I got frequent telephone calls from people in the communities where I have been a pastor asking me why it is that their church did things the way they did things. Be it the Roman Catholic Church, an Independent congregation or a Mainline Protestant Denomination, people seemed to feel that I could tell them what was going on without them being embarrassed.
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In particular, one Baptist friend of mine who was sending his children to a Lutheran school asked me why it was that they had a crucifix in the sanctuary, "Wasn't that idolatry?" he asked. It was when I gently told him that the Lutheran Church was just "proclaiming the Lord's death until he comes in art form," just like St. Paul told them to do that he was able to rest easy about the crucifix. |
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An old high school classmate emailed me and we got into a question about why it was that they had to say, "I am not worthy to receive you, only say the word and I shall be healed," during Mass. Wasn't that dehumanizing. I told her it was only if we didn't know that the reason Christ came was not to humiliate us, but to restore us to fullness of life. Therefore, I explained, when we said that we were not worthy, we were just reminded of the incredible life restoring gift there was in receiving the Eucharist. |
Both of these people were encouraging me to publish a book. So I did. I want all people to know the incredible gift God has for us in this journey into God. It is an ever expansive and incredible peek into the window of eternity. I love helping people live a deeper life devoted to Jesus Christ. I hope you will be open to me teaching you.
