Belief: Everything by TobyMac

Lord, I see You in everything, all day

And every beat of my heart keeps reminding me

I see You in every little thing, all day

No matter where I go I know Your love is finding me

It’s finding me in everything, all day

And every beat of my heart keeps reminding me

I see You in every little thing, all day

No matter where I go I know Your love is finding me

The path of belief is when a person sees and feels God in every step of their way. As someone, a company them through their daily life. The majority of believers are born into religious families or were introduced to religion at an early age. Which is match easier than someone converting or starts to participate in a new religion. This song by TobyMac it’s a beautiful song that the singer sens the present of God in his day.  

Independence: Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

We’ll do it all

Everything

On our own

We don’t need

Anything

Or anyone

The path of independence is the separation of an individual from organized religion. Starting to worship God with their differences. This song is very empowering as every time of becoming in the hopeless stages listing to it. It recharger the listener to redo the whole experience. To be on the independence path is could receive much criticism from other belivers due to the change of the way they participate in their own beliefs.

Exploration: Rather be by Clean Bandit

We’re a thousand miles from comfort, we have traveled land and sea

But as long as you are with me, there’s no place I’d rather be

I would wait forever, exalted in the scene

As long as I am with you, my heart continues to beat

Exploration comes naturally to Americans in particular and is them celebrated not only in U.S history but in our great works of literature of art. The song “Rather be” is by Clean Bandit, as many times she explores or discovers other places there is only a place that provides her with comfort, love, and support. 

Confusion: You Say by Lauren Daigle

I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough

Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up

Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low?

Remind me once again just who I am, because I need to know, ooh oh

You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

And You say I am held when I am falling short

And when I don’t belong, oh, You say I am Yours

And I believe, oh, I believe

What You say of me 

I believe

There’s so many douts people face while enduring the six paths, this song by Lauren Daigle is a mirror reflection of the perfection that God sees in his children. It’s a reminder of our identity. It was a reminder that when a person feels weak He is strong. Don’t get buried in confusion, in the waywardness just remember to stay in a course.

Disbelief: Say you won’t go by James Arthur

I knew I loved you then

But you’d never know

‘Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go

I know I needed you

But I never showed

But I wanna stay with you until we’re grey and old

Just say you won’t let go

Just say you won’t let go

Most of the time, we go to the disbelief path when I person brain cannot observe sudden news that wasn’t expected. As we use this path as a denial stage to get through the news. Being on this path have also arrived at an intellectual vision that God may not, does not, or cannot exist. Which every difficult path and to return from but it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. I chose this song as she said “Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go” thinking that is the easy way out of a religion which totally wrong. Being in the disbelief path could compound many other disadvantages as confusing and many other thoughts

Return: Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong

For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

This one of my favorite songs, it’s by Hillsong an Australian band. As they recounted the story of Matthew 14: 22-33, of Peter being called by Jesus to walk on the water. The disciple did so, but temporarily lost faith and started to sink, so he was forced to call on Jesus to rescue him. And he was saved this the perfect song to represent the path of return when we are willing calling God name he will save again.

After reading “A way of proceeding” by the author James Martin. He stated that their’s six paths to God, which are the path of belief, independence, disbelief, return, exploration, and confusion. Which is a diversity of different paths to follow, fortune to an understanding it more with a character from a movie. The character of Tom from the movie “The way” by Emilo Estevez. It symbolizes a lot of James Martin the different paths to God. The movie is about an American ophthalmologist doctor name Tom. He received a call from France saying that his son passed away. The news was devastating to hear especially his son was the only one left in his family, which lead him in the path of disbelief. After arriving in France he founds out that his son died while attempting the pilgrimage to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela. In the beginning, Tom was going to return his son’s body home, but Tom recalled how his son loved to explore and to discover different places. Therefore, that was the starting point of the exploration path for Tom resolves to take the journey by himself, to understand his son’s reason to perceive this journey. 

Throughout his exploration, Tom meets Joost, Sarah, and Jack. Joost is from Amsterdam who says he is making the pilgrimage to lose weight for his brother’s wedding. Sarah is from Canada who says in the beginning that she is walking the pilgrimage to quit smoking, but then that she is doing it to escape an abusive husband and terrific memory for losing her unborn daughter. Jack is from Ireland and he is doing the walk to comprehend the experience of pilgrimage life to writer’s articles. n the opening of the movie, they were so many conflicts between them due to their different background and the reason why the doing the pilgrimage but later on they couldn’t any extra distance without each other along the way. Along the walk, they all experience what it means to be a pilgrim and explore a new side to humanity and spirituality. 

