First Sunday of Advent: Stay Awake, Prayerfully Discern, Actively Wait.

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 2:1-5 (NRSV)

The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come
the mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
Many peoples shall come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths."
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the LORD!

Psalm 122 (BCP., p.779).

Romans 13:11-14 (NRSV)

You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Matthew 24:36-44 (NRSV)

Jesus said to the disciples, "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."

 
Blog Reflection

In our fast paced society of IPhones, super fast internet speeds and quick fix meals; the idea of waiting for anything seems like ancient history.  Think of the days when if you were so unfortunate to have a break down in your automobile and found yourself in the breakdown lane of a highway, if you didn't have access to a pay phone, you could be there a long time.  Thanks to the miracle of the cell phone, IPhone and now the IPad, it is very possible to call for help right where you are and someone will find you.  As a result, our waiting is very passive.  We expect something to happen without us having to do too much.

I have come across a really great book entitled Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas.  It is a collection of writings each with their respective dates.  Each date has a reading from a different author.   This past Thanksgiving Day, November 28th I found a very intriguing reading by Henri Nouwen entitled: Waiting for God.   In the reading he talks about the waiting of Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Simeon and Anna.  Each of these had a very personal encounter with God concerning the coming of Christ.  Nouwen says that they each had an experience of God and received a message that sounded a lot like this.  "Do not be afraid.  I have something good to say to you."  Nouwen reminds us that we read about waiting for the Lord to act in the Psalms.   Psalm 130:5-7 reads "My soul is waiting for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning.  More than watchmen for the morning."   The kind of waiting we learn from this Psalm, the key Biblical characters I have named, and even in our Gospel today are invited along with us, to spend some time in active waiting that anticipates something amazingly wonderful from God.

During this time of Advent we are told to stay awake, and be at work at the things God has called us to do.  Advent is a period of prayerful discernment as we actively wait for the return of Christ at the end of time, as we are preparing to celebrate His first coming at Christmas.  St. Paul urges us to recognize this as the time to wake up, and pursue those works that lead us and others closer to God and to avoid those that are part of the age of darkness and despair.

In many ways, the discernment I am going through with the Companions of St. Luke/Order of St. Benedict as a Novice is an Advent.  It is a time of prayerfully waiting for God's will to be revealed in the here and now to help me know whether or not becoming a Benedictine Vowed Member of the Community is the right thing to do.   I am not going to receive that answer in the same way I can order a cheeseburger at a drive through and get it in the next ten minutes.  No.   This prayerful discernment means following the instructions of my Formation Master, praying the Offices, doing Lectio Divina, getting better acquainted with the Community, and learning to be obedient to our Abbot.   As they provide me with excellent and sometimes difficult feedback, they too are an important part of God's call on my life.   They are part of the prayerful discernment of God's will for both the Community and myself.

As we begin this new Liturgical Year in which we are told to stay awake, prayerfully discern and actively wait for the coming of Christ, we are told to be busy doing the work that we have before us.   We must continue to be a voice for the greater inclusion and equality of all marginalized persons including LGBTQ people in the Church and society.   We are preparing a place for Christ to come among us and find us at work for His honor and glory.  By listening to the Holy Spirit this Advent, we will be able to hear Jesus call us to work together to relieve the poor, hungry, thirsty, the injured, the hopeless and the oppressed.  We can be actively waiting for the coming of Christ, by helping others to prayerfully discern how our attitudes and actions suggest that we are concerned about others who are different than ourselves, or are we just as biased as anyone else, and quite frankly, much too pleased with ourselves being there.

Stay awake!  Be attentive to the needs of people around us who are victims of injustice and prejudice.

Prayerfully discern what is our role in making the Church and society a better place to receive Christ at His coming both at Christmas and at the end of time.

Actively wait!  Do not just sit there and fall asleep in the easy chair and act like there is nothing we can do. 

Be willing to write a letter to our Congressional leaders about why we must approve unemployment benefits by the beginning of the new calender year.

Tell others around us why we should have required background checks and limit the sale of dangerous military style weapons.  

We should actively listen to what is happening to people who live with some kind of mental illness, and stress the importance of a better health care system that addresses their needs with those who have been elected to decide our laws.  

We should celebrate those States, and support others that are passing the freedom to marry for all people including LGBT people.

On this World AIDS Day, we can remember those who have died from the disease over these many years, and celebrate the milestones we have come in terms of research, awareness and education.  However, we must also recommit ourselves to doing more to helping others prevent this disease and to end the negative stereotyping of people who live with HIV/AIDS both within the LGBTQ communities and beyond.   We must ask those we have elected for better funds for health care, comprehensive sex education, and more research for a cure.  


 
To call for an ending to racism, sexism and religious based discrimination of all kinds.

We should do our part to address the inequality of our immigration laws and economic inequality.

We can and must do our part to address our poor stewardship of the resources of this planet, and do something about climate change.

These and many more causes and issues can be part of our Advent and Christmas story. 

As we await the coming of Christ, let us stay awake and prayerfully discern how God is calling each of us to the work of God's mercy that prepares a place for Christ in all of us.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of
darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of
this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit
us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come
again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the
dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p.211).


