November 14, 2009
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
We gather today to celebrate the life and faith of one who was truly “an oak of righteousness" among us. Many of you are so well acquainted with General Beach’s life that I need add nothing to the details you all know so well. Many of us will try to fill the gaps as best we can in our personal and professional and community lives, and we will be comforted by his spirit and example. He would, I think, be quite impatient with any list of his accomplishments and honors; I suspect the list is somewhat incomplete at any rate despite the heroic efforts of those who helped him stay on top of his many commitments. In this I include especially his son Charlie, and Edna and Charlotte, and the many, many police officers who allowed him to break the sound barrier over the eastern Kentucky mountain roads!
The General would want all of this work to be carried on, of course. In the best military sense, as he has laid down flags, he would want us to pick them up and march forward. But it is especially the flag of faith that I believe General Beach would want us to lift high. Just as it seems entirely appropriate somehow that Charles Beach Jr. would be born on the 4th of July and would begin his new life on Veterans Day, it feels right that we gather for a few moments here in his lifetime church to think about God’s faithful presence among us.
His dedication began early. For the last 80 years or so he has been in the habit of arriving early at church in order to ignite the furnace here at St. Thomas. [Of course the mode of energy usage has changed a bit over the years!!] As his father had before him, General Beach served this church as the center of his belief and trust in a loving God. He has inspired his church family here at St. Thomas to serve with the same kind of generous spirit.
Serving, as important and life-giving as it is, however, really blossoms best when rooted in a deep and passionate system of belief. “Believe in God,” says Jesus in John’s Gospel. “Believe also in me.”
Belief is something we understand and encounter with our minds, and it is lived out in our actions. Over the last 90 years, the General exemplified this kind of belief, as he read and prayed and studied. He passed this connection down to his son Charles and daughter Elizabeth, and through them to their children. And I suspect he discussed it enthusiastically with his friends and perhaps even his banking associates. As an evangelist, he was both determined and powerful—as I imagine many of you might have experienced!—Perhaps he has even inspired you to do the same. Even in this last year, he read four newspapers every day and worked hard through prayer and conversation to understand world events in the context of his beliefs.
But Jesus began this passage we heard from the Gospel of John with THESE words: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” This is where the rubber meets the road—even if our General is driving!—and in hearing this statement of comfort, BELIEF struggles to become faith. “If it were not so,” coaxes Jesus, “Would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?. . . I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also.” FAITH requires a much different level of trust, doesn’t it? . . .a much deeper encounter with the God who encourages us to open our hearts to love.
It is this deep engagement that the General began to share with me and with others in the last few months. After a life time of serving and giving, and using his strong military instincts to strategize campaigns and control outcomes, he found himself in a position of depending on the very communities he had always served, and of not being dependably able to control every outcome.
This does not come easily to any of us, but I suspect it is particularly challenging for a high level military commander. And yet, through Grace, a true gift came out of this time, and I know in my heart that it is this flag that General Beach would have us lift high and carry forward.
He had always known (head) and believed that God and his family and his friends loved him. But suddenly, he understood with his heart that such love often requires not just our generosity, but by opening ourselves to the generosity of others. Sometimes, we cannot truly understand how to depend on God until we need to depend on one another. As General Beach faced the undeniable truth of this kind of love, he knew that total confidence that Jesus loved HIM in the deeply personal and selfless way that he encountered through his family and friends and colleagues.
“I am the way and the truth and the life,” Jesus proclaims. As Christians, we open our hearts to this truth, and offer ourselves into the trust of a Savior who comes to us as a bridge across all of our doubts and insecurities.
It IS a Happy Morning, as we sang in the Easter hymn that gathered us into this service. As Paul wrote to the Philippians, this morning we can say, “The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything.”
It is this very Peace that our father, grandfather, brother, and friend came to know. It is this very Peace that I know he would have each one of us move toward as we gather to celebrate his new life in Jesus this day.
May HIS rest be this day in Peace, and his dwelling place in the Paradise of God.
Amen.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Stars
Stars take us through time in so many ways--memories of night skies past. Tonight as we tucked G in, he pointed out that since we rearranged his room, he is now aware of the "glow in the dark" stars on his ceiling--put up by his eldest brother 15 years ago (and long since painted over!)
They have bled through the paint. They are not at all visible in normal light but create a comforting glow in the darkness once more--unquenchable stars.
And back 15 years in a flash.
They have bled through the paint. They are not at all visible in normal light but create a comforting glow in the darkness once more--unquenchable stars.
And back 15 years in a flash.
Friday, August 21, 2009
My first Ordination Sermon!
