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By Bishop John, March 30, 2012 4:42 am

For the last two years, most of my daily blogs have been on the serious side, ranging through theology, economics and politics, stressing the reality of human suffering in our age. However, I am also delighted that God has given us the gift of laughter and so occasionally I will slip one in when my editor is not looking. Try this for a change of pace.

Changing A Light Bulb The Christian Way

How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?

Charismatic: Only 1
Hands are already in the air.

Pentecostal: 10
One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.

Presbyterian: None
Lights will go on and off at predestined times.

Roman Catholic: None
Candles only.

Baptists: At least 15.
One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken.

Episcopalians: 3
One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was.

Unitarians:
We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, you are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, 3-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

Methodists: Undetermined
Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Bring a bulb of your choice to the Sunday lighting service and a covered dish to pass.

Nazarene: 6
One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.

Lutherans: None. Lutherans don’t believe in change.

Amish: What’s a light bulb?

If you understand the humor in each one of these, you are very open to ecumenism because it means that you know some particular trait about that specific religious tradition.

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By Bishop John, March 3, 2012 5:15 am

March 4th, Second Sunday of Lent
Today, Mark walks us through a startling scene, a scene that today we describe under the title, “The Transfiguration.” Jesus has taken Peter, James and John to the top of a high mountain where suddenly he is transformed before their eyes and he is not alone. Elijah and Moses are with him and the three of them are talking. The three apostles, being healthy human beings, are flattened, overwhelmed and, most of all, frightened.

What would you and I do? Jesus is standing there in an explosion of light, extraordinary men in the Jewish story have been brought back from yesterday, a cloud suddenly envelopes the whole scene and a mysterious voice is heard to say, “This is my beloved son. Listen to him.” Then it was over.

Our Lord does not quickly settle down and give an analysis to this experience. It is just part of the mysterious reality that always surrounds Jesus. Everything he does generates questions – questions – questions. While some answers do appear, the final answer will only be had by those who look at the reality of this Divine Person being present in the human story and embrace that presence with faith.

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By Bishop John, December 3, 2010 4:26 am

Happy Hanukkah!  Not everyone is used to hearing that expression at this time of year, but we should all be conscious of the fact that it conveys a spirit of joy and faith to our brothers and sisters in the Jewish community.  While Hannukah is not one of the high holy days of Judaism, it is, never the less, a time in the Jewish calendar that brings people together in a spirit of celebration and joy.

Hannukah has its origin in the Jewish tradition that in about the second century, and commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple. Hanukkah lasts eight nights and days, and the celebration includes the nightly lighting of the Menorah, along with prayer and song. The Menorah is a candelabrum that holds eight “lights”  (the candles) plus one more, the shamash, which is lit every night and is used as the source to light all the other candles. The shamash is typically given a special separate or raised spot on the Menorah to distinguish it.

While Hannukah is a Hebreic expression, it’s more popular title is the Festival of Lights. Jewish traditions celebrating light form the foundation of many Christian symbols, since both traditions see light as a beautiful symbol of God’s presence, optimism and the ability to move forward. In those same traditions, darkness and the night symbolize the opposite-fear, uncertainty and sometimes evil. So in both cultures and others as well, light and darkness are used to convey emotions, views and values.

Let’s move towards the light.

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