National Day of Prayer Proclamation

 

     PROCLAMATION APPOINTING A NATIONAL FAST DAY

     Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and of nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation:

     And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord:

     And, insomuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment, inflicted upon us, for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole People? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!

     It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.

     Now, therefore, in compliance with the request, and fully concurring in the views of the Senate, I do, by this proclamation, designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th. day of April, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer. And I do hereby request all the People to abstain, on that day, from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite, at their several places of public worship and their respective homes, in keeping the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion.

     All this being done, in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the Nation will be heard on high, and answered with blessings, no less than the pardon of our national sins, and the restoration of our now divided and suffering Country, to its former happy condition of unity and peace.

     In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

     Done at the City of Washington, this thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and, of the Independence of the United States the eighty seventh.

                    Abraham Lincoln

By the President:
    William H. Seward, Secretary of State

MARCH 30 , 1863
 

 National Days of Thanksgiving and Prayer

See also: The history of the National Day of Prayer (signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1952, and amended by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to establish the annual National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May).

The Results of Abiding Love

 It is the most Elegant Truth of all;

Without you I wouldn't be Me,

You allow and help me to be Me.

The Joy of Life comes from the Creator

Who gave you to me and me to you.

We have become a new and whole thing!

Language Often Determines Beliefs

 Using a Universal Nomenclature to describe our experiences with the Almighty, which I believe is an improvement over any Religion specific words would (or could) be: God the Creator; God the Teacher; and God the Constant Companion, which many call the Holy Spirit. I find these words allow almost all religious conversations to reveal our shared fundamental spiritual experiences teaching us we can agree on much more than that which divides us. A study of the origins of our religions may well reveal many common values and principles which govern not only our attitude about our place in the cosmos but also many of our core values teach us to "respect the dignity of every human being". (a phrase from one Denominations' Baptismal Right)

Religious Discussions and Different Perspectives

A recent discussion of Facebook provoked this discussion which is entirely focused on a "dilemma" for Christians who feel there are difficulties interpreting scripture when people cannot agree on what such passages or stories require of us. This is true of all religions and is repeated here to illustrate the challenge all people of faith encounter when their historical documents seem inconsistent with their current principles. As always, discussion and comments are welcomed here or on Facebook.

Facebook Discussion Bible Study (Circa April 24, 2015)


Posting by David Whitlock (No relation) quotes Marcus Borg: "When there is a conflict between Jesus and the Bible, Jesus trumps the Bible."

Wendy Lynne Efird: Jesus trumps Paul! Jesus trumps Levitical Law! Jesus trumps the religious leaders! Love your neighbor! It isn't rocket science!

Linda Phillips Richard: That's great in theory. But when what we know about Jesus, especially what he said, comes from the Bible, when there are 4 Gospel accounts in the Bible and each is slightly different how can we be certain what Jesus said. For Instance was the Sermon on the Mount of Matthew more accurate than the Sermon on the Plain in Luke? Though similar each is slightly different in recording what Jesus said. And since these are likely a combination from His teachings perhaps neither is.

David Whitlock: You ask good questions, Linda. Maybe an ordained will come along and answer. My favorite was, was there one or two angels at the tomb? (Nothing red letter there, if memory serves)

Robin Whitlock This may seem confusing but it is not. Like any other piece of a good literature or history we will look for a common thread that runs throughout all versions, all reports, all research. In ethics we talked about looking at the principle behind the rule. In scriptural studies we learn that to truly exegete the word we have to look for continuity from several areas: Cultural, Social, Legal, Ethical, Communal. and on and on. There is a woven fabric about the Scriptures. This is especially true of the New Testament. Jesus repeats the summary of the law in several versions and like one person stated before this comment it is a summary of the law that is the central and foundational principle of everything Jesus taught. "Love the Creator and love your neighbor". On these two principles depend all the laws and the wisdom of the prophets. All else is but details, matters of style rather than substance.

Linda Phillips Richard: I don't disagree with anything you said Robin. I do however take issue with the false dichotomy of the original quote from Borg. It is presumptuous to think that we can separate the life and teachings of Jesus from the Bible.

Roger Cary:  Okay, I am not ordained but for my two-cents worth I would say that when one looks at the four gospel accounts we need to recognize that the first one written is Mark's gospel. Each approach is based on one's particular understanding which speaks to their background and personal attitudes. When I take all four together I see a consistent theme running through them as expressed by John (1 John 4:7-21). The understanding of this type of love is best expressed by St. Paul and can be found in 1 Cor. 13. The argument about which "Sermon on the Mount" is more factual is in reality a moot point as both evangelists (like us today) have access to so much information they choose what is important to them. The very word "Christian" means to be a follower of Christ who was, and is, Jesus, the annointed one of God. Okay, that is my take as a LLP who is finishing up seminary. And that's all I got to say about that.

Kelly Stenglein: Doesn't seem to make much sense. There is no conflict between Jesus and the Bible...They are one in the same.
April 25 at 8:24pm · Like · 1

Dan Held: Good theology on this issue, and i do believe Borg raises a real issue here, can be found in Adam Hamilton's "Making Sense of the Bible." Robin puts it well also in noting how it was Jesus made sense of the Hebrew Bible; he exegeted it to perfection; e.g., MT 7:12 and the "Golden Rule." Main point for me is knowing that while the Bible reveals Jesus to us, only Jesus fully reveals God to us.

David Whitlock: Kelly, the argument is with Marcus Borg, the Episcopal priest. I use FB as a University for a teacher of OT and NT that has not gone to seminary. Kelly, can you see all the comments in this thread from the pastors who have commented. Trust you know how to see their backgrounds, do you know of UMC pastor Adam Hamilton, alluded to above? I have counted 9 pastors above who "liked" the Borg comment. Not arguing, but, it might be instructive . . .

Robin Whitlock I think Borg was postulating a straw opponent. We have all had frustrating discussions with pharisaic prooftexting personalities who appear to contradict the "principles" or thread I mentioned earlier with short quotes from, perhaps, Leviticus, and we recognize the multilayered cultural bias embedded in such a passage. Jesus addressed these same attitudes many times. Thus to the strict unenlightened application of the law, he is reported to have said simply, "Let the one without sin cast the first stone".

Kelly Stenglein Yes I have seen them, thanks. However, I still have to disagree with Borg on this one.

Gina Kreutter  First readers of the law read the Tanach, they did not yet have the words of Jesus. Then along he came and because of him, the New Testament - the New Covenant. Not to replace, but to fulfill. Because of this, we can read scripture through the lens of Jesus. That lens encourages, nudges and challenges us as we read. Perhaps it is not either/or, rather both/and. It seems a big 'AND'...with much to consider and come to understand. If it was possible for Jesus and the bible to be side by side, perhaps it would be easier to imagine choosing. Borg sums it up well. Jesus trumps all.

David Whitlock Just keep in mind, Moses said, "throw the stone", Jesus said, " he without sin throw 1st stone"

Rev-Wendy Wolf:  Jesus trumps the Bible!

David Whitlock: Thanks, Rev.

Steve McSwain: Always!