Sermon: Ordination to the Priesthood of Duane Andre Smith
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
August 19, 2009
This is a joyful occasion tonight as our Diocese and shared communities gather together in Beattyville to celebrate Duane’s Ordination to the Priesthood. It is also a joyful occasion because Duane is the very first priest to be ordained to the Small Church Ministry Consortium (or the SCMC) as a whole unit. When I was ordained at St, Mark’s in Hazard, it was to serve as the Small Church Missioner, but we were still developing the concept of the team that serves our smallest churches now. Duane’s ministry is the prototype of the future as our Diocese seeks to provide pastoral care and a sacramental life for all of its churches. It is not insignificant that Duane has selected people from each of the small churches in the Consortium to be participants in this service. His calling to this special ministry is both passionate and certain.
In fact, when I first read the Gospel passage selected for Duane’s Ordination, I thought, “Jesus in cities and villages. . .scarcity of laborers. . . asking God to send help. . ..
( ) light bulb!
We need help in our villages and God sent Duane!!! Short sermon. To the Point! That works!” Of course, that would be an eisegetical reading (--a reading where I do not do my homework but just put my own impressions onto the Gospel--) , and I would have to be pretty cheeky to pull that off in front of our Bishop, my fellow clergy and several learned professors—not to mention our Ordinand!
First impressions aside then, what can these particular lessons teach us as we surround Duane this night with our love and our support for both his ordination into the sacred order of priests and his commitment to provide the sacraments at St. Thomas and St. Mark’s and St. Alban’s and St. James ----and now at St. Mary’s in Middlesboro?
The first thing is that this Matthean summary of the words and deeds of Jesus give us both the example of Jesus’ ministry and the precedent for Duane’s. It is how we both look back in amazement at the ministry of Jesus and look forward to the ministry Duane will do in these mountains: teaching, proclaiming the Good News, and healing. It is how in the present, we understand the ongoing and omnipresent context of that ministry- the fact that God sends those who will, in compassion, be laborers in the Harvest.
Although the work of ministry is shared by all of us through the Baptismal Covenant, some laborers are sent to take on ordained ministry. The second piece of enlightenment from these lessons exhorts the elders—perhaps presbyters or priests, to tend to the flock of God as God would have them do—not for gain, but eagerly. Now on one hand, as Duane has reverently accepted a non-stipendiary call, the “gain” admonition in the First Letter of Peter may be a non issue! But God asks more of us than our treasure; God demands our hearts. In this mountain ministry especially, that means listening as well as preaching, and learning as well as teaching. Good leadership is important, and appreciated, but the remarkable wisdom in our mountain churches cannot be denied! As Duane has learned, flock tending in the small churches is very circular. The long-timers in these congregations have experience that is of great benefit to new priests and deacons, even as the new clergy have education and ideas and energy of great benefit to the churches. It is in listening to each other- the mutual submission that the letter of I Peter recommends—that we can go forward in the teaching, preaching and healing. It is in only in working together that we can help these jewels in our diocese to strengthen and sparkle with renewed vitality as they do their work in the kingdom of God.
But there is a third lesson that these readings teach us: in order to be really successful, to have that vitality, being sent requires actual willingness on the part of those called to go. That applies to all of us of course, not just Duane. The reading from Isaiah reminds us that for God’s plan to spread the Good News to succeed, it really helps if there is a call toward the ministry which God intends!
I have had the privilege of knowing Duane for many years at Berea College. [This is the part where Duane gets nervous!] Our boys were born about the same time, and we both taught the (now extinct!) “General Studies” course at the college called Western Traditions. We had a collegial friendship as I set up the library instruction classes for his course sections and turned to him as an expert for the Biblical content in mine. As Duane moved toward choosing the Episcopal Church for his community of faith, I felt honored to be included in his thought process. I had no idea in those early days that we would someday be working together again on a different team. When we first met more than a year ago to talk about his assignment to the SCMC it was clear that Duane’s excitement and commitment to the small churches was the driving force in his willingness to answer this call. He was energized about the ministry of the consortium and immediately connected with each of the congregations in which he led in Morning Prayer. I would often get a phone call on Sunday afternoon [as we were both driving on various mountain roads!] so that he could relate his joys or concerns about his ministry that Sunday, and also so that he could prepare me for the pastoral needs of the week ahead in that particular community. It was soon clear to me that the churches returned this affection, as they praised him for his interest, his very competent preaching and most of all his sense of commitment.
Even more transparent than Duane’s own
willingness, however, was the sense of Divine Presence embodied in such a call, and that too is a significant piece of this passage from Isaiah. Although we did not see six winged seraphs or fiery coals at the Black Feather café in Berea where we met to work on schedules or plan for the next quarter, we did notice that we had a real team forming in Berea and working together in this ministry. And it became obvious that this geographic center--- with no intended assault on the wisdom of our Bishop—had a Divine origin. We could not deny that we were living out something much bigger than our individual calls to ministry.
