February 24: Peter Declares That Jesus Is The Messiah

The Church of the Ascension Lenten Devotional

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Mother Liz, in a recent sermon, referred to the mystery we call God. I’m awed and bow down before Mystery. Theology and Science meet at the point of mystery. Religion originated, as did science, in the awareness of mystery.

Without the consciousness of mystery there would be no intellectual curiosity, exploration, discovery. research, or faith. To comprehend and accept mystery, one must master the fear of the unknown. Too often that fear leads to the need for certainty when there is no certainty — and that is when religion serves “evil” rather than “good.”

Religion is not a rational system that can be factualized and verified. Though it is an irrational system, it doesn’t mean that it does not contain truths, even great truths. There is no proof that Jesus was and is the Messiah. We know Jesus in our hearts and that is where faith and belief begin. In our minds being a Christian is a journey leading us to the edge of Mystery.

 

  • Psalm 22:23-31
  • Genesis 16:7-15
  • Mark 8:27-30

 

 

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Parish News: June 7

In this week’s newsletter, the rector responds to the detention crisis at Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark, where detainees are on hunger and work strike protesting inhumane conditions. She shares letters from detained immigrants—our siblings and beloved children of God—and invites us to pray, witness, fast in solidarity, support families of detainees, do justice, and act with mercy.

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