|
 |
|
Esta página no está disponible en español. PR Newswire Association LLC Ask The Rev. Tita by John Dolen September 20, 2003 Today we are adding a fourth voice to our theological smorgasbord of Faith & Values columnists. She is the Rev. Tita Calzada, pastor of Unity of Fort Lauderdale. Her column will add a metaphysical viewpoint to the Catholic and Jewish perspectives of our God Squad duo, and the evangelical Protestant insights of Pastor Bob Coy. Rev. Tita, as she likes to be called, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has lived in South Florida since 1998. With a teaching degree from the Unity School of Christianity, she has also worked as Spanish-language director of a national Unity ministry. The Body Is Temporary, But The Spirit Is Eternal Here is the first offering of our new column by the Rev. Tita Calzada, pastor of Unity of Fort Lauderdale. Q. How do Unity churches deal with illnesses, like AIDS and cancer? A. We pray to God in knowing our body is a temporary vehicle and instrument of Spirit. The deterioration of our physical body is a fact of life. Whether through illness, accident or aging, we all know our physicality will not last forever. No one likes to be ill, yet many patients claim their disease was the best thing that ever happened to them. Why? Because it helped them connect with the eternal spiritual aspect of life. It helped them value and appreciate the real treasures of living: getting in touch with the Spirit within and expressing love toward others. In time, the physicality will cease to exist, yet our Spirit is eternal. The love we feel for others and the love they feel for us is independent from our ability to see, touch or hear them. In that sense, when we love someone who passes through the veil of eternity, they will live forever in our hearts! Spiritual healing is the only kind of healing there is. The spiritual capacity to heal is within all of us. When we trust God as a living presence in our lives, we are healed spiritually. Q. A lot of people do not understand what is meant by Unity. Is Unity a religion or a philosophy? -- J.R., Fort Lauderdale A. Unity has often been called a way of life. We base our teachings on a fundamental principle: God is everywhere present, infinite power and ultimate intelligence of the universe. We are not simply a religion to join or a philosophy to understand. We study truth as a science of living. We seek to interpret the teachings of Jesus Christ with primary emphasis on practical application to our daily lives. Prayer is our foundation and origin. We understand this as the most important activity of human beings. It helps us connect and communicate with our inherent divinity. We do not suggest answers; the final answer must come from you, as you interpret the word of God within you. Our practical application emphasizes the importance of right positive thinking and doing. In truth, every one of us is a part of a universal body of Spirit. The purpose of life is to realize our oneness with the creative principle, the God of many names and many cultures, the Spirit of peace, love, abundance, vitality, joy. When our thoughts and actions are aligned with this truth, our lives reflect the light within. We become instruments of Unity in our world. Got a question about ethics, morals or faith in everyday life? Ask Rev. Tita Calzada in care of James D. Davis, Religion Editor, Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Questions also may be e-mailed to jdavis@sun-sentinel.com. Please include your name, or at least initials, plus your city and a daytime phone number. Questions may be edited for brevity.
|