Today I gave the reflection at mid-day prayer. My post this week, is the reflection:
It is based on the pericope John 13:16-20.



“ I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you might believe.”

What does it mean to believe? This week, I would venture a guess that many students are believing that this week will never end, and yet, there still is not enough time before they submit their questions and answers for comps. Others believe that I will once again get sucked into the abyss of watching evangelists on television sometimes!

Is belief something like the snow that blanketed our world last week, that was thick, heavy, and quick to melt and saturate the earth with an abundance of moisture? Does belief cover and protect us with the intention of allowing for personal growth? Is the purpose of belief meant to give us time to put words around the metaphors that sometimes seem inadequate?

I decided to come up with a list of belief statements- see what you think, and if you can identify with any of the statements:

I believe very firmly that the 6 hour A &E version of Pride and Prejudice featuring Colin Firth is MUCH better than the 2 hour version!
I believe in the healing power of chocolate and tears.
I believe that the sun will rise tomorrow, after it has set today.
I believe that community relationship demands personal transformation.
I believe that in September Lake Sagatagan will begin to transform again.
I believe that coffee will continue to greet me every morning…when I remember to make it.
I believe …
I believe that my tax refund will not come as soon as I want it.
I believe that my parents will continue to tell me how proud of me they are regardless of how lost or overwhelmed I may feel.
I believe that my friends are the best in the world.
I believe that Harry Potter will over come Voldemort!
I believe …

Is it enough for me to say that I believe? Kathleen Norris, in her book Amazing Grace defines belief as “giving one’s heart to.” Who or to what have I given my heart to that illustrates my belief? I moved from Nebraska to Minnestoa because I believe so firmly in God, and what is being done in the name of God here in the School of Theology. The question then becomes: is reading, writing and studying theology everyday enough to elicit a claim of belief? What does belief lead us to with our work? How do our actions lead us? As a community of believers, dedicated to carrying out the Gospel mission could it really be as simple as:

We believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
AMEN.