Commemorating the Founder of Anglican Comprehensiveness

John 17:18-23 (NRSV)

Looking up to heaven, Jesus said, "As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

We commemorate today an Anglican Saint who helped define the way we interpret the Bible and translate information.  Richard Hooker (1553-1600) helped create what Episcopalians call our three legged stool of Scripture, Tradition and Reason.

"his masterpiece, was entitled Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity.  Its philosophical base is Aristotelian, with a strong emphasis upon natural law eternally planted by God in creation.  On this foundation, all positive laws of Church and State are grounded--from Scriptural revelation, ancient tradition, reason, and experience." (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 666).

If there were ever a voice against the idea of Biblical literalism within the Anglican Communion and Episcopal Church, this is one of the most important.  It is from the work of Hooker that the Episcopal Church began to rethink our understanding of the ordination of women and human sexuality to include lesbian gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people.  While there are other very important Christian churches (Lutherans, Methodists (who use the same formula), United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, etc) who are making great strides in LGBTQ and gender inclusiveness, it is that three legged stool of Scripture, Tradition and Reason that is helping to shape what the Episcopal Church has been doing. It is also one very important point that many both inside and outside the Episcopal Church overlook when arguments and disagreements over the ordination of women and LGBTQ persons are made.

In today's Gospel Jesus again defines himself as the truth and prays for all who bear his Name that we all may be one.   Being one in Christ does not in any way diminish our diversity.   Jesus is not the grounds from which we are to justify bias, cruelty or violence towards any person.  If anything Jesus is the very reason why we must all be open to a greater understanding about the truth about everyone around us.  Jesus is a great foundation on which to build attitudes and behaviors of being inclusive, compassionate and comprehensive.   The moment we decide that in Jesus' Name we have everything all figured out, that is when the Holy Spirit rips open our Pandoras Box and we are catapulted into chaos only to understand something new and exciting, though the process of getting there is not without it's difficulty.  


Richard Hooker existed in a time very much like our own when the Church was in the midst of great controversy and corruption.  Like Hooker we too are being asked by Jesus through the Holy Spirit to challenge ourselves to help the Church to understand where it is in error through doctrine, dogma, attitude and behavior.  The Church given that there are human beings often visually challenged by pride, greed and prejudice needs heroic people to show the light of truth so that we may all grow into a more diverse and inclusive people.  Helping the Church to be more open to LGBTQ people as well as women and people of other races, cultures, religions and so forth is all part of helping Christians to better understand how we answer the prayer of Jesus that the Church may be one.  

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 26, Book of Common Prayer, page 235).

O God of truth and peace, you raised up your servant Richard Hooker in a day of bitter controversy to defend with sound reasoning and great charity the catholic and reformed religion: Grant that we may maintain that middle way, not as a compromise for the sake of peace, but as a comprehension for the sake of truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Richard Hooker, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 667).


Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen. (Prayer for the Church, Book of Common Prayer, page 816).