I think in color!

27Jun
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, 
slow to anger and of great kindness.

The Lord is loving to everyone 
and his compassion is over all his works.

-Psalm 145:8, 9


Today is the feast day of Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyon who lived from 125-202 C.E. Irenaeus was just one generation from the Apostle John and was an important figure in creating a universal or catholic church. One of his primary theological disagreements was with the Gnostics. “Gnostics were dualists, teaching that there are two great opposing forces: good versus evil, light versus darkness, knowledge versus ignorance, spirit versus matter. Since the world is material, and leaves much room for improvement, they denied that God had made it. “*


It can still be our tendency today to fall into dualism. To do so denies God’s ability to transcend the “either/or” choices we make and choose to look for the “both/and”. This kind of thinking is very present when we allow fear to overcome us. You are right and I am wrong. If you get yours, I may not get mine. The fabric of our political discourse has been torn by this type of thinking and it is not Christian.


While interviewing a Methodist minister recently for her Enneagram typing, I asked, “Do you usually think in black and white?” Without missing a beat, she said, “Oh, I think in color!” Her answer made me laugh out loud! As Christians we do not need to limit ourselves to either/or, good/bad, spirit/flesh. Through the love and abundance of Christ, and teachings of Bishops like Irenaeus, we know that there is full spectrum of grace for you and for me. 

 

And for everyone.  

Musical Reflection - Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Eva Cassidy


Almighty God, who upheld your servant Irenaeus with strength to maintain the truth against every blast of vain doctrine: Keep us, we pray, steadfast in your true religion, that in constancy and peace we may walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

From, James Kiefer, Satucket Lectionary

Grace

Posted by Maria Elliott

Maria Elliott has been Trinity since 1994, first as a parishioner and then for sixteen years establishing the office of stewardship and development, and currently as the Director of Pastoral Care and Spiritual Life. 

WIth a degree in Music and Business from Drake University in her native state of Iowa, Maria went first to New York to work for a concert artist management and then for the Arts department at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.  At the Cathedral, Maria was confirmed, met and married her husband, The Reverend Michael Kuhn, and began an accidental career in the Episcopal Church. She has served on the Diocesan Stewardship Committee, the boards of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship and the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes, as a Stephen Minister, and currently Education for Ministry Mentor.

Maria’s interests include playing the oboe in the New Orleans Civic Symphony and she is currently training to be a Narrative Enneagram mentor. Her daughters, Hallie Wilkins and Sophie Bedaña are Trinity School alumni. Maria has two grandchildren, Celeste and Alden Wilkins.

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