David Whitlock: Thanks, Steve . . .

Linda Phillips Richard: A house divided against itself cannot stand. There has to be a better way to say "Jesus trumps the Bible." It sounds self contradictory to me. Not that the Bible is God- but what we know of Jesus we know from the Bible. I agree with Robin Whitlock Borg is postulating a straw opponent.

Rev-Wendy Wolf: Now that I have a minute to respond. This is my perspective:The bible is not meant to be the Final Word. The bible is not the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Light, the Love of God. The bible shows us, over and over, folks who walked with God, who heard from God, who followed God. And calls us to do the same! The bible encourages the people of God to have a real-time relationship, with the Living God!
The bible is a finger pointing at the moon - it isn't About the Finger, it is ALL about the Moon! God did not get laryngitis 2,000 years ago. IMO, if we want answers, fellowship, healing, filling, leading - we Must go to our SOURCE.
I agree with Marcus Borg (whom I greatly respect, but who sadly misses the whole picture, now and then, IMO) when he says "When there is a conflict between Jesus and the Bible, Jesus trumps the Bible." But this is what I mean by that: GO TO JESUS - right here, right now. NOT the bible, Jesus. Jesus will show us the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Light, the Love of God - as he has done for those who open to him, for over 2,000 years.
Christianity has fallen down horribly and constantly, by focusing on intellectualizing about the bible. By focusing on doctrine and thought-beliefs - as if that were some kind of spiritual practice.
As if the bible could give us answers, fellowship, healing, filling, leading...The Bible Can Not Do This... only God can do this!
I pray, that instead of worshiping the bible, fighting about the bible, wasting time and energy focusing on the bible... Instead that Christians will begin to do for ourselves (and for All) what is most important: To Actually Open to Communication and Blessings, to the ONEness-with and Leading-of the Living God, with Jesus, with Spirit.
This is what set the world on fire in biblical times, and that is what does it every time!
WE want GOD!
People want GOD!
Let's set the table and enjoy the presence of God, on our own, and with All!
Let's be disciples of Jesus, not disciples of the bible. Let's follow Jesus, right HERE, right NOW, WHEREVER we are explicitly led - this is World Changing!
Let's enjoy the fruit of the Spirit, the Gifts of the Spirit, the Comforting of the Spirit - in All ways, alone and with All people!
If you don't know how, then find out.
If you do know how, then let's DO IT!
From my perspective, this is what the bible tells us to do.
So let's just do it: focus on the Moon, not the finger pointing.
Let's stop worshiping the Bible, and instead worship God!
Thanks for reading. Blessings All, in life, Wendy

Doug Asbury: If it were "worshiping the Bible," that would at least be better than what many people do today, which is "worshiping their own interpretations of the Bible, or the interpretations of others that they find appealing." It's one thing to follow our consciences, about which Martin Luther said, "to go against conscience is neither right nor safe." It is a completely different thing to claim that one's own preferred interpretation of scripture is the Final Word from God on a matter and needs to be heeded by everyone else, regardless of what their consciences tell them. The Apostle Paul tells us to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2.12). While we need to instruct one another in what we understand to be The Truth, once we have done so, we need to let the issue rest, "shaking the dust off of our feet as a testimony against them" (Luke 9.5).

Jeff Robinson: Much that is represented as being God - especially in OT, but also some in NT - on the literal surface reading does NOT align with that which we see and experience in Jesus. It requires some Spirit-guided rethinking to resolve. IMHO

What Happens If We Stop Learning?

     The Fall elections are over and the State of Florida and the USA in general seem to focused on one overriding goal: "How can I get what I want and how can I keep others from getting any of mine?" Whether it is scoring bigger paychecks or acquiring another possession that qualifies me to climb yet one more rung on the social importance ladder, the majority of people seem to not believe in two things: First, that we have any duty to care for one another, especially for the least capable and the least fortunate in our midst. Second, that there really is no accounting for the overwhelmingly selfish choices we have made whether on the playing field, in the market place, in the voting booth, or in our relationships with the majority of our "friends". No outing, no disclosure, no reconciliation of the facts with the secrets we carry in this life, and certainly no sign of any sense that we will, one day, be held accountable either in this life or in the next! 
     The failure to see the inevitable consequences of our narrow-mindedness in the voting booth is a result of not learning discernment either at home and/or in school. The failure to take at all seriously, no matter what your faith community or personal beliefs, the possibility that we each may one day be held accountable for our "stiff necked" and "hard-hearted" rejection that there may be some result of not caring for one another is the fault primarily of teachers and leaders at large and, more particularly, the leaders of faith communities and civic leadership mentors and guides. 
     The election tells us that many of us simply do not care what befalls others and we are more concerned about "winning", if you can call it that. 
     Two pieces of food for thought: First, in a capitalistic and materialistic society it is best to assume first that all statements made in advertising and other means of promotions and "public relations" are most likely lies. Intended to deceive and mislead to achieve the end result at any cost, these bits of information are intended only to close the sale, so to speak. If you want to know the truth about a policy or statement someone has made, research it on reliable media sources for an unbiased analysis.
     Second, in a culture that values “winning” over almost all else, we have lost sight of the true goal which used to be summarized, “It’s not important whether you win or loose, it’s how you play the game.” This aphorism is meant to beg the deeper question, “What kind of person are you and what kind of person do you want to be?” Dr. King spoke eloquently about the priority of the “content of your character” and was, in essence, referring to the same eternal internal struggle. Like many in history, one party may win the battle and lose the war. Always research the statistics and facts from as many sources as possible.
These two attitudes, one that we only need to get away with making things as favorable as possible for us while not getting caught, i.e. winning at any cost; and the second, focusing on what kind of person are you and whom do you want to work to become, are diametrically opposed to one another and are incompatible. Civilization is not peacefully maintained by intentionally destroying the other to achieve our materialistic goals. A commitment to standards of ethics, education, openness, respect, civil discourse, and caring for the dispossessed and incompetent are essential to participate in any wholesome democracy.
The recent elections demonstrate we are not a democracy but an oligarchy and a hobbled one at that. With our current status including many regressive laws on the books, the misguided decision of the Supreme Court that money and corporate entities are entitled to overwhelming influence in elections, and progressive measures being defeated by the few who accumulate great power through destructive and misleading public media releases, there is overwhelming evidence we are not the land of the free, but the land controlled by the few who rewrite the scripts of public attention by deflecting concern about the threats in domestic power disparity by saturating the media (the opiate of the people) with overstated threats of harm from without. Our priorities have been rearranged to favor the wealthy and dispossess the poor....and less than half of registered voters in 43 states voted. Wake up United Flakes of America, get educated!

Is it Well...Is it well with my Soul?

The Modern Version of Idols?

To All My Christian Friends, especially Clergy: A recent post on ‘Face book’ intrigued me because I am very proud of the Episcopal Church, in which I was brought up, on some points, and extremely disappointed with other pervasive, systemic problems. So I offered a thought, and, as is often the case, learned something about myself in the process: This is rather long so be prepared.

