I don't have a scriptural reflection today. This is about 70% due to laziness, but 30% due to the fact that I just want to talk about my weekend. So here we are.
I had a great weekend. I didn't really have any exciting plans going into it, and truth be told, I was a little miffed that I didn't go away to some beach or amusement park with friends because, well, I didn't have many available friends who could go away with me. And I couldn't go away, anyway, because I had commitments both on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, so that was that. So, because of my work commitment on Saturday evening, my boss gave me the day off on Friday, which was a pleasant surprise. I then spent all of Friday afternoon basking in the sun in my backyard. It was like going to the beach, except no outrageous parking fee and no messy sand everywhere. It was quiet, and it was sunny...just what I needed.
Saturday was equally relaxing as I spent most of the afternoon walking and enjoying the weather, and then I spent Saturday night at the concert that I went to for work. It was a fundraiser for the mission trip we're organizing, and though it wasn't our fundraiser, the kid organizing it really benefited from us being there to represent the organization, so we went. It was in Connecticut and it was a bit of a long night, but it was worth it because it brought in some much-needed money for the trip. So, Saturday wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be.
Sunday morning, I donned my Dutch Reformed hat and drove to Readington, NJ to the Readington Reformed Church. I gave a little schpiel about Camp Warwick, and then stayed later during fellowship to answer questions, pass out brochures, and pretty much pimp out my favorite place in the entire world. I can't work there this summer, it will be the first summer in 15 years that I haven't gone there, so the least I could do was help promote it to kids who can go there. So, it was an early morning, but not a bad experience at all. I am always so grateful for hospitality and kindness from strangers. I felt welcomed at that church, like I was part of their family. The simplicity of many of the Dutch Reformed churches in the tri-state area is something that I really appreciate because it reminds me so much of my mom's church. The chipped paint in the bathrooms, the cement floors in the fellowship hall, the lackluster numbers of the women's guild meetings, and small attendance during summer worship...these aren't really positive aspects of a church community, but, you know, it's simple. And authentic. And the people who are there really go because they love their church. And that's something that I see as a real strength in Protestant churches. They don't go out of obligation or because they'll feel guilty if they miss it. They go because they want to. It's a beautiful thing.
Anyway, I went home Sunday night to have dinner with my family. My mom decided to cook since she wasn't working (a rarity these days), and she was planning on making spare ribs. Not my favorite meal, but really, I was grateful to have a dinner. Here's the catch: my family isn't great at time management. A big dinner will easily take hours to make, and it won't get served until 9:00 or 10:00 at night. At that rate, we should just move to Italy or Spain. We would fit in well there. So, dinner was super late partly because our outdoor grill is broken so everything had to be made inside. Little annoyances like that sometimes get me down, but upon hindsight, the dinner was great and my parents were really happy that I came home. So, it was a good day.
And Monday turned out to be awesome. I decided on a whim that since my sister had off from school, we would go into the city and go see the Harry Potter exhibition in Times Square. It had gotten fantastic reviews from a lot of people, but even if it had gotten bad reviews, we probably would have still gone. When it comes to HP, I'm a bit of a lifer. I've been pretty dedicated to it since I was thirteen. I went to book release parties. I went to national film release parties in NYC, I went to midnight showings on opening night. I've read the books at least 4 or 5 times each. When I say I like Harry Potter....I mean I REALLY LIKE Harry Potter. So, going to the exhibition was a bit of a reminiscence for me, too. And it turned out to be awesome. There were literally hundreds of authentic costumes and props used for the movies. Some of it was interactive, but since they were all actual props and costumes, we weren't allowed to take pictures or touch anything. Which was fine, really. I was just happy to be there. My sister might have been even happier than I was. Harry Potter has always been something we've bonded over because I read the books to her when she was younger (possibly against her will). So, it was really nice to spend the day with her and experience that together.
It was a good weekend. I didn't do anything extravagant, and most of the fun stuff happened by chance. This weekend reminded me to appreciate the simple joys in life. Sunshine on a hot summer day, a family dinner that comes few and far between, and the simple joy of reliving a fun pastime with other Potterheads and bonding with a sibling. These are things that make me smile, and I am grateful that God gave them all to me this weekend.
This job has me complaining a lot. I'm not proud of it. But I admit that I'm a complainer. I don't always see the blessings in my life, and I don't always show gratitude for what has been given to me. My mom even paid for the trip to the city yesterday. And she offered to cover my first month's rent in August because my job doesn't begin until September. I am so, so lucky to have a family that supports everything I want to do in my life. I am grateful to God for them, even if I don't always voice it.