When, in a few moments, we sing “Come thou Holy Spirit bright,” and Bishop Sauls’ apostolic hands are laid on Duane as he is surrounded by those who affirm and support his call, I have no doubt that the undeniable existence of that same Divine Presence, will infuse and sustain his priesthood. It is a sacred moment and we are all privileged to be witnesses.
And so, Duane…..(motion) you are here tonight after a long journey—much longer, perhaps, than you expected when you began, . . . but not longer than you needed. This journey has brought confusion, heartache and loss; it has also brought clarity, joy and fulfillment. If there is one thing the work of ministry teaches us, it is this: it is the journey that makes us ready to be laborers in the harvest. It is the journey that tempers in us the compassion that Jesus showed against a harassed and helpless crowd. And it is the journey that gives us the courage in the face of God’s call to reply
‘Here
am
I;
send me!’
We do our best to faithfully answer the call, but we must remember that we are absolutely not the power that makes it work. It is through Jesus that all things are being brought to their perfection. When you remember that you are not that power, remember also that you have a built in support network. The Diocese is more than the people with whom—and for whom—you work. It is a network of familial support in terms of prayer, resource and much needed humor. Just as the people of St. Hubert’s prepared you with love and support to take these steps, the people of the SCMC have much to offer you now in terms of love, appreciation and wisdom. Above all, remember the words the Bishop spoke in the Collect tonight: the whole church is a wonderful and sacred mystery!
The ministry that Jesus lived and taught his disciples to continue through the ages has called you to this place in this time. And we are grateful! Although I promise not to develop lazy scholarly habits, perhaps my eisegetical opening was not so far off the mark after all!
Duane, you are here because you have so much to bring to this ministry: Your passion for teaching, your experience and understanding of parish ministry and your work in the missional community of Berea College will all be helpful in your work as a priest. Even more importantly, your family, friends and colleagues surround you this night and will continue to do so in prayer. Go now in compassion to the villages; teach in their churches, heal those in need, and proclaim the good news of the kingdom.
Amen.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
August 19, 2009
This is a joyful occasion tonight as our Diocese and shared communities gather together in Beattyville to celebrate Duane’s Ordination to the Priesthood. It is also a joyful occasion because Duane is the very first priest to be ordained to the Small Church Ministry Consortium (or the SCMC) as a whole unit. When I was ordained at St, Mark’s in Hazard, it was to serve as the Small Church Missioner, but we were still developing the concept of the team that serves our smallest churches now. Duane’s ministry is the prototype of the future as our Diocese seeks to provide pastoral care and a sacramental life for all of its churches. It is not insignificant that Duane has selected people from each of the small churches in the Consortium to be participants in this service. His calling to this special ministry is both passionate and certain.
In fact, when I first read the Gospel passage selected for Duane’s Ordination, I thought, “Jesus in cities and villages. . .scarcity of laborers. . . asking God to send help. . ..
( ) light bulb!
We need help in our villages and God sent Duane!!! Short sermon. To the Point! That works!” Of course, that would be an eisegetical reading (--a reading where I do not do my homework but just put my own impressions onto the Gospel--) , and I would have to be pretty cheeky to pull that off in front of our Bishop, my fellow clergy and several learned professors—not to mention our Ordinand!
First impressions aside then, what can these particular lessons teach us as we surround Duane this night with our love and our support for both his ordination into the sacred order of priests and his commitment to provide the sacraments at St. Thomas and St. Mark’s and St. Alban’s and St. James ----and now at St. Mary’s in Middlesboro?
The first thing is that this Matthean summary of the words and deeds of Jesus give us both the example of Jesus’ ministry and the precedent for Duane’s. It is how we both look back in amazement at the ministry of Jesus and look forward to the ministry Duane will do in these mountains: teaching, proclaiming the Good News, and healing. It is how in the present, we understand the ongoing and omnipresent context of that ministry- the fact that God sends those who will, in compassion, be laborers in the Harvest.
Although the work of ministry is shared by all of us through the Baptismal Covenant, some laborers are sent to take on ordained ministry. The second piece of enlightenment from these lessons exhorts the elders—perhaps presbyters or priests, to tend to the flock of God as God would have them do—not for gain, but eagerly. Now on one hand, as Duane has reverently accepted a non-stipendiary call, the “gain” admonition in the First Letter of Peter may be a non issue! But God asks more of us than our treasure; God demands our hearts. In this mountain ministry especially, that means listening as well as preaching, and learning as well as teaching. Good leadership is important, and appreciated, but the remarkable wisdom in our mountain churches cannot be denied! As Duane has learned, flock tending in the small churches is very circular. The long-timers in these congregations have experience that is of great benefit to new priests and deacons, even as the new clergy have education and ideas and energy of great benefit to the churches. It is in listening to each other- the mutual submission that the letter of I Peter recommends—that we can go forward in the teaching, preaching and healing. It is in only in working together that we can help these jewels in our diocese to strengthen and sparkle with renewed vitality as they do their work in the kingdom of God.
