Spiritual Readings                "Greetings from Whittier Presbyterian Church"

March 13, 2001

The PC(USA) news reported that at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary recently, as part of their "Festival of Theology," The Rev. W. Eugene March, the A.B. Rhodes Professor of Old Testament, delivered a series of lectures titled, "Joining With Jews in Repairing the World:  A Next Step for Christians in Repentance."  March urged Christians – specifically Presbyterian Christians – to articulate a God-centered theology that is not rooted in divine exclusivity, and to look for ways to join with Jews to form a better relationship and a better world.  I liked one of the illustrations included in the article.

In Hebrew, the term, Tikkum(Tikkun?) Olam, meaning "the repair of the world," sums it up aptly, March said, drawing on a concept from Jewish mystical tradition that aims at gathering together sparks of the divine light that was shattered in creation and scattered throughout the world.  "God calls us to the task of spreading good news of love, healing, shalom.  In carrying out our mission, we must see that we are not the only ones God has called to such tasks.  Jews have been at work at the task far longer than we.  Perhaps now we have a new opportunity to challenge old ways, to indicate our sincere desire to work alongside of Jews (and others) whom God has made our sisters and brothers,"

I like that picture of each of us being sparks of the divine light.  Would that I could recall that every time I look on the face of another human being.  I would like to say I’m involved in the process with God of gathering up those sparks, but in all honesty I know I’m as often throwing water on those sparks as I am trying to gather them.  Nevertheless, it is a picture I like and one I will pray about for a few days.  May you find some inspiration here too, as you travel your Lenten journey this year.

Grace & peace

Geoff