Yesterday my brother-in-law got married. It was quite the family affair. My wife (his sister) was a maid of honor as was my daughter. On the other side my son was a groomsman. I was the officiant so for the first time all four of us were on the altar together. [Baby, in his tux, sat in the back of the church.]
After the service the photographer told me that it was really nice to be at a wedding with a religious context and a message. He then said that he does alot of weddings and (like I had said) most of them have no trappings of faith.
The wedding homily I delivered, on their choice of readings, 1 Corinthians 13, did focus on the current state of marriage. There are two components, a reluctance to make a commitment and rejection of institutions, which seem to go hand in hand. When a couple comes to a church to marry they are doing something different from many of their peers.
The act of marrying changes things. As I told the couple, "you have each added new parents." I turned to her and said, "I am now your brother and you have another brother and sister, and you are an aunt." (My daughter began to cry at that moment, for joy) Her friends and his friends are now in new relationships. The chosing of a spouse makes that happen.
However, God is also invited into a church wedding. Suddenly the covenant is a sacred covenant before (and with) God. Marriage is a sacrament, a sign of the invisible God. Most amrried couples do not do a bang up job in their vocation. That is okay. There is something to be said for trying. It is important that we understand our lives together in the light of that sacred vocation to mirror the love of Christ and His church.
The 'hymn to love' from 1 Corinthians 13 is not about marriage. In the previous chapter Paul takes the small church to the woodshed because their eucharist is a time of conflict. The Apostle is quite firm with them. He then talks about the church is a body. This concept, so hard for individualist Americans to grasp, is central to his ecclesiology (theology of church). We are all different yet we make up the body. Some parts are more important, some are more needy, some require greater care and protection, but all together make one whole. Paul then talks about the different gifts in the church. Each of us has our own set of gifts. Yet, he continues in 13, whatever the gifts and however amazing, if they are not based in love they mean nothing. Our gifts can cause us to be arrogant or depressed. We may overstate our importance or understate it. Paul says focus not on yourself and your gifts, but use your gifts in (love) service of others.
He then reminds us that today is but a dim view of reality. He uses the term mirror, but of course our modern mirrors do not distort so the analogy limps. I understand that ancient mirrrors were not so true, more like a shiny peice of metal. You and I do not see the world as it is. Someday we shall. Concluding with that, our eyes are not set on the horizon, the glimpse at "coming attractions." Some day we shall see God. See Him, love and be loved by Him. Someday Jesus will be manifest, totally. Until then, spouse, family, friend, and parishioners are what we have. In us and through us His love is manifest. The mundane is the holy. We need eyes to see.
Showing posts with label Sacraments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sacraments. Show all posts
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Friday, November 4, 2011
On Love and Marriage 4
To this point we have seen how love of self can draw us to love others, and that in the marriage bond people create community. [Last night at the rehearsal dinner this was so apparent. The parents and the young couple spoke repeatedly about "your family is now my family."] This bonding happens, in part, because of self love, but it develops and blossoms over time into love of the other. As I also said, I think this is a reflection of the inner life of the Trinity. In other words, it is a footprint of God in our midst.
The final stage of marriage is probably the most controversial. When I did my pre-marriage counseling, the priest-therapist who did our work with us told me that I was wrong when I said this. In a sense, he is correct. Most couples will not embrace this fourth stage. It is not, to my limited knowledge, a component of the goods of marriage as outlined by various church teachers over the centuries. So it may be my idiosyncratic opinion, but I still think it is true.
If married love becomes community (both through gathering together outsiders into the love and/or through procreation and a new family), it is still, in a sense, a larger version of self love. Loving my kids is, in some sense, loving myself. Community with those whom we love is still a challenge. Few married people do not have regrets about their choice of spouse on occassion. Few parents would say that raising kids is always easy. So while this God given and God blessed state of affairs is godly, it is not necessarilly Christian. Pagans love their families. Atheists love their families. It is natural.
Christianity adds another dimension. It adds the dimensions of the Gospel: worship, mission, the cross. This is not all there is, but in a brief blog they are enough. In Christian marriage, the couple is a praying couple. In my experience, this is rare. Prayer is more intimate even than sex. Praying together makes us more vulnerable. Yet, a Christian marriage should be prayer centered. It is also joint worship. The eyes of a married couple need to move from the horizontal plane of community to the vertical plane of worship. The married couple, if Christian, must be active in church and particularly in worship. The couple should also be in mission together. Mission is larger than me, or us. Mission defines us in a way that is bigger than our own limited concerns. One leading cause of marriage breakdown is that the couple live separate lives guided by their own 'hearts.' In mission, we jointly follow the heart of Jesus. Now if a couple is prayerful and in mission together then they will be preaching and living the cross. The cross is self gift to God. The cross is self gift for others. The cross is painful. In dying to self (being crucified with Christ) we create the possibility of new life (being raised with Christ). In most marriages, each partner remains firmly self-focused much of the time. On the cross with Jesus, we are emptied of self (as individual and as couple) and spent for the sake of the Father in union with Christ.
When a married couple give themselves, together, for God's Kingdom, then something holy and wonderful happens. This is when a marriage is a Christian marriage, i.e., Christ centered. Like I said, I have encountered few marriages of this type in my years as a priest. But that doesn't negate the possibility. Tonight I will witness and bless another amazing young couple as they begin their married life together. They will sail off into an unknown future. It is my prayer that their marriage will be Christian and missional. It is my prayer that all marriages would be!
The final stage of marriage is probably the most controversial. When I did my pre-marriage counseling, the priest-therapist who did our work with us told me that I was wrong when I said this. In a sense, he is correct. Most couples will not embrace this fourth stage. It is not, to my limited knowledge, a component of the goods of marriage as outlined by various church teachers over the centuries. So it may be my idiosyncratic opinion, but I still think it is true.
If married love becomes community (both through gathering together outsiders into the love and/or through procreation and a new family), it is still, in a sense, a larger version of self love. Loving my kids is, in some sense, loving myself. Community with those whom we love is still a challenge. Few married people do not have regrets about their choice of spouse on occassion. Few parents would say that raising kids is always easy. So while this God given and God blessed state of affairs is godly, it is not necessarilly Christian. Pagans love their families. Atheists love their families. It is natural.
Christianity adds another dimension. It adds the dimensions of the Gospel: worship, mission, the cross. This is not all there is, but in a brief blog they are enough. In Christian marriage, the couple is a praying couple. In my experience, this is rare. Prayer is more intimate even than sex. Praying together makes us more vulnerable. Yet, a Christian marriage should be prayer centered. It is also joint worship. The eyes of a married couple need to move from the horizontal plane of community to the vertical plane of worship. The married couple, if Christian, must be active in church and particularly in worship. The couple should also be in mission together. Mission is larger than me, or us. Mission defines us in a way that is bigger than our own limited concerns. One leading cause of marriage breakdown is that the couple live separate lives guided by their own 'hearts.' In mission, we jointly follow the heart of Jesus. Now if a couple is prayerful and in mission together then they will be preaching and living the cross. The cross is self gift to God. The cross is self gift for others. The cross is painful. In dying to self (being crucified with Christ) we create the possibility of new life (being raised with Christ). In most marriages, each partner remains firmly self-focused much of the time. On the cross with Jesus, we are emptied of self (as individual and as couple) and spent for the sake of the Father in union with Christ.
When a married couple give themselves, together, for God's Kingdom, then something holy and wonderful happens. This is when a marriage is a Christian marriage, i.e., Christ centered. Like I said, I have encountered few marriages of this type in my years as a priest. But that doesn't negate the possibility. Tonight I will witness and bless another amazing young couple as they begin their married life together. They will sail off into an unknown future. It is my prayer that their marriage will be Christian and missional. It is my prayer that all marriages would be!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
On Love and Marriage 3
To briefly summarize, self love provides a framework to love another, because the other makes one 'feel' good. Perhaps the word romantic love can be used at this point.
A boy sees a girl and thinks, "wow." He talks to her, awkwardly, but his level of interests sparks a complimentary spark in her. She finds his shyness appealing and he seems cute enough. Soon they find themselves drawn to spend more and more time together. Early on, perhaps immediately, one or the other determines that "I am in love!" Anyone who has experienced falling in love knows that it is a wonderful thing. It impacts our vision of the world. It changes our perceptions. It makes us happy.
As the individual 'me' collapses into the romantic 'we' the intensity can get pretty palpable. Some couples adopt a "I can't live without you" program where the lovers isolate and focus exclusively on one another. This melding may reach the point where one totally hands over control to the other. Obsession, sometimes violence, can accompany such singular focus. There are various malicious results which are possible. One reads of stalking, of jealousy, even of murder. In a less ugly form, the couple just become obnoxious in their mutual focus. Constantly gazing into each other's eyes, they become a dyadic version of self love.
