suggesting that we are all part of this divine presence. The idea of the Cosmic Christ connects our existence to the creation itself, as everything holds a spark of the divine. Jesus prayed for us, urging us to recognize the shared oneness inherent in our community. She encourages us to see the divine in ourselves and others, fostering love and connection in our actions. The Christ Mystery is ongoing, not confined to history, but alive in creation and in each one of us. As we leave, we are called to carry this expanded vision of Christ into the world, recognizing the sacred in every aspect of life and allowing it to shape how we live and love.
Reflection Questions for this Week:
- How do the different seasons of the liturgical calendar influence our understanding of ourselves and our faith as we move through life?
- What does the concept of the Cosmic Christ mean to us, and how can recognizing this idea change the way we interact with the world around us?
- In what ways can we actively recognize the divine spark in others, especially in those who may seem very different from us?