August newsletter reprint

The Carpenter's Cave
I have spoken only a little about the week that Beth, Sara and I had in India this past March. One of the highlights I have yet to mention was near the city of Aurangabad. While Beth was working, Sara and I, on recommendation from Craig and Ty Rezac in Mumbai, went to see two separate "World Heritage" sites of some amazing religious cave carvings spanning several centuries. The caves were religious artwork, devotional sites or monastic centers for Hindus, Jains or Buddhists . In Ellora, one of the most famous, and most meaningful caves for us is commonly referred to the Carpenter's Cave. It was built in the early 700's and is called the Carpenter's Cave because the ceiling has stones caught out in the appearance of wooden beams the way a carpenter would build. The acoustics in the cave are phenomenal and when our guide sang a chant in there for us, it was soulfully beautiful. But the other outstanding feature of this Buddhist cave is that it combines features of two differing traditions in Buddhism. In the older tradition images of Buddhism were not used. So as a way of giving devotional attention, a stupa or spiritual monument, was used in the places for meditation. This tradition grew from an understanding that the Buddha had discouraged images of himself. But another tradition uses images of the Buddha in various poses of teaching, meditation etc, replete with symbols that point to certain practices and principles or stories and so a Buddha statue was also added to the cave.
But, when I hear "Carpenters cave" I think of how Jesus was a carpenter from Nazareth (Mark 6:3). Or I think of the nativity cave in Bethlehem ! It blesses me to think of how Jesus Christ is constructing a new community in us and among us, building and rebuilding our lives. I see the Carpenter, Jesus Christ, as one who can build us together and construct a larger "holy" house for us . He tells us that "in my Father's house" there are many dwelling places. God builds us into a new temple for all people. So when the carpenter's cave in Ellora demonstrates the practice of accommodation and merging of two traditions into one place, I see it, indeed, as the Carpenter cave of peace , respect and reconciliation.
We live in a time when religious diversity is a daily experience. Some are threatened by this and feel the need to resist. But I believe that Jesus Christ is the Way who shows us how to live together with reconciliation love, respect, peacemaking and forgiveness. The world desperately needs followers of the Carpenter who can build a roof of community to cover all people. I have been enjoying this quote: "As our world becomes smaller, through a growing common culture, the true test of community will be our tolerance for our most profound differences and love for the most challenging among us." ( Wayne Teasdale in A Monk in the World) I pray that Christianity in our country can model this spirit. It sounds like Jesus to me ! What will you build in Christ's name today? How can we learn the carpentry skills at Park church?
Grace and peace, Pastor Rory
If you would like to see a picture of the carpenters cave, try this one: http://www.360cities.net/image/carpenters-cave-ellora-cave-india#2.00,0.00,70.0