Embracing the Inner Journey: Beyond Holy Periods

 

Summary

Today, as we gathered to observe Palm Sunday, the final Sunday in the Lenten season, I reflected on the universal nature of holy periods across various religions. Each of these periods, whether it's Ramadan in Islam, Yom Kippur in Judaism, or Lent in Christianity, involves practices such as fasting, prayer, meditation, and reflection. These practices are not merely for abstention but are a commitment to spiritual deepening and interconnection.

I shared a personal anecdote about navigating to church, which metaphorically paralleled the unexpected journeys we undertake in our spiritual lives. Despite the absence of my wife and daughter today, the presence of my grandchildren highlighted the familial and communal aspects of our gatherings and the unexpected blessings life offers.

In discussing the essence of holy periods, I emphasized that these are not just times for abstention but opportunities for profound spiritual renewal and commitment. This commitment is not just to the rituals themselves but to a deeper, ongoing spiritual journey. I recalled how my mother would give up smoking for Lent, only to resume later, illustrating how some treat these periods as temporary rather than transformative.

The core of today's message delved into the teachings of various religious founders who did not set out to create new religions but to share profound truths about the inner spiritual journey. The essence of these teachings across Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and other faiths is the realization of a greater presence within us. This inner journey is the true path to discovering what many call God or a higher power, which is not external but resides within us.

I recounted the historical perspective of our ancestors over 40,000 years ago, who also embarked on this quest for a greater understanding, a theme that has persisted through the ages and is reflected in the teachings of major religious figures. These teachings were not about establishing rituals but about guiding followers to discover the divine within.

As we approach the culmination of Lent, it's crucial to remember that the end of this holy period is not just a return to ordinary life but should be a stepping stone to continued spiritual growth and exploration. The commitment we renew during these periods should propel us into deeper understanding and integration of these spiritual truths into our daily lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Universal Nature of Holy Periods
Holy periods across different religions share common practices aimed at deepening spiritual awareness and self-discipline. These periods are not exclusive to any one faith but are a universal human approach to seeking greater connection with the divine. This shared spiritual practice underscores our common humanity and the universal quest for deeper meaning. [02:41]

2. The Importance of Inner Journey
The teachings of religious founders emphasize the discovery of the divine within, rather than external adherence to rituals. This inner journey is crucial for true spiritual awakening and is a common thread across major religions. Understanding this can transform our approach to religious practices, making them more personal and introspective. [09:52]

3. Continuity Beyond Holy Periods
The end of a holy period should not mark the end of our spiritual commitment but rather a continuation of the spiritual practices we have adopted. This ongoing journey is essential for lasting spiritual growth and prevents the spiritual experience from being merely seasonal or superficial. [07:04]

4. Commitment to Spiritual Practices
Engaging deeply in practices such as meditation, prayer, and study during holy periods should set the stage for a lifelong commitment to spiritual growth. This commitment is what enables us to access the strength and guidance that come from a deeper connection with the divine presence within. [21:10]

5. Integration of Spiritual Insights into Daily Life
The insights and awakenings we experience during holy periods should be integrated into our daily lives. This integration allows us to live out the truths we discover and to embody the divine presence in our everyday actions and decisions. This is the true test of our spiritual progress and the real purpose of our religious observances. [24:46]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 21:1-11 - The Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday)
2. Luke 17:20-21 - The Kingdom of God is Within You
3. Romans 12:2 - Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind

#### Observation Questions
1. What common practices are shared across different religious holy periods as mentioned in the sermon? ([02:41])
2. How did the pastor's personal anecdote about navigating to church relate to the unexpected journeys in our spiritual lives? ([00:58])
3. What was the significance of the pastor's mother giving up smoking for Lent, and what does it illustrate about temporary versus transformative commitments? ([04:10])
4. According to the sermon, what is the true purpose of holy periods beyond the rituals and celebrations? ([05:44])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the Kingdom of God being within us (Luke 17:20-21) align with the sermon’s emphasis on the inner spiritual journey? ([09:52])
2. In what ways can the practice of fasting, prayer, and meditation during holy periods lead to a deeper spiritual connection, as discussed in the sermon? ([05:44])
3. How does Romans 12:2's call for transformation through the renewing of the mind relate to the sermon’s message about continuing spiritual growth beyond holy periods? ([07:04])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of religious founders and their original intent versus the rituals that followers later created? ([14:52])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you participated in a holy period (e.g., Lent, Ramadan). How did it impact your spiritual life, and did you continue any of the practices afterward? ([07:04])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of the inner journey and discovering the divine within. How can you incorporate this understanding into your daily spiritual practices? ([09:52])
3. Think about the last holy period you observed. What specific practices did you engage in, and how can you continue these practices to foster ongoing spiritual growth? ([07:04])
4. The pastor mentioned that his mother would give up smoking for Lent but resume afterward. Are there any habits or practices you have temporarily given up that you could consider changing permanently for spiritual growth? ([04:10])
5. How can you integrate the insights and spiritual awakenings from holy periods into your everyday actions and decisions? Provide a specific example of how you might do this. ([24:46])
6. The sermon discussed the universal nature of holy periods across different religions. How can recognizing this commonality enhance your understanding and respect for other faith traditions? ([02:41])
7. Reflect on the idea that the teachings of religious founders were about discovering the divine within rather than creating new religions. How does this perspective influence your approach to your own faith and spiritual practices? ([09:52])

