Daily Meditation: September 22, 2020

by Richard B. McConnell, Jr. on September 22, 2020

Then He said to them, “these are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the scripture…

- Luke 24:44, 45


At our last Trinity Men’s Bible Study using ZOOM, The Reverend Andy Thayer asked the question, “Can one be a Christian without having a bible or going to Church”? In these trying times with a pandemic on our hands the issue of physical attendance at a church is challenging. I can only answer this question from my own perspective.

I believe with all my heart in “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” Obviously this is a work in progress but we as a nation are head and shoulders above any other nation on this earth. As stated, God is part of our credo, therefore religion is integral to our culture and drives us to strive to pursue the goal of Liberty and Justice for all. I have little respect for those who denigrate our nation. Working for change within the framework of our constitution is one thing, rioting and destruction of property is quite another.

If you were to give a Bible to ten different people and ask them to state their interpretation after reading it, you would get ten divergent opinions. Since physical attendance in church during this pandemic is problematic, the gathering of Christians to understand the teachings of Jesus by studying the Bible can be facilitated by the gathering through electronic communications. I have found that I gain more insight into the messages of Jesus in these sessions, led by a learned scholar, than sitting in a pew listening to a sermon. (No offense to our spiritual leaders is expressed or intended). It would be somewhat out of place for me to stand up in the pew and ask “Sir or Madam, would you expand on that last point?” The interchange of perspectives in these sessions has more of a lasting effect for me. I receive inspiration and guidance from the interactive ZOOM study sessions offered by Trinity and by my summer church in Cashiers, NC, the Church of the Good Shepherd.

The schedule of these electronic sessions is in the Trinity bulletin.

He's Got the Whole World In His Hands Wilson and Weber

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. - Proper 28, BCP p. 236