Recently, I read an article about how the names are listed on the 9/11 Memorial in New York. Instead of listing the names by date-of-birth or in alphabetical order, they are listed by meaningful adjacencies. Basically, the names are listed by their connection to each other. For instance, firefighters are listed with other firefighters, first responders with other first responders, and people who worked together in an office are listed next to their co-workers.
Though a break from tradition, listing the names in a relational way is more therapeutic. I would argue that it gives a more accurate portrayal of the deceased. People define themselves through their connections. It could be family, friends, co-workers, or anything that is relational. People define themselves through their relational connections.
Naturally, as I read this article, I thought of baptism. This sacrament reminds us of our connection to each other through the bonds of Christ. We choose to love each other. We intentionally connect to each other in faith. This meaningful faith adjacency helps determine who we are and what we do.
I hope today you will spend time reflecting on the connections you have in your life. I hope you will give thanks for each one of them and how God has used them to help mold you into the person you are today.
This Week’s Readings:
- Monday – 1 Peter 4
- Tuesday – 1 Peter 5
- Wednesday – 2 Peter 1
- Thursday – 2 Peter 2
- Friday – 2 Peter 3
- Our Ministers – Shane, John, and Buddy, our staff, and our members and families.
- The High School Graduates in the Class of 2021
- The eradication of Covid – 19.
- Families in crisis.
- Loved ones battling illness.
- Those seeking to find their way.
- The United Methodist Church.
- Our leaders, our country, and our world.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6