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Wednesday 8th Week OT
The Institute
May 27, 2015
GREATNESS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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What
makes us great?
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I
think back to parishes we’ve served in
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Each
time we’ve left one to be assigned to another, the people have clearly said
what they will remember most about us
Ø
It
was that, “He visited me when I was sick
and he preached well.”
Ø
Greatness
is a worthy goal, but in what we seek it, we sometimes get wrong
GOSPEL GREATNESS ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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The
Gospel contains the old familiar request of James and John to sit at Jesus’
right and left hands in the Kingdom
Ø
Jesus
corrective: “You don’t know what you are
asking. Can you drink/suffer what I’m to drink/suffer?”
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“Oh, yes!” is their all too quick reply
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Of
course the other 10 on hearing this become indignant, for they too have it
wrong!
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Jesus
sets them all straight: “Whoever wishes
to be great among you will be your servant”
OUR GREATNESS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Greatness
then comes in serving: caring for yourself; caring for others
Ø
And
here, within this community, we come to see how that caring gets carried out
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Facing
myself honestly: warts and all
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Not
blaming others for my feelings
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Realizing
that things others do trigger feelings within us
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There
are bigger issues that my feelings raise that need to be looked at
Ø
Risking
and trusting with friends, therapists, small groups and large
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Yes,
greatness is something to value
Ø
Where
to find it may need to be given a second look
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
