Cynthia Funk
Hello Everyone,
I am pleased to be the second Pastor to contribute to the Pastor's Corner of this wonderful new web site. We are experiencing new beginnings with Easter and the burst of blooms in our lovely garden and as our hearts open to the warmth of the waxing Spring.
My name is Cynthia Funk. I was ordained as a Pastor with the Fellowship Center a year ago in April. However, I have been with the Church since 1986. I served on the Board of Director's in the late 80's for two years, served on the Ethics Committee, helped design and oversee the Seminary Program in the late 90's and just completed four more years on the Board of Directors. Now I am thrilled to serve in the capacity which resonates the most for me, that of Pastor.
I was pleased that April 9 was my turn to facilitate the Sunday morning Joy in Worship Service. It was Palm Sunday. To prepare for the Service, I returned to materials I had been fortunate to study for a few years under the guidance of Steve Burman who led a study group on Rudolph Steiner. Each year we have the opportunity to live into the deep meaning of Easter, and we are in the 40 days of Easter now. To start with, we are reminded that Easter is a Cosmic event. It occurs in relation to the Spring Equinox which was March 20th and is not set until the first Sunday after the first full moon of Spring. With the Crucifixion and Resurrection, the whole way of spiritual practice on earth is transformed. It is no longer the old clairvoyance. The sun being is no longer out there in the spiritual world, but here in the earth and in us. People no longer need intermediaries to connect with the Divine. Christ infused the power of divine cosmic love into the earth, and it is with us and in us in any darkness, at all times, in all circumstances forever.
For the Pastor's Corner this month, I would like to share the meditation for the Palm Sunday Service. It is about the days and events of Holy Week, and my hope is that it will serve to support whatever devotional study or practice we are doing for the 40 days after Easter. Each year we can walk with Christ and the disciples through Holy Week and through the 40 days of Easter as we are challenged to live into what we are being taught and shown. During these 40 days, we can be challenged with Peter, devout with Mary, need convincing with Thomas, and much more. We and the disciples experience faith, betrayal, confusion, doubt, fear, certainty, hope, love.
PALM SUNDAY MEDITATION April 9, 2006
On this Sunday, we have palm branches which we wave to greet Christ as he enters Jerusalem. However, the will of the cosmic being is to move to death. Christ is not swept up into being the old kind of King. The disciples and we are confused.
Monday we pass by Bethpage and the fig tree on the hill. The Essenes practiced their esoteric practices under the fig tree, but the old ways are being transformed. We are startled to see the fig tree wither as we pass. Christ enters the temple, and his moral force is so strong now, that just his presence causes everyone inside to scatter. All is going to change. Those who gave Hosanna on Sunday will say to crucify him by Friday. On Monday night, Christ tells the disciples and us that he will die yet stay with us. We don't understand.
On Tuesday, we are very uncertain. It is the day of battle, and the Pharisees and others level attacks on Christ. On Tuesday night, Christ reassures us that the power of cosmic love will be with us in all times. We are like the disciples. We get it and then don't get it.
On Wednesday, the in between day, we retreat to Bethany to be with Lazarus and Mary and Martha. It is an intense evening when on the one hand, Mary anoints Christ's feet in preparation for death and on the other, Judas makes his decision to betray Christ. Notice that we, also, can go to extremes. We can be both the devotional Mary and the reckless and fearful Judas.
Thursday, we join Christ and the disciples for the Passover Seder during which Christ inaugurates the new celebration of the transformation of the bread and wine. He is already giving himself to earthly elements as he infuses himself into the bread and wine. Everything is intensifying, and we are caught up in awe and fear. Later, in Gethsemane, we witness Christ struggling to stay conscious in his physical body as the forces of physical death want to pull his spirit from his body. The soldiers come for him, and we all desert him.
Christ asks God for help and is sustained the whole next day, Friday, until he can experience the completion on the cross and take both body and spirit into death. We each know crucifixion and betrayal by others. And even more, we know the personal crucifixion of judging ourselves for our fears, shame or guilt.
After a quiet Saturday, we can rejoice that on Sunday we will experience that the divine cosmic Christ reunites with humanity and the earth. The light rises to unite with all parts of our darkness. With Easter, that presences comes to us. We can be open to love, face our fears, and live into our divinity.
Cynthia Funk
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