But rarely do we see couples who fail to integrate others into their love. This is often times not even a choice. It happens naturally. The couple has a past, littered with family and friends and events and experiences. From time to time we run into those folks. My friends befriend my beloved. Yes, there is a tendency toward community when two become one. Of course, fecundity is also a natural aspect of married love. Love manifested physically can, and does, make babies. (so does lust, but the resulting family system is rarely optimal in those cases) In ideal cases, the couple, who love one another, suddenly find themselves loving this tiny little interloper. Bidden or not, the baby explodes the dyad. The couple turn from facing one another and side by side stare at the newborn. (although love of child can also be merely self love in an expanded form)
There is something of the Trinity reflected in all this. For all eternity the Father loves the Son and the Son loves the Father. It always was and always will be. This love eternally creates the Spirit, the personal bond of Father and Son, the cause and effect. The mystery of Trinity is too sublime to understand. I do not try. But I do see the reality stamped in the world in which we live, most especially in relationships. As the internal Love of God explodes in creative love, a whole universe is "born" and there are children produced, folks like you and me.
As the couple's love grows and envelopes others, friends and family, we see a movement outward. If a couple's love produce children, we see a movement outward. It is possible for the family to become another version of self-love. It is possible for it to be limited in its expansiveness. Yet, there is also another possibility. The same couple whose love draws together diverse people (this is seen most strongly at the wedding, where people populating different corners of the couple's lives are brought together in one room) can choose to act in ways which benefits others. Maybe he introduces his friend to her friend (and romance blooms). Maybe an uncle on her side meets a neighbor on his and they strike up a conversation which leads to some later exchange. Happens all the time.
But in Christian marriage, to my mind, there is another, an intentional component: Shared ministry. More on that tomorrow.
A boy sees a girl and thinks, "wow." He talks to her, awkwardly, but his level of interests sparks a complimentary spark in her. She finds his shyness appealing and he seems cute enough. Soon they find themselves drawn to spend more and more time together. Early on, perhaps immediately, one or the other determines that "I am in love!" Anyone who has experienced falling in love knows that it is a wonderful thing. It impacts our vision of the world. It changes our perceptions. It makes us happy.
As the individual 'me' collapses into the romantic 'we' the intensity can get pretty palpable. Some couples adopt a "I can't live without you" program where the lovers isolate and focus exclusively on one another. This melding may reach the point where one totally hands over control to the other. Obsession, sometimes violence, can accompany such singular focus. There are various malicious results which are possible. One reads of stalking, of jealousy, even of murder. In a less ugly form, the couple just become obnoxious in their mutual focus. Constantly gazing into each other's eyes, they become a dyadic version of self love.
But rarely do we see couples who fail to integrate others into their love. This is often times not even a choice. It happens naturally. The couple has a past, littered with family and friends and events and experiences. From time to time we run into those folks. My friends befriend my beloved. Yes, there is a tendency toward community when two become one. Of course, fecundity is also a natural aspect of married love. Love manifested physically can, and does, make babies. (so does lust, but the resulting family system is rarely optimal in those cases) In ideal cases, the couple, who love one another, suddenly find themselves loving this tiny little interloper. Bidden or not, the baby explodes the dyad. The couple turn from facing one another and side by side stare at the newborn. (although love of child can also be merely self love in an expanded form)
There is something of the Trinity reflected in all this. For all eternity the Father loves the Son and the Son loves the Father. It always was and always will be. This love eternally creates the Spirit, the personal bond of Father and Son, the cause and effect. The mystery of Trinity is too sublime to understand. I do not try. But I do see the reality stamped in the world in which we live, most especially in relationships. As the internal Love of God explodes in creative love, a whole universe is "born" and there are children produced, folks like you and me.
As the couple's love grows and envelopes others, friends and family, we see a movement outward. If a couple's love produce children, we see a movement outward. It is possible for the family to become another version of self-love. It is possible for it to be limited in its expansiveness. Yet, there is also another possibility. The same couple whose love draws together diverse people (this is seen most strongly at the wedding, where people populating different corners of the couple's lives are brought together in one room) can choose to act in ways which benefits others. Maybe he introduces his friend to her friend (and romance blooms). Maybe an uncle on her side meets a neighbor on his and they strike up a conversation which leads to some later exchange. Happens all the time.
But in Christian marriage, to my mind, there is another, an intentional component: Shared ministry. More on that tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
On Love and Marriage 2
Today we look at the person's love of self.
I think we come into the world with "self-lust" and the first battle is getting that under control. By self-lust I mean the desires and hungers which dictate most of our decisions. Levi is five months old now. He is becoming social and interactive. It is very easy to deal with him, as long as he is satisfied. How a baby feels dictates how a baby acts. Increasing pleasure and avoiding pain are the motivation.
As we grow up, certain people enter our lives. They are valued to the degree that they bring us pleasure or reduce pain. The process of bonding is reflective of caregiving. Already I have seen that there is greater delight and a brighter smile for momma than there is for daddy. I know why, she is a much better caregiver!
We continue to be drawn to relationships based on how people make us 'feel.' Sometimes it is a physical attraction, sometimes emotional or mental. We are drawn to them (and them to us) for some self serving reasons. Is this bad? Maybe, maybe not, but it is the way it is and there is not much choice to it. I do not know what an unfallen world would look like so I do not know what an alternate to this is. I do know that romantic love is a special and intense type of this self love. We "fall in love" and much of it has to do with "me" and how "you make me feel."
One positive of self love is that it draws us toward others. This is the first step in a true relationship. We value another because of what that other does for us. So we are motivated to do things for that other because it benefits us, but alongside that there comes a growing realization that we are loving that other for who they are. This transition is vital in all relationships, and certainly is needed for a marriage.
The problems, obviously, are multiple. One issue is that we never lose self-lust (fulfillment of hungers) even if we mature into self-love (truly caring for our self). Love means doing the best for ourself (which includes discipline, sacrifice and pain). Self-lust indulges, it plays late and sleeps in. Self love studies, eats healthy and works out. The struggles with 'the flesh' continue unabated throughout our life. A marriage based on self centeredness will last as long as the other person makes us feel good. I heard on the news that a celebrity beauty is ending her marriage after 72 days. Apparently the entire courtship and wedding were a television show. Hmmm, not sure I should judge but I am thinking this sounds like self-love&lust...
I think one reason that so many marriages fail is because so few couples move much beyond self-love (and self-lust). Even when a marriage appears healthy, it is often just a well managed partnership of two people taking from one another. The breaking point comes, sometimes after fifteen, twenty or more years of marriage when one partner decides that the time is short to find 'true happiness' so they withdraw (or divorce) and pursue someone else who will "make me feel good."
The value of self love is it does draw us to others, even if at first it is for our own benefit. However, as one relates to the other, we see new venues open up. Tomorrow we will look at couple-love and the Trinity.
I think we come into the world with "self-lust" and the first battle is getting that under control. By self-lust I mean the desires and hungers which dictate most of our decisions. Levi is five months old now. He is becoming social and interactive. It is very easy to deal with him, as long as he is satisfied. How a baby feels dictates how a baby acts. Increasing pleasure and avoiding pain are the motivation.
As we grow up, certain people enter our lives. They are valued to the degree that they bring us pleasure or reduce pain. The process of bonding is reflective of caregiving. Already I have seen that there is greater delight and a brighter smile for momma than there is for daddy. I know why, she is a much better caregiver!
We continue to be drawn to relationships based on how people make us 'feel.' Sometimes it is a physical attraction, sometimes emotional or mental. We are drawn to them (and them to us) for some self serving reasons. Is this bad? Maybe, maybe not, but it is the way it is and there is not much choice to it. I do not know what an unfallen world would look like so I do not know what an alternate to this is. I do know that romantic love is a special and intense type of this self love. We "fall in love" and much of it has to do with "me" and how "you make me feel."
One positive of self love is that it draws us toward others. This is the first step in a true relationship. We value another because of what that other does for us. So we are motivated to do things for that other because it benefits us, but alongside that there comes a growing realization that we are loving that other for who they are. This transition is vital in all relationships, and certainly is needed for a marriage.
The problems, obviously, are multiple. One issue is that we never lose self-lust (fulfillment of hungers) even if we mature into self-love (truly caring for our self). Love means doing the best for ourself (which includes discipline, sacrifice and pain). Self-lust indulges, it plays late and sleeps in. Self love studies, eats healthy and works out. The struggles with 'the flesh' continue unabated throughout our life. A marriage based on self centeredness will last as long as the other person makes us feel good. I heard on the news that a celebrity beauty is ending her marriage after 72 days. Apparently the entire courtship and wedding were a television show. Hmmm, not sure I should judge but I am thinking this sounds like self-love&lust...
