 Posted Saturday, January 07, 2006 11:20 AM
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Thanks for this post. Many thoughts swirling around in my mind for many years and you just put a lot of them into words that make so much sense.
Isn't it amazing how we can do that for each other now and then?
Temperance
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Posted Saturday, January 07, 2006 11:22 AM
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I was referring to Broncho's post. Sorry about that.
Temperance
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Posted Friday, January 13, 2006 1:04 AM
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Dear Jim,
Thanks so much for joining this forum. It is always good to see yet another searching person share their story. I can seriously relate to your last visit with your mom. Mine is 85, a staunch CSist, and also in failing health, relying only on C.S. "care". I'm only able to see her once or twice a year, so those times are precious. I had to walk away from her door just 2 days ago, not knowing if I'd see her again.
The message I'd most like to convey to you is to try at all costs to make peace with her if there is still a rift there. You may feel that she's not open to that, but you might be surprised how our elderly mom's can soften their hearts later in life, especially if she knows she's nearing the end of it. I think in every mother's heart there's a longing to reconcile differences, it's just that defending C.S. beliefs can harden a person and she may need your gentle touch, even over the phone, to break that rigidity.
It's now been 20 years since I've "left the fold" of C.S. Finally, I'm able to have confidence in sharing the simple love of Christ with my mom, without the fear of causing tension due to our different views. And you know, it's working. Just last week I was able to sit and read the Bible portions of her lesson (as she's still of the belief that "studying" is her only hope of relief from a crippling disease). So I honoured her wishes and joined her in reading those prescribed passages. In her weakened state, and in her own searching heart, Mom was willing to listen to my comments on both the Bible (which I love to read to her) and on some passages in S&H (which I took great exception to, pointing out where they contradicted the Bible). It wasn't always this way. I'm noticing more of an openness in our relationship as she's realizing that C.S. treatment is not working as she's hoped.
Jim, I'm not sure what your spiritual path is at the moment, so forgive me if I don't need even need to say this! I encourage you to seek the simple gospel message, that Christ loves us and longs for us to come to him. Acknowledging all the painful memories, and your anger with what's happened to your family through C.S. is a good beginning. As you're able to let go of some of that load, by putting it in God's hands, I pray that his love will fill your heart towards your mom and that she'll feel it as you reach out to her, in a letter or a phone call.
Thanks so much for sharing what's on your heart.
Barb
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Posted Friday, January 13, 2006 2:31 AM
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Barb: your comment
"some passages in S&H (which I took great exception to, pointing out where they contradicted the Bible)"
Can you recall those passages? I would be interested to know.
Thanks
Jan
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Posted Saturday, January 14, 2006 1:13 PM
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Hi Jan,
It was just last week that I was visiting Mom, so the lesson was on Sacrament. One example of a passage from S&H [p. 33:31 - p.34:9] that jumped out at me actually dismisses the practice of taking communion altogether:
"Why ascribe this inspiration to a dead rite...?...If Christ, Truth, has come to us in demonstration, no other commemoration is requisite...why need we memorials of that friend?"
Maybe because Jesus, himself, says "Do this in remembrance of me." [Luke 22:19] and in a parallel passage, also describing Jesus' last Passover meal with the disciples, He adds, "I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God." [Mark 14:25] Hence, the powerful symbolism of Jesus partaking of the cup continues even after the crucifixion.
M.B. Eddy makes many valid points on p. 34, however I believe she overlooks the importance of this "ritual" for those sincere Christians who use communion for several reasons, one of which is as a reminder that that they are part of the Body of Christ, and need to maintain a loving fellowship with others therein. Of course, her point is that too many people in the "traditional" churches simply go through the motions, taking communion but not letting it alter their daily behaviour or change the state of their hearts. (I'll admit, she's right on that point). However, to nullify Jesus' direct wish for us to commemorate this crucial event by abolishing a practice that he, himself, engaged in is what I referred to as contrary to scripture.
I realize that this entry should probably have been posted under a separate subject heading, but I was in a hurry! : )
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Posted Sunday, January 15, 2006 3:53 PM
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Maybe because Jesus, himself, says "Do this in remembrance of me" and immediately states the fact that he will be continuing the practice once he rejoins his Father in heaven!
I think the passage you're referring to, Barb, is 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26. Jesus says that people should "do this in remembrance of me" and then says, "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." I don't remember Jesus specifically saying that He would be taking communion in heaven.
In any case, you're right about MBE going against Jesus' directive.
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Posted Monday, January 16, 2006 10:48 PM
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Hi Linda,
Thanks for causing me to reread my own message. The first gospel passage to mention, "Do this in remembrance of me", appears to be Luke 22. As you pointed out, Paul also refers to it in I Cor. 11.
I edited my last post to include Jesus' comments following his sharing of the cup with his disciples. My point was that drinking this cup is such an important metaphor that Jesus refers to himself, after the crucifixion, partaking of it "new in the kingdom of God." [Mark 14:25] I'm sure this reference is open to much interpretation for another thread!
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Posted Tuesday, January 17, 2006 5:45 PM
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Thanks for the added verses, Barb. That makes three different places in the Bible where communion is emphasized -- regardless of whether MBE decided that it should be considered a "dead rite."
You're right that any further discussion should go to a different thread, so I'll stop here.
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Posted Friday, January 27, 2006 4:43 PM
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Hi Jim and all! Wow! I've got to keep in touch with this sight. I'm in a hurry now, but will post my story, too. On top of it all, I have a sister with Down's Syndrom, a cousin that had cerebral palsy, etc.
talk soon!
be free!
Pray for poor Jill Carroll!
Claudia
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Posted Friday, April 18, 2008 2:28 AM
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