Pastor Amy's Thursday Thoughts

This week our in-person Bible study groups explored Mark 8:27-28, in which Peter chastised Jesus for proclaiming his future suffering, Jesus chastised Peter for expecting him to exhibit some other form of power, and Jesus reminded those listening to him that true faith is defined by humble service. It doesn’t take looking very far to see how we are constantly bombarded with the opposite message telling us that power is better than service. Christian Nationalism has wed Christianity and political power, resulting in something akin to Frankenstein’s monster -hacked together and only a semblance of what it purports to be.

When Jesus asked Peter who Peter thought Jesus was, Jesus was asking Peter to do some introspection - not to parrot what he had heard, but to search himself, discover what was in his heart, and let Jesus know. As we walk through the dark valley of trying to live our faith in an era of Frankenstein Christian Nationalism, let us also do some introspection. Who do we say Jesus is? Who do we think we are? And how does that relate to the power-seeking message we seem to be drowning in?

As we explore these questions for ourselves, perhaps the words of Catherine of Siena, 14th century Christian mystic, can help guide our introspection and see Jesus more accurately.

Eternal God, eternal Trinity,

You have made the Blood of Christ so precious through His sharing in Your Divine nature.

You are a mystery as deep as the sea;

the more I search, the more I find,

and the more I find the more I search for You.

But I can never be satisfied;

what I receive will ever leave me desiring more.

When You fill my soul I have an ever-greater hunger,

and I grow more famished for Your light.

I desire above all to see You, the true light, as you really are.

Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Amy

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