Vox Veniae Podcast

From Punitive Scapegoating to Divine Nonviolence

Reconstructing the Cross: From Punitive Scapegoating to Divine Nonviolence

While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn’t working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God. 

As we continue our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, guest Anthony Bartlett reveals the cross as pointing to the way of our nonviolent transformation rather than a retributive transaction demanded by God. [2 Corinthians 5:13-21]

 

Reflection 

1. What traditional explanations of Christ’s death have I been given in the past?
2. What if the violence of Jesus’ death was the whole point–displaying human violence and the counter-revelation of divine nonviolence?
3. Is it possible for me to accept the revelation of a God of absolute nonviolence?

Resource

PDF:  Vox Practicing Nonviolence

From Tactics to Authenticity

Reconstructing Evangelism: From Tactics to Authenticity

While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn’t working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God. 

This week, in our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, Vanessa Maleare shifts perspective from tactics to sell a religion to authentically bearing witness to the goodness of God present in each of our lives. [John 4:7-30]

Reflection 

1. What is inherently good for you in the ways of Christ?
2. Is there anyone you know that embodies this goodness?

Resource

1. Book: Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Faith by Rob Bell

PDF: Vox Veniae Bearing Witness to Goodness 

From Solo to Symphony

Reconstructing Scripture: From Solo to Symphony

While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn’t working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God. 

Our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, continues with Christopher Mack gathering us to for the practice of Lectio divina as a way of stepping into God’s Story, even as we find it infusing in our being. [Mark 12:28-34]

Reflection 

1. How does the relational nature of this scripture conversation between Jesus and the scribe impact how you might reflect on scripture?
2. Where do you experience the disconnect in your life from hearing scripture and embodying it?
3. How might our experience of scripture be different if we try making a meal of it (formational) instead of reading it for helpful or inspiring bits (informational)?

Resource

1. Book: Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun
2. Book: Opening to God: Lectio Divina nad Life as Prayer by David Brenner
3. Book: Solo: An Uncommon Devotional by Eugene Peterson, Jan Johnson, J.R. Briggs, and Katie Peckham
4. Book: Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading by Eugene Peterson

PDF: Vox Veniae Lectio Divina

Reconstructing Spirituality

Homily Title: Reconstructing Spirituality: From Guilt to Growth

While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn’t working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God. 

Our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, begins with Christopher Mack inviting us to consider the practice of Rhythm of Life as a way of allowing the simple seed of God’s kin-dom in our lives and world to become a vibrant, yet surprisingly great shrub. [Mark 4:30-32]

Reflection 

1. What preconceptions about how God is supposed to work today might actually prevent you and others from growing in God’s Love?
2. Do you sense a distraction you might lay down or change your relationship with over the next month?
3. Is there an area in your life where you wish to take a simple step for the next month in the hope of experiencing growth?

Resource

1. Book: Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun

PDF: Vox Veniae Rhythm of Life

Partnership Sunday: Combatants for Peace

Claire Kinder, Hannah Friesen, Gena St. David, and Lindsay Stanek share about Vox Veniae’s new global partner, American Friends of Combatants for Peace, and the good work of nonviolent peacemaking happening between Palestinians and Israelis working in solidarity to advance a just peace. [Psalm 133]

 

Reflection 

1. What is the cost of peace without justice, and who bears it? 
2. What systems am I part of that maintain peace for some and oppression for others? 
3. How can I disturb my comfort to open the way to collective peace rooted in justice?

Resource

1. Website: https://www.afcfp.org/contact-us 

Wasted Time

What is perpetually draining you of hope and joy?  Aurelia Dávila Pratt encourages us to steward a full cup for our own embodied self and the Body of Christ in relation to our time and how we relate to social media. [1 Corinthians 12:12-26]

Reflection 

1. What’s something that quietly energizes you—or helps refill your cup-when you’re feeling drained? 
2. Where in your life are you being invited to pay closer attention, to tend gently and intentionally to what matters most? 
3. What does it mean to belong—to yourself, to others, to something larger—and how does that truth live your body today?