Gracious Father, we pray for thy 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 thy Son our Savior. Amen.  (Prayer for the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p.816)


Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, p.260).

Thanksgiving Day: By Prayer and Supplication with Thanksgiving

Today's Scripture Readings

Deuteronomy 26:1-11 (NRSV)

When you have come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his name. You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say to him, "Today I declare to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our ancestors to give us." When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the LORD your God, you shall make this response before the LORD your God: "A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous. When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, we cried to the LORD, the God of our ancestors; the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O LORD, have given me." You shall set it down before the LORD your God and bow down before the LORD your God. Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house.

Psalm 100 (BCP., p. 729)


Philippians 4:4-9 (NRSV)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

John 6:25-35 (NRSV)

When the crowd found Jesus on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal." Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Blog Reflection 

Agricultural festivals are of great antiquity, and common to many religions.  Among the Jews, the three pilgrimage feasts, Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles, each had agricultural significance.  Medieval Christianity also developed a number of such observances none of which, however,, were incorporated into the Prayer Book.

Our own Thanksgiving Day finds its roots in observances begun by colonists in Massachusetts and Virginia, a tradition later taken up and extended to the whole of the New American nation by action of the Continental Congress.   (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, p.700).

These words in Holy Women, Holy Men strike a consonant and a disonant chord for me.   It is a wonderful thing to give thanks for all that God gives us by gathering with family, friends and sharing in the abundance together.   On the other side of the coin, is the reality of how much wanton destruction the pilgrims and white Christians brought to the Native communities.  The history of what colonization has meant to those who were oppressed and robbed cannot be justified.  Their cries for justice are valid.

St. Paul tells us "Do not worry about anything, but with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."  It is much easier for us who have been given so much to pray with thanksgiving, and make our requests to God, than those who are still pleading for deliverance from violence and prejudice.   Yet, it is often those who live under such situations that teach us to be thankful to God in ways that shake us to our bones.  When a hungry child looks up at us and says thank you at the Thanksgiving meal at the soup kitchen, she is sincere.   Where as many who have an over abundance, have the greatest difficulty expressing appreciation without complaining that he may lose his investments in his portfolio because the Affordable Care Act is helping the poor to have health care for the first time in decades.  

In the Ninth Conference on Prayer, St. John Cassian devotes a majority of that Conference to the different kinds of prayer mentioned by St. Paul in our reading from Philippians today.   Abba Isaac breaks down what Paul writes as four different kinds of prayer.  Prayer, supplication, intercession and thanksgiving.  Each of these are dependent on the other.  Yet, they each have a different function in prayer.  Prayer itself, Abba Isaac suggests, is vowing or an offering of something to God of and from ourselves.  Supplications is a form of confessing our sins and asking for sanctification and deliverance.   Intercession is pleading with God on behalf of others, and thanksgiving is expressing our heartfelt thanks to God for the grace we receive in Christ Jesus.  

If we take the words of our Scripture Readings today seriously, and celebrate this Thanksgiving as St. Paul and St. John Cassian suggest, then we must take into account our responsibilities to each other, and seek God's consolation and opportunity for conversion that this holiday calls for.  Our giving thanks for all that God has given in abundance out of God's great love, must come with supplication for our sins and/or participation in the evils of injustice and cruelty, and a renewed offering of ourselves in prayer for change and transformation.

In today's Gospel Reading, Jesus tells us that He is the Bread of Life.  Every time we gather together for the Eucharist, we celebrate in thanksgiving for the great gift of our salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ.  God's greatest gift to Christians, is Jesus Christ, God's perfect revelation of Self.  In Christ, we have the awesome example of how God responds to our brokenness, by offering Himself in sacrifice to redeem us.  The Real Presence of Christ, invites all of us to share the Goodness of God with others around us, to find forgiveness of our sins, and the grace to be transformed and to transform the world beyond ourselves.  In thanksgiving for all that God gives by the great gift of faith, we are invited and welcomed to become participants in the Holy Spirit's work of "renewing the face of the earth" (Psalm 104:31 BCP).

May we all give thanks to God today, with supplication and prayer to recommit ourselves to helping to heal the wounded community of humankind.   Let no person's dignity be dishonored.   May every person know of God's extravagant and inclusive love, in which there is no distinction or exception.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the
fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those
who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of
your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and
the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.246)


Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have
done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole
creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life,
and for the mystery of love.

We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for
the loving care which surrounds us on every side.

We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best
efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy
and delight us.

We thank you also for those disappointments and failures
that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the
truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast
obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying,
through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life
again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and
make him known; and through him, at all times and in all
places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.  (A General Thanksgiving, Book of Common Prayer, p.836).

On a personal note, today I am very thankful to Almighty God for the gift of faith.   I am thankful for the Eucharist.   I am thankful for the Anglican Communion and The Episcopal Church.   I am thankful for the opportunity to be a Clothed Novice in the Companions of St. Luke/Order of St. Benedict.   I am thankful that I am legally married to my husband Jason, and for all that Jason is to me.    I am thankful that we now have 15 States where there is the freedom to marry.   I am thankful for the opportunities to share my faith and hope in this blog and for all who read, and gain something from it.  I am also thankful for those who read my blog and struggle, or just pass it by.   I am thankful that there are loving and caring people out there who care about the marginalized including LGBTQ people, and many more.  I am thankful for these things and many more that I cannot name or remember.