I think one reason that so many marriages fail is because so few couples move much beyond self-love (and self-lust). Even when a marriage appears healthy, it is often just a well managed partnership of two people taking from one another. The breaking point comes, sometimes after fifteen, twenty or more years of marriage when one partner decides that the time is short to find 'true happiness' so they withdraw (or divorce) and pursue someone else who will "make me feel good."
The value of self love is it does draw us to others, even if at first it is for our own benefit. However, as one relates to the other, we see new venues open up. Tomorrow we will look at couple-love and the Trinity.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
On Love and Marriage 1
A couple of weeks ago I was honored to officiate at the wedding of a young couple. The woman, someone I have known since she was in seventh grade, is a beautiful, bright, holy person who is currently working to serve the needs of the world's poorest peoples. Her new spouse, whom I know only in passing, is a bright young engineer doing esoteric studies at a big university. They met at church camp and are people of faith.They are lovely people who come from lovely families.
In preparing the sermon I was aware that most people there were not Episcopalians. We were at a family home in rustic Arkansas, a gorgeous setting, and many of the attendees were people I have never met.I opted to reflect on Love and Marriage, with special attention the the Trinity and Incarnation. This weekend I have another marriage and so marriage is on my mind. I thought my brief reflections would be interesting blogging material. I guess you can let me know!
The summary is this. Self love is the first and foundational love. Love of self moves, eventually, to a love of another. This love of another can be selfish but it can also broaden to include others. As the love expands beyond our personal 'connections' into the world, it becomes mission and service. This three step process (self-another-others) is not automatic nor is it easy. It can be reversed. However, it is a major component of my own theology of marriage. I hope tomorrow to look more intently at self love.
In preparing the sermon I was aware that most people there were not Episcopalians. We were at a family home in rustic Arkansas, a gorgeous setting, and many of the attendees were people I have never met.I opted to reflect on Love and Marriage, with special attention the the Trinity and Incarnation. This weekend I have another marriage and so marriage is on my mind. I thought my brief reflections would be interesting blogging material. I guess you can let me know!
The summary is this. Self love is the first and foundational love. Love of self moves, eventually, to a love of another. This love of another can be selfish but it can also broaden to include others. As the love expands beyond our personal 'connections' into the world, it becomes mission and service. This three step process (self-another-others) is not automatic nor is it easy. It can be reversed. However, it is a major component of my own theology of marriage. I hope tomorrow to look more intently at self love.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Eyes to See
We studied Revelation 4 today in High School Sunday School. Prior to reading the text we enterred the church and walked through the physical plant. We looked at the pews, the place we "live" in the world, we ascended the stairs to the choir. Here is the church at prayer and worship. We call out our praise and thanks to God, we sing His glory, we beg His mercy and forgiveness, we ask for His providential provision. We continue the climb and come to the altar, we kneel and reach out to heaven's Lord. We look at the altar where Jesus has spread out a banquest feast, a table of nourishment, and we see the cross, the meal is a share in His death and resurrection: His body, His blood.
The tragedy is how often we fail to "see" what we see. Our eyes and hearts cannot penetrate the mystery. we are weary and distracted. Our senses dulled and our spirits diminished. There is a glorious reality which our sight does not penetrate. O for the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the heart to know and worship and obey. Reading Chapter 4 of the Revelation (literally, "the unveiling") was a reminder that we live in a world much richer than we can imagine. In praying and opening ourselves to God the heavenly worship going on all around us can be discerned.
We modern people live in an age of radio and tv. We know, even if we do not think about it, that programs are swirling all about us at every moment of each day. Right now the room in which you sit has songs which cannot be heard, games which cannot be watched, programs which cannot be enjoyed, because you are not tuned in. With a radio or tv you can suddenly enjoy these and more. Our faith and spirituality work the same way. we can hear the unheard angel choirs with faith, we can understand the voice of God by listening, we can know the truth, that God is in His heaven and all is (will be) right with the world.
Today I am more aware. As my son said in class, "Church is boring when we aren't paying attention." Wisdom! When we are attentive and giving ourselves, we might catch a peak into the glory that surrounds us. I pray that all of you had that sort of experience today in your place of worship. Now we begin a new week, a chance to pray, to study Scripture, to serve in His Name---a chance to prepare again for the Sunday gathering!
The tragedy is how often we fail to "see" what we see. Our eyes and hearts cannot penetrate the mystery. we are weary and distracted. Our senses dulled and our spirits diminished. There is a glorious reality which our sight does not penetrate. O for the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the heart to know and worship and obey. Reading Chapter 4 of the Revelation (literally, "the unveiling") was a reminder that we live in a world much richer than we can imagine. In praying and opening ourselves to God the heavenly worship going on all around us can be discerned.
We modern people live in an age of radio and tv. We know, even if we do not think about it, that programs are swirling all about us at every moment of each day. Right now the room in which you sit has songs which cannot be heard, games which cannot be watched, programs which cannot be enjoyed, because you are not tuned in. With a radio or tv you can suddenly enjoy these and more. Our faith and spirituality work the same way. we can hear the unheard angel choirs with faith, we can understand the voice of God by listening, we can know the truth, that God is in His heaven and all is (will be) right with the world.
Today I am more aware. As my son said in class, "Church is boring when we aren't paying attention." Wisdom! When we are attentive and giving ourselves, we might catch a peak into the glory that surrounds us. I pray that all of you had that sort of experience today in your place of worship. Now we begin a new week, a chance to pray, to study Scripture, to serve in His Name---a chance to prepare again for the Sunday gathering!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Breaking Faith
This is confirmation preparation season in our parish. We use a program which employs adult mentors for each child. This year I was asked to do this by one of our young men. So he and I have been meeting. Yesterday we reviewed the Baptismal Covenant. There are six questions which a candidate is asked. The first three relate to conversion. We ask people to renounce Satan, the world and the flesh. These are the powers at work within us that draw us from our Lord. The renunciation of evil has taken the place of exorcism, which in other times and places was a prelude to baptism. The key idea is to recognize the power of evil (in all its subtle working) is real and that we must reject it.
Having turned from sin we then turn toward the Lord. Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Savior? This question is so important. I personally do not care for the language, I think it would be better "to acknowledge and embrace" Jesus as Savior. But I think it means the same thing. "Getting saved" is a big part of religious expression in the MidSouth. I have written before about how American consumerism and individualism have probably distorted our understanding of salvation. Hopefully, God will not demand that we understand everything correctly in order to be citizens in His Kingdom. In the end, we do need to understand that we are rescued from Satan, the world and ourselves by God's gracious act in and through Jesus.
That fact is hammered home by the next question: Do you put your whole trust in His grace and love? What is our way out of this mess called human existence? How do we escape the wounds and injuries, and ultimately, death? Who can set things right? I love the word trust because it conveys the act of giving one's self over to another. The word 'faith' can sometimes be reduced to a cognitive function, "I believe" means "I think" (or "I guess I think" in a weaker form). Most people claim that they "believe" in God. I know I do. Yet how often do I act as if God does not exist (or if He exists He does not matter)? Even most of the conservative Christians I know regularly engage in behaviors more reflective of secular culture than Christian doctrine. Trusting has to do with hope. My trust in God's mercy (grace and love) is needed because my belief in God fails to conform me to His will!
That brings me to the last question, Do you promise to follow and obey Him as your Lord? When we got to that question, the young man I am working with said to me, "Wow, that is really a big commitment." As we discussed it further he said, "That is probably the most broken promise in the world!"
I agreed with him.
I do not know if it is my congenital condition, if I was shaped into it by Catholic schools and my parents, if at some point I chose it or if it is the work of the Holy Spirit---what I do know is I have always been burdened with a keen sense of my failure to "follow and obey" the Lord. It is helpful to have friends (thanks Rick) who regularly remind me that God is at work in me. Despair and depression are NOT God given. Yet at other times, the awareness of what we are called to do and be, and how far we stray from that, is overwhelming.
As I ponder those commitments, I am aware that the Lord expects obedience. Too often the contemporary understanding of grace makes discipleship a sham. The last century how much of the resources God has blessed Christians with have been utilized for His kingdom? The answer is far too little. This is true of my time, talent and treasure as well! So should I sit around feeling guilty all day???? No, not helpful.
I am sure of this, the Lord would rather have me renounce Satan, the world and the flesh and turn to Him in obedience. He does not call us to endlessly rehash our mistakes, He calls us to repentance and discipleship. So today, my best choice, is to decide, again, to love and obey the One Whom I trust, my Lord, my Savior Jesus. IF the whole church does that today, it will be glorious!
