The Credible Depth

I am sitting here watching with Jay Leno on in the background, my oldest daughter and friend have just arrived for Christmas; and I am struck by the Incarnation. Strange ruminations? Maybe

So much of what we hear about God coming to us in Jesus of Nazareth is to save us from our sins. I think how much Holy Love there is for humankind that God would be one of us (to paraphrase the song). We must be awfully important to God for God to become like us. Of course, it is said we are made in God's Image. So at our best, more divinely filled, we can see God in each other. It is so ordinary and at the same time profound.

I think the "John 3:16" people had it right with out maybe knowing it. (Tend to think they are more of the school that we need to be saved from how awful we can be.). God did so love the world (and us) that God's Son came to dwell with us. The divine became human that we might become more Divine.

Merry Christmas,

Fr. Patrick

Seeing the Sacred Every Day

I was brought back to what really made me realize I am comfortable being an Episcopalian. Archbishop Michael Ramsay wrote a book, Sacred and Secular. In it he espoused the division between the two worlds is an invention of humankind. Everything in creation can be a vehicle for revealing the sacredness of the Divine. In that way the ordinary things of life can become sacramental - outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace - to quote the catechism. Our relationships, our work, our family life, our daily lives can convey the Divine purpose of God in small and big ways.

Our participation in the Eucharist can allow us to see the sacredness of each family meal.  Time spent having coffee with a friend can be a sacramental moment when properly viewed. Our political lives can make real the justice and mercy God.

The Mystery of God can be made real everyday. Christ can be alive in the breaking of bread on the parish altar and passing the rolls at dinner.

Fr. Patrick

12/2/10