The Original Post:
David Whitlock (not related) shared some of the struggles of his denomination: “Borrowed,” he wrote, “ . . . a former United Methodist preacher has a strong opinion . . ‘We (in the UMC) are Sadly, Embarrassingly, Shamefully, Reprehensibly, Disturbingly, Distastefully, and Disgustingly in the WRONG Column.... Lord, have mercy....’”

I commented: “David...if the Anglican Church was good enough for the Wesleys, perhaps it might be a healthy alternative for those not affirmed by their historic denomination? Would clergy find this difficult?”

His response: “We may hear from clergy friends. It is early. I went to bed early, woke early, found this early. This pastor switched over to the counseling field (person making above statement). As pew sitter who has not studied deeply church history, I find your question interesting. Stay tuned.”

Doug Albury, another voice responded to my question: “Robin Whitlock, I'm not sure the Anglican Church WAS ‘good enough for the Wesley.’  After all, when John began preaching against the drunkenness and laziness of the clergy and criticized the Anglican hierarchy for presenting a dead form of religion that he wanted the Methodists to overcome through being held accountable for the practice of the faith and taking advantage of the means of grace that moved them toward perfection in love, the bishop took away his pulpit, and he had to begin the field preaching that expanded Methodism across England and into the American colonies. The modern representation of the Anglican Church in the United States - the Episcopal Church USA - though it has affirmed same-sex marriage and ordination of partnered gay clergy, is in the latter stages of the fracturing of which the UMC is in the early/middle stages. (There is also a stronger movement against ordination of women in the Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican Communion than there is in the UMC.) We'd be better off with UM members making choices based on their individual needs and, in the meantime, as a denomination, working out our issues in the best way we can. Who knows? We might be able to do it better than the Episcopalians!”

David Whitlock added an observation: “University of Facebook I often say. Thanks, Doug.”

Robin Whitlock then responded to Doug: “You make several very valid points and while I’m certainly not the ideal student of history, I was under the impression that the Wesley did not leave their Anglican roots but tried to reform the errors of the Church. While I may have the details wrong, I believe that is what many in the Episcopal Church are doing today. (I take exception to your statement about the ‘movement against the ordination of women’ since this has not been my experience in every quarter of this country). While there are many denying or distorting the clear message of embracing diversity in the scriptures, the mission of the faithful is to keep others from writing the script. Whether or not LGBT members of our houses of worship should be able to participate fully is moot as far as I am concerned, Jesus spoke to that issue to the outcasts of his day.”

“It seems there is far greater evil in the tradition of the church embracing the tacit materialism and paradigm of ‘winners and losers’ in western culture than which tradition has the ‘truth’. When I attended seminary starting in 1968 in Berkeley, California in one of the members of the Graduate Theological Union, I was hoping to find kinship in the search for a better way for people raised in the Christian tradition to improve our treatment of one another - spiritually, internationally, and universally. While all denominations, including mine, has failed myself and others over and over again with its’ own misguided love of keeping everyone in the pews happy and the need to finance the next more impressive diocesan symbol of our own love of status with yet another ‘golden calf’, I have found the faithful still gather in spite of the failings of the institution and search for and demand reform, as the Wesley did. That is my experience in the church I serve today. E.g. they are working to demand a ‘moral Monday’ protest against the excesses of our expansion of business and financial interference in the Democratic process through the misguided judiciary which is charged with representing the Constitutional rights of the people.”

“All clergy and members of our houses of worship need to come to terms with the false idols we have been forced to accept. My favorite example is to point out if a true Disciple were made a Bishop in today’s church, all church income would go into a common pot and all clergy would be compensated the same regardless of the contributions of their parish. In fact, giving more to the poorer churches might not only be faithful to our commission, but might also reverse the current trend of churches disappearing.”

“So, how about a radically new paradigm based on a truly scriptural precedent? I believe I would have support from many of the reformers, and not just the famous ones. What would be best for our historical traditions in this day and age? I look forward to your thoughts. What do you believe?”

I would like there to be an open and honest discussion of some of the overlooked failings of the Episcopal Church and her ways of conducting ‘business as usual’ which, in my experience, often ends up being deeply in denial (about the unfairness of our appeal process within our polity)or ignoring the (major) issue (illegal behavior on the part of bishops) and hoping it will go away, sometimes forcing untenable injustice (broken contracts and broken promises) from those in positions of authority. What say ye?

Rembering the March - People of the Promise

Pentecost XV: Remembering the March: September 1, 2013   St. Augustine's Episcopal Church
                                                                                                            St. Petersburg, Florida
Psalm 112: "Light shines in the darkness for the upright;
                        and the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
                     It is good for them to be generous in lending
                         and to manage their affairs with justice."

Remember the March - Remember the Promise

 

Our faith and our theology are a source of great comfort to every person who has cultivated an active relationship with our creator and deeply loves the beauty and intricacy of Creation. Yet by turning over or sharing the future of what was created to humankind one simple truth emerged: only discernment, choices, and actions on our part would keep creation faithful to the model of the creator. That is to say, "If wishing could work, frogs could fly". The frog has to get off his rear, jump up, and stick out that huge tongue to get his dinner! Actions are what get results. Unfortunately for us humans, free will also opens a can of worms, or the slippery slope if you prefer the ethics phrase. In the light of human uncertainty, it becomes hard to still the noise of the fear mongers in the political arena.

David Brooks rightly reminds us in his article "The Ideas Behind the March", about the march on Washington in 1963, he wrote: "How close it came to not happening at all". The main challenges were timing and, primarily, the great discipline required to remain non violent. First a little history on Civil Disobedience. One of the oldest depictions of civil disobedience is in Sophocles' play Antigone, in which Antigone, one of the daughters of former King of Thebes, Oedipus, defies Creon, the current King of Thebes, who is trying to stop her from giving her brother Polynices a proper burial. She gives a stirring speech in which she tells him that she must obey her conscience rather than human law. She is not at all afraid of the death he threatens her with (and eventually carries out), but she is afraid of how her conscience will smite her if she does not do this. (Wikipedia)

Preceding King’s letter from the Birmingham Jail, in the "Call to Unity", clergymen, including the Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, agreed that social injustices existed but argued that the battle against racial segregation should be fought solely in the courts, not in the streets. They criticized Martin Luther King, calling him an "outsider" who causes trouble in the streets of Birmingham. Their whine reflected the traditional echo of the status quo, "it was just too much too fast". A wise man knows more than to expect "Justice" from legislatures or courts, or to expect "leadership" or "courage" from the church! To this establishment protectionist appeal, King reflected on his belief that all communities and states were interrelated. He wrote, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly… Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider…". It was clear those clergy had a lot to learn from this upstart visionary prophet.

This statement and subsequent statements by Dr. King illustrate the essence and embodiment of how theology is done: In the flesh, in the streets and in the marketplaces, not in stone buildings with pretty windows. In this light, civil disobedience is an act of faithful adherence to a higher law: the promises we committed ourselves to in the words of our baptism and later affirmation in the midst of our communities of faith. We might be a nation of laws, but WE are a people of the promise: "We will respect the dignity of every human being" we say, "...with God’s help."

