The Great Commission-- Go

Matthew 28:16-20

The Great Commission-- Go

            The Great Awakening is the term used by Diana Butler-Bass as she describes a change in US and North American religious/ and faith practises. She writes about the revival of conservative politics in the 1980s but this was not ‘the’ awakening which  needed to address the real challenges and struggles of the emerging world. It is merely the start of experiential faith.” This Great Awakening in not a quest “to escape the world. Instead, it moves into the heart of the world, facing the challenges head- on to take what is … and make them workable and humane in the service of global community.” (p.239)

            Butler-Bass then describes her visit with bank tellers of different faith backgrounds and languages and it is through this experience that she’ felt the power of the resurrected Jesus so completely in my soul.” 241..

            This great awakening of the spirit is hard to see around us because it is quiet different from those in history. Part of the reason for this is that no one spiritual renewal has reshaped us, there is no political consensus and no genuine institutional renewal. This awakening is taking a long time and it is not only tied to Christianity. It is a multi-religious awakening as the Spirit speaks to people in different ways and it is not just in North America but global in nature.

REFLECT for a moment:

Have you been a witness to this awakening? What has been your experience of meeting others’ in their faith? What has been your learning from this?  Do you feel you have become more tolerant or have you moved beyond this level to knowledgeable or understanding?

How does this help you in your faith growth/ formation and relationship with God?  What does Jesus’ commission to tell others of his story mean to you?

 PRAYER

Holy One, we praise you and rejoice in your love for us all. Help us to understand our world, its people and the faith we share and have in you. Open our hearts and our minds to learn and love. Amen.

Diana Butler-Bass Christianity after Religion: the end of church and the birth of a new spiritual awakening. .New York Harper2012 (chapter8)