The Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer are found in the Book of Common Prayer or online:
Morning Evening
Colossians 1:19-20: “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.”
Many of us have struggled with the idea of the Holy Trinity and the the concept of Jesus being both fully human and fully divine. It is the subject of many questions whenever I teach, especially in newcomer classes, but I don’t think any of us ever feel as though we completely “get it” because it is one of the most confusing and mysterious teachings of our faith.
However, I don’t think we need to “get it” intellectually, instead, we can simply assent to it spiritually. Let me explain. This passage from Colossians describes Jesus as being “the image of the invisible God” and the one in whom “the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” That imagery is incredibly helpful – rather than trying to “figure out” the nature of Jesus, we can simply relate to Jesus as the one in whom we can see and encounter God in God’s fullness.
The “point” to this deep and mysterious doctrine isn’t to send us into mental gymnastics but to give us a deep assurance and sense of comfort, knowing that when we learn from, pray, and walk in the steps of Jesus, God is there – being reflected back to us, dwelling in all God’s “fullness.” Jesus’ life is simply the love of God, writ large in human form, for our benefit. We can rest in that now and always, knowing that such extravagant love leads to reconciliation and peace with God.
Thanks be to God!
~Rebecca+
Morning Evening
Colossians 1:19-20: “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.”
Many of us have struggled with the idea of the Holy Trinity and the the concept of Jesus being both fully human and fully divine. It is the subject of many questions whenever I teach, especially in newcomer classes, but I don’t think any of us ever feel as though we completely “get it” because it is one of the most confusing and mysterious teachings of our faith.
However, I don’t think we need to “get it” intellectually, instead, we can simply assent to it spiritually. Let me explain. This passage from Colossians describes Jesus as being “the image of the invisible God” and the one in whom “the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” That imagery is incredibly helpful – rather than trying to “figure out” the nature of Jesus, we can simply relate to Jesus as the one in whom we can see and encounter God in God’s fullness.
The “point” to this deep and mysterious doctrine isn’t to send us into mental gymnastics but to give us a deep assurance and sense of comfort, knowing that when we learn from, pray, and walk in the steps of Jesus, God is there – being reflected back to us, dwelling in all God’s “fullness.” Jesus’ life is simply the love of God, writ large in human form, for our benefit. We can rest in that now and always, knowing that such extravagant love leads to reconciliation and peace with God.
Thanks be to God!
~Rebecca+
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