I had promised to look up the Biblical information regarding reincarnation. It is Matthew Chapter 17, verses 10 through 13. It can also found in the Chapter 9 of the Gospel of Luke. If anyone interprets the passages differently, please let me know your thoughts. I truly am interested.
Today I have some information about different things I was curious about and took the time to look up. It may sound disjointed but let’s just call this a Trivia Day.
Many of us are aware that the beginning of lent is Ash Wednesday. You may have seen people with the sign of the cross smudged in ashes on their foreheads. It is celebrated by all Catholics and some Protestant denominations are beginning to recognize this, also. According to the information I found one is not supposed to go out publically after having been blessed with the ashes, such as to restaurants. Lent is also a time of fasting and reflection which explains why one is to spend the remainder of the day quietly. The wearing of the ashes for the rest of the day is strictly a personal choice. The ashes are prepared from the Palm branches which are handed out on the previous year’s Palm Sunday and are usually later returned to the church. The whole process is based on Geneses Chapter 3 verse 29 which says “ashes to ashes and dust to dust” about the human body. It is to be a time of self-examination during lent when people consider their actions and attempt to make restitution and try to be better as individuals.
The second question concerned the differences between Baptism, Christening, and Anointing. Baptism is accomplished by one of several actions; immersion of the entire body, the sprinkling of blessed or Holy Water on the forehead and some Eastern religions sprinkle rose petals on the forehead. It is done as a blessing usually when someone has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and surrendered their life to Him. A christening is done for infants or babies and is to consecrate the life of the child to God; or the parents are dedicating the child to God that religion should be a governing influence throughout its life. Usually christening is done with Holy Water sprinkled on the forehead of the child.
Anointing is a Jewish act and was done to make someone or something (the tabernacle) “Most Holy” Anointing is accomplished with an oil preferably pure myrrh, sometimes sweet cinnamon oil, and olive oil are the most frequently used. Anointing oil and the act of anointing were never used on any persons except for the ordination of Priests, the Highest Priest, Prophets and Kings. It was strictly for bidden to outsiders or Israelites.
Anointing oil is used in Christianity beginning in the New Testament in James Chapter 5 verses 13 and 14 which says, "Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven." James 5:13, 14 (NIV)
Basically Spiritualists do not normally engage in any of these activities. I do know some people supposedly following Native American traditions do smudge with sage smoke supposedly to remove negativity from their lives and to consecrate their homes but that is not truly a Spiritualist belief and is based on rituals used in the practice of Wicca and or Paganism.
Spiritualists believe in Infinite Intelligence or Spirit Force, trusting in Perfect God Force Energy for protection from negativity in our lives and homes. Spiritualists definitely believe in healing, may even do hands on healing with the permission of the recipient. Spiritualist Ministers do not prescribe remedies and are in dire consequence of practicing medicine should they do so. We, any of us, could be sued for that as we are not licensed to practice medicine.
Regardless of your beliefs or your background, we must all admit there is a stronger most Intelligent Spiritual Being of whatever sort who is present in all of our lives. Be grateful for that knowledge. Give thanks for that influence in your life and rely upon Spirit to always be with you to guide, guard and protect you all the days of your life. Thank you.