The reason why I picked Tom character is that it follows many of the path of God that the author James Martin mention. Tom was very determined to follow his son’s footsteps while there were many distractions throughout the way. Which is the independence path, “though they keep their distance from the church”(pg 33). Yes, Tom was in the disbelief path while he heard about his son’s news but he wasn’t still rejecting God. And the proof that is when he meets the priest throughout his journey he was willing to accept the necklace cross from the priest. His disbelief path was a mechanism of denial of his son’s death.  

At the beginning of Tom told the policeman that his doing the pilgrimage for his son. But the policeman answered him and said “you only walk the way for yourself” and he directed Tom in the right direction of the starting of the walk. Tom started the journey and Daniel (son) appears to him from time to time, in visions or imagination, as Tom rethinks their relationship. As Daniel reinforced to his father that he is on the right track until he made it all way to the church and that was a very touching scene. Because it was like the son finally delighted that his father understood his passion. By the end of the movie, Tom confessed to Daniell and said “I don’t know what to do now” Daniell answered and said “you know what you need to do” as Tom should return to his beliefs.  

It was an interesting movie because it was to enrich with a different important feature of life that every individual should obtain to find peace. As a family, friends, spiritual, exploration, and etc, these things are the most valuable possession a person could gain.

“Let the wise hear and increase in learning and the one who understands obtain guidance” (Proverbs 1:5).

Education is the most empowering force in the world, it creates knowledge, builds confidence, breaks down barriers to opportunity, and It’s a key to open the door for a better life. James Cones was born in 1938. One of the African American theologians who was fortunate to obtain education and reinforce his knowledge to improve his society. In his article “The Cross And The Lynching Tree” the author started his article with a history of the lynching tree and the suffering of African Americans had to face for many years. He made a connection between the lynching tree and the cross as both have the same fate which’s the crucifixion. Both were 2,000 years apart but they’re symbolically connected. The Lynching Tree is one of the awful and painful events that every African American person is carrying this pain with them. But it shouldn’t always be related to pain, it has transferees as the symbol of the cross has changed over the years. Some of the unpleasant events could change to empowering future generations. The cross is one of those unpleasant symbols that was looked at as the worst way to die. But for the last several generations and the future generation, it’s looked upon as solidity sacrifice for the rest of humankind. Which symbolize love, freedom, hope, power, healing, etc. which’s how I see the lynching Tree will become one day. 

The church is a huge part for African Americans, is not only a place to the workshop but also to create family, friends, spiritual social events, and grow together as one unite. This’s how the author started to include his perspective about theology, commencing the paragraph by saying “Empowers black people to resist the forces that seem designed to destroy every ounce of dignity in their souls and bodies. The black church community was my place of resistance, the place where I took my stand to declare theological war on white supremacy” (pg. 49) as he’s building his comfort zone before he delivers his point of view on how he interpreted the study of religion.  One of the problems that Africans Americans dealt with was trust and anger toward white people, which was understandable after all the hard times they endured. It’s not surprising. “Without trust, a society cannot endure, and its culture cannot grow deep and rich” (Caners p.59) It’s amazing how far America grew and constantly trying to create equality between everyone. But there’s a lot of work needed to improve our country, one of which is equality between black vs white, men vs women, one day it will happen. Anger will not get us anything nor anywhere but with love, united, goal determination, I believe we will accomplish much more. Martin Luther King Jr was the proven of these goals in his speech “I have a dream” he stated united between white and African Americans, not under labors but by one nation together.

Cones said the word of God is also offensive, but he means how some people misinterpreted Jesus’ words over generations as “is not something we possess, as if God were an object under our control. We don’t possess God; God possesse us and transforms our lives” (pg. 51)  which he stated that it’s has to involve the faith in the gospel,  “Faith, and not the intellect, is the primary way to gain knowledge of the gospel”(pg. 51)a lot of questions, humankind could not comprehend it’s like unbelievable for our brain to understand, but the thing with faith that it’s makes all of the unknown answers to fade away. It becomes very easy when a person experiences God’s blessings in their life and still asks some unnecessary questions about the gospel. Of course, it’s very important to be educated and improve on your knowledge but with God present, it eases the process.

  “You seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deut 4:29)

Most of the things Christ was saying throughout his mission are:  I am that person, follow Me, look at what I am offering you. I am the answer to your deep-seated questions. Only in Me will you find rest for your troubled soul, healing for your aching heart, and fulfillment of your inner emptiness.  

