Where do We Find Jesus?
As I drove over Swan Mountain Road, my spirits soared. It
was a glorious day, sunlight causing the surface of Dillon Reservoir to
shimmer like diamonds. As my car followed the road into the valley, my heart turned
toward my faith.
Recently, I’d realized I was more in love with my Catholic faith than I had been when I first joined the Church over thirty years ago. From the solemnity of Communion, to the silence of Adoration, yes, even to the awkward conversations during Confession, I savored the depth of my love for the sacraments of Catholicism, and I wished that everyone could have this experience.
Recently, I’d realized I was more in love with my Catholic faith than I had been when I first joined the Church over thirty years ago. From the solemnity of Communion, to the silence of Adoration, yes, even to the awkward conversations during Confession, I savored the depth of my love for the sacraments of Catholicism, and I wished that everyone could have this experience.
Then, I felt a check in my spirit. A voice in my head said,
it wasn’t my place to make that decision. The real goal of walking our faith was
that we each seek a deeper relationship with God, through Jesus, and that as my
relationship had evolved over time, everyone’s relationship must evolve at a
pace that is set between that person and God.
As I began to digest this thought, it was time for me to
turn into my destination, the Lord of the Mountains Lutheran Church in Dillon.
I was there to attend a Lutheran – Catholic Prayer Service
commemorating the Reformation of 1517, hosted by Reverend Liliana Stahlberg, Pastor
of Lord of the Mountains and Father Michael Glenn, Pastor of the Catholic
Parish of Summit County, assisted by other representatives from the Lutheran
and Catholic churches in our area.
In the sanctuary, to my left were seated a Catholic and a
Lutheran and to my right a leader of the Jewish community. However, the breakdown
of the audience by faith was superseded by the tangible presence of the Holy
Spirit throughout the church. God united us in purpose. There were readings and
song and prayer, but most memorable were the brief homilies by Father Michael
and Pastor Liliana.
In his homily, Father Michael shared that as a young man
he’d experienced his first Bible studies at a Protestant church and was taught
to pray deeply by a woman of the Pentecostal faith. He encouraged us to
remember Jesus urging his disciples to remain united, through the love of God:
“I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he
will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing…As the Father has loved
me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” (John 15: 5,7)
Pastor Liliana reminded us that we may have differences
between our churches, and perhaps some of those differences will never be
overcome, but greater than those, is the Love which unites us. Our love for
Jesus Christ, and our calling to love one another. Jesus said we must: “Love the Lord your God
with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The
second is like it: Love your neighbor
as yourself. All the
Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” (Matthew 22:36-38) Pastor Liliana shared
that Lord of the Mountains regularly opens its church space to Jewish,
Buddhist, and Muslim faith communities to hold their services. A beautiful
example of living this commandment of Christ.
The term “Reformation” has very different meanings depending
on your perspective. I would like us to consider this definition: re-form, torepair or create something new. We cannot and would not want to go back and
change the past. Many good things came from the Reformation. Like the branch
and the vine, I believe we create a stronger bond and a stronger relationship
using the example of God’s love for us, we are always loved, where we are. That
is the first step in building bridges and communities.
When I open my heart to people of other faiths, I let them
see God at work in my very imperfect life. In turn, I see God at work in theirs.
Together, we work to build a community where we live Christ’s command each day:
“Love one another, as I have loved you.” Let’s turn to the One Father of us all
and bless His name through our love and our good work. In this way, we are
re-formed as God would want us to be.
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