Resource

1. Book: How to Focus , by Thich Nhat Hanh

It's Giving... Selfless Self Care

How can I do something for someone else that brings me joy? Vanessa Maleare defines self-care by casting a vision of service as self-care. [1 Peter 4:7-11]

 

Reflection 

• What area of helping others bring you joy or energy? 
• Is there an area of service in which you’d like to grow? 
• If there is a barrier to you giving your time somewhere, could that barrier be moved in a creative way?

Resource

Book: How to Be a Living Thing: Meditations on Intuitive Oysters, Hopeful Doves, and Being Human in the World by Mari Andrew

Kiss My Past Goodbye

What’s your favorite call to adventure? Christopher Mack hears the call to reconsider our relationship with the status quo as we are invited to daily form Beloved Community. [Luke 14:25-33]

 

Reflection 

• Where do you feel an invitation to subvert the values and expectations of the status quo?
• How might a cruciform vision of spirituality challenge you?
• Is there a way you might explore the practice of awakening to the Divine Presence daily this week?

Resource

1. Book: Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer  by Richard Rohr
2. Book: Present Perfect: Finding God in the Now by Greg Boyd

Inviting Simplicity

How do you know when you are standing on your own sacred ground? Christopher Mack imagines a table where we are not serving our unhealthy fixations and impulses, but are living out of attachment to God’s Inclusive and Transformative Love. [Luke 14:1, 7-14]

Reflection 

• Which strategy for pursuing happiness seems primary for you right now?
• Who might you share your honest experience of life with this week?
• Is there someone you. Might invite to experience the radical love and grace of God’s Beloved Community this week?

Resource

1. Book: Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun

Sacred Objects

Is there an object of place that connects you to prayer? Amy Wolfgang dusts the cobwebs off the ritual of the rosary prayer, from their religious upbringing, infusing it with joy and sacredness in our lives and being. [Revelation 12]

 

Reflection 

• Can you take a moment to meditate on the needs of a person or group you might pray for intercession for this week?
• Where has God invited you into a “queer-ing” of your experience of Christianity?
• If Mary spans the divine and human, interceding on our behalf and welcoming us to heaven; how can you take the next small step to root your prayers in spiritual and earthly action?

Resource

1. Book: Birthing the Holy: Wisdom from Mary to Nurture Creativity and Renewal by Christine Valters Paintner
2. Website: Pride Resources Mentioned in Homily

The Peaceable Kingdom

What gives people power in Western societies? Eric Robinson cultivates compassion and curiosity around how we relate to power in light of the cross and resurrection, as we seek to embody a multicultural and diverse body of Christ. [Isaiah 11]

 

Reflection

• Where is God calling you to lean more into the cross?
• Where is God inviting you to embrace resurrection?
• How might you intentionally change one thing in your life this week to live out the Peaceable Kingdom?

The Path to Proximity

What is the difference between an encounter and an interaction? Caroline Cody explores the merciful Samaritan parable through the lens of how we can open ourselves more fully to people we encounter in our paths. [Luke 10:25-42]

 

Reflection

• What is a creative way you can show up differently to put yourself more in the way of others?
• Who might Jesus have pointed to as your “neighbor” if you could ask him today?
• In what ways can we also embody care for our neighbor like Mary, by sitting at the feet of Jesus?

Desperate

What is your life desperate for? Jennifer Cumberbatch of Full Measure preaches about how we our desperate for connection to the life of God and deep relationship with one another, and how Christ embodies this Hope and in-breaking reality.  [Colossians 2:6-15]

 

Reflection

• What am I desperate for or about?
• How would it look to truly be alive without guilt?
• Can you ask God to restore your hope in Christ

Cosmic Beat

What needs to be said or done in the world right now? Vanessa Maleare and Brandon co-share a message about how we sync with the Cosmic Christ and one another through a rich understanding of the incarnational and transcendent life of God. Seeing the world through the Cosmic Christ imbues our lives with meaning.  [Colossians 1:15-20]

 

Reflection

• What is my Big Idea that feels sacred?
• How can I connect with the Cosmic Christ, through small/humble moments?
• When do I feel the most in sync with God’s presence,  and why?