But there is a third lesson that these readings teach us: in order to be really successful, to have that vitality, being sent requires actual willingness on the part of those called to go. That applies to all of us of course, not just Duane. The reading from Isaiah reminds us that for God’s plan to spread the Good News to succeed, it really helps if there is a call toward the ministry which God intends!
I have had the privilege of knowing Duane for many years at Berea College. [This is the part where Duane gets nervous!] Our boys were born about the same time, and we both taught the (now extinct!) “General Studies” course at the college called Western Traditions. We had a collegial friendship as I set up the library instruction classes for his course sections and turned to him as an expert for the Biblical content in mine. As Duane moved toward choosing the Episcopal Church for his community of faith, I felt honored to be included in his thought process. I had no idea in those early days that we would someday be working together again on a different team. When we first met more than a year ago to talk about his assignment to the SCMC it was clear that Duane’s excitement and commitment to the small churches was the driving force in his willingness to answer this call. He was energized about the ministry of the consortium and immediately connected with each of the congregations in which he led in Morning Prayer. I would often get a phone call on Sunday afternoon [as we were both driving on various mountain roads!] so that he could relate his joys or concerns about his ministry that Sunday, and also so that he could prepare me for the pastoral needs of the week ahead in that particular community. It was soon clear to me that the churches returned this affection, as they praised him for his interest, his very competent preaching and most of all his sense of commitment.
Even more transparent than Duane’s own
willingness, however, was the sense of Divine Presence embodied in such a call, and that too is a significant piece of this passage from Isaiah. Although we did not see six winged seraphs or fiery coals at the Black Feather café in Berea where we met to work on schedules or plan for the next quarter, we did notice that we had a real team forming in Berea and working together in this ministry. And it became obvious that this geographic center--- with no intended assault on the wisdom of our Bishop—had a Divine origin. We could not deny that we were living out something much bigger than our individual calls to ministry.
When, in a few moments, we sing “Come thou Holy Spirit bright,” and Bishop Sauls’ apostolic hands are laid on Duane as he is surrounded by those who affirm and support his call, I have no doubt that the undeniable existence of that same Divine Presence, will infuse and sustain his priesthood. It is a sacred moment and we are all privileged to be witnesses.
And so, Duane…..(motion) you are here tonight after a long journey—much longer, perhaps, than you expected when you began, . . . but not longer than you needed. This journey has brought confusion, heartache and loss; it has also brought clarity, joy and fulfillment. If there is one thing the work of ministry teaches us, it is this: it is the journey that makes us ready to be laborers in the harvest. It is the journey that tempers in us the compassion that Jesus showed against a harassed and helpless crowd. And it is the journey that gives us the courage in the face of God’s call to reply
‘Here
am
I;
send me!’
We do our best to faithfully answer the call, but we must remember that we are absolutely not the power that makes it work. It is through Jesus that all things are being brought to their perfection. When you remember that you are not that power, remember also that you have a built in support network. The Diocese is more than the people with whom—and for whom—you work. It is a network of familial support in terms of prayer, resource and much needed humor. Just as the people of St. Hubert’s prepared you with love and support to take these steps, the people of the SCMC have much to offer you now in terms of love, appreciation and wisdom. Above all, remember the words the Bishop spoke in the Collect tonight: the whole church is a wonderful and sacred mystery!
The ministry that Jesus lived and taught his disciples to continue through the ages has called you to this place in this time. And we are grateful! Although I promise not to develop lazy scholarly habits, perhaps my eisegetical opening was not so far off the mark after all!
Duane, you are here because you have so much to bring to this ministry: Your passion for teaching, your experience and understanding of parish ministry and your work in the missional community of Berea College will all be helpful in your work as a priest. Even more importantly, your family, friends and colleagues surround you this night and will continue to do so in prayer. Go now in compassion to the villages; teach in their churches, heal those in need, and proclaim the good news of the kingdom.
Amen.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Sermon: Easter 4 St. Mark’s May 3, 2009
I think today that I want to preach on the bad shepherd—or at least the hired hand. I want to rail against that hired hand, the one who is not the shepherd and who does not own the sheep, the one who sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—so that the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. Of course, we all remember that I am the Border Collie and --I’m just sayin’---I am in full nipping-the-heels mode this week.
You see, this week, I have had several dear friends who were fired; the reasons were financial of course, but they were treated like criminals after decades of loyal service to their employer. They were told to shut down their computers and leave immediately without speaking to anyone, most especially not to those that they supervised and mentored. Those still working for this company are horrified and angry and devastated. They are also living in fear. No one will stand up because they are afraid that they will be next. They do not seem to understand that their not saying anything gives assent to this terrible behavior. I am not judging them, but as an outsider, I am concerned about what this fear will do. And I am grieving for the situation and the people who were made to leave in such a fashion and the people who are still left, numb and anxious.
