Category: Faith

Christian, Doubt, Faith, Hope, Jesus, Love

The Reward of Doubt

Arvind Theodore

Bertram Johnson, the Interfaith Minister at Union Theological Seminary, rightly observed during our online worship last Sunday that there is a “reward to doubt.” That reward, as witnessed through a moment in Thomas’ life, was an invitation to a place of vulnerability, intimacy, and grace. If faith allows us to see the renewing that the resurrection promises, doubt allows us to touch and experience the wounds that the renewing emerges from. While the process might be painful and agonizing, the reward is precious and holy. May we not stifle doubt or be threatened by it, for doubt might just be a locus for a faith deeply rooted in the flesh wounds of Jesus.

Entitlement, Faith, Hospitality, Humility, Jesus

Confronting Entitlement: Jesus and the Guests in Luke 14

Arvind Theodore

One could feel entitled to something because of one’s gender, skin pigmentation, economic status, occupation, sexual orientation and so on. Entitlement is sign of privilege and at worse pride. It functions as a mechanism of exercising control. The more wealth, (access to) power, privilege one has the more likely one feels entitled to something. It creates a feeling of superiority over the other, potentially leading to narcissism.

Death, Faith, Hope, Tribute

SHINE ON, YOU CRAZY DIAMOND

Arvind Theodore

  Thought you’d somehow GET LUCKY  To undo the WASTED YEARS I guess they were just HIGH HOPES  Cause today we’re POLES APART The hour you left this ORDINARY WORLD Sparked the end of GOOD TIMES Now you're sailing IN ANOTHER LAND MILES BEYOND the bounds of pain I WISH YOU WERE HERE today But you’re in GOOD COMPANY anyway While I… Continue reading SHINE ON, YOU CRAZY DIAMOND

Death, Faith, Grieving

Let Tears Speak

Arvind Theodore

When we tear we are express the language of love; when we tear we show the remaining inhabitants of our little world that there is no shame in becoming vulnerable for our loved ones; when we tear we heal each other and ourselves; and when we tear we experience a little moment of grace. Tears are sacred; stifling them is a sacrilege. Let them speak for in that little volume they speak volumes.