So, that's the reflection for today. Enjoy the simple things, and show some gratitude for the little blessings along the way. Mischief managed!
Peace.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Thank God for Religious Tolerance?
Hello, world. Today's readings got me thinking about something. We're in the Easter season, and since it's before Pentecost, most of the readings are about the Acts of the Apostles: basically how they stood up for their faith, and how they were consequently put in jail and often killed for it. I've been reading passages like this for weeks now, but today it hit me a little differently. When I was reading Acts 14:19-28, there is a part that reads: “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” My immediate reaction was, "What a bunch of martyrs." And then, in a hilarious moment of realization, it dawned on me: they WERE martyrs! This whole melodramatic charade that Christians so often put on today about standing up for their faith is so vastly different from what it actually was in the very beginning. There's ALWAYS some Christian group protesting that they're suffering persecution in America because they can't pray in school or display the 10 Commandments on government property or overturn Roe v. Wade, etc. But really? Is that persecution? We live in a society that is incredibly generous and kind to the Christian populations. Christians haven't had to fight for religious freedom in this country for three hundred years. Somehow, I feel like those protestors are misusing the term martyr, and that we should really have a greater appreciation for our country, which allows us to worship peacefully.
Truth be told, we're the lucky ones. Our Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and to an extent, Jewish, brothers and sisters have not experience such comfort in their own religious practice. We pride ourselves on being a country that promotes religious tolerance, but really, only if that tolerance means that Christians are still in charge. How many stories have we heard, post 9/11, about mosques and Islamic centers being the epicenter of hate, bigotry, and cruel remarks? If that was a Catholic or mainline Protestant church, those haters would probably be arrested. So why aren't Muslims being granted the same rights?
I understand that there is a heightened sense of uncertainty with regard to Muslims, and most of it is due to ignorance and hate. I do not condone any group or organization that preaches violence, nor do I promote any "patriotic" group that only supports the mainstream Christian denominations. If you call yourself an American, then you should be standing up for those who are being persecuted for their beliefs. As citizens of the country (even if they're not citizens, they're still living here), they deserve to live in a safe and welcoming environment that our ancestors fought so hard to create.
There shouldn't be a hierarchy with whose religious tradition gets the most votes. The reality is that most of the country is some sort of Christian, but is that to say that the other percentage doesn't get a voice? That they don't deserve to worship and live and work safely, without fear of violence? It's a blatant hypocrisy in the face of the Constitution. And I'm not really a patriotic person. I love my country and I love that I have the freedom to worship God without my life being on the line. But that's only because I belong to the religion that the vast majority of the nation also subscribes to. So I'm speaking up for the others. The forgotten ones, the misunderstood ones, the victimizes ones. They have a voice.
And seriously...let's stop trying to argue that the 10 Commandments need to be plastered across every government lawn. Most of them are basic societal norms, anyway. We don't need Moses reminding us not to murder. Most of us just know that it's wrong. And in a nation that promotes religious tolerance, that means that a student should be allowed to read his or her own Bible in school...but it doesn't mean that a teacher should be teaching it as a holy text. That's what religious education is for. So, let's all chill out and remember why our country fought for this religious tolerance in the first place. The founding fathers weren't even traditional Christians...they were deists. So, none of this crap that America is only a Christian nation. George Washington didn't even believe that.
Alright, I'm done.
Peace.
Truth be told, we're the lucky ones. Our Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and to an extent, Jewish, brothers and sisters have not experience such comfort in their own religious practice. We pride ourselves on being a country that promotes religious tolerance, but really, only if that tolerance means that Christians are still in charge. How many stories have we heard, post 9/11, about mosques and Islamic centers being the epicenter of hate, bigotry, and cruel remarks? If that was a Catholic or mainline Protestant church, those haters would probably be arrested. So why aren't Muslims being granted the same rights?
I understand that there is a heightened sense of uncertainty with regard to Muslims, and most of it is due to ignorance and hate. I do not condone any group or organization that preaches violence, nor do I promote any "patriotic" group that only supports the mainstream Christian denominations. If you call yourself an American, then you should be standing up for those who are being persecuted for their beliefs. As citizens of the country (even if they're not citizens, they're still living here), they deserve to live in a safe and welcoming environment that our ancestors fought so hard to create.