Thanks be to God.   Amen.

Christ the King: Mercy and Justice Are His Rule. The Cross is His Throne

Today's Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 23:1-6 (NRSV)

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the LORD. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD.

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."

Psalm 46 (BCP., p.649)

Colossians 1:11-20 (NRSV)

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-- all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

Luke 23:33-43 (NRSV)

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. The people stood by, watching Jesus on the cross; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Blog Reflection

If there was an irony to end the Liturgical Year C, this would be it.  The majestic celebration of Christ the King is about Jesus at the end of time.  The consummation of all time, seasons, earth and Heaven is believed to find it's conclusion in Christ.  The Alpha and Omega.   The Beginning and the End.  As Anglicized as this Feast is, and though many may find it to be outdated and perhaps unnecessary, there is an important contemporary and social context to this Sunday.  

The reading from the Hebrew Scriptures tells us of a king who would take care of those who have been mistreated by former shepherds.  The Prophet Jeremiah is conveying God's words that God's people being mistreated by others is of great concern.  The People Jeremiah is prophesying to are a farming community.  They have lands that they look after, and their country was being managed by rulers who were not caring for the oppressed and marginalized.   God promises a king who would truly look after God's people with compassion and justice.   Did they get that king?  

The New Testament Reading and the Gospel tie together our focus on Christ as King.   The irony I wrote about earlier, will be made here.  The irony is that on this Christ the King Sunday our focus is not on the majesty and splendor of the Reign of Christ as others might suggest.  Through the mystery of the Cross, the rule of Christ is mercy and Justice.  The Cross is Christ's throne by which He rules as God's Son.  As many of the Presidents, Prime Ministers, Governors of our world attempt to lead the rest of us by violence, oppression, injustice and prejudice, God's answer of how to govern the earth is through mercy, justice and forgiveness of our sins.  God's reply to the needs of God's people is to love us all without distinction. 

In the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, Christ the King gives of Himself as the victor, redeemer and Savior of all humankind.  The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the celebration of Holy Communion, allows that mercy, justice and forgiveness to become the way in which we interact with one another as Christ's Body, the Church.   How very interesting that the Gospel Reading for the First Vespers of Christ the King this year is Matthew 18:25-35 the parable of the unforgiving servant.  Jesus tells Peter to forgive not seven times, but seventy seven times.  Forgive and forgive again.  The Eucharist reminds us that Christ our King has forgiven us, so we are to forgive each other.

As we understand that Christ's rule is justice and mercy, and the Cross is His throne, what in the world are Christians doing?   Why do Christians continue to suggest religious exceptionalism and support prejudice towards women, LGBTQ people, immigrants, individuals of different races, religions, physical, psychological and personal challenges?    Why do we as Christians tolerate Christianists claiming a religion of dominionism?  

Perhaps on this Christ the King Sunday we might think about how we promote justice, mercy and the forgiveness of sins by the Cross of Jesus.  How might we hold our leaders in the Church and society accountable for improving them to be inclusive and respectful of other?   How do we hold ourselves accountable?

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, may we pray that the Church and society will become a more abundant Reign of Christ so that He is made real because we too work for justice, mercy and believe in the forgiveness of our sins through His name and His Cross.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all
things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of
lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided
and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together
under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 29, Book of Common Prayer, p. 236).


Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have
done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole
creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life,
and for the mystery of love.

We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for
the loving care which surrounds us on every side.

We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best
efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy
and delight us.

We thank you also for those disappointments and failures
that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the
truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast
obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying,
through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life
again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and
make him known; and through him, at all times and in all
places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen. (A General Thanksgiving, Book of Common Prayer, p.836).

Twenty Sixth Sunday after Pentecost: The Christian Faith Is About Endings and New Beginnings

Today's Scripture Readings

Malachi 4:1-2a (NRSV)

See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.

Psalm 98 (BCP., p. 727-728)


2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (NRSV)

Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

Luke 21:5-19 (NRSV)

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."

They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, `I am he!' and, `The time is near!' Do not go after them.

"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

"But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls."

Blog Reflection

If you go to church this weekend, or came to read this blog looking for a warm fuzzy feeling, you are undoubtedly disappointed at this point.   What a set of depressing readings! 

I bet the people in the Philippines feel like all the stones of their civilization no longer stand together.   The terrible typhoon with it's winds, water and destruction have completely toppled any sense of hope for their future.  The photographs of the dead being buried are scary.

In just a few weeks we will already be at the first anniversary of the horrific shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.  The parents and whole community that have lived through this past year, have seen the old world slip away and a whole new one begin.  They can no longer take the peace they once enjoyed in their town for granted.  Or just assume their children going to school will safely return home.

A woman in Indiana who's life long partner lies in the hospital with a serious illness, has been denied her place next to her, because it is a Catholic hospital that will not recognize their relationship.  Their world is turned completely upside down.  And Christians are playing a role in it.  Where is the good news in that?