Devotional

Day 1: Exploring the Shared Spiritual Practices
Holy periods in various religions are not just about abstention but about engaging in practices that deepen our spiritual awareness and self-discipline. These periods, such as Ramadan, Yom Kippur, and Lent, serve as universal times of reflection, prayer, and meditation. They are a testament to our shared human experience and the universal quest for a deeper connection with the divine. This commonality across different faiths highlights our interconnectedness and the universal nature of the spiritual journey. [02:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcHV0h-7RZQ&t=146s)

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!" - Psalm 133:1-2 ESV

Reflection: How can recognizing the common spiritual practices across different religions change your approach to your own spiritual discipline?

Day 2: The Journey Within
The core teachings of major religious founders emphasize discovering the divine within ourselves, rather than merely adhering to external rituals. This inner journey is crucial for true spiritual awakening and is a common thread across major religions. Understanding this can transform our approach to religious practices, making them more personal and introspective, and leading to genuine spiritual renewal. [09:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcHV0h-7RZQ&t=577s)

"For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." - 1 Corinthians 6:20 ESV

Reflection: What are practical ways you can focus more on your inner spiritual journey rather than external religious observances?

Day 3: Beyond the Holy Periods
The conclusion of a holy period should not signify the end of our spiritual commitment but rather the beginning of a continued spiritual journey. The practices adopted during these times should serve as a foundation for ongoing spiritual growth, preventing our spiritual life from becoming merely seasonal or superficial. [07:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcHV0h-7RZQ&t=409s)

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 ESV

Reflection: How can you maintain the spiritual momentum gained during holy periods throughout the rest of the year?

Day 4: Lifelong Spiritual Commitment
Engaging deeply in practices such as meditation, prayer, and study during holy periods should set the stage for a lifelong commitment to spiritual growth. This commitment enables us to continually access the strength and guidance that come from a deeper connection with the divine presence within us. [21:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcHV0h-7RZQ&t=1255s)

"But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day." - Proverbs 4:18 ESV

Reflection: What specific spiritual practice can you commit to this year to foster a deeper connection with the divine?

Day 5: Integrating Spiritual Insights into Daily Life
The insights and awakenings experienced during holy periods should be integrated into our daily lives. This integration allows us to embody the divine presence in our everyday actions and decisions, which is the true test of our spiritual progress and the real purpose of our religious observances. [24:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcHV0h-7RZQ&t=1471s)

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." - Colossians 3:23-24 ESV

Reflection: What is one spiritual insight you have gained that you can start applying in your daily life to reflect your spiritual growth?

Quotes

1. "This is not new. Us searching to find that greater, that something, that God, some people call it. And to know that these, these religious leaders, these originators of the religion were all trying to tell us it's inside of you. It's inside of you." [20:35](Download raw clip | | )

2. "It's the commitment that allows us to do it. And when we do that, some good things happen. We're lifted out of that self-persecuting thinking. We erase the dependence on the external status and it guides us away from any idea of exile or separation into the fullness of our divine human experience." [21:44](Download raw clip | | )

3. "It is a period that can provide opportunity to commit to following the path those spiritual practitioners and mystical practices laid down at the beginning, the ones that preceded organized religion, the ones that preceded even our own personal quest to find the greater than." [23:22]( | | )

4. "Don't wait. Don't end the experience and go back to doing what you were doing. Take advantage of the period and say, you know, I prayed a little more. I meditated a little more. I studied a little more. Let me continue that because I'm on a search." [24:46]( | | )

5. "The commitment to the goal of further expression of the greater than ourselves in our human experience right now should extend well past the pageantry of the Easter parade, the culmination of any holy period." [12:33]( | | )

6. "The true purpose of the prayer, meditation, study, and abstention, and fasting, is more for interconnection than for the exuberance that is celebrated at the end of the period." [05:44]( | | )

7. "Their messages resonated before the religious rituals were created. But let's talk about the short version of some of those messages. In Buddhism, Buddha, nature, is the essence of waking within each individual." [09:52]( | | )

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Apr 03, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?