There shouldn't be a hierarchy with whose religious tradition gets the most votes. The reality is that most of the country is some sort of Christian, but is that to say that the other percentage doesn't get a voice? That they don't deserve to worship and live and work safely, without fear of violence? It's a blatant hypocrisy in the face of the Constitution. And I'm not really a patriotic person. I love my country and I love that I have the freedom to worship God without my life being on the line. But that's only because I belong to the religion that the vast majority of the nation also subscribes to. So I'm speaking up for the others. The forgotten ones, the misunderstood ones, the victimizes ones. They have a voice.
And seriously...let's stop trying to argue that the 10 Commandments need to be plastered across every government lawn. Most of them are basic societal norms, anyway. We don't need Moses reminding us not to murder. Most of us just know that it's wrong. And in a nation that promotes religious tolerance, that means that a student should be allowed to read his or her own Bible in school...but it doesn't mean that a teacher should be teaching it as a holy text. That's what religious education is for. So, let's all chill out and remember why our country fought for this religious tolerance in the first place. The founding fathers weren't even traditional Christians...they were deists. So, none of this crap that America is only a Christian nation. George Washington didn't even believe that.
Alright, I'm done.
Peace.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Being Saved or Being a Saint
I have a confession to make.
I'm not the most traditional person when it comes to religion. Yes, I was raised as a Christian, and yes, I still consider myself one. But these days, I'm realizing more and more that my spirituality doesn't really fit into a prescribed definition that one tradition tells me is true. I find great value in my Catholic faith, and I also find it in my Protestant roots.
I like how Catholicism focuses so much on community, and how we are strengthened by one another, both emotionally and spiritually. I like how Catholicism has a rich history and always seeks to broaden and learn from past mistakes (sometimes.) I like how Catholicism appreciates the reverence in worshiping God, and how the simplicity of a lit candle in a dark sanctuary is sometimes all you need to have a transcendent experience. And I like how Catholicism is expressed differently with different cultures and different religious orders, because it seems to make room for people while also respecting their culture and way of life. It's something that many Protestant missionaries historically have not always done. Lastly, and probably most importantly, I love how Catholics (specifically, Franciscans) emphasize the inherent GOODNESS of the person. I find the Protestant view that humans are generally flawed pretty bothersome because I don't see anything that God has created as inherently sinful. How could the actions of two people, Adam and Eve, traditionally, affect the status of people's hearts and souls for the duration of the world? It just doesn't make sense to me. If God continually makes all things new and has infinite love and mercy, aren't we also created in that image and exhibit some of those inherently good characteristics? Alas, I digress.
There are lots of things I like about Protestants, too. I like how their faith in Jesus is so excited that they don't let anything else distract them...like traditions or regulations or extensive doctrine or what role the Saints have in their faith (I could go on). I like how they do youth ministry, and how they aren't afraid to get in the trenches and do very difficult evangelization...whereas many Catholics get very nervous with even the term itself. I like that they focus on a personal relationship with Jesus, and how scriptural authority reigns supreme over any proclamation that a council could make. On a lighter note, I love how they can form committees faster than a jackrabbit. There's a problem in the church? Form a committee! We need to raise money for a summer mission trip? Form a committee! There's a new family in town? Form a committee! And make a plate of cookies. Hospitality at its finest. On the flip side, the bureaucracy can also get in the way of making real change and can create some red tape, but for the most part, it creates a church that works like a well-oiled machine.
So, because of this, I'm kind of a spiritual mutt. I identify with Catholicism very strongly in some settings, but I do the same thing with Protestantism in other settings. It seems like as soon as I'm immersed in an entirely "Catholic or Bust" environment, I cling to my Protestant sensibilities. And as soon as I'm with a bunch of Protestants who bash Catholics, I find myself wanting to run out of the room screaming. So, what's a girl to do? Who knows.
But, you know, it's really alright. Really. Some people would go crazy at the dilemma of not knowing their own spiritual convictions, but I'm okay with it. I've spent this entire year learning to be okay with it. Most importantly, just because I'm a little confused right now does not mean that I'll be confused forever. God reveals God's Self in so many diverse ways throughout the world and within one's life...and that it something that I DO believe very strongly. So what if I don't understand the fullness of God's self-disclosure with humanity? I'm almost 150% sure that I'm not supposed to know that kind of stuff. So what if I don't understand Jesus' presence in the Eucharist, or which parts of the Bible can be taken literally and which parts should be more of a metaphor? I know that I have a degree in Theology, but all that tells me is that I am a person of questions learning from someone who has spent many more years asking those questions...and maybe wrote a book or two about it. I look forward to learning more Theology in the future, but I have no interest in finding answers, or proving one traditon's truth over another. After awhile, we all look pretty foolish, anyway.
