A Downwardly Mobile Life of Joy

Shane Claiborne, in his book about following Jesus called The Irresistible Revolution, says that “the word radical itself means ‘root.’  It’s from the Latin word radix, which, just like a rad-ish, has to do with getting to the root of things (page 20).”

I like that image.  It has an earthy, subterranean quality.  A root is messy and usually covered with dirty soil.  Living organisms reside around the roots.  Water first enters the plants at the root.  Some roots are even quite edible to humans.  Not only are there the common root foods like the potato, carrot, and beet, but also more exotic cuisine like jicama, rutabagas, and turnips.

There are of course images of Jesus high up in the clouds — on the mountain top or walking on the surface of the water.  But, he also is very down-to-earth, in the midst of our messy lives, going down to be in touch with the marginalized.  Jesus is always drawing us into the root of things.  Jesus knows the world is always trying to suck us into the superficial.  Some even try to sell Christianity as an upwardly mobile journey of success and self-aggrandizement.  But really, as Shane Claiborne reminds us too, following Jesus is a downwardly mobile adventureof service and faith and finding the root of true living.  This is where we will encounter Jesus.

This is what we are about at Lutheran Campus Ministry, I believe.  Getting behind the masks, below the surface, down to the bone of what is real.  Each week we meet Jesus in the Scriptures and at the table.  We also find him in each other and in the stranger.  Perhaps that is why when John described the Christmas story (1:14), he simply said “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

Come join us as we meet this radical Christ, who calls us to radically faithful living.

Peace, in Christ
Pastor Ron Rude