Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons in the 2nd century, once wrote, "The glory of God is a living person and the life of each living person is the vision of God." It's often hard for me to believe that the glory of God is a living person. With all of our brokenness, our fears, our acts of injustice and prejudice, how could a living person be the glory of God? How could the life of each living person be the vision of God?
In this season, we are reminded that we are made beautifully in the image of God and God became enfleshed in human form in Jesus Christ. God took on the form of a living person to give us an enfleshed vision of God's glory. For in and through God's transforming love, we are called to live into the fullness of who God created us to be and the fullness of God's vision for us.
What would your life be like, what would the world be like if we began to embrace the truth that we are created in the image of God? In spite of our sins, our imperfections, our brokenness we are beautifully and wonderfully created. In Christ and through Christ, we are the glory of God. In Christ and through Christ, we are the vision of God.
May we indeed live into the fullness of God's glory. May we truly enflesh the vision of God in our world.
Peace and Blessings on this most holy journey.
Paul+
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The beginning of the end...
Thomas Merton once wrote, "The Advent mystery is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ." Advent offers us a new beginning, in what might be a most unusual way, the beginning of the end. The end of those things that stand between us and God. Those things that stand between us and the Holy Spirit. Those things that stand between us and our fellow sojourners. The end of those things that stand between us and our Lord and our ability to live more fully into the mystery and gift of our faith.
There is still so much that is "not yet Christ" in my life. So much that needs to be brought to an end. So much that needs a new beginning in Christ. By opening ourselves to the great mystery of Advent and the coming of our Lord, may we find an end to our fears and the beginning of new confidence and courage in Christ. May we find an end to our hardness and suspicions and find new compassion and understanding. May we find an end to our self-centered ways and find a new way of selflessness and openness to others in the name of our Lord.
In this season, let us give thanks and rejoice for the end, the end of all that is not yet Christ and in doing so cross the threshold of a new and glorious beginning.
Peace and Blessings on this most holy journey.
Paul+
There is still so much that is "not yet Christ" in my life. So much that needs to be brought to an end. So much that needs a new beginning in Christ. By opening ourselves to the great mystery of Advent and the coming of our Lord, may we find an end to our fears and the beginning of new confidence and courage in Christ. May we find an end to our hardness and suspicions and find new compassion and understanding. May we find an end to our self-centered ways and find a new way of selflessness and openness to others in the name of our Lord.
In this season, let us give thanks and rejoice for the end, the end of all that is not yet Christ and in doing so cross the threshold of a new and glorious beginning.
Peace and Blessings on this most holy journey.
Paul+
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Behold I am coming soon. (Rev. 22:7) Advent I
This past Sunday we took our first step on a wonderful journey of expectation and joy. For we see on a not so distant horizon the image of the Christ Child, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
What a wonderful journey indeed for the Lord will soon be here and hope will be born anew. The Word made flesh. The Light that the darkness will not overcome.
As I right this meditation and reflect upon the prophetic words from the book of Revelation, I am reminded of a song by Andre Couch, "Soon and very soon we are going to see the King."
Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We're going to see the King.
No more crying there, we are going to see the King
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We're going to see the King.
No more dying there, we are going to see the King
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We're going to see the King.
Indeed my friends, soon and very soon we are going to see the King! Soon our Lord will be born. Prepare your hearts and souls for a joyful and transformative encounter with the Holy One, Immanuel, God with us, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Peace and Blessings on this most holy journey.
Paul+
What a wonderful journey indeed for the Lord will soon be here and hope will be born anew. The Word made flesh. The Light that the darkness will not overcome.
As I right this meditation and reflect upon the prophetic words from the book of Revelation, I am reminded of a song by Andre Couch, "Soon and very soon we are going to see the King."
Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We're going to see the King.
No more crying there, we are going to see the King
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We're going to see the King.
No more dying there, we are going to see the King
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We're going to see the King.