So, I'm content with the search. Maybe that makes me a relativist, but I don't think it does. I just think it means that I recognize my own limited knowledge, and that I am yielding enough to God so that God can take over. I'm reminded of a part in "Eat Pray Love" when Richard from Texas tells Liz that if she only just got rid of all the stuff in her head, she would have so much room for the Spirit to rush in, for the universe to rush in, for God to rush in.
I'm ready, God. Let's go.
Peace.
I'm not the most traditional person when it comes to religion. Yes, I was raised as a Christian, and yes, I still consider myself one. But these days, I'm realizing more and more that my spirituality doesn't really fit into a prescribed definition that one tradition tells me is true. I find great value in my Catholic faith, and I also find it in my Protestant roots.
I like how Catholicism focuses so much on community, and how we are strengthened by one another, both emotionally and spiritually. I like how Catholicism has a rich history and always seeks to broaden and learn from past mistakes (sometimes.) I like how Catholicism appreciates the reverence in worshiping God, and how the simplicity of a lit candle in a dark sanctuary is sometimes all you need to have a transcendent experience. And I like how Catholicism is expressed differently with different cultures and different religious orders, because it seems to make room for people while also respecting their culture and way of life. It's something that many Protestant missionaries historically have not always done. Lastly, and probably most importantly, I love how Catholics (specifically, Franciscans) emphasize the inherent GOODNESS of the person. I find the Protestant view that humans are generally flawed pretty bothersome because I don't see anything that God has created as inherently sinful. How could the actions of two people, Adam and Eve, traditionally, affect the status of people's hearts and souls for the duration of the world? It just doesn't make sense to me. If God continually makes all things new and has infinite love and mercy, aren't we also created in that image and exhibit some of those inherently good characteristics? Alas, I digress.
There are lots of things I like about Protestants, too. I like how their faith in Jesus is so excited that they don't let anything else distract them...like traditions or regulations or extensive doctrine or what role the Saints have in their faith (I could go on). I like how they do youth ministry, and how they aren't afraid to get in the trenches and do very difficult evangelization...whereas many Catholics get very nervous with even the term itself. I like that they focus on a personal relationship with Jesus, and how scriptural authority reigns supreme over any proclamation that a council could make. On a lighter note, I love how they can form committees faster than a jackrabbit. There's a problem in the church? Form a committee! We need to raise money for a summer mission trip? Form a committee! There's a new family in town? Form a committee! And make a plate of cookies. Hospitality at its finest. On the flip side, the bureaucracy can also get in the way of making real change and can create some red tape, but for the most part, it creates a church that works like a well-oiled machine.
So, because of this, I'm kind of a spiritual mutt. I identify with Catholicism very strongly in some settings, but I do the same thing with Protestantism in other settings. It seems like as soon as I'm immersed in an entirely "Catholic or Bust" environment, I cling to my Protestant sensibilities. And as soon as I'm with a bunch of Protestants who bash Catholics, I find myself wanting to run out of the room screaming. So, what's a girl to do? Who knows.
But, you know, it's really alright. Really. Some people would go crazy at the dilemma of not knowing their own spiritual convictions, but I'm okay with it. I've spent this entire year learning to be okay with it. Most importantly, just because I'm a little confused right now does not mean that I'll be confused forever. God reveals God's Self in so many diverse ways throughout the world and within one's life...and that it something that I DO believe very strongly. So what if I don't understand the fullness of God's self-disclosure with humanity? I'm almost 150% sure that I'm not supposed to know that kind of stuff. So what if I don't understand Jesus' presence in the Eucharist, or which parts of the Bible can be taken literally and which parts should be more of a metaphor? I know that I have a degree in Theology, but all that tells me is that I am a person of questions learning from someone who has spent many more years asking those questions...and maybe wrote a book or two about it. I look forward to learning more Theology in the future, but I have no interest in finding answers, or proving one traditon's truth over another. After awhile, we all look pretty foolish, anyway.