Having turned from sin we then turn toward the Lord. Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Savior? This question is so important. I personally do not care for the language, I think it would be better "to acknowledge and embrace" Jesus as Savior. But I think it means the same thing. "Getting saved" is a big part of religious expression in the MidSouth. I have written before about how American consumerism and individualism have probably distorted our understanding of salvation. Hopefully, God will not demand that we understand everything correctly in order to be citizens in His Kingdom. In the end, we do need to understand that we are rescued from Satan, the world and ourselves by God's gracious act in and through Jesus.
That fact is hammered home by the next question: Do you put your whole trust in His grace and love? What is our way out of this mess called human existence? How do we escape the wounds and injuries, and ultimately, death? Who can set things right? I love the word trust because it conveys the act of giving one's self over to another. The word 'faith' can sometimes be reduced to a cognitive function, "I believe" means "I think" (or "I guess I think" in a weaker form). Most people claim that they "believe" in God. I know I do. Yet how often do I act as if God does not exist (or if He exists He does not matter)? Even most of the conservative Christians I know regularly engage in behaviors more reflective of secular culture than Christian doctrine. Trusting has to do with hope. My trust in God's mercy (grace and love) is needed because my belief in God fails to conform me to His will!
That brings me to the last question, Do you promise to follow and obey Him as your Lord? When we got to that question, the young man I am working with said to me, "Wow, that is really a big commitment." As we discussed it further he said, "That is probably the most broken promise in the world!"
I agreed with him.
I do not know if it is my congenital condition, if I was shaped into it by Catholic schools and my parents, if at some point I chose it or if it is the work of the Holy Spirit---what I do know is I have always been burdened with a keen sense of my failure to "follow and obey" the Lord. It is helpful to have friends (thanks Rick) who regularly remind me that God is at work in me. Despair and depression are NOT God given. Yet at other times, the awareness of what we are called to do and be, and how far we stray from that, is overwhelming.
As I ponder those commitments, I am aware that the Lord expects obedience. Too often the contemporary understanding of grace makes discipleship a sham. The last century how much of the resources God has blessed Christians with have been utilized for His kingdom? The answer is far too little. This is true of my time, talent and treasure as well! So should I sit around feeling guilty all day???? No, not helpful.
I am sure of this, the Lord would rather have me renounce Satan, the world and the flesh and turn to Him in obedience. He does not call us to endlessly rehash our mistakes, He calls us to repentance and discipleship. So today, my best choice, is to decide, again, to love and obey the One Whom I trust, my Lord, my Savior Jesus. IF the whole church does that today, it will be glorious!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Temporary Marriage
I heard on the news this morning that there is a movement in Mexico to create a short term marriage option in Mexico City. So before I blogged on it, I read a couple articles which were interesting. One view from a US tv station focused on marriage counseling and divorce mediation. Another from the Huffington Post emphasized the Roman Catholic Church's opposition to this move, while explaining it as a pragmatic response to a high divorce rate. The Telegraph (a right wing paper), out of the United Kingdom, said it was a move by liberals, who had already approved gay marriage, which angered conservatives. It indicated that there was a liberal/urban vs. rural/conservative issue. UK's (left wing) The Guardian began with the humane aspect (making it easier on people who suffer in divorce) although it also identified the liberal nature of the event and tied it to gay marriage as well. The Guardian ended the story mentioning Roman Catholic reaction.
My intent, to blog on marriage, got a bit sidetracked as I read the different slants of the articles on the event. I guess because I am doing some Gospel studies (taking note of differences between Matthew and Luke in the same parable) that I am finding myself drawn to look at the differences in the articles about this event. It really does demonstrate that we must use multiple sources when forming an opinion.
Is it reasonable to offer temporary marriage as a curative for the cost and pain of divorce? I am sure there is probably some truth to that. And with divorce rates at such high levels one can imagine a well intentioned effort to provide some support might look like this. Of course, that assumes a pragmatic approach. But if marriage is sacred (the Christian position) then the idea of an intentionally temporary marriage is a contradiction in terms. A covenant of love meant to be life-long cannot be whittled down to a two or three year commitment.
However, this is exactly what I expect in light of the myriad changes in thinking on marriage. I guess what is most stunning is it is a world-wide issue. Traditional beliefs are under attack EVERY WHERE. The escapist dream of finding a place where all is well, is, well, a pipe dream. You are I are in the midst of a conflict which is global, foundational, and showing no signs of slowing down. There are forces at work which will undo the Christian faith. But Jesus says the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. Gates are defensive, not offensive. It means that WE are on the offense. We are called not to react to the latest secular attack. We are called to non-violently but strongly proclaim God's vision for the world. Courageous Christians. Perhaps it is time for us to get clear in our thinking and get clear in our proclamation of the faith. The alternatives are certainly not wasting time in their efforts to recreate the world.
My intent, to blog on marriage, got a bit sidetracked as I read the different slants of the articles on the event. I guess because I am doing some Gospel studies (taking note of differences between Matthew and Luke in the same parable) that I am finding myself drawn to look at the differences in the articles about this event. It really does demonstrate that we must use multiple sources when forming an opinion.
Is it reasonable to offer temporary marriage as a curative for the cost and pain of divorce? I am sure there is probably some truth to that. And with divorce rates at such high levels one can imagine a well intentioned effort to provide some support might look like this. Of course, that assumes a pragmatic approach. But if marriage is sacred (the Christian position) then the idea of an intentionally temporary marriage is a contradiction in terms. A covenant of love meant to be life-long cannot be whittled down to a two or three year commitment.
However, this is exactly what I expect in light of the myriad changes in thinking on marriage. I guess what is most stunning is it is a world-wide issue. Traditional beliefs are under attack EVERY WHERE. The escapist dream of finding a place where all is well, is, well, a pipe dream. You are I are in the midst of a conflict which is global, foundational, and showing no signs of slowing down. There are forces at work which will undo the Christian faith. But Jesus says the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. Gates are defensive, not offensive. It means that WE are on the offense. We are called not to react to the latest secular attack. We are called to non-violently but strongly proclaim God's vision for the world. Courageous Christians. Perhaps it is time for us to get clear in our thinking and get clear in our proclamation of the faith. The alternatives are certainly not wasting time in their efforts to recreate the world.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Forgiveness
So Peter asks Jesus, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? Seven times?"
"No," Jesus replies, "not seven but seventy seven" (or perhaps seventy times seven). In other words, there is no limit.
The first thing that jumps out at you when you read the text is that Peter does not mention the church member being sorry. That changes everything. It is one thing to forgive someone who is sorry. It is another thing to forgive someone who is not. Why would Jesus not tell us to wait for an apology from the perpetrator? Why would he not require that we hold such a person to some standard?
It is tempting to do a psychological assessment here. We all know that the emotions we feel seething within us when we have been "done wrong" are not helpful. We know that they produce all manner of illness. We know that they eat away at our souls, bodies, emotions. We have seen the diminished humanity of someone who harbors ongoing anger. Maybe Jesus is being therapeutic, telling us to forgive others for our own good. But I do not think that Jesus is primarilly concerned with mental (and physical) health here. Instead, I would offer two other concerns which I do think motivate Him here.
One is the covenant. The other is the reality of human dominion. Let's look at covenant first. The basis of our relationship with God is His grace. He freely chose to gift us with life, to forgive us and to free us from death. None of this is earned or warranted. It is His choice and it is a gift. There is debate about who is offered this grace (all people or only a select number). How that mercy is realized is another much debated question. I will only say that on numerous occassions Jesus states that our willingness to forgive is a condition of God's forgiveness. ["So my heavenly Father will also do to every on of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."] An argument can be made that we renew this covenant with God each time we pray the Lord's prayer ["forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"]. The salvific impact of mercy cannot be overstated. If I understand Jesus correctly, our eternity is tied up with forgiving others.
The other issue is human dominion. As our reflections on Genesis pointed out, the Lord God made a decision to hand over power to the human. In the world, we are given dominion (as the image of God). The same is true (only intensified) in the church. Jesus breathes His Spirit into us. We are teh Body of Christ! We are given the power to bind/unbind sins. This is not an empty image. It is a metaphor for a genuine reality. Sin is real. Very real. So is forgiveness. God's war against sin and death was won by Jesus, but we are partners with Jesus in the ongoing battles today. We forgive others so that we can then invite them to repent. Repentance is not causal, it is responsive. People change their lives when they are free. Forgiveness provides that freedom. The sins done against us are the ones which we have the power to forgive because it costs us.
