A Spirituality to Sustain Action

 

Margaret Pfeil and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove

Duke Center for Reconciliation Summer Institute 2009

 

 

  1. Seminar description – The same Jesus who told his disciples that their works would exceed his own also promised to send an Advocate who would guide us in the ways and means of God. This course draws on 2,000 years of Christian experience to explore the rhythms, practices, and dangers of life with the God who chooses to work in and through communities of broken people for the reconciliation of all things. The course is especially designed for people who find themselves burnt out, distracted, depressed, or restless in the ministry of reconciliation.  It will invite participants to build on their own questions, hopes, and experiences of faith to contemplate the dynamics of a spirituality of reconciliation.  We will use a variety of media, including film, music, and art, together with opportunities for prayer and meditation.

 

 

  1. Seminar objectives –  Participants will
    1. Become familiar with lives of saints who have integrated prayer and action
    2. Examine closely the spiritual struggles of acedia, vainglory, and despair
    3. Explore practice of lectio divina, the opus Dei, a rule of life, and contemplation
    4. Create a portfolio for their own spiritual journey

 

  1. Before you arrive – In preparation for the four days in class, participants will
    1. Read articles/excerpts in the attached course packet
    2. Prepare a short piece for their portfolio that will allow them to share about their spiritual journey during our first meeting (This does not have to be original, but can be. Consider the medium with which you’re most comfortable: poetry, narrative, music, craft, photography, visual art.)

 

  1. Key Content Themes and Activities

 

First Day

Introductions

Seminar Overview, Goals, Methods

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Rule of Life—carving out a new society within the shell of the old

Resisting the demon of vainglory

 

Second Day
Women at the foot of the cross
Opus Dei—rooting ourselves in the Psalms of lament
Resisting the Demon of despair

 

Third Day
Road to Emmaus
Contemplation—learning to see the kingdom in our midst

Pilgrimage
Resisting the demon of acedia

 

 

Final Day

Jesus washes the disciples’ feet

Contemplation and Action in a life of service

Review and synthesis of course material and students’ reflections

Presentation of projects, wrap-up, evaluations and vision for participants’ own journeys and ministries

 

  1. Advance Readings –
    1. Jean Vanier, The Scandal of Service (excerpt)
    2. Marva Dawn, Powers Weakness and the Tabernacling of God, “The Principalities and Powers: Created, Fallen, Then?”
    3. Evagrius, The Praktikos, on vainglory, despair, and acedia
    4. Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers, chpts 6-7, pp.94-116.
    5. Jim Douglass, Resistance and Contemplation, pp.46-78.
    6. John Paul Lederach, The Journey Toward Reconciliation, pp.62-80
    7. Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation, pp.180-190