Mysteries

Gathering Prayer: Holy One who is known to us by many names and in many ways, we give thanks for the blessings that we have in our lives. Be present now as we enter a time of thought and discussion.

Focus: There are many areas of mystery in any faith tradition; in the Christian faith, miracles, the transfiguration, and the resurrection of Christ are among the notable. Humans seem hardwired to search for meaning. We look for it in science, art, relationships, or God. This week we lean into the “unknowable”.

Sentences on the Subject:

“God is the name of the blanket we throw over mystery to give it shape” B.Taylor

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is.” A. Einstein

“Do you not think that there are things which you cannot understand, and yet which are; that some people see things that others cannot? ……….Ah, it is the fault of our science that it wants to explain all; and if it explain not, then it says there is nothing to explain.”― Bram Stoker, Dracula

“Let us proclaim the mystery of faith” Every Roman Catholic priest before 2011.

“When we make God a ‘being’, we shrink the mystery”. P.Tillich

“The mystery of life isn’t a problem to solve, but a reality to experience” F.Herbert Dune

“When you reduce mystery to mechanism, you don’t solve it — you shrink it.” ChatGPT

Below is some “food for thought”, a few probes that might kick start a conversation.Read over them and pick one (or more, or none) to discuss. Remember to hold space for others to share and share only what you feel comfortable sharing.

Probe 1. What’s one ordinary thing in your life that still feels like a miracle?

Probe 2. Here’s a mystery – GATTACA. Does it mean anything to you?(Some proclaimed that it unveiled the Secret of Life.)

Probe 3. Every religious tradition is replete with mystery. Where does your mind go when you hear about Moses crossing the Red Sea, or the walls of Jericho, or the immaculate conception, or feeding of the five thousand?

Probe 4. Do you agree with the AI insight into mystery? Do we lose when we reduce nature to base pairs, love to neurochemistry, or God as a being?

Commission: Hold on to what is good. Love deeply. Honor others. Stay excited about life and your faith. Be joyful. Be patient. If you pray, have faith. Share with people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes. Be loving to those who hurt you. Be present; be in the moment. Be agreeable, even with those with whom you disagree. Be humble. Be a friend of people who aren’t considered important. Do the right thing. If possible, live in peace with everyone. And remember, no matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey- you are welcome here.