And then Jesus said, "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted". We, you and I, have been called to a higher place yet we are humbled because we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before and who have sacrificed themselves for the children of the children of the promise.

President Obama remarked last Thursday: "The March on Washington teaches us that we are not trapped by the mistakes of history, that we are masters of our fate. But it also teaches us the promise of this nation will only be kept when we work together. We'll have to reignite the embers of empathy and fellow feeling, the coalition of conscience that found expression in this place 50 years ago."

"And I believe", he continued, "that spirit is there, ...(so among other things) when the interracial couple connects the pain of a gay couple who were (or are) discriminated against and understands it as their own. That's where courage comes from, when we turn not from each other, or on each other, but towards one another, and we find we do not walk alone."

While the President can not address spiritual or religious themes while in office, Dr. King had the freedom of a prophet speaking for an entire nation without inhibition or limitation, and in that freedom he addressed not only Christians, but people of every faith, nation, race, language, and station of life as children of God - the Creator of us all.

And therein lies the call: President Obama’s call to rally a nation, a nation divided by ideology and personal and corporate greed; and our call back to the promise - to proclaim the Good News that we need not be anxious because we have chosen the better part and know that we must act as the "Word made flesh" feeding those who hunger and thirst here and now for righteousness sake so that we might have the courage to act, remembering violence is never an option, but sacrifice is.

The point here is, we are called to action, not to pious contemplation, in the face of systemic injustice. We must speak out against bigotry, selfishness, and the economic slavery of any and all people; we must vote for, and work to educate, every generation to help them become informed of, and combat the pervasiveness and destructiveness of, human greed unfettered by any sense of community obligation; and we must model generosity even to the extreme of self sacrifice for the good of those unfortunate few who have less capacity to endure the injustices of power disparity and economic maldistribution cultivated by modern life.

We are people of THE promise. As Paul writes: "Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers... Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have. Now may the God of peace, ...make you complete in everything good so that you may (have the strength to) do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (May His) Grace be with all of you." (Hebrews 13)

 

St. Augustine's Episcopal Church

St. Petersburg, Florida

 

Worship at the Beach 2006

Emile and Laura DeCosmo

Emile DeCosmo

Some people naturally give more than others. I am sad to announce that Emile DeCosmo, our wonderful musician and dynamic parishioner, passed last Friday morning. Laura and Emile were the most creative and dynamic church musicians I have encountered in my 40 years of service in the church. I believe we are the only church that has had a consistent thread of Jazz Music as our norm on Sunday mornings. We will not just miss Emile, our celebrations will never be the same as they were under the wonderful embellishments of his clarinet and saxophone. If you've never heard "Someone to Watch over Me" during a quiet, prayerful time in your church, you haven't experienced the same wonderful chill that comes with the quiet presence of the Holy Spirit as we were privileged to enjoy with this gifted man. Keep him, Laura, and others in your prayers. May His soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercies of God rest in peace now and forevermore.



Translate this as God's wish for all.

You might recognize this prayer that is in a little different form than the wording most of us are used to. When I was given this years ago, I was told it was the Lord's Prayer translated from the Syriac Aramaic. Whether this is true or not is less important than the fact that this wording helps anyone focusing on what it says think carefully and deeply about one of the most popular prayers in the world.

 

In this form, it could be titled,

 

 "A Universal Prayer

for Oneness with God".

 

If you get a chance to print this, put it next to a mirror and read it at least once a day and it may change your life, if not your attitude. You can even share it with spiritual brothers and sisters regardless of their faith community or beliefs. This is one small part of a personal spiritual discipline, and so can benefit anyone. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Passover Freedom Celebration

Today is the beginning of Passover at sundown. In my community, myself and my companion pilgrims believe this is a valuable day to celebrate, but not only for its' Hebrew roots, but for its' focus on freedom and liberation. We have worked for several years to author a "Universal Passover Celebration" affirming and acknowledging that there have been and still are many enslaved persons in many locations worldwide. For this reason, we have our current version for sharing with others who would like to celebrate, either this year - as we do on Maundy Thursday, or at any time using this family oriented celebration recognizing the importance of proclaiming, in ritual and ceremonial, the past and ongoing, struggle for freedom.

If you or your friends are interested in a liturgy based on the Seder which is  expanded to include all peoples who have been imprisoned, go to this website ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/StAugustine/ ) and send us a message, or write or call St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, 2920 26th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, Florida  33712 (727.867.6774) so we can make arrangements for you to receive copies.

Below is the opening prayer:

Now in the presence of loved ones and friends,
before us the emblems of festive rejoicing,
we gather for our annual sacred celebration.
With the households of Israel, Africa, Asia, and
many places far and wide, united with those
who have gone before, our elders and young ones,
linking and bonding the past with the future,
we heed once again the divine call to service.
Living our story that is told for all peoples,
whose shining conclusion is yet to unfold,
we gather to observe the night of the Passover.

Shalom

Spiritual Truths and Spiritual Blessings

For Christian people this season of Epiphany is soon transitioning into the next Liturgical Season called Lent. Most people around the world know about this day primarily because of the rather ribald mutation of the day Christians call "Shrove Tuesday" but which has been replaced most places by "Mardi Gras". This day, just before Ash Wednesday, was a time to rid your kitchen of fats and meats for the season of Lent.

Lent is a special time for Christian people because it is a time of sacrifice and simplicity - commonly reflected in the practice of "giving up" something. It is a rich season especially if used for reflection and meditation on the simple truths we learn throughout the years and experiences of our lives.

To assist in these reflections, I offer a list of Spiritual Truths which are a contrast to the truths of the street and the world. These are the 'graduate' level revelations discovered and nurtured by experience and introspection. There are only 25 so far and I would like to have 40, one for every day in Lent. So if you have any suggestions, please share them with me at:

Meditationmeister@gmail.com

Here is the list so far:

                                      Spiritual Truths

1. We are born of particularity and thus subject to sin.
2. When we are born to the Spirit, community replaces particularity, we die to self.
3. Nothing can consume or destroy us more completely than our own selfishness.
4. The Law was given because justice is a prerequisite for community.
5. Community is a prerequisite for understanding the sacrifices of Love.
6. The Law was meant to serve humankind, not the other way around.
7. The Law is liberating because we know what to expect from the faithful.
8. The Summary of the Law is that by which all actions are measured.
9. Simpler is better.
10. Less is more.
11. Service to the other is the true meaning of freedom.
12. One must die to self before being able to be born again.
13. Talk is cheap, Sacrifice is authentic.
14. The kingdom of God is within you, only you are able to share its’ power.
15. God is love [agape], Sacrificial Love, and God is eternal.
16. I am not free until everyone around me is free. God made me to be free.
17. The right relationship is more important than rules. (Or tradition)
18. Religion is a tool, if it doesn’t work, it’s O.K. to throw it away, these Remain: Truth, Hope, the Spirit, Faith, Love, the Redeemer, and the Creator.
19. Justice which is only justice in not Justice. (Reinhold Neibuhr)
20. Every glimpse of thou is a glimpse of the Eternal Thou. (Martin Buber)
21. Unless you receive the Kingdom of Heaven like a child you are not able to enter.
22. The Truth will set you free. [be careful, freedom can be frightening]
23. Forgiveness releases and heals the forgiver even more than the one forgiven.
24. Forgiveness, like all gifts, can only be offered freely, no strings attached.
25. Love is often our first experience of the overwhelming power of God.

