ORDINARY LIFE - Thoughts and Ideas to Help You Live a Happier Life

* * *

Summary for July 25, 2021

* * *

Dear Folks -

In order to register for Ordinary Life this coming week, click here. There is, of course, no need to register for live streaming.

This week in Ordinary Life we began a several week exploration into the best known and beloved story Jesus ever told. We know it as “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” We began with an explanation of why the two graphics are shown at the beginning of Ordinary Life each week - they are both symbols of paradox and contradiction. One is of the Icon of the Pantocrator, perhaps the most pervasive icon of all time. The other is of Rembrandt’s painting of The Return of the Prodigal.

Going forward we will focus on each of the characters in the story as well as a few who were left out. Holly Hudley talks about Eckhart’s “why less” love. I talk about about Henri Nouwen and his book on the painting and the parable.

Though the parable has become tame for us, when it was first heard it was offensive. Why? Because the message is that the “community of empowerment” doesn’t decide between or divide. You are invited to live with this story for a while. Take it home with you. If you do, it will “take you home.”

That’s a brief summary of the time in Ordinary Life this week.

You can find the text we had in front of us, the presentation slides and the audio version of the talk using the links below.

Our podcast, “In Between,” can be accessed through the Ordinary Life web site.

If you would like to know how to make a contribution to Ordinary Life, click here for video instructions.

Be well and much love,

Bill Kerley

In order to read or download the text version of the talk, click here.

In order to view or download the presentation slides, click here.

Please use the YouTube link below to watch the video of the July 25, 2021 talk.

In order to listen to or download the audio version of the talk, use the link below.