God has surprises.Dear editor, St. Vincent of Lerins (who died about 450 AD) was no doubt acting to preserve what he believed to be the truth of Christianity, when he enunciated the "Vincentian canon," which describes as a test of Catholicity "what has been believed everywhere, always and by all." With hindsight hind·sight n. 1. Perception of the significance and nature of events after they have occurred. 2. The rear sight of a firearm. , we can reason that nothing fulfills this requirement, nor has ever done so. Yet this myth is implicitly believed by those whose faith sets out to exclude "all who differ everywhere and always" from themselves, and we seem to have many who still take shelter beneath such a dubious umbrella. I do not believe that God requires us to be hostile to everyone who disagrees with us: indeed I do believe that God has surprises for us, and many of the surprises are revealed when we face up to difference and opposition and find out what God is teaching us through others. I believe this because I believe that the whole world belongs to God, and God is not constrained con·strain tr.v. con·strained, con·strain·ing, con·strains 1. To compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige: felt constrained to object. See Synonyms at force. 2. by decisions of the church, or even implications of the sacraments by which we respond to God. And because I believe God came among us in Jesus Christ Jesus Christ: see Jesus. Jesus Christ 40 days after Resurrection, ascended into heaven. [N.T.: Acts 1:1–11] See : Ascension Jesus Christ kind to the poor, forgiving to the sinful. [N.T. to redeem redeem v. to buy back, as when an owner who had mortgaged his/her real property pays off the debt. The term also refers to paying the amount due and all charges after a foreclosure (due to failure to make payments when due) has begun. all of us. And because of this I feel free as a Christian, Anglican, "Catholic" believer, to support my friend Michelle Bull (What's important, November, 2005, letters) against the recent testimony in the Anglican Journal of William Cooke (Heed heed v. heed·ed, heed·ing, heeds v.tr. To pay attention to; listen to and consider: "He did not heed my gibes, and chattered on" Sean O'Faolain. the warning, January letters). And I would like Mr. Cooke to be my friend, too! Graham Cotter cot·ter n. 1. A bolt, wedge, key, or pin inserted through a slot in order to hold parts together. 2. A cotter pin. [Origin unknown. Warkworth, Ont. |
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