Journal 6
This week’s theological journey will be based upon the class visit to Evanston hospital, class devotion and course readings. Christian love is the basis of Christian faith. The hospital visit, in connection to the course work, reflected on pastoral care. Lecture at the hospital, by one of the hospital staff members, reflected on many theological aspects of loving one’s neighbor. The handouts given to us provided a synopsis of the lecture. This was proportional to one of the themes highlighted in the handout that stated “within the body of Christ, there is no ultimate distinction between giver and receiver, healthy and sick, pastor and layperson, caregiver and patient.” This reminded me of Dr. Fowler’s perspective that as pastors …show more content…
Instead, I was helpless in every way. If the band people had not assisted me with water, I would not have been received with love, care and respect. Personally, I was very confused and did not know that besides coughing, should I ask someone to step in and read my communion message? Also, would someone from the staff walk up to me and ask me if they could maybe read the communion message on my behalf? This experience led me to understand that not only band people were the “baptized” people like me, they were providing me with pastoral care. Evidently, they were not pastors, but they being the “church” were empathetic and living out the message of loving one’s neighbor.
I find this connected to one of the class devotions by my class mates who pointed to naming a loss, which is one of the ten dimensions of grieving. Considering this incident as an example, I asked one of the lay leaders to pray for me. While he prayed, he used the words “it’s ok to go through things like this.” After he had finished the prayer, I told him that his words were very meaningful for me, because they helped me recognize that my particular loss, and name it as something for which I was not totally responsible for. Things like that can happen, with anyone, and I should not take it to
This week’s theological journey will be based upon the class visit to Evanston hospital, class devotion and course readings. Christian love is the basis of Christian faith. The hospital visit, in connection to the course work, reflected on pastoral care. Lecture at the hospital, by one of the hospital staff members, reflected on many theological aspects of loving one’s neighbor. The handouts given to us provided a synopsis of the lecture. This was proportional to one of the themes highlighted in the handout that stated “within the body of Christ, there is no ultimate distinction between giver and receiver, healthy and sick, pastor and layperson, caregiver and patient.” This reminded me of Dr. Fowler’s perspective that as pastors …show more content…
Instead, I was helpless in every way. If the band people had not assisted me with water, I would not have been received with love, care and respect. Personally, I was very confused and did not know that besides coughing, should I ask someone to step in and read my communion message? Also, would someone from the staff walk up to me and ask me if they could maybe read the communion message on my behalf? This experience led me to understand that not only band people were the “baptized” people like me, they were providing me with pastoral care. Evidently, they were not pastors, but they being the “church” were empathetic and living out the message of loving one’s neighbor.
I find this connected to one of the class devotions by my class mates who pointed to naming a loss, which is one of the ten dimensions of grieving. Considering this incident as an example, I asked one of the lay leaders to pray for me. While he prayed, he used the words “it’s ok to go through things like this.” After he had finished the prayer, I told him that his words were very meaningful for me, because they helped me recognize that my particular loss, and name it as something for which I was not totally responsible for. Things like that can happen, with anyone, and I should not take it to