Indeed my friends, soon and very soon we are going to see the King! Soon our Lord will be born. Prepare your hearts and souls for a joyful and transformative encounter with the Holy One, Immanuel, God with us, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Peace and Blessings on this most holy journey.
Paul+
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Pray for the Nation
We now stand in the shadow of the mid-term elections. I have to say that I am very glad the campaign and especially the ads are behind us. There was a level of venom and attack that I found rather disturbing. The country certainly is not of one mind. (Never has been, never will be...the church is the same - I might add.) I believe, however, there is a growing lack of civility and willingness to cooperate. I find this troubling. It is US verses THEM. Rich versus poor. White versus black versus latino. Official citizens versus illegal immigrants. Christians versus Muslims. Republicans versus Democrats, and now add the Tea Party. Fear versus hope. Trust versus suspicion.
There is no doubt, times are tough. People are anxious. There are more questions than answers. But, I believe "united we stand, divided we fall." Regardless of your political, ideological or theological position, I ask you to pray for our leaders...ALL of them. Pray for the President, pray for our senators and representatives. Pray for wisdom and understanding. Pray for a new spirit of cooperation and civility. Pray for our country and the world that we, as citizens of a global community, "may be a sign of Christ's love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair." (BCP, p.429)
It is in challenging times when our true character is revealed. May our character show us to be a people of honesty, humility, compassion, sacrifice, strength and courage. I'm hopeful. Our best day's are yet to come!
In Christ,
Paul+
There is no doubt, times are tough. People are anxious. There are more questions than answers. But, I believe "united we stand, divided we fall." Regardless of your political, ideological or theological position, I ask you to pray for our leaders...ALL of them. Pray for the President, pray for our senators and representatives. Pray for wisdom and understanding. Pray for a new spirit of cooperation and civility. Pray for our country and the world that we, as citizens of a global community, "may be a sign of Christ's love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair." (BCP, p.429)
It is in challenging times when our true character is revealed. May our character show us to be a people of honesty, humility, compassion, sacrifice, strength and courage. I'm hopeful. Our best day's are yet to come!
In Christ,
Paul+
Friday, September 24, 2010
No time for foolishness!!!
This past weekend was such a great blessing. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr. preached, prayed, sand, taught, comforted, challenged and inspired us. (If you missed it, I encourage you to contact the church office for a cd of the Saturday evening lecture and Sunday morning sermon.)
So many prophetic words, but one sentence captured me. He told the story of a friend and mentor who when traveling in Africa saw on the back of a truck the words, "No time for foolishness!" What a powerful and provocative statement.
No time for foolishness! These words call us to action. These words call for urgency. These words demonstrate the gravity of the situation. These words say, "Get up and get to work!" In this time in our nation and the world, this is no time for foolishness.
In this time in the life of Trinity Church, this is no time for foolishness! As long as people are hurting and hungry, there is no time for foolishness. As long as people are lonely and lost, there is no time for foolishness! As long as people hate and kill, there is no time for foolishness!
People of Trinity Church, you are going to hear these words again...I can assure you!! The time for action is now! The time for prayer in now! The time for service is now! The time for love and faithfulness is now! The time for Christ is now! This is no time for foolishness!
Peace,
Paul+
So many prophetic words, but one sentence captured me. He told the story of a friend and mentor who when traveling in Africa saw on the back of a truck the words, "No time for foolishness!" What a powerful and provocative statement.
No time for foolishness! These words call us to action. These words call for urgency. These words demonstrate the gravity of the situation. These words say, "Get up and get to work!" In this time in our nation and the world, this is no time for foolishness.
In this time in the life of Trinity Church, this is no time for foolishness! As long as people are hurting and hungry, there is no time for foolishness. As long as people are lonely and lost, there is no time for foolishness! As long as people hate and kill, there is no time for foolishness!
People of Trinity Church, you are going to hear these words again...I can assure you!! The time for action is now! The time for prayer in now! The time for service is now! The time for love and faithfulness is now! The time for Christ is now! This is no time for foolishness!
Peace,
Paul+
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