Americans has to recognize the lynching tree as the central figure of the pain that lead of freedom of many Africans americans. Same as the cross of for christanity “The cross stands at the center of the gospel. Take the cross away and the gospel is no longer the gospel of the God of Jesus” (pg. 51) Out of the cross we as Christians we gain our hope and our eternal life. In the beginning, the cross was a painful figure of the physical pain that Jesus endured until he resurrected then the cross became our strength in life. Same thing with the lynching tree due to many innocent lives that were taking away at the time of slavery, but it was the catalysts for freedom after many years later. “God’s loving solidarity can transform ugliness into beauty” (pg. 54)

Another article that goes hand in hand is “From Calvary to Galilee” by the author Roberto Goizueta. The author used the part where Thomas examined Jesus’ wounds as seeing how deep Jesus’ suffering was. Goizueta used this wound as a correlation of our reflections and fears. Ignoring the suffering aspect of Christ and His Passion is most literally mortal sin. Going back to Cones metaphor the race in America, as a symbol of America’s crucifixion of black people. Goizueta makes a strong statement on why people push away those they perceive to be weaker or less important; they see the weaknesses as a danger to their moral invulnerability. Denying the history will not recover the pain, but will shine a light on the history and what one of the human race had to go through to get their freedom. This where education comes to resolve the problems, to create a mind that willingly listens and finds a solution for our next generation so they could live in a better environment and to transform the ugliness symbol to empowering figure in the history of African American community. 

References:

James Cones. “The Cross And The Lynching Tree” 

Roberto Goizueta. “ From Calvary to Galilee” 

Tony Carnes and Ana Karpathakis. “ New York Glory”  Web 8 May 1, 2001

https://books.google.com/books?id=Y_P1hTD2BT0C&dq=chapter+24+in+new+york+gl ory&source=gbs_navlinks_s

Martin Luther King Jr. “ I have a Dream” Genius. Web 8 

https://genius.com/Martin-luther-king-jr-i-have-a-dream-annotated

Growing up in a Coptic Orthodox church, this icon is more recognizable to me when the topic of Trinity comes up. The Trinity is one of the topics that are complex in the understanding of Christians beliefs. Even it’s one of the reasons for separation of different churches and it’s a topic were new heresy comes based on a misunderstanding of the Trinity and how does function. Because without the faith it doesn’t make any sense, 3=1 how’s that even possible? While growing up, the way they explained by taking the sun as an example. The sun provides heat, rays, energy, etc. But focusing on three things the sun has provides to humans which in the end, it has been provided by one thing which is the sun so 3=1 in this situation. The same thing with the Trinity, there’s the Father, the Son, and the Holy Sprite. Three different things but in the end, it’s all under God/Father. Based on Orthodox beliefs the Trinity is a homoousian. Homoousian means the same substance, it is arduous to spread the different substance of the sun the same thing with the trinity the three of them work together.

“And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You, I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22.

It’s represented by the icons as the opening of haven that symbolize the Father, the dove, and the water represent the Holy Spirit and the son as Jesus being baptized. As I mentioned at the begging of the blog this one is a complicated topic including other ones that are questionable and very hard to comprehend with our human knowledge. But with faith and experiencing God throughout our life these questions becomes unconsidered after experiencing greater connection above the earthly knowledge.   

In order to explain what it means to be “Vincentian”, we have to go back to the legacy of this origin word. It goes all the way back by the 17 century in France, by humble person name Vincent De Paul. Vincent De Paul interrupted life by serving others in need, this how he felt satisfaction on earth. St. Vincent De Paul thought God spoke to him through the people that need help and that was his turning point in his life. The Gondi family called St. Vincent De Paul to tutor their children at their house. At that time the Gondi family was one of the highest of families after the king who’s ruling at that time. St. Vincent De Paul went and he started to tutor those kids and lived there among the high families but that it didn’t last. Madame Gondi and Saint Vincent De Paul knowest how a lot of people are spiritually abandoned. Then she asked St Vincent De Paul what’s must be done? And this the main key to how he interrupted a solution when he faced a problem in society “but by working toward systemic change within society” according to the article, “Fire within the spirituality that sparked the works of St. Vincent de Paul”.  I respected in the St Vincent de Paul: Charity ‘s Saint Documentary, they recognition that St. Vincent De Paul challenged darkness without speaking for days, quick temper and he prayed to the lord to ease those challenges upon. I respected this part because even though he was a saint but they’re still parts of imperfection as any normal human been. But as time goes with life experiences and growth in spiritual lives that imperfection God could transform unto magnificent perfection in his work to serve his children. Another part which extraordinary about St. Vincent De Paul that has accepted and equally respected each human being as a brother and a sister in Christ. In the time when everyone person refused to take the kids that were born the plague time because they say they’re sinful but St. Vincent De Paul stood up and took these children and raised them.  When the women at the time period weren’t had a big role in society, he started the lady of charity with Louise de Marillac which had an incredible impact on each society they occur in until the present day. 