Then there is H1N1. It is too late to not call it Swine Flu, even though I heard a pork farmer lament this week that elephant flu would have been more helpful to our economy. People are grasping at the negative [panic] and not hearing the positive pieces:
· Not severe. . .
· Not nearly in the same range of numbers as seasonal influenza. . .
It is good to be informed. It is important to understand how we can protect ourselves and each other. It is not helpful to panic. But that does not make good news copy.
Fear is all around us.
In the church, we speak of living from the perspective of Scarcity vs. that of Abundance—what is the difference? Not just optimism against pessimism, but something more.
Trust
These lessons this morning show us trust and the courage that comes from a trusting faith.
Think of Ps. 23: We all know this by heart. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
Fear itself is evil and not of God. Fear cannot really abide where God is present and recognized.
Fearing the Lord is a phrase we read but it does not really mean what we think. John Mallon writes that the "fear of the Lord" is often misinterpreted as "servile fear" (the fear of getting in trouble) when it should be understood as "filial fear" (the fear of offending someone whom one loves.) That kind of fear is really better understood as respect, as reverence.
Not trusting seems like a primary way to offend God, to me. Think of how we feel when we are not trusted by those we love despite believing that we ARE trustworthy. I can remember my mother not trusting me (even though in that instance (now, never mind the times I did not get caught- I have righteous indignation on my side this time!) but in THAT instance, I had not committed the offense that caused her to lose trust in me. I was both offended and devastated.
But we have no cause to mistrust. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again.” This is a choice. We are shown by the action that we can safely trust.
In the letter of first John, it is just this kind of action we are to be known by: “How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.”
Let us walk the talk.
Peter spoke out in action in the Book of Acts when love and trust enabled him to speak despite fear of going against the crowd and sounding unbelievable. “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.” That is trust. That is confidence. That is fear being replaced by love.
Reading Camp had a similar challenge this last year. We were not really in a position to pay for a director but we knew that we would potentially raise more if a director were in place. It was a leap of faith. It was fear being replaced by a love for the children we were trying to help. And we know that our fear should also not control our decisions about our membership in the Small Church Ministry Consortium. Whatever we (you!) decide, it is important to remember that I am not your Shepherd and neither is the Bishop. There is one Shepherd, a good Shepherd, and in him we place all our trust. We will need to decide how that trust shows forth in our decisions.
We spoke this morning during our Christian Formation time about love and fear in the context of the Eucharist. We spoke of the Community of the Baptized and how Eucharist is not an individual act, but a communal one. We know that the alcohol content in the wine kills most of the germs, we are pretty sure that we will not come ill to church and we know that when I ceremonially wash my hands I will also use Purell. We talked about the way my sacramental theology- my feelings about one bread and one chalice—is being challenged by the fear some folks are feeling about this flu.
But ultimately, for me at least, it comes down to trust. As or Bishop says, disease is not of God; I add that neither is fear.
We come to this table in love. We come to this table because WE are loved. Our belief must make a difference in the world and we have the chance, just as Peter did, to proclaim our love and trust. For some, that may take the form of evangelism in a difficult time in our history. For some, it may be the words in 1John that inform how we use our resources to help those who have less. But for others of us, it may mean remaining calm and trusting and serene in the face of fear. We can walk the talk. ‘Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; *for you are with me,’
In our trust, when we sing the Sanctus at Eucharist, both heaven AND Earth are full of God’s Glory. The Holy Spirit that infused Paul with courage is the same Holy Spirit that has infused the bread and wine with the essence of Christ’s body and blood transforms us as we gather together to partake of God’s love for us. When we consume the Eucharist, we turn that love into action: action that is only possible because we know that Jesus has willingly taken the most loving action of all: that of laying down his life for us sheep.
Amen.
I think today that I want to preach on the bad shepherd—or at least the hired hand. I want to rail against that hired hand, the one who is not the shepherd and who does not own the sheep, the one who sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—so that the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. Of course, we all remember that I am the Border Collie and --I’m just sayin’---I am in full nipping-the-heels mode this week.
You see, this week, I have had several dear friends who were fired; the reasons were financial of course, but they were treated like criminals after decades of loyal service to their employer. They were told to shut down their computers and leave immediately without speaking to anyone, most especially not to those that they supervised and mentored. Those still working for this company are horrified and angry and devastated. They are also living in fear. No one will stand up because they are afraid that they will be next. They do not seem to understand that their not saying anything gives assent to this terrible behavior. I am not judging them, but as an outsider, I am concerned about what this fear will do. And I am grieving for the situation and the people who were made to leave in such a fashion and the people who are still left, numb and anxious.
Then there is H1N1. It is too late to not call it Swine Flu, even though I heard a pork farmer lament this week that elephant flu would have been more helpful to our economy. People are grasping at the negative [panic] and not hearing the positive pieces:
· Not severe. . .