So, I'm content with the search. Maybe that makes me a relativist, but I don't think it does. I just think it means that I recognize my own limited knowledge, and that I am yielding enough to God so that God can take over. I'm reminded of a part in "Eat Pray Love" when Richard from Texas tells Liz that if she only just got rid of all the stuff in her head, she would have so much room for the Spirit to rush in, for the universe to rush in, for God to rush in.
I'm ready, God. Let's go.
Peace.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Rocks into Bread
“I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst." - John 6:35
This is today's reading, and it is probably one of the most beautiful themes in all of the Gospel messages. It speaks to Jesus' power to nourish us, to sustain us, to bring us to life and to lead us into a new sense of being. Isn't that what Easter is all about? That, even though we thought it was all over, it wasn't? That, even amidst the deepest tomb, lies new life? I know that I talk about this a lot in my entries, but it's because I think it's one of the most important tenants of Christianity, and it's what distinguishes Christians from people of other faiths who do not believe in the Resurrection. Jesus is the bread of life: He is the source of our being. Think about that. He's saying here that without Him...we don't have life. We are dead. What a powerful statement.
I have a rock on my cubicle that's been there since I moved in on August 22nd. It's a small, round stone with a carving of a sun and the phrase, "Rocks into bread." It was given to me as a gift from a priest and mentor at St. Bonaventure University, someone who guided me through my college years and challenged me to become more than I what thought I could be. We had been on a retreat with alumni, sharing our experiences as students of Bonaventure, an identity that thousands of people hold near and dear to their hearts. And this rock, "Rocks into bread" reflects the theme for that retreat: that God can take what does not appear to be living...and make it alive. That God makes all things new. That, no matter what we do or who we are or what our reputations tell ourselves and others, God always wants to begin anew. And God can take something that looks messy and turn it into a beautiful piece of art.
I've kept this rock at my cubicle the entire year because it's something that I need reminding of every day. I am not perfect, and my year as a youth minister has not been ideal at times. But I operate with the confidence that God is with me, guiding me, making the ordinary extraordinary. God has turned rocks into bread. What an incredible thing! I am blessed to be reminded of that so often.
So, during this Easter season (yes, we are still in the Easter season), remember that God wants to renew you. Even if you don't need much renewing, or even if you think that you need so much work that it's impossible to fix. Know that God wants to renew you, and that God has already started that work.
"I am confident in this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6
Until then, I guess I'll be unfinished. Peace.
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst." - John 6:35
This is today's reading, and it is probably one of the most beautiful themes in all of the Gospel messages. It speaks to Jesus' power to nourish us, to sustain us, to bring us to life and to lead us into a new sense of being. Isn't that what Easter is all about? That, even though we thought it was all over, it wasn't? That, even amidst the deepest tomb, lies new life? I know that I talk about this a lot in my entries, but it's because I think it's one of the most important tenants of Christianity, and it's what distinguishes Christians from people of other faiths who do not believe in the Resurrection. Jesus is the bread of life: He is the source of our being. Think about that. He's saying here that without Him...we don't have life. We are dead. What a powerful statement.
I have a rock on my cubicle that's been there since I moved in on August 22nd. It's a small, round stone with a carving of a sun and the phrase, "Rocks into bread." It was given to me as a gift from a priest and mentor at St. Bonaventure University, someone who guided me through my college years and challenged me to become more than I what thought I could be. We had been on a retreat with alumni, sharing our experiences as students of Bonaventure, an identity that thousands of people hold near and dear to their hearts. And this rock, "Rocks into bread" reflects the theme for that retreat: that God can take what does not appear to be living...and make it alive. That God makes all things new. That, no matter what we do or who we are or what our reputations tell ourselves and others, God always wants to begin anew. And God can take something that looks messy and turn it into a beautiful piece of art.
I've kept this rock at my cubicle the entire year because it's something that I need reminding of every day. I am not perfect, and my year as a youth minister has not been ideal at times. But I operate with the confidence that God is with me, guiding me, making the ordinary extraordinary. God has turned rocks into bread. What an incredible thing! I am blessed to be reminded of that so often.
So, during this Easter season (yes, we are still in the Easter season), remember that God wants to renew you. Even if you don't need much renewing, or even if you think that you need so much work that it's impossible to fix. Know that God wants to renew you, and that God has already started that work.