Universal Ethics in a Pluralistic Society

A few weeks ago I was asked to speak at the local Vedanta Center "in connection with world-wide celebration the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the founder of this religious organization."

"Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) did pioneering work in introducing ancient Indian philosophy & religion Vedanta to the Western intellectuals during his short stay of four years in USA from 1893 to 1897. He appeared first as the sole representative of Hinduism at the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893 and was very well received by liberal sections of both the society and the Christian churches. He travelled extensively to major cities of America and Europe on invitation from various Churches and institutes of higher education to deliver the central message of Vedanta, which calls for the unity of all people."

My suggestion was to address “A Universal Ethics in the midst of a Pluralistic Society”, to more fully speak to the core beliefs of this community.

We were further instructed: "Speakers shall have 15 minutes each to deliver the message of unity and harmony as is taught and practiced by their respective faiths."

I offer you a small piece of this address and if you would like to see the entire text, I will attach a file in PDF for your reading.

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The Spirituality of the Encounter
Martin Buber begins his seminal book "I and Thou" in a poetic form:
To man the world is twofold, in accordance with his twofold attitude.
The attitude of man is twofold, in accordance with the twofold nature of the primary words which he speaks.
The primary words are not isolated words, but combined words.
The one primary word is the combination I-Thou.
The other primary word is the combination I-It; wherein, without a change in the primary word, one of the words He and She can replace It.
Hence the I of man is also twofold.
For the I of the primary word I-Thou is a different I from that of the primary word I-It.Martin Buber’s I and Thou (Ich und Du,1923) presents a philosophy of personal dialogue, in that it describes how personal dialogue can define the nature of reality. Buber’s major theme is that human existence may be defined by the way in which we engage in dialogue with each other, with the world, and with God.

  __________________

I go on at this point to review the traditional approaches to ethics as rules, laws, principles, and other behavioral guides. The conclusion then sets these approaches aside.
_______


But all (these) explicit guidelines yet fall short of our important goal. When we reach spiritual maturity, there is little need for laws and rules. Finally, we need to understand and to accept that the penultimate achievement of all ethics is to be in the right relationship with one another and with our creator. All religions and all governments begin with principles, laws, rules and, occasionally, individual rights. What we learn finally is that these represent the baby steps of humankind in our learning about one another and about the nature of the universe. All structures we create will be unsuccessful unless they lead us to embrace one another, no matter how different we seem in our narrow understanding of life. For what we see now is finite, and we must open ourselves to be guided to see the infinite. I summarize with more of the insightful words of Martin Buber:
"The spheres in which the world of relation arises are three.
First, our life with nature....
Second, our life with men....
Third, our life with spiritual beings. There the relation is clouded, yet it discloses itself; it does not use speech, yet begets it. We perceive no Thou, but none the less we feel we are addressed and we answer- forming, thinking, acting. We speak the primary word with our being, though we cannot utter Thou with our lips. But with what right do we draw what lies outside speech into relation with the world of the primary word? In every sphere in its own way, through each process of becoming that is present to us we look out toward the fringe of the eternal Thou; in each we are aware of a breath from the eternal Thou; in each Thou we address the eternal Thou." (Buber, I and Thou, Pg.6)I believe what he is trying to tell us from a focus on the world of the Spirit is that if we are finally successful at comprehending the essence of material existence, when we look into the eyes of the other we will first see the Creator, the Eternal Thou. While in our infancy we gravitate to an ethics of Virtue, or Character, or Laws, or Principles, but when we comprehend our common origin we arrive at the ethics of relationship.

What is Character and how do you get it?

I have been away for some time and recently stumbled upon a poster of Dr. King's speech "I have a Dream" on the wall of a body shop, of all places. As I read each paragraph slowly, it struck me how little we intentionally identify or teach about that key word "Character". For all the times we allude to a persons' "goodness" or "wisdom" we often fail to identify the character traits we expect or require in one another.

Every culture of humans we know of reflects, at one time or another, on facets of character. In an era when name calling is often used to denigrate another, we rarely find ways to elevate others by affirming their praiseworthy characteristics.

In ancient times, the study of virtue was a core part of early education. If you have read Plato or Artistotle, or the poems of heroic times such as the Iliad and the Odyssey, you see how the subjects taught and the stories told identified the virtues lauded in their day.

What virtues do you hold and reflect in daily life and in the choices and friends you make? Some say every person has his or her price. What do you hold so dearly that you would never relinquish nor comprimise no matter what the price? Some operate under the model that if no one is hurt, then anything is allowed which is a very short sighted and immature view at best.

What if at our social gatherings, rather than ask others "What do you do?" we were to ask instead, "What kind of person are you?" We might listen more carefully to the answer and relinquish our trust for others more carefully. Unfortunately we most often hear this question asked only in moments of desperation.

What virtues do you embrace? Honesty, Dignity, Integrity, Fidelity, Consistency, Compassion, Empathy, Kindness, Thoughtfulness, Respect, Patience, Fortitude (Inner Strength), Thanksgiving, Joy, Passion, Endurance, Dependability, Hope, Faith, Charity, Wisdom? Is there anything you would not comprimise at any cost?

Moral and Ethical Limits of Religous Doctrine

Readers: What follows is an article from the Tampa Bay TImes which I found interesting and in need of clarification about the core ethical issues of the proposed health care legislation. My response to the writer and the editor follows. Feel free to comment if you like. MM


Column by John Romano, Tampa Bay Times February 2, 2012

Simple question: Whom do you most trust? Your church? Your country? Your conscience?
Because, when it comes to birth control, one choice may be in conflict with the others. And in the coming days you may be asked to take sides in a battle that, in some ways, is entirely devoid of a villain.
In case you haven't been following the story, the Catholic Church is strongly opposing the Affordable Care Act because it will soon require contraception be provided free of charge in employer health insurance plans.
Catholic leaders argue, not unreasonably, that this mandate intrudes on long-held church teachings. Sen. Marco Rubio seems to agree, and introduced a bill on Monday that would allow religious hospitals and schools to be excused from the rule.
The Department of Health and Human Services argues, not unreasonably, that contraceptive products are an integral part of preventive care. It could also be pointed out that birth control is not required under the law but merely made available.
The Obama administration has tried to split the difference by agreeing to a provision that exempts those who work directly for a church (as opposed to a church-affiliated business) and by giving religious organizations an extra year to comply with the policy.
For the church, that wasn't enough. Wasn't even close. And this is where the story gets sticky.
Bishop Robert Lynch said the Diocese of St. Petersburg will not comply with the law, and instead will drop health insurance for about 2,300 employees. The employees will be given money to buy their own coverage.
The bishop went a step further by essentially asking Catholics to vote against President Barack Obama by writing that he hopes "no Catholic voting adult will soon forget this egregious and insensitive intrusion by our government.''
I do not fault Catholic leaders for standing by their beliefs, but it's disingenuous for the church to demonize the president and not its own parishioners.
For there is little doubt the majority of Catholics in this country are in favor of contraception, and regularly employ artificial birth control.
You can go as far back as 1967 when a special papal advisory commission of leading bishops, theologians and medical experts recommended the church relax its stance against birth control. Pope Paul VI disagreed.
Since then, national polls consistently show Catholics do not support, and typically ignore, the church's teachings on contraception.
A 1987 New York Times poll reported nine out of 10 U.S. Catholics believed someone could use contraceptives and still be a good Catholic. A 2005 Harris Interactive poll said 90 percent of U.S. Catholics support the use of birth control.
Catholic leaders have to be aware of this, and yet allow priests and others on the front line to turn a blind eye to this rampant disregard of the church's teachings.
And I'm not saying that unofficial policy is wrong. Between HIV and unwanted pregnancies, suggesting otherwise would be reckless. It just seems self-serving to now take a hard-line stance against the government.
Which brings us back to the top: Whom do you trust? Your church? Your country? Your conscience?