I do not know why God would make the decision to hand over so much power to humans. I do not understand why God would put Himself in a situation where the Church is so vital to His saving work. I think the cross is key. The Lord, emptied of His divine status, hung on that cross. The powerlessness of His power is the absolute paradox. But the cross is not an isolated, singular event. It is at the heart of God's saving work. As He allowed Himself to be beaten, tortured and killed, so today He allows His mission to be impacted by our choices and decisions. Throughout history, the sins of the church have diminished the success of the mission. Likewise, our fidelity has produced great fruit.
Forgiveness, whatever other benefits is provides, is about the mission of Jesus. Those who harm us need His grace and mercy. Our acts of forgiving are His work of salvation, in and through us. We become sacraments of His presence. So mercy is a gift we receive, and also a task with which we are burdened. Our mercy is God's reformation of the world. Our forgiveness is a means of His salvation impacting the world. To forgive is to share, as the Image of God, in the saving work of God. And, for everyone, there are some people who have hurt us so badly, that to forgive them is to be crucified. That may be, in the end, why we must forgive. Perhaps, when Jesus says we must take up our own cross, what He means is that when we show others mercy (especially the unrepentant) we die to ourselves and enter into a deeper union with Him. It is all more complex then that, no doubt, but certainly the cross and mercy are tied together not only at Calvary, but within our own hearts and our own relationships.
"No," Jesus replies, "not seven but seventy seven" (or perhaps seventy times seven). In other words, there is no limit.
The first thing that jumps out at you when you read the text is that Peter does not mention the church member being sorry. That changes everything. It is one thing to forgive someone who is sorry. It is another thing to forgive someone who is not. Why would Jesus not tell us to wait for an apology from the perpetrator? Why would he not require that we hold such a person to some standard?
It is tempting to do a psychological assessment here. We all know that the emotions we feel seething within us when we have been "done wrong" are not helpful. We know that they produce all manner of illness. We know that they eat away at our souls, bodies, emotions. We have seen the diminished humanity of someone who harbors ongoing anger. Maybe Jesus is being therapeutic, telling us to forgive others for our own good. But I do not think that Jesus is primarilly concerned with mental (and physical) health here. Instead, I would offer two other concerns which I do think motivate Him here.
One is the covenant. The other is the reality of human dominion. Let's look at covenant first. The basis of our relationship with God is His grace. He freely chose to gift us with life, to forgive us and to free us from death. None of this is earned or warranted. It is His choice and it is a gift. There is debate about who is offered this grace (all people or only a select number). How that mercy is realized is another much debated question. I will only say that on numerous occassions Jesus states that our willingness to forgive is a condition of God's forgiveness. ["So my heavenly Father will also do to every on of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."] An argument can be made that we renew this covenant with God each time we pray the Lord's prayer ["forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"]. The salvific impact of mercy cannot be overstated. If I understand Jesus correctly, our eternity is tied up with forgiving others.
The other issue is human dominion. As our reflections on Genesis pointed out, the Lord God made a decision to hand over power to the human. In the world, we are given dominion (as the image of God). The same is true (only intensified) in the church. Jesus breathes His Spirit into us. We are teh Body of Christ! We are given the power to bind/unbind sins. This is not an empty image. It is a metaphor for a genuine reality. Sin is real. Very real. So is forgiveness. God's war against sin and death was won by Jesus, but we are partners with Jesus in the ongoing battles today. We forgive others so that we can then invite them to repent. Repentance is not causal, it is responsive. People change their lives when they are free. Forgiveness provides that freedom. The sins done against us are the ones which we have the power to forgive because it costs us.
I do not know why God would make the decision to hand over so much power to humans. I do not understand why God would put Himself in a situation where the Church is so vital to His saving work. I think the cross is key. The Lord, emptied of His divine status, hung on that cross. The powerlessness of His power is the absolute paradox. But the cross is not an isolated, singular event. It is at the heart of God's saving work. As He allowed Himself to be beaten, tortured and killed, so today He allows His mission to be impacted by our choices and decisions. Throughout history, the sins of the church have diminished the success of the mission. Likewise, our fidelity has produced great fruit.
Forgiveness, whatever other benefits is provides, is about the mission of Jesus. Those who harm us need His grace and mercy. Our acts of forgiving are His work of salvation, in and through us. We become sacraments of His presence. So mercy is a gift we receive, and also a task with which we are burdened. Our mercy is God's reformation of the world. Our forgiveness is a means of His salvation impacting the world. To forgive is to share, as the Image of God, in the saving work of God. And, for everyone, there are some people who have hurt us so badly, that to forgive them is to be crucified. That may be, in the end, why we must forgive. Perhaps, when Jesus says we must take up our own cross, what He means is that when we show others mercy (especially the unrepentant) we die to ourselves and enter into a deeper union with Him. It is all more complex then that, no doubt, but certainly the cross and mercy are tied together not only at Calvary, but within our own hearts and our own relationships.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Big Day
Last night my baby boy was baptized. The church was twice as full as normal for a Saturday. There were about 20 or so guests (family and friends of ours who came) which means about fifty of the folks were "Sunday morning people" who came to see the event.
To our knowledge, in the 120 plus years of this church, no priest has had a baby baptized while serving here. So, in a sense, it was an historical event. The sort of historical event which in our culture is note worthy. We pay attention to firsts. Some of it is sports related and the incessant score keeping that takes place there. Some of it is political (which at times is sports for the non-atheletic). We often hear about the first woman to serve here, or the first minority to be elected there. I doubt in Jesus' time (or most other times) villagers spent much time taking note of "firsts."
A priest friend from another parish, who was with us the night that baby was born, was with us last night. He annointed. My close friend and associate celebrated, preached and did the baptism. His sermon included a pointed address to my other son and daughter, the 'big sis/bro." What he said was basic, but it was moving nonetheless. They will be the ones that he goes to, over and again. No doubt he will view them with the eyes of an adoring worhsipper.
Having a child baptized is an amazing thing. For endless hours I have prayed over this little guy. My biggest desire is that he be holy. I hope he will be strong where I have been weak, that he will be faithful where I have failed. Probably, most of us dream that our kids will do that.
The gift of relationship with God has been given. One hundred and nineteen of us gathered in a full church, crammed full, to sing, pray and hear God's word. It was historic. It was also unnoteworthy. A small group in a little church. So ordinary. So insignificant. Yet, so sublime.
God is that way. At work in growing seed and growing babies. At work in insignificant people who are somehow made part of the body of Christ through water and faith. It is easy to overlook how important these little events are. Some day Baby will do great things for God. At least that is my hope and prayer. Last night was another step in that journey.
To our knowledge, in the 120 plus years of this church, no priest has had a baby baptized while serving here. So, in a sense, it was an historical event. The sort of historical event which in our culture is note worthy. We pay attention to firsts. Some of it is sports related and the incessant score keeping that takes place there. Some of it is political (which at times is sports for the non-atheletic). We often hear about the first woman to serve here, or the first minority to be elected there. I doubt in Jesus' time (or most other times) villagers spent much time taking note of "firsts."
A priest friend from another parish, who was with us the night that baby was born, was with us last night. He annointed. My close friend and associate celebrated, preached and did the baptism. His sermon included a pointed address to my other son and daughter, the 'big sis/bro." What he said was basic, but it was moving nonetheless. They will be the ones that he goes to, over and again. No doubt he will view them with the eyes of an adoring worhsipper.
Having a child baptized is an amazing thing. For endless hours I have prayed over this little guy. My biggest desire is that he be holy. I hope he will be strong where I have been weak, that he will be faithful where I have failed. Probably, most of us dream that our kids will do that.
The gift of relationship with God has been given. One hundred and nineteen of us gathered in a full church, crammed full, to sing, pray and hear God's word. It was historic. It was also unnoteworthy. A small group in a little church. So ordinary. So insignificant. Yet, so sublime.
God is that way. At work in growing seed and growing babies. At work in insignificant people who are somehow made part of the body of Christ through water and faith. It is easy to overlook how important these little events are. Some day Baby will do great things for God. At least that is my hope and prayer. Last night was another step in that journey.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
My New Baby Boy!
Exactly twenty four hours ago I was standing beside my wife as nurses scurried around the room, each to her place, and our doctor, decked out in a paper hazmat-looking outfit sat at her feet. The "cheerleaders" (hold your breath and push...7, 8, 9, 10, okay, you are doing great!) continued for some twenty minutes. My beloved wife, a trooper all the way, finally pushed our baby boy into the outside world at 10:20pm. As he was pulled out by the doctor, his large and perfect body produced a sweep of emotion in me. There he was, in all his glory, looking three months old. At ten pounds and more than three ounces he is big. He is not a big crier, his infrequent cries are more sweet and melodious (at this point!!!!)
Now I am home for a brief shower and "taking care of business" and then it is back to the hospital. When I return, he will be over one day old. It seems so much longer.
