“How Many Ways?”

Here are my thoughts for the back page of the Fishkill United Methodist Church for Sunday, May 27, 2018, Trinity Sunday (Year B)

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The author Laurie Beth Jones once wrote that she encountered Jesus meeting her in blue jeans.  And when she asked Him why he was wearing blue jeans, He replied that it was because she was in a similar attire.  Mother Teresa said, essentially, that the people we see are often Jesus in disguise.  Samuel heard God’s voice but did not see Him.

The common image of Jesus is one of someone in a robe surrounded by a shining light.  But often, that shining light blinds us to the reality of Christ’s presence.

Today is Trinity Sunday, the day in which we recognize the three identities of God.  Just as Jesus was the physical presence of God, the Holy Spirit is the fullness and joy of God.

How do others see the presence of God in this world?  Do you see Jesus calling to you or do you just walk on by?  Do they see Him in you as you walk among the people?

 

Faith and Science in the Classroom: Class Two – What Is Life And What Does It Mean To Be Alive?

When I was in seminary, one of my professors, Dr. David Fagerberg, explained that you can understand the Sacraments in one of two ways. The first way is to ask, What is it? This is an approach that is analogous to a frog dissection project, looking at definitions that address matter, form, substance, and presence. The second way is to ask, How are the Sacraments effective in our lives? This question explores themes like – What does it mean to say that Baptism removes all sin, personal and Original Sin? What does it mean when Jesus says unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you do not have life within you? What does it mean to say that Viaticum prepares the soul with the Anointing of the Sick and the final reception of the Eucharist to take life’s ultimate journey from this life to eternity? An insight I gained was that we need to ask both type of questions … Continue reading →

Source: Faith and Science in the Classroom: Class Two – What Is Life And What Does It Mean To Be Alive?