Universal Christ
series based on the book by Father Richard Rohr
"Transformation & Contemplation"
November 14, 2021 • Rev. Linda Taylor
The author, Richard Rohr, suggests that God loves things by becoming them and therefore our both simple and complex walk as a Christian is to see Christ in everything and everyone. It becomes possible when we believe in Original Blessing, a positive and generous cosmic vision of life, including ourselves, rather than Original Sin which fosters a belief that God, Christ is not present in any human, except Jesus.
"The Resurrection Journey" | Universal Christ series
November 7, 2021 • Rev. Linda Taylor
Most people, when they hear the word Resurrection would associate it with the Resurrection of Jesus – whether they believed it or not. The Risen Christ is the foundation for the formation of Christianity! How you choose to understand the crucifixion will certainly inform what you believe about the resurrection. How you choose to understand death will inform your belief about your personal resurrection. The process of dying to allow something greater to arise allows us to become more willing to embark upon this journey of surrender and embracing a new self, a new way of being.
"Why Did Jesus Die?"
October 31, 2021 • Rev. Linda Taylor
Jesus died for both the atonement of our sins and as the path to become one with the body of Christ according to Paul, one of Christianity’s greatest influencers. Father Rohr begins with this premise to reach his conclusions to this question of death: It is not God who is violent. We are. It is not that God demands suffering of humans. We do. God does not need or want suffering – neither in Jesus nor in us.
"A Sacred Wholeness"
October 17, 2021 • Rev. Linda Taylor
It takes practice to know this inner voice to distinguish this guidance from other ego thoughts. If any thoughts or feelings feel harsh, shaming, or diminishing of yourself of others, it is not the guidance of God. If an idea comes that wants to be expressed as absolute truth, or needs to control or impress another, it is not the voice of God. We must listen to what is supporting us. We must listen to what is encouraging us. We must listen to what is urging us. We must listen to what is alive in us.
"Revealed In Us - As Us"
October 10, 2021 • Rev. Linda Taylor
In the beginning – from the beginning God called all of its creation Good. With this as our foundation belief, our life is simply a matter of becoming who we already are! To uncover our Godness – our Goodness not only in us – but in everyone and everything. The focus becomes on following the life demonstrated by Jesus rather than his sacrificial death. It calls us to follow the path of love through compassion, forgiveness, right judgement, generosity, and kindness – this, as is was for Jesus, is the path to know God.
“Christ Is Not Jesus’s Last Name”
October 3, 2021 • Rev. Linda Taylor
Christ was not Jesus’ Last Name! While those that walked the planet in the time of Jesus would have seen this clearly, it can be a shocking statement today in some circles of more traditional Christianity. Over the last 1500 years, the words Jesus and Christ have been melded together as one person or being.