· Not nearly in the same range of numbers as seasonal influenza. . .
It is good to be informed. It is important to understand how we can protect ourselves and each other. It is not helpful to panic. But that does not make good news copy.
Fear is all around us.
In the church, we speak of living from the perspective of Scarcity vs. that of Abundance—what is the difference? Not just optimism against pessimism, but something more.
Trust
These lessons this morning show us trust and the courage that comes from a trusting faith.
Think of Ps. 23: We all know this by heart. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
Fear itself is evil and not of God. Fear cannot really abide where God is present and recognized.
Fearing the Lord is a phrase we read but it does not really mean what we think. John Mallon writes that the "fear of the Lord" is often misinterpreted as "servile fear" (the fear of getting in trouble) when it should be understood as "filial fear" (the fear of offending someone whom one loves.) That kind of fear is really better understood as respect, as reverence.
Not trusting seems like a primary way to offend God, to me. Think of how we feel when we are not trusted by those we love despite believing that we ARE trustworthy. I can remember my mother not trusting me (even though in that instance (now, never mind the times I did not get caught- I have righteous indignation on my side this time!) but in THAT instance, I had not committed the offense that caused her to lose trust in me. I was both offended and devastated.
But we have no cause to mistrust. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again.” This is a choice. We are shown by the action that we can safely trust.
In the letter of first John, it is just this kind of action we are to be known by: “How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.”
Let us walk the talk.
Peter spoke out in action in the Book of Acts when love and trust enabled him to speak despite fear of going against the crowd and sounding unbelievable. “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.” That is trust. That is confidence. That is fear being replaced by love.
Reading Camp had a similar challenge this last year. We were not really in a position to pay for a director but we knew that we would potentially raise more if a director were in place. It was a leap of faith. It was fear being replaced by a love for the children we were trying to help. And we know that our fear should also not control our decisions about our membership in the Small Church Ministry Consortium. Whatever we (you!) decide, it is important to remember that I am not your Shepherd and neither is the Bishop. There is one Shepherd, a good Shepherd, and in him we place all our trust. We will need to decide how that trust shows forth in our decisions.
We spoke this morning during our Christian Formation time about love and fear in the context of the Eucharist. We spoke of the Community of the Baptized and how Eucharist is not an individual act, but a communal one. We know that the alcohol content in the wine kills most of the germs, we are pretty sure that we will not come ill to church and we know that when I ceremonially wash my hands I will also use Purell. We talked about the way my sacramental theology- my feelings about one bread and one chalice—is being challenged by the fear some folks are feeling about this flu.
But ultimately, for me at least, it comes down to trust. As or Bishop says, disease is not of God; I add that neither is fear.
We come to this table in love. We come to this table because WE are loved. Our belief must make a difference in the world and we have the chance, just as Peter did, to proclaim our love and trust. For some, that may take the form of evangelism in a difficult time in our history. For some, it may be the words in 1John that inform how we use our resources to help those who have less. But for others of us, it may mean remaining calm and trusting and serene in the face of fear. We can walk the talk. ‘Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; *for you are with me,’
In our trust, when we sing the Sanctus at Eucharist, both heaven AND Earth are full of God’s Glory. The Holy Spirit that infused Paul with courage is the same Holy Spirit that has infused the bread and wine with the essence of Christ’s body and blood transforms us as we gather together to partake of God’s love for us. When we consume the Eucharist, we turn that love into action: action that is only possible because we know that Jesus has willingly taken the most loving action of all: that of laying down his life for us sheep.
Amen.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sermon for St. George's Day 4-25-09 Cathedral Domain
The Lessons assigned to St. George:
Revelation 12: 7-12
Michael Defeats the Dragon
7 And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, 8but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming,
‘Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Messiah,*
for the accuser of our comrades* has been thrown down,
who accuses them day and night before our God.
11But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.
12Rejoice then, you heavens
and those who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
for the devil has come down to you
with great wrath,
because he knows that his time is short!’
Psalm 126
A Harvest of Joy
A Song of Ascents.
1When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,*
we were like those who dream.
2Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
3The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.
4Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
5May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
6Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.
2 Timothy 2:3-13
3Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. 5And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. 6It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 9for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11The saying is sure:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.
John. 15:18-21
The World’s Hatred
18 ‘If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. 19If you belonged to the world,* the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. 20Remember the word that I said to you, “Servants* are not greater than their master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
Sermon: St. George’s Day April 24, 2009
May our work in the world be a vehicle for Your Love; May it shine and light up all darkened places. Be with us, O Lord. Amen. (Adapted from Marianne Williamson’s Illuminata.)