After many years passed by, St. Vincent De Paul’s teaching and serving is alive. I personally had difficulty deciding which college will I be attending. But that all disappeared after visiting St. John’s University while visiting the campus I noticed how welcoming the students and the faculty. I sense from the student that they’re willing to help each other by taking the time out of the day for another classmate how’s facing a challenging topic, working as a team. It was a community that I wanted to be part of it. But how this sprite of assistance was rooted in St. John’s Universit student?  Now it all makes sense after watching the St Vincent de Paul: Charity‘s Saint Documentary & reading the article, “Fire within the spirituality that sparked the works of St. Vincent de Paul”, St. John’s University still are faithful to the mission of Vincent De Paul and it keeps passing over to next generation. 

The article “Fire within the spirituality that sparked the works of St. Vincent de Paul”,  stated five virtues of the missionary are humility, gentleness, simplicity, mortification, and zeal. Fortunately, I was able to serve with Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paulin in D.C during my spring break . I endure how they serve with five virtues of St. Vincent De Paul’s. It was one week of service with the Campus Ministry of our college. “Live and die in the services of the poor” most of the time when we go to participate in service we think that we volunteer our time for the others in need. Which’s totally incorrect, true services from the heart will make you see that you are the one who benefits from these services. To be thankful, aware, and appreciated for what we have. There’s nothing different between me and a homeless child, the only difference that I was born in a stable house that could raise a child but nothing I had to do to deserve this house. Same thing with those children they didn’t have a choice to choose a family. While serving the poor, I always have in my mind that nothing in life is granted. I could be in their situation tomorrow or next year. While living and serving with the sister, they were the true image of God.  as any catholic Christian, trying to include everyone with care, love, kindness, respect, and many other feelings that we connected with them that can’t be described in words but only with experience. 

As God blessed St. Vincent De Paul worked on earth, he’ll also bless each one who gives their time to serve the Lord: “Go to the poor: you will find God.” this what is it mean to be honored to be part of the Vincentian mission

Reference:  

Maloney, Robert P. (2017) “FIRE WITHIN: The Spirituality that Sparked the Works of St. Vincent de Paul,” Journal of Vincentian Social Action: Vol. 2 : Iss. 3 , Article 5.

Mission and Ministry DePaul University. Vincent De Paul: Charity’s Saint. YouTube, YouTube, 17 Apr. 2014, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqSpwwojTcs.

Martin Luther was monk, who wrote 95 these against the Catholic church. The reason for writing those these due frustrations and the corruption against the church system. At that time, people were paying a “ticket” to haven. The church convinced people the only way of having heaven is by paying those tickets. Which doesn’t represent Christian image, what if there’s poor couldn’t afford these certificated doesn’t mean he will go to hell. So Martin Luther nailed the 95 these on the church door without the idea of splitting the church but to be a warranty to church to stop using that system. “Let us, therefore, hold it for certain and firmly established that the soul can do without everything except the word of God, without which none at all of its wants are provided for. But, having the word, it is rich and wants for nothing, since that is the word of life, of truth, of light, of peace, of justification, of salvation, of joy, of liberty, of wisdom, of virtue, of grace, of glory, and of every good thing. It is on this account that the prophet in a whole Psalm (Psalm xxix, and in many other places, sighs for and calls upon the word of God with so many groanings and words.” he explained that the soul has to be willing to accept the word of Christ. Which will follow the grace, light, peace, joy, and etc.  Martin Luther views liberty of Christain as “What can it profit the soul that the body should be in good condition, free, and full of life; that it should eat, drink, and act according to its pleasure”. I agree with Martin Luther, a true Christian should be justified and free, but if a person is willing to change it has to come inward first. The idea of willingly listening to God’s word and then outward by filling their daylife with God present.  

We believe in one God, who’s the father. That has created God the earth and the haven, and all things seen and unseen. We also believe in his son Jesus Christ, the only son of God, that has been with the father of all ages. Righteous God, that have not created and but incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became Man. Lived on earth and fulfilled his mission that was commanded from his father. Suffered and then he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate and buried. On the third day, He rose from the dead, ascended to the heavens; He sits at the right hand of his Father, and He is coming again in His glory to judge everyone alive and dead and establishing his everlasting kingdom with his beloved kids. And in one holy, catholic and apostolic church. We confess one baptism for the forgiveness of our sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, the second coming of the lord. Amen