Jesus in the New Universe Story, by Cletus Wessels, OP. Orbis Books, 2003.
Aware that the figure of Jesus Christ stands at the center of Christian tradition, it is the author’s aim in this book to give the background of the creation story, the story of the first
parents, their expulsion from Eden, and just how this all fits in with a new cosmological story, the New Universe Story. Wessels knows that many Christians are disturbed by apparent contradictions between the old story of faith and the new story of modern physics. He aims to maintain the underlying reality of the biblical story of Jesus while interpreting that story through the lens of what he calls “an emerging universe.”
“Within the historical tradition of the Christian Church and throughout history, salvation has been the central theme. The great sweep of history flows from the creation to the fall, from the fall to redemption, and from redemption to new life… At the center of this theme stands the figure of Jesus Christ who is seen as the savior of the world. Jesus redeems the human race by
shedding his blood and overthrowing the powers of evil. In his resurrection this man Jesus is made Lord and Christ, and he is the source of life for all nations. Christian life is modeled on Jesus and his message of salvation.”
Wessels recognizes that during the last eighty years a new story of the universe has emerged,
a story which challenges the Christian faith and theology, opening up new horizons for a synthesis of this new universe story with our ancient Christian story. With the help of great theologians such as Thomas Aquinas, Schillebeeckx, and Thomas Berry, the author helps the reader understand the meaning of Jesus Christ in the context of what modern cosmology tells about the nature of the universe.
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Saint of the Week
St. Sharbel Makhluf: (1828-98). July 24.
Although this saint never traveled far from the Lebanese village of Beka-Kafra where he was born, his influence has spread widely.
Joseph Zaroun Makluf was raised by an uncle
because his father, a mule driver, died when Joseph was only three. At the age of 23, Joseph joined the Monastery of St. Maron at Annaya, Lebanon, and took the name Sharbel in honor of a second-century martyr. He professed his final vows in 1853, and was ordained six years later.
Following the example of the fifth-century Saint Maron, Sharbel lived as a hermit from 1875, until his death. His reputation for holiness prompted people to seek him to receive a blessing and to be remembered in his prayers. He followed a strict fast and was very devoted to the Blessed Sacrament. When his superiors occasionally asked him to administer the sacraments to nearby villages, Sharbel did so gladly.
He died in the late afternoon on Christmas Eve. Christians and non-Christians soon made his tomb a place of pilgrimage and of cures. Pope Paul VI beatified Sharbel in 1965, and canonized him 12 years later.
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Biblically, this designates a servant in the church but not someone who is a slave since the latter
refers to a slave/master relationship. It has become an office of the church where individuals are designated to help in the ministry, sometimes serving communion, sometimes by taking care of such needs as church welfare, feeding the homeless, taking care of the sick in the church, etc. It comes from the Greek word diakonos and is translated as "servant" in John 6:25; 12:26, "minister" in Rom. 13:4.
One day, shortly after the birth of their new baby, the
mother had to go out to run some errands.
The proud papa stayed home to watch his wonderful new son.
Soon after the mother left, the baby started to cry.
The father did everything he could think of doing, but the baby wouldn't stop crying. Finally, the dad got so worried that he decided to take the infant to the doctor.
After the doctor listened to the father relate all that he had done to get the baby to stop crying, the doctor began to examine the baby's ears, chest
and then down to the diaper area.
When he undid the diaper, he found that the diaper was indeed full.
"Here's the problem", the Dr. said, "He needs to be changed!"
The father was very perplexed, "But the diaper package says it is good for up to 10 lbs.!"