Yesterday morning, at 7am, we were told that we could not go to the hospital; they were too full. For the next two hours phone calls were made and received. At one point we thought we were headed to another hospital. Then we thought it was going to be in the afternoon. Then we thought it was going to be Saturday. Back and forth: maybe, could be, should we? Suddenly, at 9:00 we got an opening. Like a star half back we saw the break and made our move, packing up the car we left. Behind us, our sixteen year old daughter and son were in my car. First time to see that. The big debate was who would get to hold baby first. More on that later.
The medical team hooked my wife up to the various fluids and medications. For several hours I sent out updates, rather inefficiently, and awaited the "Between five and seven" time frame when we were told he was going to arrive (I am a conservative, I figured six to eight). Then the process slowed, so more medicine was added. Suddenly there was an increase in pain and so the epidural doctors made their appearance. At around seven we were told there was another three or four hours to go. Most everyone left except my kids, my mother-in-law and Fr. Terry. We debated on the actual time of birth. Most of them figured sometime near or after eleven. I said, "10:22." I was accused of insider info and cheating!
Watching the birth makes me think that we should genuflect in front of our mothers every day of our life. The birth is an unthinkable and unimaginable event. It has been likened to sucking a watermelon through a straw. In all honesty that is exactly what it looked like to me.
I do not understand the whole biological explanation of how single celled entities became humans. The birth process is so ridiculously involved that I cannot see how chance changes over a long period of time produced what I saw. I am a simple man. I think that God is the only way this could ever happen. Not saying He did it magically. Not saying a long biological process was not part of the deal. Not saying that science can't teach us alot about the whole thing. Just saying, it was miraculous, sacred and incredible. It made me worship.
One of the highlights of the night was my two kids, ooops, I mean my other two kids (got to get used to the new census figures). For much of the last two months there has been some tension around the question, "who gets to hold him first?" Being as how I am the dad, I am supposed to (wisely) intervene and come up with the fair and just answer. I saw reason for each of them to be the one, so I did what I often do, I trusted to their inner wisdom and goodness. This approach frequently backfires, so it is not always the surest bet. But it is usually the best bet. As the moment of birth loomed my son said, "Dad..." I turned around and looked over my shoulder. He was making a cutting motion and mouthing the words, "Can I cut the chord?" Not sure that I was the one to make the decision, I said, "we will see." At ten twenty one our doctor said, "Okay dad, cut the chord." I gave a thumb sign toward my son, he stepped forward, and two snips later he freed the newborn from his mother. It was a sacramental moment. A sign and an effective act. In the days ahead, as an older brother, he will regularly free his little brother. A few minutes later it came time to hold the baby. After momma, who was next? Big Sis. She took him in her arms and cradled him with a look on her face that melted my heart. Another sacrament. She will, in days ahead, be second momma and will no doubt be the one to provide endless comfort and love to her new brother.
Today, talking with the kids, they shared some of their experience. "Dad," they told me, "We were so worried about who got to hold him first until he was born. Then watching it, we did not care any more. It didn't matter." They were so overwhelmed by the grace of the moment that there was no room for themselves any more. It was a moment of heaven. A moment of other focus. I was so proud of them.
Birth is a miracle. It is incredible. Exactly twenty four hours ago our family added a new member. A new baby boy. He is so big (yet so small). He is already loved, yet to be loved so much more. Who will he be some day? I do not know. What I do know is that for nine months our prayer is that he would be holy. Holy. I think God honors such prayers. Baby has an amazing mom, an amazing sister and an amazing brother. I think that God has good material to work with. Welcome to planet earth, my son. God be with you in your life, your journey into faith, hope and love.
Now I am home for a brief shower and "taking care of business" and then it is back to the hospital. When I return, he will be over one day old. It seems so much longer.
Yesterday morning, at 7am, we were told that we could not go to the hospital; they were too full. For the next two hours phone calls were made and received. At one point we thought we were headed to another hospital. Then we thought it was going to be in the afternoon. Then we thought it was going to be Saturday. Back and forth: maybe, could be, should we? Suddenly, at 9:00 we got an opening. Like a star half back we saw the break and made our move, packing up the car we left. Behind us, our sixteen year old daughter and son were in my car. First time to see that. The big debate was who would get to hold baby first. More on that later.
The medical team hooked my wife up to the various fluids and medications. For several hours I sent out updates, rather inefficiently, and awaited the "Between five and seven" time frame when we were told he was going to arrive (I am a conservative, I figured six to eight). Then the process slowed, so more medicine was added. Suddenly there was an increase in pain and so the epidural doctors made their appearance. At around seven we were told there was another three or four hours to go. Most everyone left except my kids, my mother-in-law and Fr. Terry. We debated on the actual time of birth. Most of them figured sometime near or after eleven. I said, "10:22." I was accused of insider info and cheating!
Watching the birth makes me think that we should genuflect in front of our mothers every day of our life. The birth is an unthinkable and unimaginable event. It has been likened to sucking a watermelon through a straw. In all honesty that is exactly what it looked like to me.
I do not understand the whole biological explanation of how single celled entities became humans. The birth process is so ridiculously involved that I cannot see how chance changes over a long period of time produced what I saw. I am a simple man. I think that God is the only way this could ever happen. Not saying He did it magically. Not saying a long biological process was not part of the deal. Not saying that science can't teach us alot about the whole thing. Just saying, it was miraculous, sacred and incredible. It made me worship.
One of the highlights of the night was my two kids, ooops, I mean my other two kids (got to get used to the new census figures). For much of the last two months there has been some tension around the question, "who gets to hold him first?" Being as how I am the dad, I am supposed to (wisely) intervene and come up with the fair and just answer. I saw reason for each of them to be the one, so I did what I often do, I trusted to their inner wisdom and goodness. This approach frequently backfires, so it is not always the surest bet. But it is usually the best bet. As the moment of birth loomed my son said, "Dad..." I turned around and looked over my shoulder. He was making a cutting motion and mouthing the words, "Can I cut the chord?" Not sure that I was the one to make the decision, I said, "we will see." At ten twenty one our doctor said, "Okay dad, cut the chord." I gave a thumb sign toward my son, he stepped forward, and two snips later he freed the newborn from his mother. It was a sacramental moment. A sign and an effective act. In the days ahead, as an older brother, he will regularly free his little brother. A few minutes later it came time to hold the baby. After momma, who was next? Big Sis. She took him in her arms and cradled him with a look on her face that melted my heart. Another sacrament. She will, in days ahead, be second momma and will no doubt be the one to provide endless comfort and love to her new brother.
Today, talking with the kids, they shared some of their experience. "Dad," they told me, "We were so worried about who got to hold him first until he was born. Then watching it, we did not care any more. It didn't matter." They were so overwhelmed by the grace of the moment that there was no room for themselves any more. It was a moment of heaven. A moment of other focus. I was so proud of them.
Birth is a miracle. It is incredible. Exactly twenty four hours ago our family added a new member. A new baby boy. He is so big (yet so small). He is already loved, yet to be loved so much more. Who will he be some day? I do not know. What I do know is that for nine months our prayer is that he would be holy. Holy. I think God honors such prayers. Baby has an amazing mom, an amazing sister and an amazing brother. I think that God has good material to work with. Welcome to planet earth, my son. God be with you in your life, your journey into faith, hope and love.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Bloodshed
The convention is over. As has been the case the last several years, it was a low key affair without conflict. One highlight for me was worship. I was able to stop for some time and simply praise and thank God. The music was sublime and the setting was wonderful. One prayer did give me pause, it was a prayer modeled after the Lord's prayer from a perspective which is deeply affected by sexism. As I often say, today's solution is tomorrow's problem. In an effort to address the problem of how we treat women, the author of this prayer (from another continent!) ended up using language which is Modalism. That means it divides God into three functions (creator, redeemer, sanctifier) instead of three persons. See, the One God is three persons and all three are involved in each function. I am less distressed than others about using the Lord's Prayer as a model. After all, the English version we use is a translation of a Greek prayer found in the bible. And the Greek prayer is a translation of the Aramaic original. Based on my study of the Greek, I make my own modification most of the time. However, the translation we had in our worship went in the wrong direction, as I understand it, so I simply prayed it closer to the original.
Another positive, I thought that there was serious discussion about a focus on basic Christianity. Many voices shared a concern about things which I hold dear. I was able to share my beliefs in a setting which was not hostile and people listened and heard. Something which I had said last year at convention found their way into this year's document. That is progress. Several years ago it was very contentious. At times it was so heated that the atmosphere was like combat.
