Images of God September 30, 2020,

September 30, 2020,

Good afternoon,

"And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."   Isaiah 9:6

These are words that we usually hear in Advent. The Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah, and we Christians are waiting for the return of Jesus. Are we waiting for the return of Christ Jesus or Jesus of Nazareth ? For us to recognize the King of Kings, God will have to be in human form, or not ?  Isaiah'a prophecy was for a King to come, and save the world from itself, but Jesus came in a small stable, in a small town to an unmarried couple from Nazareth. Not the idea of the Lord of Lords, as understood by people of faith. I hope and trust I will recognize God when God arrives again.

During the pandemic, what idea of God are you hanging onto ? Jeremy Bergen, Religious Studies prof from Grebel , spoke to about 40 pastors today, over ZOOM. He spoke to us about God, and our thoughts during these months of the pandemic. Is God the great protector, so we do not need to wear masks or meet through ZOOM ? Is the pandemic the judgment of God, so we might recognize the poor/marginalized among us ? Is God the absent God, that the Psalmist and the prophets talk about ? Or is God the " Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father or Prince of Peace ? Or is God the great caregiver, and we are to respond the same way to each other, inside and outside the church ? God is so many things to us, and maybe at different times, we experience God's attributes in new and exciting ways.

In the Greek Orthodox church, one of the main ideas of God is the "Pantocrator '' or Almighty or all-powerful. Most Orthodox churches have a large dome, and often the icon of the Pantocrator is painted on the inside of the dome, and Jesus is looking down upon the whole congregation.  It is the faithfulness of God in worship form. It is strong imagery for Orthodox believers of the awesomeness of God.

What image of God sustains your Soul/Spirit during these days of uncertainty ?

Shalom and strength in our journey through the pandemic. Be safe and be well !

Fred

Tread on bold new paths!

Fireflies flash the direction

Hope springs eternal !          Monica Pieper Landoni 2020