One of my favorite Peanuts comics shows Charlie Brown coming up to Snoopy’s dog house. Snoopy is typing, and Charlie Brown says, “I hear you’re writing a book about theology.  I hope you have a good title.”

Snoopy, in a thought bubble, answers: “I have the perfect title.  Has It Ever Occurred to You that You Might Be Wrong?”

Why are we so wrong about God?  It’s because of God’s mystery.  All the greatest religions and all their greatest thinkers emphasize the mystery of God.  God’s mystery outstrips comprehension, words, and human certitude.

This week we begin our new sermon series, “The Divine Dictionary.”  Each week we’ll look at key words that help us understand our faith.  This Sunday’s word is “mystery.”

“Mystery” seems to be a negation – an emphasis on what we can’t know, can’t count on.  A fine concept for ivory tower theologians – but what about the rest of us?  We can’t eat mystery for breakfast!  We need some solid food and guidance to get us through the day.

This Sunday we’ll discover there are blessings for life’s most challenging problems in God’s mystery.