To appreciate what Jesus is telling everyone in today's Gospel, we might want to read a few verses before it.  Jesus was questioned about the resurrection, paying taxes to the Emperor, and saw a widow offer her last savings in the temple treasury.  Jesus is also aware of the relationship between the Roman Empire and the Jewish people.   The times were not exactly full of stability and promises for a brighter future.

What we must consider is that Luke's Gospel was written well after these events including the destruction of Jerusalem and Herod's Temple in 70 A.D.  The contributors to Luke would have known about what happened years earlier and were telling the story by way of the oral tradition.  Having said that, these stories are being told in the after thought.   In many ways Marcus Borg is correct, we really do not know the historical Jesus before the Resurrection.  Yet, these readings from Sacred Scripture are not without their message for us in 2013.

Almighty God does not promise us a Christian life without endings and new beginnings.  God also does not commit to a life for Christians without the pains of life and death, before we experience the Resurrection.  In Christ, God tells us the most important message we need to hear.  There is no suffering that we are experiencing now and will experience in which God is absent from us in the Person of Jesus Christ, God's perfect revelation of Self.  Though we will experience great evils in our lives, many of them catastrophic beyond description, God walks with us through it, weeping with us, hoping for us and meeting us at the point of our need.  Christianity is a relationship with God, by which the old order of things slip away and a new one that brings about the Reign of Christ in our world begins.  Each day as we begin again, is a new opportunity to face our many life's challenges in the company of Jesus receiving God's compassion and loving guidance.

I continue to believe that many of the things that happen like the Typhoon in the Philippines, the horrific gun violence, the religious based discrimination towards women, LGBTQ and others are not God's will.  I do believe,  however, that God does work God's will in our lives through them,  Through them God challenges us to put our faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit to help us to mature in God's grace and commit to the common good of others around us.   When the worst happens to us, God gives us the choice to stay in a place of misery and false guilt, or follow Christ and give the Spirit the opportunity to sanctify us through healing and reconciliation.   We are also given the opportunity to use our pain and anguish to benefit others who experience injustice, oppression and hopelessness.  

Think of the many people who rose up after HIV/AIDS became a living reality and took the lives of so many people.  The sadness and grief of loss got many loving people to work to establish agencies to work on advocacy, prevention and research that led to medicines so that those who live with HIV/AIDS might live healthier and longer lives.  

How many women have worked for a greater awareness of the horrible affects of breast cancer?  More than we can name or number.  That many more continue to work for research and development of treatments for women affected by the disease.

Look at the work of Harvey Milk and how he changed the direction of people becoming involved in the equal rights for LGBTQ people.   We have seen other heroic activists religious and civil who have changed the laws in now sixteen states to grant the legal freedom to marry.  There are now that many more people who read a story like the couple in Indiana with grave concern for both partners.  An old age of settling for such discrimination on the grounds of "religious belief" has been giving way to a new world, where we condemn the outrageous violence in Russia and else where with deep concern.

Next week is already the Feast of Christ the King.  The Liturgical Year is coming to a close.  This is not the time to just sit down to our big feasts and pretend our work is finished.  Our work for equality, justice and peace is only taking on additional tasks and priorities.  Our work that includes prayer, silence, and work on behalf of others must be given some new vitality and purpose over these next weeks.  The advancement of the true Reign of Christ of inclusion, justice and equality must continue through the devotion and vocation of Christians committed no matter what end they may face.

How is God calling us to be part of an old world order ending and a new one beginning?

Amen.


Prayers

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for
our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn,
and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever
hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have
given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 28, Book of Common Prayer, p.236).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p.815).

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this
land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as
their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to
eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those
who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of
us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, p.826).

St. Martin of Tours and Veteran's Day: A Connection to Christ and One Another

Today's Scripture Reading

Matthew 25:34-40 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "Then the king will say to those at his right hand, `Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, `Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' "

Blog Reflection

St. Martin of Tours is one of my favorite Saints commemorated in our calendar.   When I think of the great evangelical Saints like St. Francis of Assisi, St. Dominic, as well as missionaries like Mother Theresa of Calcutta and St. Vincent de Paul, they all got their start from St. Martin of Tours.   At one point, St. Benedict had erected a shrine to St. Martin of Tours.


I just read a great article in the Daily Episcopalian about the connection between St. Martin of Tours and celebrating Veteran's Day.   It appears that St. Martin was also a soldier in the army.  It was during his journey toward a day of battle that he saw the naked man shivering in the cold, and using his own sword to divide his cloak in half, gave the other to the freezing man.   Later, Martin had a vision of Jesus wearing the other half of his cloak.   So, Martin lived out the meaning of the Gospel used for his Commemoration today.  It also turns out that St. Martin was a peacemaker at a time when the Barbarians were going to attack.  His refusal to participate in the battle, but placed on the front of the battle field, was among the reasons the Barbarians decided not to attack.