To: the Tampa Bay Times - in response to the above article...

RE: Primacy of Conscience

As an ethicist, let me compliment you (Mr. Romano) on your column of Feb. 2 for pointing out the essence of what we call the ethical dilemma. Framed the way you have makes it a little more clear for Americans there are many values pulling us different directions that require we prioritize.

Unfortunately the Bishops involved did not read my chapter on "Ethics" in the text "Spiritual Dimensions of Nursing Practice" or they would have found a diagram outlining values constellations and their various overlapping configurations which illustrate these different kinds of priorities and the fact that occasionally one value is so predominant that it truly guides and rules almost all of our choices. But this is a matter of choice.

Roman Catholic teaching holds that, "Man has the right to act according to his conscience and in freedom so as personally to make moral decisions. He must not be forced to act contrary to his conscience. Nor must he be prevented from acting according to his conscience, especially in religious matters." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1782)

Some religious institutions have been more forward looking and have historically taken positions which underscore the applied truth of a ‘primacy of conscience’ stance even outside of the Catholic Church. For instance, in 1928 the Episcopal Church declared that matters of birth control were to be decided "by a woman, with the guidance of both a medical and a spiritual advisor of her choosing." This was later affirmed by the Lambeth Conference of 1930. The key here is, of course, that the heart of any moral or ethical decision lies in the heart of the individual and cannot be mandated, forced, or legislated.

The bottom line is that the Catholic Bishops have it backwards: the proposed Federal Policy on Health Care actually makes it possible for all religious people to be better Christians or Muslims or Hindi or Jews because it allows choice but does not require any person to act against his or her own conscience. The fewer restrictions mandated by others make it possible to be more faithful to any set of parochial values to which we wish to subscribe, whether part of a faith tradition or not. Law was never intended to be an opportunity to impose moral or religious standards on those of us who live in a free society. The fact that such a large percent of practicing Roman Catholics still use artificial birth control simply demonstrates the value and importance of ‘Primacy of Conscience’.

POEM 641

is Death? But
more or less than
(unborn) living
within oneself,
　
is Fear? Farther
in time from Hope
than knowing is
from Faith,
　
is Love? Longer
in fragrances of past
lies forgiven while
worshiping not myself,

is Final?

A Key Ingredient in Spiritual Life:

Stewardship: Who’s Minding the Shop?  (A little story of my own)
      Suppose, for just a moment, you have a friend who is an anthropologist. This friend travels for long periods of time to distant lands to study the indigenous peoples there. Your friend is planning a new trip and she has invited you to stay at her house for a year. You are given a key and arrive one day soon after she has left. Upon entry you see a beautiful home filled with personal treasures. Artifacts from trips far away, pictures of friends, family, and famous people encountered in the making of a successful career. There is a lovely garden where you can gaze at the beauty of God’s creation. You are filled with awe that you have been trusted with so marvelous a home, not just because it is large and will easily meet your every whim and creature comfort, but more so because this gift came so unexpectedly and graciously. On the top of the kitchen table is a small note your friend left for you. It says simply, "Enjoy!"

The faithfulness test: what is of the Spirit?

Lent is a time of reflection. Many religions practice far more meditation and reflection than Christians. We have a great deal to learn from them. For in truth, learning does not come from simple experience - for many have made the same error over and over - but true learning comes from reflection on our experiences. Reflection is the only way the lessons of experience can be learned.

In the middle of a busy day, it is not unusual to ask some deep questions about the seeming futility of daily chores. (my children do it all the time!) Often, those of us in the grace of a long term relationship ask the same question about the honesty and genuineness of that commitment. 

One of the most human and most real threats in the midst of a world of needs, wants, and ambition, is the self delusion of using rather than merging in any relationship. Using manipulates and demeans the other while merging affirms and empowers the other.

Martin Buber put it this way: "The world of mankind is twofold in accordance with his twofold nature". He goes on to describe his view that we can either be immersed (giving of ourselves and totally present, not needing or belonging) in a relationship (my words) or set apart from the other in the context or nature of the relationship. He call these either "I-it" or "I-thou".

To clarify what he was describing we might say we are either redefined in the midst of the person-we-become in this relationship or we hold he/she/it at arms length and deal with the current transaction for whatever purpose it serves, but remain defined solely unchanged and apart from this encounter/relationship. This is an awkward and partial description. His book is both poetic and profound. Read it if you can find it.

"By their fruit you will know them", it is written. A fundamental truth by which we can know other people very quickly by observing the people, behavior, and things with which they choose to surround themselves. Even the way someone drives will tell you a great deal about him or her.

What kind of relationships do we want to seek, celebrate, and cultivate but those which produce good fruit. So observe and choose carefully:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

Religion, Church, or Spirituality: Take your pick!

Many confuse attending church with being a member of a religion and either or both of these with a life attentive to spirituality. Each of these is not necessarily connected to the other. Think about how we invite others to share in each and how we identify membership or participation in each.

We invite others to attend church with us and while some accept, the response is often descriptive, "I was raised a [church name]", usually meaning I might be unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the church you are inviting me to attend.  Churches have traditions, styles of worship, doctrines, ways of interpreting scripture, social overtones, and many features of approved behavior, some required. And a subject of much confusion is the word used to move from one church to another. People often say, "When I was in college, I converted from being a Lutheran and became a Methodist". This is an illustration of a misunderstanding. In most cases we only use the word conversion if we are changing religions, not denominations, such as "I converted to Christianity after being raised Shinto by my parents".

Religions, on the other hand, ascribe to the teachings of an historical tradition with identifiable leaders and sacred texts from which we derive our beliefs. Some are closely related to one another, as with Judaism, Muslim, and Christianity all of whom trace their roots to Abraham. While others, such as Jainism, Buddhism, and Shinto, share little in common except a base in some form of spirituality and traditions.

