Boundaries are interesting things. They often are used to create spaces of safety, but they can also be used to create walls. There are walls throughout our society that work to preserve poverty and create a class of suffering people and a class of privileged people. Boundaries have been created that show who is in and who is out. These boundaries can often end up imprisoning us as they become toxic.
The word toxic that I find in the materials that I am using to craft our series, “Bread, Bath, and Beyond” reminds me of the discussion that I have been having with the detainees at Cook County Jail. Over the last few months, I have been witnessing a group doing a deep dive into the way that toxic shame can create a false self. They claim that while guilt is the feeling we have done something wrong, and shame is how we feel because of what we have done, toxic shame is different. Toxic shame says “I am wrong.” It functions unconsciously and poisons every feeling we have about ourselves. Yikes!
This week in worship we will be looking beyond the boundaries. We will especially be looking at the boundaries that our society has created around who is in and who is out. Boundaries that allow us to look beyond those in need in our midst. Boundaries that can foster toxic shame. I hope you can join us.
Peace,
Matthew