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About a year ago a friend and I were having a ball at a used bookstore and he picked up a book about Christ and the Sacraments and said "here, read this, it's for you". We ended up buying the $1.00 priced book published in 1956 and onto my shelf it went - and there it stayed - until last night.
I decided to take a stab at it and much to my surprise was intrigued to find it's diction somewhat digestible. I got lost in a few places but if anything, it was peaking my interest more and more to look at the Sacraments and try to understand what they are and what they really mean. Naturally, my mind started racing. Sacraments? Actions? Gestures? Prayers? Outwardly expressions? Inner Mysteries?....with a capital 'M'?....And then, where did they come from?....who fine tuned them?....do they form this complete circle throughout one's lifetime?....are they all for everyone?....there are some big hitters, but do the Sacraments stop there?
So, here I am accepting that delving into the Sacraments would be the way to go. So if I pick apart the word Sacrament what does it mean? What can it mean for me in my life, today? I was baptised, got married, participate in the Holy Eucharist, frequently confess, and am trying to live a life with the Church at it's center. Slow process for me I have to admit. Slow and challenging as I am defining the things that have meaning in my life while trying to please God.
The Armenian Church defines it as Khorhoort, or Mystery - and please any of the Orthodoxy experts out there - jump in at any time to lead me to the truth.
Last night we listened to Fr. Vazken talk about Mystery at http://epostle.net/ It's available to listen to at any time. The broadcast left me feeling good about 'not knowing' and I found comfort in the gaps between my heart and my mind.
I hope to continue to find more of these gaps and unknowns as my faith grows.
The possibilities are endless!
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Tomorrow California will begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. I have been trying to follow a lot of the commentary on this issue and, boy, does it get people wound up! There is a lot of hate expressed for gay people in general and accepting them into the fabric of American life through marriage is not a popular idea. BUT, it is something that is going to happen.
I wish I could write out what I was really feeling deep inside myself about these men and women who want nothing more than to be accepted and supported. It is a difficult time and a difficult topic. I have mixed feelings, both as a follower of Christ and as someone who loves and supports her gay friends. I really want to believe that the happiness of same sex couples is really the most essential piece of this. I believe it is their fair right and bless these unions - I just wish the church did too.
"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice... But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King, Jr., said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere' ... I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brotherhood and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people." Coretta Scott King
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