"Awaken to the new day as a gift instead of as a given"

"Some of you may not be aware of something today, some news. It seems that we have been given as much as another day by God to be alive. Perhaps as much as one more day to know God, to love God, and to serve God. Perhaps as much as one more day" (The Rev. Curtis Almquist, SSJE, Superior).

Amazing. You can see more here.

We will break dividing walls......

There have been some things running through my mind as of late that I'd like to talk about. I welcome feedback. My husband told me this morning that they're not putting up the Christmas lights downtown this year so as not to offend the new Chinese workers at Maple Leaf. Also, in the paper, it said that they are not going to have the fully optional bibles handed out in Grade 5 anymore. There are many many examples but these are the two that are in my mind at present.

We are very concerned about not offending anyone. I am beginning to be offended. Anyone who knows me will say that I am a person who endeavours to be inclusive and welcoming. I'm a person who is curious and likes to see the way other people celebrate their customs. I think a person's cultural background and religion are things to be celebrated. My religion is now under constant fire under the guise of not offending.

When Chinese New Years celebrations take place, I enjoy seeing and/or taking part in what this cultural event has to offer. When i see a menorrah, I rejoice that this family is celebrating Hannukah. When I hear that Ramadan is beginning, I take time to think of all the people who are fasting all day and enjoying family celebrations in the evening. When I hear that there's a pow wow or Sun Dance happening, I revel in its deep roots (and actually wish I could be a part). I'm not offended in the least. Why can't we have the same, as Christians.

Let us celebrate one another's differences and maybe learn more of cultures and faiths that vary from our own. This is the path to peace - ignorance and walls are not....on all sides.

"What God really cares about is whether we love him."

I took the following from this blog I've just recently found and it really touched me.

The Archbishop of Cape Town preached in June at Westminster Abbey and offered this perspective on the touchstone of Orthodox faith. I loved this:

If anyone wants to pick a fight with me about my faith, let it be on the grounds of my relationship with Jesus, and my belief in who he is: the belief to which Scripture attests and the creeds affirm.

Jesus remains the eternal Word made flesh.

Jesus remains the second person of the Trinity, pre-existent from before all time, taking on human form.

Jesus remains fully God and fully human – the double homoousios to which the Nicene creed affirms.

Jesus remains the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, who breaks the chains of death. No-one else can do this.

Jesus remains the crucified one who was raised to new life. In twenty-first century scientific terms, we do not know how to describe his risen body – but we do know he was raised, and we do know he ascended, and we do know he sits at the Father's right hand, where he ever makes intercession for us.

Jesus Christ remains the same, yesterday, today and for ever!

So, even though some of the church is in turmoil over issues of human sexuality, that should never become the touchstone of orthodox belief.

Rather, let the heart of your faith be your love for God, responding to God's love in Christ for you.

And if anyone asks you where you stand, be confident in saying with Paul

'I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I how live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life that I live now in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.'

Amen.

Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Njongonkulu Ndungane

You can read the whole sermon here.

Amazing. It's what our faith is all about and a much much MUCH more eloquent way of explaining what I often say "I just want everyone to play nice."

I feel my spirit returning...