Each May, I am grateful to represent our church in the Bon Air Interfaith Trialogue.  There is perhaps not a more important time for faith communities to come together around that which unites us: people.  The Trialogue is an annual three-session gathering where clergy and members meet to enjoy fellowship, good food and conversation on important topics.  Rather than focusing on our differences, we focus on what we share in common, given that we are all Abrahamic in our faith traditions. In each session, a clergyperson from each religion speaks on a previously decided-upon topic.  Then, those in attendance gather in small groups and answer questions related to the topic.  The small groups select a spokesperson to report on the main points of their discussion. 

Dr. Imad Damaj, a professor at VCU Medical Center, is the coordinator of the Trialogue. I am grateful to enjoy friendship with him.  He works diligently to plan regular breakfast meetings with the clergy to plan the Trialogue and to keep everyone in the loop.  He shared the following goals for the Trialogue: 

• Build better relationships between the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities based in the South side area. 
• Build trust and familiarities through regular meetings and sharing food. 
• To start a public conversation among the three traditions about theology, scripture and revelation. 

The following themes were discussed at this year’s Trialogue: 

Session One: Purpose of creation and human nature. 

Session Two: Tragedies and how we respond. 

Session Three: How do we understand blessings and respond to them. 

I had the opportunity to speak at session three and focused on God’s blessings which are seen in the Christian faith as God’s favor and approval and are given because God values and loves each person.  These blessings are not seen as “prosperity gospel” which is rooted in materialism and works-theology.  Rather, blessings are to be received and shared. I pointed to the Beatitudes and shared that God’s blessings are lived out in obedience to God as we are the hands and feet of Jesus.   

When answering the question of how to respond to blessings, I referred to the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke chapter 15, where Jesus told the story of a father who had two sons.  The following is a brief recap of the story:   

The younger son asked for his share of the inheritance and the father granted it.  He then went far away and squandered the wealth.  The younger son hit rock bottom and made the decision to return home and face his father, who never ceased looking for his son.  One day when the father saw his son coming down the road toward home, he threw open his arms, hugged and kissed him and welcomed him home.  He put a robe on him, gave him a signet ring and put shoes on his feet.  This was an undeserved blessing from a father to a son. 

I concluded my remarks with a quote from Henri Nouwen who was a Catholic Priest and one of the most regarded leaders in Christian spirituality in the twentieth century.  (Nouwen died in 1996.)   Photo link — https://www.artbible.info/art/large/370.html 

Henri Nouwen, one of my favorite spiritual writers wrote a great book titled, The Return of the Prodigal Son, where he reflects on Rembrandt’s painting of the same title.  He writes, “Here is the God I want to believe in:  A Father who, from the beginning of creation, has stretched out his arms in merciful blessing, never forcing himself on anyone, but always waiting never letting his arms drop down in despair, but always hoping that his children will return so that he can speak words of love to them and let his tired arms rest on their shoulders.  His only desire is to bless.” (Nouwen, pp. 95-96) 

How, then, are we to respond to blessings?   

1. Give thanks to our good God. 

2. Be a blessing to others. 

This goes all the way back to God’s covenant with Abram, where God said to him, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you . . . and you will be a blessing.” 

I hope you will consider attending the Interfaith Trialogue next year.  It will be a blessing for sure!  Until then, please be a blessing to others and you will surely be blessed! 

In Christ’s service,