Resource

1. Book: The Way of the Heart: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers & Mothers by Henri Nouwen
2. Book: Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie

Attending to Good

What does it look like to prayerfully open up more fully to both suffering and hope?  Christopher Mack wonders how we attend to the Goodness of God as an invitation to grow in prayerful discernment, empowerment, and liberation. [Colossians 1:9-14]

 

Reflection

• What is one way I can grow in attending to God’s Nonviolent Inclusive Kin-dom?
• Where do I need to grow my endurance for building Beloved Community?
• How might  I compassionately welcome this moment without feeling resigned to the status quo?

Resource

1. Book: The Way of the Heart: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers & Mothers by Henri Nouwen
2. Book: Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie

Made to Make

On this 5th Sunday worship, centered around tables and brunch, and inclusive of all ages, Vanessa Maleare reflects on the recent Art Camp and what it means that kids and all of us are created to be creative, just like our Creator.  [Genesis 1:26-27]

 

Reflection

• What do you create?
• What makes you want to create?
• How might you involve the Creator to become involved in your process?

Resource

Book: The Creator In You, written by Jordan Raynor and illustrated by Jonathan David

After the Lament

What songs evoke lament and joy for you? Gina Bastone looks at the psalmist’s cry like a mixtape to the heavens, which invites us to companion our grief and imagine how God is calling us to participate in building a new world.  [Psalm 22]

Reflection

• What is causing your lament, what is causing your praise, and how is God showing up in between?
• What kind of world do you want to build—with our Vox community in Austin, Texas, and in our world more broadly?
• How might we dwell in God’s possibility and open our narrow hands to gather paradise in these difficult times? What phrases might we add to the space after the em dash?

Where the Wild Things Are

On Trinity Sunday, we conclude our series, Teach Em How To Say Goodbye: Jesus’ Parting Words to a Community in Transition, which looked at the final discourse of Jesus with his disciples before the whirlwind of his death, resurrection, and ascension. Today, we consider how God is shaping our leadership for our own lives, our faith community, and the larger world.   [John 16:12-15]

 

Reflection

1. In what ways can I courageously lead in my larger community?
2. What can I do to tend to my full self while I am doing that?

Kintsugi Storytelling

On Pentecost, we are in the penultimate message in the series, Teach Em How To Say Goodbye: Jesus’ Parting Words to a Community in Transition, which looks at the final discourse of Jesus with his disciples before the whirlwind of his death, resurrection, and ascension. Today, we consider how God might be inviting us to bear witness to beauty and brokenness, as we humbly listen to one another’s stories.   [John 14:15-27]

 

Reflection

• As we sit together in our own metaphorical upper room, can we pray together that the Holy Spirit would astound us with unexpected beauty?
• How might God be inviting you to speak into or bear witness to another’s beauty and brokenness?
• How might God be breathing beauty or possibility into the broken places in or around you?

Complete in Diversity

On the seventh Sunday of Easter, we continue in the series, Teach Em How To Say Goodbye: Jesus’ Parting Words to a Community in Transition, which looks at the final discourse of Jesus with his disciples before the whirlwind of his death, resurrection, and ascension. Today, we ponder how to be complete in unity by highlighting the unique ways we have been created and called to illuminate God’s Love.   [John 17:20-26]

 

Reflection

• What difference does it make to hear Jesus praying for Vox Veniae, churches across our continent, and the global church?
• Is there a specific way you or Vox could show oneness with other Christians from whom you are divided?
• How might you begin to pray for people  who will be part of Vox and the global church in future?