We have a lot going on here this weekend! In various groups and sub-groups, we have our Executive Council Retreat, a Youth Rally, and the Bishop’s Visitation to the Small Church Ministry Consortium with Baptisms, Confirmations, and Receptions. It is also of course the Spring Festival gathering and the Patronal Feast for this cathedral named for St. George the Martyr. With all of these occasions meeting in one service, [not to mention some pretty challenging lessons!] it is hard to know where to begin to focus. I think our Bishop is very brave to invite me to preach for this service. [*]
St. George and the Dragon indeed!
I mention St. George so that those of you who are attending for the first time might better understand the dragon references in the Scripture readings. These are the lessons assigned for the day we honor St. George, which was really this past Wednesday. As much fun as St. George is, however, those of you being baptized, confirmed and received probably have other concerns after listening to these particular lessons.
It may seem odd at first, hearing Scripture about the world hating Christians on a day where we prepare to joyfully welcome new members into our midst. It might make us all a bit uneasy about being glad for those entering into a deeper relationship with God and God’s church in this context. But surely to think that would imply that Stad and Eric and Jay and Brandon and Sr. Judy had never experienced this odd enmity between the world and followers of Jesus Christ, and I would be very surprised if that were true. I know that each of you has come to this day thoughtfully and with gladness; I believe that such a decision cannot help but change your perspective.
That is where John comes out, at least. This passage is part of the farewell discourse in John’s Gospel; Jesus is preparing his disciples for the day when he will not be right beside them to teach. He wants them to know that he understands the persecution that can come with allegiance to him and to God. John gives three reasons given for this:
1. The Disciples are not of the world Jesus describes.
2. This world has hated and persecuted Jesus.
3. The world lacks knowledge and understanding of Jesus and God.
The price of discipleship is high, Jesus warns. It has not been all sweetness and light for him, and it will not be so for us as we transit this world. But it is not all dark either. Warm fuzzies really do exist - you can find them all over this place and if you do not know where to look, I invite you to ask one of our youth! Another bright spot is the gift of this place. God invites us to the Cathedral Domain to be removed from the world-- and having been here, even for a day, we feel the difference keenly as we drive back to our regular lives.
John’s own community was perhaps a bit like this one here this weekend. For him, community in Christ was defined by inter-relationship, and mutuality and understanding. The passage immediately before this troubling concept of hate really sets the context for this reading. Jesus has just explained to them that he is the True Vine and they are the branches, and that although they have not chosen HIM, HE has chosen THEM. He has further explained that they are to go and bear fruit; these commands are all about the main goal of loving one another as he has loved them.
So it is not in the mere following of Jesus that this persecution occurs, but in doing the hard work of love that they will take up after his death and Resurrection. We still struggle with this, particularly in the West, where our individuality and the celebration of our own gifts and achievements are in direct opposition to the kind of community John envisions. This is also a new direction for John in the Farewell Discourse; it is a look outside of the Johannine community. Comparably for us, it is a look at what waits beyond this mountain where we celebrate today.
But I must tell you –just in case you were worried-- that Jesus is not this frank with them in order to scare them! After all, if he were here preaching in my place he would absolutely NOT be saying, “Oh sure! Welcome to the vineyard. Don’t worry about the fact that nobody is gonna like you once you’ve been in here. Don’t be in a bother over the fact that some days are going to be just plain icky. Yesiree, now, sign right here and start your lifetime as a Christian . . . it will be just swell!” No, instead, he took great care to prepare them, so that they could remain strong and faithful in the face of conflict.
That is why the dragon is so very angry. Jesus was the real deal, not an illusion. Michael would not have had to fight that ancient battle with Satan written about in the Book of Revelation if Jesus had been just another oily telemarketer!
On the contrary, what makes Satan so angry is that the battle has already been lost at the cross. What is left is basically a big temper tantrum, “because he knows that his time is short,” and that is what the disciples will encounter in the world. Because they cannot be true to the singular commandment in the Gospel of John, to love one another as Jesus has loved them, and not meet resistance in a world that neither knows or understands that kind of love.
So, what if we all just move up here and put up a big gate and never go home? Surely a community that understands and practices this kind of love is a better place to live? We can keep the world out and watch the stars and sing around the campfire. . . .except for the fact that not being of this world is not the same thing as choosing not to live. There is also the matter of what Jesus asks us to do as Christians. Our job is to not to avoid living in the world, it is to make the world a better place to be by living in it.
The fruit of loving one another can only be borne through the hard work of watering, weeding, giving shade, nurturing and fertilizing.
Sometimes, it takes a lot of fertilizing. . .
We have to go into the world that neither knows nor comprehends the way God works and we have to be the living examples of that love. We have to remind ourselves-- and teach others --that signing up for the love that the world provides is to renounce the love which Jesus has shown to us. We have to remind ourselves and teach other that renouncing the world view for the Christian one will be a task which requires great faith. You see, for John, hate and love are not abstract concepts; they are real and concrete; they embody our relationship with the world and with Jesus.
