I have to admit that I usually give very little thought to matters of race. I'm not sure I'm giving it a lot of thought now, but two things have made me pause today.
The first was a phone call I answered at work this afternoon.
I gave the client the name of the agent he was trying to locate, and, upon hearing the obviously east indian name, the client inquired "is he a white fella?" when I answered in the negative, the client went on to reply, "oh dear. Does he know anything?" I'll be the first to admit that the particular colleague in question is not one of my favorite people, and is rather unbearable when it comes to inter-office communication, however, he always handles his clients quite professionally, and I quickly assured the client that this was the case, before putting him through.
I've worked in various service industries for a lot of years, and I can definitely say that I've never had a phone call quite like that before.
The second is this article on the God's Politics blog. It would seem that Barack Obama was hung in effigy on a university campus this week. A rather disturbing thought as well.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Thoughts on Baptism and Eucharist - Henri Nouwen
A few more great thoughts from Henri Nouwen that are catching at me at the moment...
Baptism and Eucharist
Sacraments are very specific events in which God touches us through creation and transforms us into living Christs. The two main sacraments are baptism and the Eucharist. In baptism water is the way to transformation. In the Eucharist it is bread and wine. The most ordinary things in life - water, bread, and wine - become the sacred way by which God comes to us.
These sacraments are actual events. Water, bread, and wine are not simple reminders of God's love; they bring God to us. In baptism we are set free from the slavery of sin and dressed with Christ. In the Eucharist, Christ himself becomes our food and drink.
Baptism: Becoming Children of the Light
When Jesus appears for the last time to his disciples, he sends them out into the world saying: "Go, ... make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).
Jesus offers us baptism as the way to enter into communion with God, Father, Son, and Spirit, and to live our lives as God's beloved children. Through baptism we say no to the world. We declare that we no longer want to remain children of the darkness but want to become children of the light, God's children. We do not want to escape the world, but we want to live in it without belonging to it. That is what baptism enables us to do.
Baptism and Eucharist
Sacraments are very specific events in which God touches us through creation and transforms us into living Christs. The two main sacraments are baptism and the Eucharist. In baptism water is the way to transformation. In the Eucharist it is bread and wine. The most ordinary things in life - water, bread, and wine - become the sacred way by which God comes to us.
These sacraments are actual events. Water, bread, and wine are not simple reminders of God's love; they bring God to us. In baptism we are set free from the slavery of sin and dressed with Christ. In the Eucharist, Christ himself becomes our food and drink.
Baptism: Becoming Children of the Light
When Jesus appears for the last time to his disciples, he sends them out into the world saying: "Go, ... make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).
Jesus offers us baptism as the way to enter into communion with God, Father, Son, and Spirit, and to live our lives as God's beloved children. Through baptism we say no to the world. We declare that we no longer want to remain children of the darkness but want to become children of the light, God's children. We do not want to escape the world, but we want to live in it without belonging to it. That is what baptism enables us to do.
Pakistan in the News
My best friend M. is currently in Pakistan. She'll be there until May or so, working in a small mission hospital.
Needless to say, I'm following the news from Pakistan more closely these days.
And today, on a day when I'm eagerly anticipating an event we've traditionally shared, I'm thinking about her and praying for her.
And for Pakistan. The latest story to catch my attention can be found here.
Needless to say, I'm following the news from Pakistan more closely these days.
And today, on a day when I'm eagerly anticipating an event we've traditionally shared, I'm thinking about her and praying for her.
And for Pakistan. The latest story to catch my attention can be found here.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Daily Text
I found today's daily text and prayer from the Moravians encouraging...
You shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.Isaiah 62:2
It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. Galatians 2:20
Name us, Lord, and claim us for your own. Have complete authority over us. Call us for your purposes and we will hear you. Do not let our minds or hearts stray from you and we will make this day a living prayer. Amen.
You shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.Isaiah 62:2
It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. Galatians 2:20
Name us, Lord, and claim us for your own. Have complete authority over us. Call us for your purposes and we will hear you. Do not let our minds or hearts stray from you and we will make this day a living prayer. Amen.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Hurting
My heart aches tonight.
I've heard from three of my closest friends in the last day or so, and they're all hurting.
My heart aches with my own ongoing struggles, but also with the pain of those I love.
I re-read one of my favorite passages of scripture last night, just before sleeping, and from it comes the cry of my heart, and the breath of hope for healed lives, and the commitment to continue to press towards Jesus.
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
(Psalm 116:1-2)
I've heard from three of my closest friends in the last day or so, and they're all hurting.
My heart aches with my own ongoing struggles, but also with the pain of those I love.
I re-read one of my favorite passages of scripture last night, just before sleeping, and from it comes the cry of my heart, and the breath of hope for healed lives, and the commitment to continue to press towards Jesus.
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
(Psalm 116:1-2)
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