Deepening our Christianity

the Monday Newsletter of Paul Prins

Edition #9 · 10 July 2023

Blessings Reader,

What a Gift Faith is

It is a complex thing, this faith of ours. On the one hand, it feels so delicate. In certain moments, it feels like it could vanish and fade away. I cannot crush it, but I may never see it again if I look away. If my faith vanished, I would be helpless to do anything about it. The gift of faith is not something one can manufacture. Faith cannot be imposed, reasoned, or grasped. It is not something that can be learned or gained. It is not something we can even embrace or hold.

One can, through their own effort, increase their understanding, strength, or wisdom. Our choices allow us to become more compassionate, tender, and loving. The journey of some through life makes them hard, angry, and violent. Yet faith has always been a gift to us, arriving in full measure. Feeling like it is barely enough to believe. It is an invitation to the transcendent divine.

At some point, this faith will start to push us. Longing to turn us. It nudges our soul in a still moment that is easy to miss. We look at the person of Jesus. We see that he modeled for us the perfection of faith. His faith gave life to the way he lived. Our faith will turn us from ourselves to others. Inviting us into incarnation. This faith of ours. Faith that can only be a gift. A gift that we are unable to give. Yet, in spite of ourselves and all the ways we lack, our faith invites us to turn towards others. Often calm, quiet, and gentle. As if the gift of faith mimics the tenderness of the God who gave it.

What began as a gift for me invites me to become a gift for others. A gift moved by the gentle, tender, gracious mercy of the gift of faith within. In those quiet moments, the invitation slowly reveals itself. It is no wonder so many of our Christian siblings choose loud lives. It is no wonder that Jesus would often retreat into quiet solitude.

Do not despair. There is more to you than your life. Your faith is more resilient than your life. Take up your cross and follow Jesus to your death. Death cannot touch our faith. There is no promise beyond this. That in the midst of all things, in all moments, throughout time, the presence of God will find you. Will be with you. And will never be anything less than the love you were made to enjoy. Even as we, beloved, are lost and unsure of where to go. God will take great joy in being lost with you.

Your faith is a gift.

Until Next Week

Posted since the last Edition

First Homily & a Coffee

I miss preaching, and a friend suggested I try doing a short sermon/homily. Its received over 1100 views in a couple days! I like coffee and so the pairing felt natural. The response has been very positive. I hope you enjoy!

Watch the Video on Instagram

Unpublished Photo for this Edition

I went to visit the experimental film shop and gallery run by a friend of mine this week. It was only a few blocks from where Jordan and I lived for a few weeks when we first arrived in Paris back in 2016. This metro station holds some nostalgia for me - and its renovations are nearly completed.
**Captured:** 5 July 2023

Curated Goods just for You

Sharing what I've come across from around the internet that may encourage or help you.

Christian Denominations Family Tree Series ~25 Minutes/Each
#1 · #2 · #3 · #4 · #5 · #6 · #7 · #8
There are 8 videos that work historically through the Christian Family tree. It is a bit wild that ~4 hours of content barely scratch the surface of Church history. They were released every few weeks for a few months. I found it really well done, and the host does a good job at presenting the distinctions without much bias. Now that the series is complete, I wanted to share it with you all.
The Children in the Marketplace by Diana Butler Bass ~7 Minutes
She dives into this story from Mark 11 and ties it to the later story of Jesus calling the children to himself. It brings in some of the historical and cultural context from the second temple period under Roman rule. It helps us place these stories closer to their original context - shows how they are subversive warnings against empires and the need to have our minds transformed.

A Prayer for the Week to Come

Lord, thank you for lavishing upon us your gift of faith. Help us find our way into wonder at this gift. Give us eyes to see our faith clearly in all its delicateness and resilience. Grow in us a gratitude that you came to us and dwell with us.