Mike’s Rumblings 04-05-24

Faith Conversations

This is an audio version of Mike Murphy‘s Friday rumblings. This is a regular post on Facebook that I’ve turned into a podcast. I decided Mike’s words needed a wider audience. You may agree or disagree with what he says, but there is certainly much food for thought contained here. You can friend Mike on Facebook for the printed version or read it below

Rumblings. 4.5.2

1. “All four gospels witness to Mary Magdalene as the premiere witness to the resurrection – alone or in a group, but in all cases named by name. . . All four gospels insist that when the other disciples are fleeing, Mary Magdalene stands firm. She does not run, she does not betray or lie about her commitment, she witnesses. But why, one wonders, do the Holy Week liturgies tell and retell Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus, while the steady, unwavering witness of Magdalene is not even noticed? …” ~ Cynthia Bourgeault, The Meaning of Mary Magdalene

When the guys continue to interpret and tell the story of faith some of the very best ideas and people get pushed to the side. It’s sad. It still happens. It needs to stop.

2. “I’m so tired of him. I’m tired of people pretending he’s not a fool. I’m tired of his lies. I’m tired of his sickening amorality. I’m tired of his face, his voice, his smirk. I’m tired of his inability to say even one thing remotely kind or humble or appropriate, ever.” ~ Source unknown.

I am so tired of him too. The man really needs to get some help. Intellectually, he’s shallow. Physically, he’s a mess. Spiritually, he’s dead. Ethically, he’s a joke. Emotionally, he’s a toddler. When you consider his patriotism, nothing rings true.

And my prayer is that he’ll hit rock bottom, get the help he desperately needs, seek God and then just fade away, vowing to no longer do harm.

That’s the best prayer I can offer at the present time.

3. “My desire to be well informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.” Don’t know who said this but he/she is spot on.

I’m choosing to be informed. I think that’s the responsible thing for me to do. But in smaller doses.

4. Our church in Sarasota, as well as most others throughout the world, held a simple Good Friday Service. After each somber movement in our liturgy the lights were dimmed until at the very end, there was no light at all. Just darkness. And we were dismissed into that darkness and invited to sit in it until the glow and delight of Easter revealed itself.

Another church in town met in a park on Good Friday and went high octane with a big crowd, a circus high wire act, a celebrity testimony, Good Friday food stations (huh?), a helicopter dropping candy and there was face painting and bouncy houses for the kids Whew. All this on the day Jesus died.

A bit much? I think so. I’m not saying people weren’t blessed but from my vantage point, jumping from death to resurrection so quickly misses the point. There’s a formational piece that needs attention. There’s much to learn in the darkness. And it takes time to learn it.

Ever taste really good brisket? The grill masters know it’s all about low and slow cooking. Good Friday and Holy Saturday beg us to go low and slow, to give the story a chance to reveal its full flavor.

5. In an exclusive excerpt from his forthcoming biography, McKay Coppins reveals what drove Senator Mitt Romney of Utah to retire. The hypocrisy and cynicism of his party, and the loneliness he felt within it, had worn him down. Romney said, “A very large portion of my party really doesn’t believe in the Constitution.”

Romney is right. The party he once represented has fallen apart and punched their ticket to the dark side of a constitutional abyss.

A democracy depends on good will, win/win decision making, sincere effort, a commitment to rule of law and a fidelity to a constitution. Ouch. Our democracy is in trouble. Sincere efforts and good will have gone into hiding. Win/win decision making is seemingly out of vogue, and constitutional loyalty is on life support.

It’s not too late to right the ship but whoa, I sincerely doubt that the party Romney walked away from, is up to the task.

6. The cartoon by Dave Waymond was of a mother and two daughters walking. They were dressed in Handmaid’s Tale garb. The oldest of the two daughters asks her mother: “But why didn’t you vote against them? Why didn’t you try to stop them from taking it all away?”

Mom responded: “Well, back then gas prices were quite high honey …?”

In other words, she chose the quick fix and ignored the big picture. May we all resist the temptation to take shortcuts.

7. Two pathways.

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” ~ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.” ~ The Great Gatsby (1925)

Be beautiful, not careless.

9. March Madness. I have especially enjoyed watching the women play. There’s something about the way they approach the game that is really captivating. It’s not a dunkfest. They’re playing below the rim. It’s four quarters, not two halves. There’s a practiced precision at work. The players are enjoying themselves. Bravo. Plus, they are drawing huge, huge numbers.

10. “Christianity can be confusing, but the way of Jesus was pretty clear:

Move toward the poor

Empower women

Throw parties

Poke holes in oppressive systems

Forgive your enemy

Don’t store up wealth

Be present w/ people

Push back darkness

Heal

Announce

Love well

The kingdom is near” ~ Dan Sadlier

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