So many of our Veteran's are those who put their own lives on the line for our benefit.  They risked their health. Their time with their families.  Their own careers and many of them. Their whole lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted.  Yet, as much as our Veterans have given on our behalf, so many of them have never been appropriately thanked, or received the care and compensation their sacrifices deserve.   Many of them are poor.  Others suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, loss of the ability to parts of their bodies and more.   Many of our Veterans are of mixed races, religions, sexual orientations, genders, gender identities/expressions, ages, speak and write in many languages, and abilities.


Our Veterans are the face of Jesus who is hungry, thirsty, naked, a stranger, in a prison of one kind or another, or sick.  Turning our backs on our Veterans is to leave Jesus out in the cold, looking for some warmth.  St. Martin of Tours reminds us that we must be willing to put ourselves out there for the cause of peace, and to serve others as Christ Himself.  Serving God and one another, including our Veterans brings the Community of Christ closer together in hope, holiness and an opportunity for all of us to grow in our faith.

Let us all today say thank you to God for the witness of St. Martin of Tours, and our Veterans.   May we express our undying gratitude to them, and do what we can to encourage our government, church communities and local communities to recognize and care for our Veterans.   Remembering that when we serve and thank our Veterans, we honor and serve Christ Himself.

Amen.


Prayers

Lord God of hosts, you clothed your servant Martin the soldier with the spirit of sacrifice, and set him as a Bishop in your Church to be a defender of the catholic faith: Give us grace to follow in his holy foot steps, that at the last we may be found clothed with righteousness in the dwellings of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, p.675). 

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and
keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home
and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly
grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give
them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant
them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for those in our Armed Forces, Book of Common Prayer, p.823).

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you
all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us
to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick,
and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those
who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow
into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for
our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Poor and Neglected, Book of Common Prayer, p.826). 

Twenty Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: Building a New World on the Resurrection

Today's Scripture Readings

Haggai 1:15b-2:9 (NRSV)

In the second year of King Darius, in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the prophet Haggai, saying: Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the LORD; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts.

Psalm 145 (BCP., p.801)


2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 (NRSV)

As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you?

But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

Luke 20:27-38 (NRSV)

Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and asked him a question, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; then the second and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her."

Jesus said to them, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive."

Blog Reflection

The Liturgical Year C will be coming to a close in a couple weeks.  In just two weeks we will celebrate Christ the King Sunday followed by the beginning of the new Liturgical Year A with the First Sunday of Advent.  As is the tradition of the Church, the Scripture readings this time of the year concentrate our attention on the End times.  The readings become darker and pointing towards the Ending of the old order of things, and a new one beginning.  

The People of Israel were no strangers to old things slipping away and new things starting.  They were once slaves in Egypt. Through the mighty arm of the Lord and Moses they were brought out of Egypt and their descendents were led into the promised land.  The People of Israel were a tribal community.   They saw many battles over ownership of their land, the worship of God and other gods, the raising up of the Temple of Solomon, and it's eventual destruction before the Babylonian exile.   Haggai is part of a conversation between God and Israel to build a new Temple now that they have returned to their land.  As one would imagine, the people wanted to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple which was the center of the City with all the splendor of God contained therein.  Yahweh is promising that just as God was with them when the Israelites were led out of Egypt by Moses, so God will be with them now as they undertake the rebuilding of the Temple.  This time, however, God promises to build an even greater Temple by shaking up the old order of things, and building something far more wonderful with all it's splendor.  God wishes to bring forth all the silver and gold to show that God's House is a place where everyone is beautiful, and worships God in holiness and reverence.

The story from Haggai sounds a lot like the martyrdom of St. Laurence the Deacon.  He was killed during the Valerian persecutions of the Christians.  At the time of his execution, he had gathered all the silver and gold owned by the Church at the time, sold it ,and gave the proceeds to the poor.  When his executioners asked him for all the treasures of the Church, Laurence pointed to the poor women, men and children with him and said: "these are the treasures of the Church."  Following these words, Laurence was put on an iron grid.  While laying there he cried out: "Turn me over guys, I am all done on one side."

What kind of temple are we building in the Church and society today? 

Our world seems to be so entrapped by wealth, power and a drive to leave the marginalized to fend for themselves.  This passed Thursday, November 7th the US Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).  The bill provides Federal equal rights protections for LGBT people in employment, financial assistance, public assistance and housing. There is no guarantee that the bill will even get a floor vote in the US House, because Christianist groups that are working against LGBT equal rights protections protections are making an issue of "religious liberty" as a justification for continuing discrimination for LGBT people.  

Bishop Gene Robinson wrote an outstanding article in The Huffington Post this past week.  I found the following paragraphs to be of particular interest.

Although the membership of every major Christian denomination shows a majority of support for this legislation, opposition to this bill is coming in large part from many of the leaders of these same religious denominations, demanding ever-broader exemption from the provisions of this law. One amendment which would have added these exemptions to ENDA was defeated in the Senate, but will undoubtedly reappear in the House debate. They would create a hole in the protections big enough to drive a PopeMobile through. It would allow an exception for non-profits and for-profits alike from having to implement the legislated protections, providing they could show at least a thin connection to some religious entity which takes a dim view of LGBT people.