Spirituality, as differentiated from these two, is the human attempt to discover, experience, and communicate about an ultimate reality usually quite separated from the material world. A practice of spirituality may require exercises, disciplines, and other behaviors which are believed to prepare us for and stimulate the possibility of an awareness of the non-physical origins and foundations for life as we know it. Philosophers and other writers have explored many facets of spirituality under almost as many names.

One reason for clarifying the distinctions among these terms is to identify the overlapping as well as the conflicts that ofter occur among them all. For example, a church may, from time to time, get so full of it's own doctrine and traditions that if, like many people, can forget it's own origin, and the principles professed at the beginning. We have many 'organized' religions (an oxymoron at best) wreak havoc, destruction, and unspeakable acts all in the name of 'conversion' or 'discipline'. While not as heavy handed or obvious today, from time to time a church can remain as irrational and destructive as they were in the dark ages. For example, see the article linked here.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/opinion/27kristof.html?adxnnl=1&emc=eta1&adxnnlx=1296306467-UvTlAtTlJLlcr+VCy6Lyhg


More on this topic later. - Illigitum Non Carborundum

EPIPHANY: The Gift of a Child Born 2010 Years Ago and in Comemoration of all Children Killed by Violence

A letter was recently discovered in a ruined city near Aden just north of the Gulf of Aden by archaeologists the content of which might be of interest to those who recognize the Christian Feast of the Epiphany as the comemoration of all the tribes of Abraham being invited to worship together. A translation of that letter follows:

From the Ziggurat at Saba

from the court of Balthazar in the 942nd year of Marduk

and the Western year 20 of Tiberius Cesear's reign

GREETINGS MAY PEACE AND PATIENCE REIGN IN YOUR HEART MY BROTHER

MELCHIOR OF ARABIA, PRINCE OF ARABIA FELIX

HEIR TO ALL THE LAND NORTH OF THE GULF OF ARDEN ON THE WEST

AND NORTH OF THE RED SEA ON THE EAST I REPEAT GREETING!

I am sending this document to you by courier to assure our complete security and privacy. After the events of the past, just five changes of the sun, I am enquiring if you too have been informed of the fate of our young friend from Bethlehem. Our companion Gaspar, the youngest of us has not had a fortunate life and now lies dead, buried in Tarsis by his family and without honor from the community because of his telling of our strange tales, but more about him later. I ask you about the star born child because of news that has reached me just two years ago by traveling Saracens who came trading olive oil for our fine frankensence.

I was told that this child whom we traveled so far to see, that soon after we left he was named Jesheva in the customary manner of the Hebrew people and that he was raised strictly in the customs and teachings of this Hebrew faith much as we suspected he might. The stories told by those shepherds, as I recall, lead us to believe that there was a more to his mission than just prophecy for these people. And the star leading us was certainly seen by many who were not Hebrew or followers of Yahweh - that single and solitary god they pray to and kill animals for. I have studied their religion a great deal since that visit, and it still is a mystery to me. Tracking the stars is more revealing because it is possible to understand the past and to see some future things by the regular patterns and motions of the stars. The hearts and laws of these religions in the west are not predictable at all. I find they have even taken some of our own ancient stories, the revealed vision of Gilgamesh and the great flood for instance, and have the same story in their scripture. They say it belongs to their past. It still amazes me after seventy-one sun cycles that people do not understand that we all may have common beginnings and a common god who is the creator of all that is.

But I must tell you of our young friend Jesheva. He is dead. I know we were told he would save his people and others as well. But there is more to the story. We, that is those in my home country who have entered this religious order, have visited with some of his pupils. They have said that, even after he was punished by the court, crucified and buried, even then he was later seen teaching and healing and proclaiming new promises for many people, even perpetual life for many not following the Hebrew ways. Some have said he was just an agent from the Romans and returned to the west after calming the riots of rebellion. Others have said he was from far in the east, past the great sea, and returned there after training followers to teach his lessons to others. But one thing is sure, he was doing as we were told that night. He was proclaiming a message from a heavenly creator, he was healing many who were sick. And he did give his people a kind of freedom from their oppressive overseers - but it was not what they expected.

I can recall that journey like it was only a moon cycle ago. Many other things have faded from my memory, but that trip, your face as we met in Selucia on the Tigris, those things I will never forget. The star shone so brightly that night, it was reflected on the water so it seemed like day. But what a long trip, a cold and hard trip. We had no way of telling the herdsmen how long we would travel, we had no idea what direction the star would lead next. Our sleep was filled with dreams we could not reveal to those who did not understand the ways of our ancestors. We could not even mention our readings from the stars to those who say the law forbade finding this young liberator king.
"You can't trust those foreigners", they would say. "You can't believe them if they don't follow Hammurabi's code or acknowledge Marduk, who has the wisdom of Ea and became the prince of all gods; or acknowledge Ea of Eridu his father, the god of war; or Nabu of Barsippa, the fire god. You simply cannot trust unbelievers", that is what they would say! And they might kill those who doubt them and their methods of "conversion".
What I remember most about that journey is that night. It seemed as though the world was filled with mad men at first, travelers sleeping by every square and crowding every well. Money lenders and merchants pushing their goods in the faces of the camels and blocking the path. The evening was so cold after sunset even the fires would not warm us as we waited for the star to lead us.

Certainly we expected a house at least. It might have been a small palace or a synagogue of some size if the brightness of the star was any indication, and we did expect a meal to be ready for us, didn't we. Oh, how foolish we were! How much we saw and how little we understood until that moment, until we arrived.

How sad and new I felt. Unwise and completely humbled. Herod had received us so graciously and certainly this new King would be born stronger, higher, and more influential than he, but what did we find? That is the question. And the answer depends on which eyes you ask. The eyes we wore before would have said we found poverty, sheep dung, cold damp hay, and uneducated peasants. But when we left we wore different eyes, eyes that saw a stable transformed. How could a woman glow with joy when she should be in tears? How could a man attend his wife as though he were a servant and yet content? How could animals be so still? And how could a simple stall for crops and livestock become so warm and comfortable when the winter wind howls outside?

But how blind we were! In spite of how much we saw, how much more we refused to see. How could we present gifts which only a king could use to this small child and his poor family. Gold they might be able to use if they could convince someone they didn't steal it. But perfumed oil usually used for bathing or burial! And incense fit for burning in the houses of worship - how embarrassed I felt! Such gifts would have been more appropriate for a widow with a husband dead at her side preparing for burial! But for this child and his small town family - of what possible use could these be?

I don't even remember the trip home or when we parted, we were all struck dumb by the pungent irony of that visit. Unable to respond because each of us realized we had received more than we had given. Mind you, none of us asked for what we received nor did we have much choice in the matter, but there was no turning back. For us there is no turning back, we can never undo what we had done. And now he is dead.

Dead, the messengers from Jerusalem say. Dead say those from Tyre. Dead say those from Caesarea...But not dead. The whispering has begun. He is alive in the East. He is alive and in hiding. Some say he is alive and gone to be with their God, Yahweh, to sit on the throne of judgment! This is what I wrote to tell you, our vision is now in the idle whisperings of people on the street. In Judaea, in Rome, in Palmyra, in Cappadocia, everywhere.

