Bringing Clarity to Uncertainty in Our Church
A friend and I sat at a Tim Hortons catching up over some coffee. Next to us sat two women. They sat quietly, almost as if they were eavesdropping on our conversation. If they were, I didn’t really care. Occasionally they shared a few a comments with each other, but their conversation fizzled out quickly. But one thing struck me about the nature of their conversations.
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Jennine and I are filled with joy for the arrival of our baby daughter Marian Marguerite Garda. Marian is so precious, gentle and beautiful. We can hold her and stare at her for hours on end.
Courtesy of Amit Kujur from Flickr.com
An Overflow of Joy
Marian is our first child so Jennine and I are experiencing a steep learning curve. She requires attention around the clock. Changing dirty diapers, bathing, and feeding is a cycle that we repeat countless times in one day. This cycle has resulted in a lack of sleep for both of us and some considerable physical discomfort for Jennine.
Yet, Jennine and I, have been filled with overflowing joy. For me, it only takes a look into Marian’s tiny blue eyes, hear her sniffle, or hold her close to me and all the pleasures and comforts I once cherished cease to matter.
One of my favourite parts about the Christmas season is that people adopt a spirit of giving. Most recently I was overjoyed to see the trending of #GivingTuesday on social media.
But how should we give? What is the standard by which we measure our giving?
Photo courtesy of Marian Chinciusan from Unsplash.com
I was helping my mom move into her new home. A friend of her’s who was also lending a hand became intrigued at my profession. I explained to her my role as a youth minister. I also shared with her my conversion to Catholic Christianity.
The gentle conversational tone of the lady changed. She spoke as if she took offence to my story. Later, I found out she was a non-practicing Catholic.
She argued that she doesn’t need a minister, priest, or church telling her how she should live her faith life. Her relationship is between her and Jesus and that’s all that matters.
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The above argument is popular, but it is faulty. Here are THREE reasons why we can’t have an order of Jesus with no Church on the side.
In the final year of my undergraduate degree I took a class on postmodern politics. In this small, but lively class, one of the “hot topics” was the new waves of feminism.
In one class a student posed the question if prostitution can be viewed in a positive light in today’s western culture. A young woman in our class responded, “Yes, if she is a strong woman.”
Photo by Andrea’s Impression Photography
Final Breath or Resurrection?
In an increasingly religious world I have found that discussing my Christian faith has become more difficult. Contrary to what secular media outlets in Canada, United States, and parts of Europe report world religions are at a healthy level. Based on the Pew Forum study, The Global Religious Landscape, as of 2010 84% of the world’s population identify with a world religion. Moreover, surveys have indicated that even ‘unaffiliated’ or ‘non-religious’ consider themselves spiritual (believing in a universal God or spirit). Atheism (literally meaning ‘without-a-god’) is not as prominent as we may think.
If religion and spirituality is more prominent than ever why are we told to keep our belief to ourselves?
Photo by Curtis Perry from Flickr.com
Atheism…for the Educated?
In 2010 as a third year university student I walked into the first day of a philosophy class. Following his introduction, the professor proceeded with the question, “How many of people in this class are Christian?” I watched as the lecture hall was filled with hesitantly raised hands. The professor continued, “By the time you finish this course, you won’t be anymore.”
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