So, a confession of my life, of how my life is, would have to start at least, with looking at how my life came into being; from where have I come? From where, indeed. So we look at the beginning.
What does Scripture say about the beginning……. “In the beginning the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss.” Ahhh…. My youth.
“God created man in his image, in the divine image he created him: male and female he created them.”
I am created in the image and likeness of God, and I am good. So then why do my actions often consider such a great neglect of my being born in the image and likeness of God? Original sin is…. That.
This gives cause to look at sin in our lives. We hear often that there is not much mention of sin today, when it seems like we hear of it’s effects more and more often. Perhaps this is from living and acting as if we are, indeed, God-like, with none of the fruits of reflection upon the nature of sin in our lives.
If I am a child of God, made in his image and likeness, and I am good; that is a high calling. What natural elements of my life detract me from that? Which elements help me to live up to that? If Jesus Christ is the new Adam, the model of a humanity called to glory, then that is cause for reflection in my life as well. I certainly fall far short of that model.
These are some of the theological elements with which I struggle. In regard to myself at least. There are many more issues with which I struggle, but "if these were described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written." The wisdom of Scripture. But that is another story, for another time.
And there there is wondering about persuing this option with my life. Should I move away from here I wonder? But there is the fruit of much work here, to be reaped. More studies, more reflection. More time for the preparation. I will know what to do when I do it. That is a way of not really saying much, while hinting that I am in a turning point in my formation. I do feel called to preisthood. I wonder if I am called to this diocese though. That is what I will pray upon.
posted by David Greenleaf at Monday, August 26, 2002