For instance, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is vigorously opposing ENDA, asserting that their right to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity is essential to Catholics' religious liberty. Now stop, and just take that in for a moment. A Church, dedicated to following the man known for his outreach and compassion for the marginalized, petitioning the government to be exempted from the fair treatment of marginalized and vulnerable LGBT people. It takes my breath away.

Can you imagine what Jesus might have said to St. Peter if the disciple had requested an exemption from Jesus' command to "love your enemies?!" What if disciples James and John had argued with Jesus about whether or not "love your neighbor as yourself" actually should apply to them in all cases? What would Jesus have said to the good, religious people of his time when they asked for an exemption to Jesus' command to "love one another as I have loved you," based of course upon their deeply-held, religious beliefs?

Speaking of the words and actions of Jesus, what an amazing spectacle we have in today's Gospel narrative.  Jesus is being confronted by a group of religious authorities who do not believe in a resurrection.  Yet, here they are, asking him a question about their Jewish Law with regards to marriage based on the resurrection.  It never ceases to amaze me how individuals will use material from something they do not even believe in to make a point about something so meaningless.  But, here we have just such an example.

As Psalm 145 is such a perfect compliment to the reading from Haggai, because it talks of God's compassion on all God's works, so Paul's letter to the Thessalonians supports what is taking place in the Gospel.  

Jesus here wants to send a clear message.  The message has a lot less to do with marriage, but more to do with the individuals the Sadducees question is designed to affect.  Marriage in the time of Jesus was from the Mosaic Law which saw marriage as a contract with a dowry and an exchange of property, including the woman.  Jesus' concern here is not only about raising the dignity of the women to their natural God given place, He also wants to declare that they are included in the new Reign of God that is about the new life that Jesus will bring by His triumphant Resurrection.  The promise that Jesus gives is not just for a new life in a world to come, but to establish a new order, a new way of life into our lives in the here and now.  In the Common English Bible, verse 38 in Luke 20 reads: "He isn't the God of the dead but of the living.  To him they are all alive."  Jesus brings hope for new life in this world, leading into the next, by bringing the power of the Holy Spirit through His Death and Resurrection.  The result of the saving work of Jesus does not establish a new Church by which all others supercede into only one; but one in Himself, by which all people who are considered worthless, stigmatized by religious and civil authorities, are now among God's beloved in God's Reign in Christ. 

If we want to see a new world built that reflects the Resurrection then it becomes necessary to talk about and address the concerns of climate change.  We are all sharers in this world.  The more we destroy and abuse the resources in this world that alters the climate and kills off other wildlife and destroys lands, the closer we bring God's world to dying of human made causes.  God doesn't fix what's wrong, per say, so long as we don't take seriously our responsibility for doing our part in the fixing.

A new world where the Resurrection becomes visible means that we show respect for women, by improving the laws that protect them from the violence of rape, sexual assault, incest and being used by men as property to be exploited and discarded.  We would provide in our laws not only the protection of women in terms of reproductive health care, but supply job training, education, health care and a social safety net that supports the poor women, especially those who face discrimination because of race, immigration status, religion and so forth.

We celebrate a new world coming into being under God's Reign, with the Resurrection showing all it's glory when we no longer accept the bullying of LGBT and questioning youth in our schools, as well as LGBTQ people in the work place, housing, financial assistance and more.  We would celebrate and defend the freedom to marry, recognizing that through marriage equality God is recreating society through the Holy Spirit as She "renews the face of the earth" (see Psalm 104:31).

The new world built on the Resurrection is one of radical hospitality, with reconciliation and healing as part of the process.  It becomes the work of everyone coming together, celebrating our diversity and joining the great fellowship of Christ's Body and Blood in the Eucharist.  It is through the Eucharist that the Body of Christ which is so very fragmented, has the opportunity to become one, as the Real Presence of God is received and shared by all of God's beloved. 

May we this day, commit ourselves to the work of building the new world on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, where there is hope and possibility for an inclusive Reign of God.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might
destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God
and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may
purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again
with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his
eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 27, Book of Common Prayer, p.236).

God our Father, whose Son our Lord Jesus Christ in a
wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of his passion:
Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of his Body and
Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit
of his redemption; who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Prayer for the Holy Eucharist, Book of Common Prayer, p. 252).


Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, p.260).

All Saints Sunday: Beatitude Is Our Attitude

Today's Scripture Readings

Daniel 7: 1-3, 15-18 (NRSV)

In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream: I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.

As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter: "As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom for ever—for ever and ever."

Psalm 149 (BCP., p.807)


Ephesians 1:11-23 (NRSV)

In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Luke 6:20-31 (NRSV)

Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:

"Blessed are you who are poor,

for yours is the kingdom of God.

"Blessed are you who are hungry now,

for you will be filled.

"Blessed are you who weep now,

for you will laugh.

"Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.

"But woe to you who are rich,

for you have received your consolation.

"Woe to you who are full now,

for you will be hungry.

"Woe to you who are laughing now,

for you will mourn and weep.

"Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets

"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you."

Blog Reflection

In the Oxford Concise Dictionary of the Christian Church the following definition is given for the Communion of Saints.