There was, however, for me, an experience of bloodshed. As I left on Saturday, I was able to go to the Germanown Lifeblood Center. I have a special type of blood which is used in transfusions for babies. My iron counts had been running low so my doctor told me to give it a rest for awhile. It has been several months since I last gave. However, the Lifeblood folks have called regularly because there is a shortage for the babies. I decided to give again a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, my schedule is pretty full most of the time. On Saturday I had a small window of opportunity. So I ran by and gave. I met a nice Catholic woman from St. Augustines. She was giving as a start off to Lent. The nurse attended St. Mary's where I started out as a priest. After giving blood I grabbed a sandwich and went to church to pray with our healing group. At five o'clock we had eucharist. Around five forty I read the words of Jesus, what we call the consecration. "This is my Body, given for you. This is the cup of my blood, shed for you. Do this in memory of Me" Sometimes in my head I sort of reflect on this using diferent language. I think things like, "I give My body and blood for you, now you go do the same thing, give your body and blood for Me, give your body and blood to others." I do not change the words at the service. But I do twist their meaning, just a bit, for myself.
Whenever I give blood, at some point as the bag fills I pray for all those who will interact with it. I pray for the babies who will get it. I pray for their families. I figure whenever a baby needs blood the family has got to be stressed. I thank Jesus for letting me do this in memory for Him. I thank Him for His bloodshed for us. I thank Him for the insight. And I find myself in a very good mood. It is faith, or hope, or joy. So there was bloodshed this weekend, but not at convention! It was shed by me, in imitation of Him. Today, again, you and I will literally and figuratively give our lives over to others, for His sake. My prayer is that the awareness will put you in a good mood, too!
Another positive, I thought that there was serious discussion about a focus on basic Christianity. Many voices shared a concern about things which I hold dear. I was able to share my beliefs in a setting which was not hostile and people listened and heard. Something which I had said last year at convention found their way into this year's document. That is progress. Several years ago it was very contentious. At times it was so heated that the atmosphere was like combat.
There was, however, for me, an experience of bloodshed. As I left on Saturday, I was able to go to the Germanown Lifeblood Center. I have a special type of blood which is used in transfusions for babies. My iron counts had been running low so my doctor told me to give it a rest for awhile. It has been several months since I last gave. However, the Lifeblood folks have called regularly because there is a shortage for the babies. I decided to give again a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, my schedule is pretty full most of the time. On Saturday I had a small window of opportunity. So I ran by and gave. I met a nice Catholic woman from St. Augustines. She was giving as a start off to Lent. The nurse attended St. Mary's where I started out as a priest. After giving blood I grabbed a sandwich and went to church to pray with our healing group. At five o'clock we had eucharist. Around five forty I read the words of Jesus, what we call the consecration. "This is my Body, given for you. This is the cup of my blood, shed for you. Do this in memory of Me" Sometimes in my head I sort of reflect on this using diferent language. I think things like, "I give My body and blood for you, now you go do the same thing, give your body and blood for Me, give your body and blood to others." I do not change the words at the service. But I do twist their meaning, just a bit, for myself.
Whenever I give blood, at some point as the bag fills I pray for all those who will interact with it. I pray for the babies who will get it. I pray for their families. I figure whenever a baby needs blood the family has got to be stressed. I thank Jesus for letting me do this in memory for Him. I thank Him for His bloodshed for us. I thank Him for the insight. And I find myself in a very good mood. It is faith, or hope, or joy. So there was bloodshed this weekend, but not at convention! It was shed by me, in imitation of Him. Today, again, you and I will literally and figuratively give our lives over to others, for His sake. My prayer is that the awareness will put you in a good mood, too!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Healing 1
A recent comment:
Jeff, I would like to hear more of your thoughts on how we could (maybe) incorporate more healing prayer-type activities into parish life. I'm reading this post while taking a short break from prep for a retreat I am running in the end of March where healing is one of the key themes. But, it seems a shame that we have to go on a retreat or to a youth rally or some other "extraordinary" venue to experience a true, healing shared prayer. Can you imagine the strength of our faith communities if we could access the same Spirit in our home parishes?
My response
YES! I think that the saddest thing about church life is how little "life" there is in "the church." I am no expert, but I will share some reasons why I think this is so and what we can do. I may be posting on this theme in general for awile.
1. The Greek word for heal is sozo. It also means save. As we read English translations of the Bible most of us do not know that. The word "save" is a technical term in the South. It means, for many people, "going to heaven." Hence, the question, "are you saved?" While going to heaven does sound very appealing, that does not seem to be a central function of Jesus' ministry. Jesus never asks the question, "If you died tonight do you know where you would spend eternity?"
2. sozo in the sense of being rescued from danger, healed or proptected from harm has a different feel for me. It is the idea that creation matters. It is a reminder that God made this world and He intends for us to live in this world. In the Bible, the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven to earth. In the Bible, Jesus will return to earth to raise the dead. I am sure it will be different from now, but it is not some purely spiritual existence.
3. Because we live in a fallen world (ruled by Satan, sin and death) we regularly experience suffering of mnd, body, heart and spirit. For some people life is a terrible burden. Sadder still, we create suffering by our own actions, hurting others and hurting ourselves. We make choices which damage the world. So it can feel almost hopeless. [I wrote some time ago about systems theory and the law of unintended consequences. One corollary of that is Today's solution is tomorrow's problem]
4. A review of history reveals that peace and prosperity are not the norm. Conflicts with nature and with each other is the norm. War, famine, earth quake, flood, economic collapse occur on a regular basis to upset our tranquil lives. In places like Haiti it seems to occur non-stop. Our existence is insecure on this planet, even if for most of 'us' the last fifty years have been relatively pleasant.
5. The "healing ministry" of Jesus is an activation of that future (hope) in the present time. Physical health is being 'saved from physical illness,' mental/emotional health is being 'saved from illness of soul,' forgiveness and renewal is being 'saved from sin,' resurrection is 'being saved from death'.... The list is as long as anything that ails or harms us.
6. The task of the church is to proclaim that Jesus can do this (save/heal) now as a (partial) preview of the ultimate salvation/rescue/healing in the Final Renewal of Things. Unfortunately, too much of the church membership does not see the vocation of proclamation to include not only word, but also deed. In Acts it is called "signs and wonders" and it seems to have been one reason why the church was energized. I will share more on that later. It is enough to ponder the question: what would it be like if our local churches acted like they were on a mission from God?
Jeff, I would like to hear more of your thoughts on how we could (maybe) incorporate more healing prayer-type activities into parish life. I'm reading this post while taking a short break from prep for a retreat I am running in the end of March where healing is one of the key themes. But, it seems a shame that we have to go on a retreat or to a youth rally or some other "extraordinary" venue to experience a true, healing shared prayer. Can you imagine the strength of our faith communities if we could access the same Spirit in our home parishes?
My response
YES! I think that the saddest thing about church life is how little "life" there is in "the church." I am no expert, but I will share some reasons why I think this is so and what we can do. I may be posting on this theme in general for awile.
1. The Greek word for heal is sozo. It also means save. As we read English translations of the Bible most of us do not know that. The word "save" is a technical term in the South. It means, for many people, "going to heaven." Hence, the question, "are you saved?" While going to heaven does sound very appealing, that does not seem to be a central function of Jesus' ministry. Jesus never asks the question, "If you died tonight do you know where you would spend eternity?"
2. sozo in the sense of being rescued from danger, healed or proptected from harm has a different feel for me. It is the idea that creation matters. It is a reminder that God made this world and He intends for us to live in this world. In the Bible, the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven to earth. In the Bible, Jesus will return to earth to raise the dead. I am sure it will be different from now, but it is not some purely spiritual existence.
3. Because we live in a fallen world (ruled by Satan, sin and death) we regularly experience suffering of mnd, body, heart and spirit. For some people life is a terrible burden. Sadder still, we create suffering by our own actions, hurting others and hurting ourselves. We make choices which damage the world. So it can feel almost hopeless. [I wrote some time ago about systems theory and the law of unintended consequences. One corollary of that is Today's solution is tomorrow's problem]
4. A review of history reveals that peace and prosperity are not the norm. Conflicts with nature and with each other is the norm. War, famine, earth quake, flood, economic collapse occur on a regular basis to upset our tranquil lives. In places like Haiti it seems to occur non-stop. Our existence is insecure on this planet, even if for most of 'us' the last fifty years have been relatively pleasant.
5. The "healing ministry" of Jesus is an activation of that future (hope) in the present time. Physical health is being 'saved from physical illness,' mental/emotional health is being 'saved from illness of soul,' forgiveness and renewal is being 'saved from sin,' resurrection is 'being saved from death'.... The list is as long as anything that ails or harms us.
