Newspaper Columns by The Rev. Canon Bill Lewellis
God Has Many Ways to Embrace Us
By Bill Lewellis
June 18, 1999, The Express-Times, Easton
[The Express-Times, Easton, published the following column on Friday, June 18. I have been one of their regular writers -- perhaps ten columns annually -- for their "Spiritual Journey's column. Because this image has become very helpful to me in prayer, I have used it many times in sermons and columns. Here it is again, with a slight variant. Thanks. --Bill]
A few years ago, a large movable satellite dish was lifted by crane to the top of the four-story bell tower of the Episcopal Cathedral Church of the Nativity in South Bethlehem. I treasure a photo that was taken at that time.
When the dish was nearly at the top of its lift, the cross at the peak of the facade of the adjoining church building was visible through the satellite dish. The photo was taken at that opportune moment. What we could not have planned has become for me an image in search of a theology of communication, and the occasion for an almost daily reflection.
Every morning on my drive to work at Diocesan House of the Diocese of Bethlehem, I cross the Hill-to-Hill Bridge. The traffic slows on the approach to Third and Wyandotte. I count on the traffic light turning red, because that minute often becomes a morning prayer.
I'll tell you what I do. You might want to try it when you are there. I look first at the cross on the church building, then at the satellite dish partly visible at the top of the bell tower. I remember when one was seen through the other. This image of God's self-communication centers me.
The cross of Jesus Christ, the one, great mediator, becomes for me a window into the heart of God: God's love and mercy and forgiveness, God's loving embrace, God reaching out through the outstretched arms of Jesus Christ. This God is far beyond the best god my limited imagination might invoke. A God who loves sinners. Too good and loving, so as to be -- ironically --incredible.
It's hard to believe in a God who loves us before we do anything -- and who continues to love and reach out to us even after we do all that stuff we think puts us beyond God's embrace. That's what I see when I look at the cross of God's one, great mediator, Jesus Christ.
Then my eyes and my mind wander to the right, toward the satellite dish barely visible on top of the bell tower. That large movable dish that searches the heavens suggests to me the many other media God may use to reach me, to embrace me, today. I wonder then where God will show up for me today? In a face-to-face meeting? With whom will I interact? Will God show up in a story in today's paper, in a program on television, in a feature film, in cyberspace?
Finally, I wonder not only where God will show up this day, but also how God might be counting on me today to mediate God's love.
Bill Lewellis, Communication Minister/Editor, Diocese of Bethlehem
Be attentive. Be intelligent. Be reasonable. Be responsible. Be loving. Develop and, if necessary, change. --Bernard Lonergan
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