Part of the 9th article of the Apostles Creed.  it is usually interpreted as the spiritual union existing between each Christian adn Christ, and so between every Christian in Heaven, Purgatory, or on earth (p.136).

J.B. Bernard in An Introduction to the Episcopal Church on the subject of the Communion of Saints wrote:

This means the fellowship of Christians with one another through their possession of the one Spirit and their fellowship with Christ.  It applies not only to this world, but also the next.  All Christians are one in Him (p.91).

These quotes along with our Scripture readings on this All Saints Sunday gives us a lot to ponder.   Yet, the greatness of it is not in the amount to think about, but the enormity of God's love for all God's people.  All of us who have been brought together by the Catholic Creeds, to serve in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, find our oneness in Jesus Christ.  All that is good and holy, with all the potential to be touched by the ever present mercy of God, is because of what Jesus Christ did by His death, resurrection, ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  No matter how much the Church may get wrong since it's beginnings, this oneness in Christ, this one belonging to one another because of Christ, means that there are no losers and no one to be excluded.  Everyone is to be invited to receive in faith the Holy Mysteries, and ponder for themselves what salvation in and through Jesus Christ means for them.

In case we need some kind of script to understand what it means to be one in Christ, that we are a part of the Communion of Saints, we need look no further than Paul's letter to the Ephesians. We all share in some way in that inheritance of the Saints in the light of Jesus Christ, so that each of us may know what is true and worthwhile.  None of us are required to agree with one another.  All that is asked of us, is to know in our hearts that God has redeemed us in Christ, and promises the strength of God the Holy Spirit to each of us, as we work on behalf of God to do the ministry of hospitality, healing and reconciliation for all God's people.

As we read the Beatitudes in Luke's Gospel today, we hear Jesus affirming those who are already blessed to be counted as among the Saints.  The poor, the hungry, those who weep, those who love their enemies, and accept God's will in circumstances including those that are just contrary to what we think that they should be.   All of us in one way or another have lived through those moments of being in need, being crushed and broken, and facing injustice, oppression and prejudice.  Yet, Jesus tells us all, that we are blessed, and that God's reward is already there for us.  It is in this moment that we find God's grace calling us to be saints, radically transformed for the work of God's compassion and mercy.   In our Baptism, we have all received that redemption of Christ so that we all share together as members of Christ, as part of the Communion of Saints.

Ten years ago this weekend, The Episcopal Church consecrated and ordained Bishop V. Gene Robinson.  The first openly gay Bishop in the Episcopal Church.  His consecration and ordination has borne the fruit of the Holy Spirit to help LGBT people become more included in the ministry of the Church.  Bishop Gene's voice has been, and continues to be heard amidst all the controversy in the Church over the issues surrounding of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. Those of us who are LGBT have received the Good News of the Gospel, that we too are to be counted among the Communion of Saints, to serve and be served as part of Christ's Body, the Church.   Among us are the poor, the hungry, those who mourn, the pure in heart, those in need of mercy and peace.  Bishop Robinson's consecration and ordination was an act of God answering our prayers, to bring us hope and much grace as we continue the work of inclusion for all God's people.

On this All Saints Sunday, may we count ourselves as among the Communion of Saints.   May we pray to know that we are one in Christ with one another, in all our diversity, arguing and calamity.   Christ is God's presence and peace in the midst of the chaos.  In Christ, is our hope, our faith, our Baptism, and all that God promises in this life, and in the life to come.   May we claim the blessing of God who is + Father, Son and Holy Spirit + for ourselves and others around us.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one
communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son
Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints
in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those
ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love
you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy
Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (Collect for All Saints Day, Book of Common Prayer, p. 245).

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the
great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away
all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us
from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body
and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith,
one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all
of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth
and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and
one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Prayer for the Unity of the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p.818).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p.815).

All Souls Day: Commemoration of the Faithful Departed

Today's Scripture Readings

Wisdom 3: 1-9 (NRSV)

But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them forever.
Those who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
and he watches over his elect.

Psalm 130 (BCP., p.784)


John 5:24-27 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.

"Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. "

Blog Reflection

In the Catechism (An Outline of the Faith) in The Book of Common Prayer, page 862 we read the following.

Q.  Why do we pray for the dead?
A.  We pray for them, because we still hold them in our love, and because we trust that in God's presence those who have chosen to serve him will grow in his love, until they see him as he is.

Over these past 4 years, I have come to believe that Jesus Christ came to put a face and a name on the marginalized of society and the Church.  In His time of ministry and living on earth, and our own. When Jesus raised the Jarius' daughter from the dead (see Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 8;40-56), the widows son (see Luke 7:11-17) and Lazarus (see John 11:38-44), He put a name and a face on the dead.  He declared that the dead were not sleeping in hopelessness.  When Jesus Himself rose from the dead, He showed Himself to be the conqueror of death for all humankind.   Hence the words from the optional reading from 1 Corinthians 15:55,,, "Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O Death, is your sting?"