"I am confident in this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6
Until then, I guess I'll be unfinished. Peace.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Biblical Logic Geometry
The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him. - Jn 3:31-36
The Gospel is John is today's Gospel reading for the day, and I have to admit, it's not always one of my favorites to read. John is metaphysical, confusing, and tends to speak in logical circles. In fact, whenever I read a passage like this one, I feel like someone is trying to blindside me with a verbose narrative. But basically, this is what I got out of it: The things of this world speak only of this world. But the things of heaven speak of heavenly things. The one sent from heaven is sent from God, and speaks of things from God. Whoever believes in the one from God therefore believes in God. Whoever does not believe in the one from God also rejects God, and therefore loses eternal life.
It sounds pretty direct, but I struggle with it. Does this passage simply mean that Jesus is the one and only One sent from God? Does Jesus solely point the way to God? If someone does not follow Jesus, but believes that they are following God...are they mistaken? Are they condemned?
"The one whom God sent speaks the words of God." So, that would include Jesus, obviously. But what about the OT prophets? They spoke the words of God, or so they believed. Is the Jewish belief in the prophets less valid than our belief in Jesus? Can they both be valid? I feel like we can't reject OT prophets because they are a pretty integral part of how we have evolved as Christians. Okay, so the OT prophets are valid because they spoke the words of God. What about Muhammad? He was almost killed because he insisted on belief in the One God, Allah. He's considered "the last prophet" because he finished up the picture that Judaism and Christianity were painting with the prophets and Jesus. He sincerely believed that he was also speaking the words of God, and his followers believed that, too. So, are Muslims sorely mistaken because they followed a false prophet? Or was Muhammad preaching the same message that the OT prophets preached about loyalty to the One God? Even Jesus said it: "You have but One Father..." They seem like pretty consistent claims.
Now, I know that Muhammad also preached that he was the final prophet, and that the stories of the OT prophets and Christianity are incomplete, which definitely goes against the first two faiths. But with so many Christians interpreting this passage as referring solely to Jesus...it seems that it's a bit of a gross generalization. I'm not saying that all religious claims are 100% valid, nor am I equating the three monotheistic faiths as holding the exact same beliefs. I'm just saying that maybe there have been people throughout history who have "spoken the words of God" who weren't just Jesus, and they they, too, spoke truths. So, with that logic, wouldn't it be true that the followers of those "prophets" (for lack of a better term) are also eligible for eternal life with God?
This is all well and good until the last part of the passage, which speaks about those not believing in the Son and their eternal punishment. I read that and my skeptical mind immediately just sees that as a product of interpretation and belief bias. Of course the writer of the Gospel would say that: he was a Christian! He believed it to be true, so he wrote it. I believe that the Gospel writers had sincere hearts and attempted to repaint the picture of Jesus in an accurate way, but John was written nearly 70 years after the Crucifixion. The original 12 weren't even alive by the time it was finally put on paper (or parchment, whatever.) So we have to assume that there's some in-discrepancy when it comes to the interpretation of Jesus' words, since they're not coming from a firsthand source. I'm not saying that the words weren't inspired by God, but I am saying that they were written by a human being with an agenda, which is only natural. But it makes me wonder what Jesus actually said and what was simply written down to strengthen the case of Christianity.
I would like to believe that several faiths hold eternal truths, and that Christianity is more like looking at a piece of the larger puzzle. Who are we to assume that we hold the entire Eternal Truth in our dinky little faith? That seems to be more in the business of being God, and we do much better being humans. I don't know the answers, and actually, neither do you. But it's just some food for thought.
Peace.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him. - Jn 3:31-36
The Gospel is John is today's Gospel reading for the day, and I have to admit, it's not always one of my favorites to read. John is metaphysical, confusing, and tends to speak in logical circles. In fact, whenever I read a passage like this one, I feel like someone is trying to blindside me with a verbose narrative. But basically, this is what I got out of it: The things of this world speak only of this world. But the things of heaven speak of heavenly things. The one sent from heaven is sent from God, and speaks of things from God. Whoever believes in the one from God therefore believes in God. Whoever does not believe in the one from God also rejects God, and therefore loses eternal life.
It sounds pretty direct, but I struggle with it. Does this passage simply mean that Jesus is the one and only One sent from God? Does Jesus solely point the way to God? If someone does not follow Jesus, but believes that they are following God...are they mistaken? Are they condemned?
