Discovering Our Treasures Among That Which is Old and New

Matthew 13:44-52 (NRSV)

Jesus said to his disciples, "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

"Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."

The Episcopal Church today commemorates a Priest who was heavily involved in the Oxford Movement.  A Priest by the name of Edward Bouverie Pusey.  He was born near Oxford on August 22, 1800 and lived until September 16, 1882.  Pusey was very fond of the teaching about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.  In 1843 Edward Pusey preached a sermon before Oxford University entitled: "The Holy Eucharist, a source of Comfort to the Penitent."  Pusey was condemned for this sermon.

When the Late Cardinal John Henry Newman converted to Catholicism in 1845, "Pusey's adherence to the Church of England kept many from following, and he defended them in their teachings and practices." (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 590).

On the wall above my computer from which I am typing this blog post I have a 2010 Episcocat Calendar that has pictures of cats with every month.  Underneath each picture is a written phrase.  Below the picture for January 2011 is printed: "High Church, Low Church, Broad Church....What happened to Christian unity, not to mention charity?"  A phrase with some truth to it, no doubt.

The Episcopal and Anglican traditions are well known for our excellence in worship, music and architecture. Having come from the Roman tradition I tend to like moderate to high worship.  I have maintained my belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.  Over the past year and four months I have also become more open to inclusive language and an appreciation for different styles of worship that help others to enjoy their meeting with God.  Among the things I want to meditate on today is that God finds God's treasure and pearl within us.  God has recognized the beauty of God's Self stamped into everyone of us whom God has made and redeemed through Christ.  God is as in love with God's treasure that is found in the love shared between people who are LGBTQ as those who are heterosexual.  God finds God's treasure in those who are not Christian, or white, or male, healthy, wealthy, who write or speak in English or of one gender in heart, mind or body.  We are all God's treasure and in us is a beautiful pearl whom God happens to love very much.

At the end of today's Gospel we read the words: "Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." (Vs. 51, 52). 

I beg the indulgence of those more learned about the Scriptures than I, but I think there is room to interpret the line that I have italicized to mean that God is able to bring out of all of his treasures including LGBTQ, women, people of other races and the like, that which is old and that which is new.  The Christian Faith is as much about hanging on to those things that we have always understood and believed, as much as it is about understanding and believing in things, in new ways.  At one point in our history the idea of ordaining women as Priests or Bishops was like speaking a foreign language.  Now, it is more common.  At one point ordaining an openly gay Priest would have been considered unheard of.  Now, there are many openly LGBTQ Priests, two openly gay Bishops and many more in discernment.  While we are a long way from full and complete acceptance, we have made many strides towards full inclusion. 

As I prepare to close out today's blog I want to convey a message from the House of Bishops that are meeting in Arizona this weekend.  They are supporting the Dream Act that will be before the United States Senate this upcoming week.  Sadly and I cannot imagine why it is being completely looked over, but so is the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell included in the Defense Authorization Bill that contains the same Dream Act.  Nevertheless I would echo their request to please contact our Senators this week and ask them to support the Dream Act as well as the Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.   What is the Dream Act?  According to Bishop Brian Prior of Minnesota here is what it means.

DREAM is an acronym for “Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors.” Under the act, eligible students can apply for “conditional lawful permanent residency” for a six-year period during which they must graduate from a two-year college, complete two years of a four-year degree, or serve in the military for two years with honorable discharge (if they choose to leave service). At the end of the six-year period, if they have met the criteria, they can become lawful permanent residents.

Why is the DREAM act important? Each year 65,000 US raised students are denied access to higher education and legal employment due to the fact that they were brought to this country at a young age by their parents. Instead of punishing these students for actions taken on their behalf and beyond their control, the DREAM Act would provide a fair process by which these young people could gain legal status in virtually the only country they have ever known.

Please contact your Senators and ask them to support the Dream Act as well as the Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

I must also take this time to call out Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Great Britain.  Last night I watched an incredible Choral Vesper Service at which both Pope Benedict and Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams celebrated  in Westminster Abbey.  The message of the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury about working towards Ecumenism was totally wasted. Today the Pope will beatify John Henry Newman and place his feast date not on the date of his death, but on the date of his conversion to the Roman Church.  What started out as a wonderful possibility towards mutual respect and charity, has turned into an opportunity to give the middle finger to the Anglican Communion by the Roman Pontiff.  In so doing the Pope has conveyed an attitude of Supersessionism towards of the Roman Church towards the Church of England.   The Christian Charity just went right out the window. 

As we remember with gratitude the holy women and men of the Church, let us also pray that the Church will become a more charitable and inclusive home of worship, prayer and service for all of God's holy people.

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 19, Book of Common Prayer, page 233).


Grant, O God, that in all time of our testing we may know your presence and obey your will; that, following the example of your servant Edward Bouverie Pusey, we may with integrity and courage accomplish what you give us to do, and endure what you give us to bear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Edward Bouverie Pusey, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 591).

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Prayer for All Christians in their vocation, Ember Days, Book of Common Prayer, page 256).