Saint Benedict Episcopal Church

I enjoyed very much the article by Lacey O’Delle Smith in the September issue of “Benedictions.” It got me to thinking. So, I’d like to share my thoughts with other folks in our congregation. For those of you that missed the article, it is available on-line on the web page for St. Benedicts (stbenedictslacey.org). Click on the “Benedictions” button on the left hand side of the page and then, click on “September” in the middle of the page.

Lacey reported about hearing the debates of the Democratic candidates for president. The moderator asked about their beliefs about God. He wanted to know if they thought that prayer could have prevented a disaster like Hurricane Katrina. Lacey was struck by the answers from two of the candidates: Senator Joe Biden and Senator Dennis Kucinich.

Senator Biden responded that God sends us no cross that we are unable to bare. Senator Kucinich responded by saying that we have faith and we also have good works. I comment on these two responses as follows:

I think Senator Biden is incorrect. I don’t believe that God sends us crosses at all. Perhaps, it could be said that God allows things to happen. Or perhaps they just happen. He is right in saying that we are to ask for God’s strength to cope with the crosses.

The theologian, Marcus Borg would say that we do not do good works in order to get into heaven. Rather, we do good works in order to participate in the kingdom of God that is already here.

Our Vicar Georgi says that we are all theologians. I think she said this because we are in a life-long effort to understand God. I believe it is my responsibility as a Christian to engage my mind regularly in this effort.

Peace be with you!