"The one whom God sent speaks the words of God." So, that would include Jesus, obviously. But what about the OT prophets? They spoke the words of God, or so they believed. Is the Jewish belief in the prophets less valid than our belief in Jesus? Can they both be valid? I feel like we can't reject OT prophets because they are a pretty integral part of how we have evolved as Christians. Okay, so the OT prophets are valid because they spoke the words of God. What about Muhammad? He was almost killed because he insisted on belief in the One God, Allah. He's considered "the last prophet" because he finished up the picture that Judaism and Christianity were painting with the prophets and Jesus. He sincerely believed that he was also speaking the words of God, and his followers believed that, too. So, are Muslims sorely mistaken because they followed a false prophet? Or was Muhammad preaching the same message that the OT prophets preached about loyalty to the One God? Even Jesus said it: "You have but One Father..." They seem like pretty consistent claims.
Now, I know that Muhammad also preached that he was the final prophet, and that the stories of the OT prophets and Christianity are incomplete, which definitely goes against the first two faiths. But with so many Christians interpreting this passage as referring solely to Jesus...it seems that it's a bit of a gross generalization. I'm not saying that all religious claims are 100% valid, nor am I equating the three monotheistic faiths as holding the exact same beliefs. I'm just saying that maybe there have been people throughout history who have "spoken the words of God" who weren't just Jesus, and they they, too, spoke truths. So, with that logic, wouldn't it be true that the followers of those "prophets" (for lack of a better term) are also eligible for eternal life with God?
This is all well and good until the last part of the passage, which speaks about those not believing in the Son and their eternal punishment. I read that and my skeptical mind immediately just sees that as a product of interpretation and belief bias. Of course the writer of the Gospel would say that: he was a Christian! He believed it to be true, so he wrote it. I believe that the Gospel writers had sincere hearts and attempted to repaint the picture of Jesus in an accurate way, but John was written nearly 70 years after the Crucifixion. The original 12 weren't even alive by the time it was finally put on paper (or parchment, whatever.) So we have to assume that there's some in-discrepancy when it comes to the interpretation of Jesus' words, since they're not coming from a firsthand source. I'm not saying that the words weren't inspired by God, but I am saying that they were written by a human being with an agenda, which is only natural. But it makes me wonder what Jesus actually said and what was simply written down to strengthen the case of Christianity.
I would like to believe that several faiths hold eternal truths, and that Christianity is more like looking at a piece of the larger puzzle. Who are we to assume that we hold the entire Eternal Truth in our dinky little faith? That seems to be more in the business of being God, and we do much better being humans. I don't know the answers, and actually, neither do you. But it's just some food for thought.
Peace.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Love Your Enemies
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Sounds pretty clear to me, but yesterday's news of Osama bin Laden's death proves that this is a tricky commandment to follow. When Jesus said this, He didn't attach conditions. He didn't say, "Love your enemies, except for global terrorists." Granted, they didn't have global terrorists in 1st century Palestine, but you get the idea. Jesus called us to a difficult path. We are called to forgive those who hurt us. Watching the news last night with everyone celebrating, singing, and dancing in the streets...it saddened me. I understand and appreciate the excitement and joy that people feel, but I think it's misguided. From a practical standpoint, bin Laden's death does not mark the end of the war (though I wish it was that easy). We can't let our arrogence as Americans distract us from potential repercussions from al-Quaeda. It's our pride that's always been our downfall, and I saw a whole lot of that on tv last night.
But on a moral level, last night's celebrations disturbed me. Seeing the headline, "Osama bin Laden is dead"...I didn't even have a reaction. I just observed the reactions of others. All of these people who claim to be Christians, all these people who fight for the unborn and protest the existence of the death penalty...these people were celebrating the death of one man. This man did awful things, and no one denies that. He was responsible for a huge amount of sadness and pain for thousands, and even millions, of people. But how is his death more justified than a man who raped and killed teenage girls who now faces the death penalty? There are plenty of people who would protest that execution, but somehow feel that bin Laden's death is justified. To the families of the murdered teenage girls, I'm sure that they feel the same, if not more, pain than the American people with regard to the terrorist attacks.
So, what's the difference? Why can we rejoice over this death? The answer is that we can't. I can't. As a Christian and as a human being, I cannot rejoice over the death of a person and the end of a human life, no matter what heinous crimes that person committed. I am praying for Osama bin Laden. I am praying for God to give him mercy and grace and forgiveness. Most of all, I am praying for an end to war and violence. I am praying that we may grow closer together a global community and work together for a more peaceful future.
