Monthly Archives: February 2003

Why Religious Studies and why seminary?

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During my last year of college and in subsequent job interviews, I got asked frequently why I chose Religious Studies and why I chose to go to seminary. My answer is this: the way people live their lives based on their religion is a fascinating subject to me. Why are Buddhists such peaceniks? Why do Muslim women *like* wearing the veil? Why is there such tension between the Jews and Palestinians in my “History of the Modern Middle East” class? Why is my friend Vero so gung ho about Eucharistic adoration? All of this has to do with religion and when you learn about other religions, it really opens up the door to understanding other cultures. My fascinations are actually Catholic rituals and Islam. My father’s family is Irish and Catholicism has always really fascinated me. Islam fascinates me because it’s a religion which has a high modesty standard for the women as well as a high ethical one. Veiling is just very interesting to me.

As for why I chose seminary, let me ask you this: what else do you do with a Religious Studies major? 🙂 I had visited Jon at Trinity during my junior year of college and I saw that the classes he was taking were ones that I would like to take. God slowly showed me where He wanted me and what He wanted me to do. There’s also the fact that applying to Trinity was put on my heart in January 2001 and did not get off until I applied. 🙂

“A Grief Observed”

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My wonderful twin brother gave me a gift certificate to Amazon.Com for Christmas and one of the books I got with it was A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis. It was written after his wife Joy died and I have to say — it’s a very raw account. His other works (including Surprised by Joy which is his conversion account) are very polished. This was probably not the best book to read, given my mental state; but I read it nevertheless.

One of the most striking statements was that grief is like fear, and I can really see that. When my friend Steve died, I had no closure and I would get a pit in my stomach every time I thought of him, until I *finally* decided to seek closure 2 1/2 years later. It gives validity to the “how can I go on without ___???” idea that you get when someone close to you dies.

I think the thing I appreciated most about the book (other than his denunciation of platitudenous people as those who really don’t understand his situation) was that he really showed his thought process on how he was dealing with this in his faith life. He does refer to God as the “Cosmic Sadist” on occasion and I think that there are times when that feeling is appropriate. I know I know I know… all good things come from God; but the bad stuff does too. (I’m not into a dualistic God.) I think the bad stuff really causes us to look at the good times and understand where God has worked in us, and it makes us appreciate those good times much more.

Lazy Sundays

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We got the Christmas tree taken down and all that’s left is vaccuuming up the big pile of pine needles where it used to be as well as the trail going toward the door. We are soooooo having a fake tree next year.

After the tree was taken down, we had family naptime with Jon and I snuggled under the covers and the cats curled up on top of us. The cats then helped me strip sheets and make the bed. They are very helpful creatures. 🙂

In Sunday School today, I needed something to do with my kids that did not involve “Veggie Tales” or “Little Dogs on the Prairie” (prairie dogs talking about faith issues — very cute). My solution: since it’s Candlemas today, I drew a picture of a candle for them to color. This went over *VERY* well. My little ones *love* to color and though I couldn’t convince them that it wasn’t a birthday candle, they loved my badly-drawn candle. I’m already plotting — I mean planning next week’s picture.

Space Shuttle

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The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray:

We pray to you, almighty God, in this time of uncertainty over the fate of the space shuttle. You are our refuge and our strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Do not let us fail in the face of these events. Uphold us with your love, and give us the strength we need. Help us in our confusion, and guide our actions. Heal the hurt, console the bereaved and afflicted, protect the innocent and helpless, and deliver any who are still in peril; for the sake of your great mercy in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Kyrie eleison!
Christe eleison!
Dona nobis pacem.