Christ the King Lutheran Church - Gladwin, Mi.
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Clever Words for the Apocalypse

Greeting the Whole Person

9/13/2016

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“How are you?”

That is a common question we Americans ask when we greet someone.

“Hello. How are you?”

“Hi! How’re ya doin’?”

“Hey, there! How’s it going?”

No matter how we express it, the implication is the same. We are asking those to whom we speak how life is for them at that moment. How is their health, their work, their contentment in life? How is their family doing, what’s new in their lives, what are their concerns?

Yet, we don’t expect them to share all that stuff with us. What we do expect is for the person to reply: “Hi! I’m fine,” or “I’m good,” or “Not bad. And you?” Sometimes a shrug accompanies the response.

And that’s where the greeting ends. The conversation turns another direction, diverts the question. We go our separate ways, continuing our shopping or whatever we were doing before running into one another.
But the “stuff” is still there. Good or bad, it’s still hanging around, each of us with our own stuff dwelling inside of us wanting to be shared, to be released to the listening ears and caring hearts of others.

Now, for the religious, we have a “Higher Being” of some sort on which to lean. Those of the Christian tradition look to God, through Jesus, as that source: “Come to me, all who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, New Revised Standard Bible).

Indeed, having this source of caring listening available to us is comforting. It is a place where we can lay it all out without fear of rebuke. It can be life-changing.

But we also often crave being able to say it to another human being. It’s the need to see the face, hear the voice, feel the touch, or sense the understanding of another who has been created in God’s image. It’s the conscious or unconscious need to connect with humanity in a meaningful way.

Maybe we need new words ingrained in our everyday conversation. Maybe those words should be shalom (Hebrew) or salaam (Arabic).

Shalom and salaam are very serious words. They go beyond “hello” or “peace” or “how goes it”. They are directed to the receiver’s inner core and solicit concerns of peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare, and tranquility.

Imagine this greeting:

“Shalom. How are you?” I am implying that I care about you and want to know how things really are for you at this moment. Do you have burdens, joys to share?  I am ready to listen. I am ready to care.

“Salaam. I could use a good ear at this moment.” I am implying that I do, indeed have burdens or joys to share, and I am in need of your ears and your heart – and I am ready to listen to and take to heart yours as well.
Imagine if shalom and salaam became part of our everyday vocabulary, just as much as “hi, how are you,” or “how’s it going”.

When we are greeted with a “Hello, how’s it been”, we often have to run a quick check through our heads. Does this person really want to know how I am or is this just a cliché greeting? Dare I say how things really are for me at this moment, on this particular day? I’m not sure how to respond...

“Okay, I guess. How about you?” (shrug)

When we are greeted with, “Salaam, how’s it been”, we know we’re about to engage with another human being in a very meaningful way.

“Shalom, it has been a mix of blessings and troubles.”

​Imagine the difference an opening conversation could make in that moment, in that day, in a lifetime!
 

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    About the Blog

    In this season of plague, flood, fire, hungry cats, and Advent, we invite you to reflect on the words (such clever words!) of the Prophet John in the book of Revelation.
    Join the Liturgisaur on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Advent for devotions based on the first three chapters of Revelation
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      Perhaps you have encountered the #Liturgisaur on Instagram or Facebook.  He is a small, green, pants wearing, one armed dinosaur who makes the rounds in Gladwin County and beyond, highlighting the various ministries of Christ the King Lutheran Church.   
         The word dinosaur is Greek in origin, a combination of the words  δεινός (terrible or clever) and σαύρα (lizard).  You may have heard about how dinosaur means "terrible lizard," but you probably didn't realize that it can also mean "terribly clever lizard."   And the Litrugisaur is quite clever.  
         This Advent you invited to check into this blog for theological reflections (some clever) and insights from the Liturgisaur and his minder, Pastor Emily Olsen.  We will be focusing on the first few chapters of Revelation, or as they call it in Greek, The Apocalypse. 

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Christ the King Lutheran Church
600 S. M 18 
Gladwin, Mi. 48624
989-426-1659
Pastor Emily Olsen
pastor.ctkinggladwin@gmail.com


Email ctkinggladwin@gmail.com for correction or to have information included on this web page
  • Home
    • Pictorial Directory
    • Contact Us
    • Links
  • Who are We
    • Mission and Vision
    • Staff and Office Hours
    • Church Council
    • History
    • Newsletter
    • Calendar
  • COVID 19 WORSHIP VIDEOS
    • Lenten Madness Monologues
    • Matins with Noodle
    • For the Kids
    • Bulletins
    • Sermon 9-16-19 The Sheep
    • Maria Skobtsova
    • Isidor
    • Elisha
  • Faith Formation
    • Sunday School
    • Christ the King Youth
    • Camping Ministry
    • Kids Club
    • Confirmation
    • Thursday Adult Bible Study
    • Vacation Bible School
  • Ministries
    • Stephen Ministry
    • God's Work Our Hands
    • Quilting
    • Food Distribution
    • Backpacks for kids
    • Prayer Shawl Ministry
    • Parish Nurse
    • Columbarium
  • Worship
    • Schedule of Worship
    • How we worship
    • Children
    • Choir
  • Special Events
    • Pumpkin Farm
    • Christmas Tea
  • Budget
  • Blog
  • Letter from Pastor
  • Masks
  • sermon
  • Audry
  • Rick McCoy
  • Ballot for Church council
  • Holden Prayer 12-23
  • Dec 20 Children's Program
  • Christmas Eve