Osama bin Laden was a child of God, no matter what anyone else may say. Jesus died for him, and because of this, he was my brother. I grieve for his loss of life like I would grieve for anyone else's. Maybe I'm a little misguided because I haven't been "personally affected" by the 9/11 attacks. But am I not an American? Am I not a New Yorker? Did I not grieve with the rest of my country on that sad day? You don't have to be "personally affected" in order to be affected in a personal way.
My prayers for bin Laden are not some pretentious, holier-than-thou attempt to prove my moral superiority over those who proclaimed "Osama: Rot in Hell!" Instead, I am trying to live out my faith the best I can in the wake of modernity. I can't tell anyone else what to feel or how to react or what to believe. But I pray that this event opens up the doors for communication, dialogue, and a greater understanding of one another. I am deeply grateful for President Obama's remarks last night when he said that "we were never against Islam. Osama bin Laden was not a follower of Islam." Too often, people tragically equate bin Laden's crimes with spiritual laws of Islam, and I hope that we can all be more open to being educated in the future with regard to these matters. It's something that gives me a lot of passion and energy because one of the worst things to be in this world is ignorant when you have all the opportunities to not be.
So, I'll stop ranting. Love your enemies and pray for your persecutors...even if it might be the hardest thing you'll ever do.
Peace. السلام الآن
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Sounds pretty clear to me, but yesterday's news of Osama bin Laden's death proves that this is a tricky commandment to follow. When Jesus said this, He didn't attach conditions. He didn't say, "Love your enemies, except for global terrorists." Granted, they didn't have global terrorists in 1st century Palestine, but you get the idea. Jesus called us to a difficult path. We are called to forgive those who hurt us. Watching the news last night with everyone celebrating, singing, and dancing in the streets...it saddened me. I understand and appreciate the excitement and joy that people feel, but I think it's misguided. From a practical standpoint, bin Laden's death does not mark the end of the war (though I wish it was that easy). We can't let our arrogence as Americans distract us from potential repercussions from al-Quaeda. It's our pride that's always been our downfall, and I saw a whole lot of that on tv last night.
But on a moral level, last night's celebrations disturbed me. Seeing the headline, "Osama bin Laden is dead"...I didn't even have a reaction. I just observed the reactions of others. All of these people who claim to be Christians, all these people who fight for the unborn and protest the existence of the death penalty...these people were celebrating the death of one man. This man did awful things, and no one denies that. He was responsible for a huge amount of sadness and pain for thousands, and even millions, of people. But how is his death more justified than a man who raped and killed teenage girls who now faces the death penalty? There are plenty of people who would protest that execution, but somehow feel that bin Laden's death is justified. To the families of the murdered teenage girls, I'm sure that they feel the same, if not more, pain than the American people with regard to the terrorist attacks.
So, what's the difference? Why can we rejoice over this death? The answer is that we can't. I can't. As a Christian and as a human being, I cannot rejoice over the death of a person and the end of a human life, no matter what heinous crimes that person committed. I am praying for Osama bin Laden. I am praying for God to give him mercy and grace and forgiveness. Most of all, I am praying for an end to war and violence. I am praying that we may grow closer together a global community and work together for a more peaceful future.
Osama bin Laden was a child of God, no matter what anyone else may say. Jesus died for him, and because of this, he was my brother. I grieve for his loss of life like I would grieve for anyone else's. Maybe I'm a little misguided because I haven't been "personally affected" by the 9/11 attacks. But am I not an American? Am I not a New Yorker? Did I not grieve with the rest of my country on that sad day? You don't have to be "personally affected" in order to be affected in a personal way.
My prayers for bin Laden are not some pretentious, holier-than-thou attempt to prove my moral superiority over those who proclaimed "Osama: Rot in Hell!" Instead, I am trying to live out my faith the best I can in the wake of modernity. I can't tell anyone else what to feel or how to react or what to believe. But I pray that this event opens up the doors for communication, dialogue, and a greater understanding of one another. I am deeply grateful for President Obama's remarks last night when he said that "we were never against Islam. Osama bin Laden was not a follower of Islam." Too often, people tragically equate bin Laden's crimes with spiritual laws of Islam, and I hope that we can all be more open to being educated in the future with regard to these matters. It's something that gives me a lot of passion and energy because one of the worst things to be in this world is ignorant when you have all the opportunities to not be.
So, I'll stop ranting. Love your enemies and pray for your persecutors...even if it might be the hardest thing you'll ever do.
Peace. السلام الآن
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