It has all come to be. He was on a cross, he was tried by his own people, he was dead, but has been seen since. Oh Melchior, How could we have known it would come true. But even more importantly, how could we have believed what we were shown?
I will share with you my madness, now I am looking forward to death. Now I can believe what I saw and heard. Now I am eager for that which we saw in the stable at Bethlehem - to be a child again and to be with the one with whom we are always children - this child god, son of our Creator. This is our fate. And now the truth of those ridiculous gifts is clear. We were present at both a birth and a death. They were, they are one in the same.
We were born there with this child. Yet, We also died in that moment and that is when the light started and we have been blind ever since.

Blind to the ways of the world. Blind to the madness of men hungry for power. Blind to the wisdom of wealth and slaves and concubines and the great houses of all our countries. Now I realize that it was on that day, the day I became blind, that I just began to realize what kind of kingdom he came to establish. And now, just now, am I beginning to see.

Soon I will see Gaspar, and I will see you too again my friend. If what I am told is true, soon we will be with Him, this star-child-become-king. Now I realize what kind of kingdom he came to establish. He was not born to be an earthly king. No, but he died to be a king, and our gifts were for both a birth and a death, his birth and our death.

God speed, my friend. By the time you get this, I will have gone on ahead, to the land of our ancestors, but perhaps not. Perhaps to a better place. I eagerly await the day we will travel together once more toward that great light we once saw in the sky.
And this time we will find it, or, perhaps, it shall find us, of that I am sure.

Your humble servant, Balthazar.

Advent IV - Mary as a model for a Servant of God

What does it mean to be innocent yet WILLING?  Ask Ruby Bridges.

1. Meaning: Done, given, accepted, or borne voluntarily or ungrudgingly. Mary is our model for a willing servant of God.
2. To be willing does not require understanding - such as taking orders or requests.
3. Some are willing in the midst of adversity or danger, their spirit overcomes uncertainty or fear and they accept the outcomes prior to acting.
4. Some balance the outcomes or ‘good’ which benefits the community.
5. Spock once said, "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few".
6. John Stuart Mill concluded that the "greatest good for the greatest number" is the sum total of the moral and ethical choice to make.
7. Do arguments or moral rightness sway us to do the ‘right’ thing?
8. The inclination to do what is best or right or good is the result, many have concluded, of having formed a certain kind of ‘character’ which guides us.
9. To choose to do the best for others, in the midst of conflict, is called brave or heroic. If there were not risk, there is no bravery or courage.
10. To choose the right thing to do when it is likely no one is aware except the actor is a result of and reinforces the moral fiber or ‘character’ of the individual.
11. Some well known for such character are: the prophets, Jesus, Mahatma Gandhi, Dorothy Day, Dietrich Bonhoeffer , and Martin Luther King, Jr.
12. Some are children.(See art above)
13. While conscience is not always ‘right’ in assessing a situation, the resolve to do what one judges as moral or ethical is a demonstration of depth of character.
14. When one understands what principles govern many rules and practices, one them might make choices those who do not comprehend the precedence of principles will not necessarily understand or agree with.
15. Mary is an example to us of the character of an innocent young woman who was willing to accept the desire of God to take on human flesh and dwell among us.
16. The four Sundays of Advent:
1. Mary is our example in her WONDER at the beauty of creation.
2. Mary is our example in her WATCHING the miracles of God unfold.
3. Mary is our example in her WAITING for God’s will to be clear.
4. Mary is our example in her WILLINGNESS to be God’s handmaiden.
17. In Short, Mary offered herself totally to the service of God.
18. "O GOD, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; Defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."  - This is the Collect for Peace from the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer.

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

The Third Sunday in Advent - A time of watching and discernment

There are so many kinds of watching!

1. "Watchman, watchman what of the night? The watchman said 'the morning comes and then the night" Isaiah 21:11" (Prophecy against Edom)
2. "Daddy, Mommy, Watch Me!"
3. "I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay - Watching the tide roll away - Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay - Wastin' time..." Otis Redding.
4. The San Juan Islands provide one of the best whale watching opportunities anywhere in the world...
5. "You just watch yourself, young man, or you will get more than you bargained for!"
6. "This is the surgeons knot, watch how I do it and then you try".
7. Looking is different from watching because you might miss some of the signs.
8. Do we understand the difference between look up and watch out?
9. The Prophets gave us the signs and the warnings but would not paint a picture.
10. Mary knew watching, not just looking, or they would never had gone to Egypt.
11. Life is more a dance than a race, rhythm is essential and everyone can win.
12. What we learn from watching nature teaches us far more than they learn from us.
13. You better watch out, you better not cry, the signs are there if you just try....
14. The key difference in watching, really watching, is to learn the meaning of what we see, but often do not absorb.
15. Mary knew, not because she understood from what she was told, but because she was willing to live into the promises and prophesies of the history of her people.
16. The goal of watching, of exploring as T.S. Elliott put it, is to connect the dots, that is to understand in all its' fullness:

We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.

Through the unknown, unremembered gate

When the last of earth left to discover

Is that which was the beginning;

At the source of the longest river

The voice of the hidden waterfall

And the children in the apple-tree

Not known, because not looked for

But heard, half-heard, in the stillness

Between two waves of the sea.

Quick now, here, now, always—

A condition of complete simplicity

(Costing not less than everything)

And all shall be well and

All manner of thing shall be well

When the tongues of flame are in-folded

Into the crowned knot of fire

And the fire and the rose are one

The Second Sunday of Advent

Things that make you full of Wonder - and AWE: Awesome Things

Advent II

　

1. Being born
2. The first time we realize we are truly loved just for who we are.
3. Standing on the shore of any Lake with not an artificial light in sight and seeing stars like you have never seen them before, realizing your solar system is one of them.
4. Sitting in the Colorado River for an hour after hiking down the 9 mile Kaibab trail, eating lunch then hiking back up again on the same day.
5. Flying above the earth at 36,000 ft on a clear, sunny day looking down.
6. Watching a chrysalis break open and the butterfly hang out to dry.
7. Finding a real friend, one who will not abandon you when things get tough.
8. The first time staying up late into the night and finding how much we have in common with the other.
9. The first time we get to drive the car alone (even if the voice of our parents lives).
10. Those special days we wake up knowing we love life and are glad for who we are.
11. Times we really sacrifice what we wanted to benefit someone else and don’t even feel a need to tell them.
12. Days we realize we love what we do and really don’t NEED too much more.
13. When we finally understand that asking the right questions is more important that having the right answers.
14. Times when everyone at the service sang exactly the right notes at exactly the right time and there was silence when it was over because no one would break the moment.
15. The day we discover we have a unique and special purpose and embrace the opportunity the way we would embrace a long lost friend.
16. The lack of any sound outside at night after the first snowfall of the winter.
17. Dreaming of flying.(Especially when we know you are dreaming and take control)
18. Seeing the awesome power of nature in a storm - or in the quiet before the storm.
19. Believing you have come to the end of your strength and finding that you have gained strength you never knew or expected.
20. Seeing a baby born. The Cycle Continues.......