In another question and answer found in the Catechism in The Book of Common Prayer on the same page 862 we read this:

Q.  What, then, is our assurance as Christians?
A.  Our assurance as Christians is that nothing, not even death, shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

We remember the souls of the faithful departed today, because God loves them, and we love them.   We remember how each person brought us closer to God in one way or another.  Many of the relationships we had with those who have gone before us were not perfect.  Their deaths may have been tragic, their illnesses just devastating to them and those who loved them.  But, our Faith in Jesus Christ tells us that there is hope for them, and all of us.  We all have a chance today to remember them, and to be inspired by the ways in which they touched our hearts and made this world a better place in one way or another.   How they may have helped us to think of another first, and ourselves second to last.

While I am thankful for all the souls I can remember today, I want to write of a particular one that has touched me over this past month.  

Many years ago, I was honored to meet Brad.  He was a young man living in Pennsylvania.  A few years back he moved from Pennsylvania to Florida, because he fell in love with Stephen.   When he and Stephen created their relationship together, Brad became part of Stephen's larger family.  Brad took on the responsibilities of helping Stephen's son get to school, cleaning the house, doing the family laundry and just giving of himself to Stephen as much as he could.  

Last May, Stephen was diagnosed with cancer between the esophagus and the stomach.  At the point he was diagnosed, Stephen told Brad that he knew that Stephen's illness would be very difficult for Brad.  Stephen gave Brad the opportunity to leave Stephen, and to make himself happy with someone who would probably live a lot longer than Stephen would, because his cancer needed a lot of chemo therapy and visits to the hospital, and there was no promise that the cancer would not kill Stephen.  Brad responded to Stephen saying: "If you are going to fight this battle, I am going to fight it right along with you."  Brad made sure that Stephen got to the hospital for his chemo therapy, and had anything he needed.  Brad took extra special care of the family back home, including being there for Stephen's son who struggled so much with his dad's health and possibility of his death.  

On Thursday, October 10th, Stephen Phillips died, losing his battle with cancer.   Brad called me to talk to me, and to invite me to share in his grief.   I was so honored and privileged to be able to do that for him.  At that time of Stephen's death, his family had adopted Brad, accepted their relationship and had no problems making sure that Brad would have possession of his urn which just arrived earlier this week.

I am so very proud of Brad.  He has taught me the meaning of Benedictine humility without even having read or understood The Rule.  He has also put the Tools for Good Works, also a Chapter of The Rule to good use.  Because of Brad's total giving of himself for the life and love of Stephen, he has given me courage and helped me know how urgent it is for me to pray that I will always be ready to do for Jason, what Brad did for Stephen.  Brad lived into the meaning of "for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do us part."  May I and others who are married and/or partnered be given such exemplary grace to live into our love for others, in particular our spouses.   If that is not a validation of the strength and power of the love between same-sex couples, I don't know what else could be.

May we remember today and always those souls who continue to teach us how to live the Gospel, by following the example of Jesus as faithfully as we can.

Amen.


Prayers

Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Give to your
whole Church in paradise and on earth your light and your
peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of
those who have served you here and are now at rest, may at
the last enter with them into your unending joy; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Prayer for the Departed, Book of Common Prayer, p. 253).

All Saints Day: Surrounded by the Cloud of Witnesses

Today's Scripture Verses


Hebrews 12:1-2 (NRSV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Blog Reflection

This year there will be two blog reflections written on All Saints.   Today's entry and the one this coming Sunday, which can also be called All Saints Sunday.  Today's meditation comes from the Lectionary used at Matins (or Morning Prayer).  This amazing reading from Hebrews 12:1-2 talks about being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.  The symbolic imagery created by those words cannot be overstated.

Many modern theologians have given over the idea of Heaven being above us, and Hell being below us, to the idea that the Communion of Saints surrounds us, and that God's Holy Spirit communicates for us and with us.  The great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us is made up of Saints who are both visible and living, and others who have passed beyond our sight and share in the Beatific vision of God in all glory.  The Anglican World-Wide Communion of Saints invites all of us to throw off the sins that keep us from freely loving God, neighbor and ourselves with a total abandonment to the will of God.  The Saints have looked to Jesus who is the "pioneer and perfecter of our faith."   The faith to know God, and live by the words and actions of Jesus, who has given the Holy Spirit to the whole Church in it's history and even now at this moment.  

If the Saints who make up the cloud of witnesses are calling us to live and imitate Jesus, so we too are Saints cooperating with the Spirit in our own lives and communities.  In our common Baptism and sharing in the one Bread and one Cup of the Lord's Supper, we are united to the Saints of all ages, as they are united to us in the One Body of Christ which is the Church.  This is such good news.  It means that all of us are included and no one has been excluded from the opportunity to serve God in faith, hope and love.  The Saints who include many individuals, women and men, LGBT and straight, of one religion or another, some who struggled greatly with who they were and how they love others, help us in the midst of our struggles to put Jesus Christ in the center of our lives and serve others in His Name.

It is important to note that each of the Saints understood the Christian Faith in unique ways.  Nothing said they had to agree, all that was important was their faith in God and desire to live holy lives.   Given that they are among our great cloud of witnesses, can we even in 2013 do any different?


Prayer

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one
communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son
Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints
in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those
ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love
you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy
Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.  (Collect for All Saints, Book of Common Prayer, p.245)