6. The task of the church is to proclaim that Jesus can do this (save/heal) now as a (partial) preview of the ultimate salvation/rescue/healing in the Final Renewal of Things. Unfortunately, too much of the church membership does not see the vocation of proclamation to include not only word, but also deed. In Acts it is called "signs and wonders" and it seems to have been one reason why the church was energized. I will share more on that later. It is enough to ponder the question: what would it be like if our local churches acted like they were on a mission from God?
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Ultrasounds
We are having a baby in June. It is a most unexpected turn of events. I am a planner. I like to look ahead and take care of things. I also generate lots of scenarios in my head to worry about. Babies are a target rich environment for ever sort of worry. The uncertainty of life is so much more obviously uncertain, it seems, when you think about babies. There are so many possible problems to deal with. The tests provide relief as you learn what horrible diseases you probably will not have. Having already dealt with spina bifida we are relieved that the spine looks great. The doctor told us that the norm is healthy babies, but I have faced the "un-norm" and know it is possible to face it again. Worries, I have been told, are a "prayer of unbelief." I think there is some truth to that. I try not to worry.
Today as I drove to work I heard there was a car wreck near my brother and sister's neighborhood. I had a stab of worry so I said a prayer for their safety. I then prayed for my two kids to be safe. Funny how we just assume each day is going to be fine. I realized how much I take for granted. Even a worry-wart like me, it seems, assumes that every day will be okay. I guess I have some faith after all!
There are such finite limits to our life. There is so much we cannot see. My wife's little belly hides the most amazing little boy. We cannot see him now, but we know he is there. Sometimes we can feel movement. But we cannot hear him or see him (without technology). In the doctors office we saw his reflection on a screen. It was blurred. At time only a small part of him was recognizable. Ironically we even saw his heart, his brain and other organs. Things hidden within him as he lays hidden within the womb! But we could for brief moments make him out. I saw a foot. I saw a hand. A couple times, briefly, I saw his face. The face! It was like he was looking right at us. It felt that way. Even though he cannot see us at all. For a moment, gazing at teh screen, if felt like we were looking right at each other. I assume (I hope, I pray) some day I will hold him in my hands and look into his face. I hope that he and I will come to see, face to face, and to love each other, face to face. Having done that twice already I know it is a most remarkable thing.
A baby does not have to be planned to be wanted. I want this little guy to grow and prosper. I want him to be so much more than I am. I want him to be holy in ways I have only imagined. I hope he will be wise and patient and kind. I pray he will love God with all he is and love his neighbor as himself. My two teen-agers are far enough along that I can see an outline of what is possible. They are children of faith. They are smart, beautiful, and good kids. Next summer, we will add a third child to the group. I have done many important things in my life. There is nothing more important to me than being a dad.
Unknown future. What will happen? Once again we enter mytery. I trust there is a God who is here with us. Like this baby, right now I cannot see God. I cannot hear God. I catch glimpses of God. Glimpses which are distorted and incomplete. My own imagination supplies details which are inaccurate. Like this baby, some day I will see Him face to face. Like this baby, the actual encounter will be far superior to the blurry photo on an ultrasound screen. Until that face to face moment, I wait. I prepare. I do the things necessary to get ready for the day. I long to see the baby. I long to see God. The hunger is love. Love is the goal and final destination. I hope. I pray. I wait, anxiously.
The baby is a sacrament, for me, of God. Pregnancy and waiting are, for me, a sacrament of the Kingdom. I cannot argue it philosophically (okay probably I would!) but I can glimpse it. Little bits and pieces. My prayer is this blog provides others a glimpse. A reason to hope. A reason to sing and dance and love. A reason to pray and to serve.
Today as I drove to work I heard there was a car wreck near my brother and sister's neighborhood. I had a stab of worry so I said a prayer for their safety. I then prayed for my two kids to be safe. Funny how we just assume each day is going to be fine. I realized how much I take for granted. Even a worry-wart like me, it seems, assumes that every day will be okay. I guess I have some faith after all!
There are such finite limits to our life. There is so much we cannot see. My wife's little belly hides the most amazing little boy. We cannot see him now, but we know he is there. Sometimes we can feel movement. But we cannot hear him or see him (without technology). In the doctors office we saw his reflection on a screen. It was blurred. At time only a small part of him was recognizable. Ironically we even saw his heart, his brain and other organs. Things hidden within him as he lays hidden within the womb! But we could for brief moments make him out. I saw a foot. I saw a hand. A couple times, briefly, I saw his face. The face! It was like he was looking right at us. It felt that way. Even though he cannot see us at all. For a moment, gazing at teh screen, if felt like we were looking right at each other. I assume (I hope, I pray) some day I will hold him in my hands and look into his face. I hope that he and I will come to see, face to face, and to love each other, face to face. Having done that twice already I know it is a most remarkable thing.
A baby does not have to be planned to be wanted. I want this little guy to grow and prosper. I want him to be so much more than I am. I want him to be holy in ways I have only imagined. I hope he will be wise and patient and kind. I pray he will love God with all he is and love his neighbor as himself. My two teen-agers are far enough along that I can see an outline of what is possible. They are children of faith. They are smart, beautiful, and good kids. Next summer, we will add a third child to the group. I have done many important things in my life. There is nothing more important to me than being a dad.
Unknown future. What will happen? Once again we enter mytery. I trust there is a God who is here with us. Like this baby, right now I cannot see God. I cannot hear God. I catch glimpses of God. Glimpses which are distorted and incomplete. My own imagination supplies details which are inaccurate. Like this baby, some day I will see Him face to face. Like this baby, the actual encounter will be far superior to the blurry photo on an ultrasound screen. Until that face to face moment, I wait. I prepare. I do the things necessary to get ready for the day. I long to see the baby. I long to see God. The hunger is love. Love is the goal and final destination. I hope. I pray. I wait, anxiously.
The baby is a sacrament, for me, of God. Pregnancy and waiting are, for me, a sacrament of the Kingdom. I cannot argue it philosophically (okay probably I would!) but I can glimpse it. Little bits and pieces. My prayer is this blog provides others a glimpse. A reason to hope. A reason to sing and dance and love. A reason to pray and to serve.
Friday, December 3, 2010
The Church
Edward Schillebeeckx wrote a book that is the basis of most of my thought. In it he says that Jesus is the Sacrament of God. It was helpful to me because I understood the incarnation more clearly. It also made sense of the world I live in, something I have tried to reflect on the last week.
In simplest terms: God is invisible. Jesus, the man, is the person "in and through" Whom God is present in the world. There are deep philosophical questions about how spirit and matter interconnect. The sacramental understanding is probably the best way. So God is present in the flesh of Jesus (the meaning of incarnate). Jesus ascended to heaven after He rose from the dead. The earliest followers of Jesus had an experience of the Spirit of Jesus unleashed on the church. In John's Gospel Jesus breathes on the apostles to give them His Spirit. In Acts there is the famous Pentecost event. Some readings of the crucifixion note that Jesus "handed over His Spirit" can be double meaning; that is, He dies and also a sort-of-Pentecost giving over of the Spirit. Some folks will argue long and hard about all this. For me, it is clear that the life force of Jesus, The Holy Spirit, is now shared with His followers (the Church). In and through the church Jesus is active in the world. So our activity is, in fact, the on-going saving work of Christ (until the great consummation of creation).
The rituals in which we engage are acts of Christ. So are the works of loving service. Where is Jesus? Where is God? The Church should answer that question in its daily activities! But all sacramental acts are not equally transparent. Sometimes we are weak signs and symbols. That is why there is so much doubt and question about church. More to come.
In simplest terms: God is invisible. Jesus, the man, is the person "in and through" Whom God is present in the world. There are deep philosophical questions about how spirit and matter interconnect. The sacramental understanding is probably the best way. So God is present in the flesh of Jesus (the meaning of incarnate). Jesus ascended to heaven after He rose from the dead. The earliest followers of Jesus had an experience of the Spirit of Jesus unleashed on the church. In John's Gospel Jesus breathes on the apostles to give them His Spirit. In Acts there is the famous Pentecost event. Some readings of the crucifixion note that Jesus "handed over His Spirit" can be double meaning; that is, He dies and also a sort-of-Pentecost giving over of the Spirit. Some folks will argue long and hard about all this. For me, it is clear that the life force of Jesus, The Holy Spirit, is now shared with His followers (the Church). In and through the church Jesus is active in the world. So our activity is, in fact, the on-going saving work of Christ (until the great consummation of creation).
The rituals in which we engage are acts of Christ. So are the works of loving service. Where is Jesus? Where is God? The Church should answer that question in its daily activities! But all sacramental acts are not equally transparent. Sometimes we are weak signs and symbols. That is why there is so much doubt and question about church. More to come.
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