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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

215 N. 7th, Terre Haute, Indiana

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The Word Confusion

The Rector's Blog · March 22, 2023

Disciples, Apostles, and Saints!

On Ash Wednesday, we’re invited to keep a holy Lent. The invitation is this:

“I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.”

That last part has a beautiful double meaning. And one many people of faith tend to get tangled up in. And I think this phrasing is quite intentional.

God’s holy Word is Jesus.

It also how we refer to Scripture (the Bible).

Are we supposed to be reading Jesus? Clearly not. But meditating on him? Now that’s quite clearly part of the deal.

Many Christians are far more used to seeing this as a reference to Scripture wherever that phrase is found. This obviously comes from the desire to maintain “the centrality of the Bible” in the Christian life.

We, however, are part of a two-thousand year faith which recognizes Jesus as the Word. And this bit of confusion makes our understanding richer. Because it isn’t just about Scripture. It’s about relationship, Christ, our mission, our community. Through Scripture and tradition and reason/experience. So rich and beautiful.

With love,
Drew

Filed Under: The Rector's Blog Tagged With: Jesus, Lent, the Bible, What's Going On, Word

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CONTACT

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
215 N. 7th St
Terre Haute, IN 47807

812-232-5165

officeadmin@ststephensth.org

ABOUT

St. Stephen’s is a sacramental community following Jesus’s Way of Love.

We worship on Sundays at 8 & 10.

AFFILIATIONS

St. Stephen’s is a member of The Episcopal Church and congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis.

St. Stephen’s is a member of the Homeless Council of the Wabash Valley

PARKING

St. Stephen’s is across from Indiana State University. Nearby parking lots are run by ISU and are free after 5pm weekdays and are free all weekend long. 

Five marked spots in the lot directly behind the church are available during the week.

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