Transsubstitution

Let me clear up a few things here first. This has nothing to do with the Eucharist (well it might end up there some crazy way), and it does not mean I teach in the drag.

It does mean that I like to think I cross(thus the trans) the boundaries of substituting (not in an inappropriate way).

I thoroughly enjoy it. It also makes me enough cash to pay most of my bills until i find full time work (which couldn't be soon enough for my dad :)

Where I cross the lines of subbing is when I make an impact on the students.

Today two amazing, independent conversations about poverty and the affluence of Kingwood happened without my instigation. I of course took part in them. And managed to indoctrinate the youth of Kingwood with my communist, hippie gospel.

Teaching has become a sacred, holy thing to me lately. I look forward to having a great impact on a group of youth on a daily basis. Youth ministry was ok, I got to influence students, but the one thing you will never change is the fact that you only have students who want to be there. School seems like more of a challenge. I can show why faith is important. Why the way Christ teaches us to live is the best way to live life. And it has nothing to do about competing religions, rather the completion of the circle to bring us back to Shalom.

I am not sure if I have addressed the topic of Shalom here yet.

Basically Shalom is the idea of completeness. Its a little bit hard to explain in english. (not that i speak any other language) essentially it means a peaceful completeness. It is something you would wish upon your friends and family. It is still a common greeting to say Peace be upon you (Shalom Aleichem). Using this greeting is wishing upon someone that they might be complete (often complete with God).

When Christ uses this greeting as he sends of the bleeding woman whom he has just healed (Mk 5) he is not just saying goodbye. The statement is loaded with theological concepts.

Levitical purity laws required the separation of a menstruating woman from society. There were all sorts of rules about it. The woman was not considered to be bad, or evil, she was just ritually unclean during this time, and any contact with her would defile you. Because of this the women were forced to live outside of the city while menstruating.

So now imagine yourself as this woman who has been bleeding for twelve years. She would have been removed from society except some limited contact with doctors. Forced to live alone. Every day she probably sat within sight of the village, and watched as people lived their lives. She sneaks up behind Christ in a crowd and touches the fringe of his garment (remember contact with this woman would have made Jesus ritually unclean). She eventually comes forward to admit to touching him and he sends her off wishing her Shalom. On that day he told her that her faith had saved her. There we have Shalom with God. At the same time she was healed from her bleeding and was able to be a part of society again. He was wishing her a completeness with community again as well.

Shalom is such a beautiful concept. If more of us were seeking Shalom, and wishing it upon other people, you have to wonder if Christianity might look a little less judgemental.