And the biggest challenge of all? Before the Bishop pours the baptismal water and places confirming and receiving hands on you, let me enlighten you. The toughest thing of all is to embody this love in a world marked by hatred ---and yet not give in to that hatred ourselves. Let me say that again: The toughest thing of all is to embody this love in a world marked by hatred ---and yet not give in to that hatred ourselves.
That is our most fantastic challenge as followers of Jesus.
We can do it though, especially if we remember how unlovable we are and how dearly we are loved despite that fact. And we can do it if we remember that we do not do it alone. In a few minutes the Bishop will read these words from Eucharistic Prayer B: “Unite us to your son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him.” In Eucharist, we are given the strength and the presence to bear the fruit of loving especially those who do not know or understand about God’s love.
Not only that, we will make a commitment to bear that fruit of loving. Stad will not make his baptismal promises alone; each of us will renew our own vow with God’s help to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves. Each of us will also promise to strive for justice and peace and to respect the dignity of every human being.
Yes, the world will resist. Minor dragons may appear in difficult moments. It is good to be prepared so that we can stand strong and faithful. But “we have the technology,” As followers of Jesus we are invited into the knowledge and understanding of the One who created us in love. When we leave here today singing, “I too will praise him with a new song,” we will be free with grateful hearts to re-enter the world and take our own place in the Vineyard.
Amen.
Revelation 12: 7-12
Michael Defeats the Dragon
7 And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, 8but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming,
‘Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Messiah,*
for the accuser of our comrades* has been thrown down,
who accuses them day and night before our God.
11But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.
12Rejoice then, you heavens
and those who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
for the devil has come down to you
with great wrath,
because he knows that his time is short!’
Psalm 126
A Harvest of Joy
A Song of Ascents.
1When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,*
we were like those who dream.
2Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
3The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.
4Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
5May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
6Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.
2 Timothy 2:3-13
3Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. 5And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. 6It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 9for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11The saying is sure:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.
John. 15:18-21
The World’s Hatred
18 ‘If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. 19If you belonged to the world,* the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. 20Remember the word that I said to you, “Servants* are not greater than their master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
Sermon: St. George’s Day April 24, 2009
May our work in the world be a vehicle for Your Love; May it shine and light up all darkened places. Be with us, O Lord. Amen. (Adapted from Marianne Williamson’s Illuminata.)
We have a lot going on here this weekend! In various groups and sub-groups, we have our Executive Council Retreat, a Youth Rally, and the Bishop’s Visitation to the Small Church Ministry Consortium with Baptisms, Confirmations, and Receptions. It is also of course the Spring Festival gathering and the Patronal Feast for this cathedral named for St. George the Martyr. With all of these occasions meeting in one service, [not to mention some pretty challenging lessons!] it is hard to know where to begin to focus. I think our Bishop is very brave to invite me to preach for this service. [*]
St. George and the Dragon indeed!
I mention St. George so that those of you who are attending for the first time might better understand the dragon references in the Scripture readings. These are the lessons assigned for the day we honor St. George, which was really this past Wednesday. As much fun as St. George is, however, those of you being baptized, confirmed and received probably have other concerns after listening to these particular lessons.
It may seem odd at first, hearing Scripture about the world hating Christians on a day where we prepare to joyfully welcome new members into our midst. It might make us all a bit uneasy about being glad for those entering into a deeper relationship with God and God’s church in this context. But surely to think that would imply that Stad and Eric and Jay and Brandon and Sr. Judy had never experienced this odd enmity between the world and followers of Jesus Christ, and I would be very surprised if that were true. I know that each of you has come to this day thoughtfully and with gladness; I believe that such a decision cannot help but change your perspective.
That is where John comes out, at least. This passage is part of the farewell discourse in John’s Gospel; Jesus is preparing his disciples for the day when he will not be right beside them to teach. He wants them to know that he understands the persecution that can come with allegiance to him and to God. John gives three reasons given for this:
1. The Disciples are not of the world Jesus describes.
2. This world has hated and persecuted Jesus.
3. The world lacks knowledge and understanding of Jesus and God.
The price of discipleship is high, Jesus warns. It has not been all sweetness and light for him, and it will not be so for us as we transit this world. But it is not all dark either. Warm fuzzies really do exist - you can find them all over this place and if you do not know where to look, I invite you to ask one of our youth! Another bright spot is the gift of this place. God invites us to the Cathedral Domain to be removed from the world-- and having been here, even for a day, we feel the difference keenly as we drive back to our regular lives.
John’s own community was perhaps a bit like this one here this weekend. For him, community in Christ was defined by inter-relationship, and mutuality and understanding. The passage immediately before this troubling concept of hate really sets the context for this reading. Jesus has just explained to them that he is the True Vine and they are the branches, and that although they have not chosen HIM, HE has chosen THEM. He has further explained that they are to go and bear fruit; these commands are all about the main goal of loving one another as he has loved them.
So it is not in the mere following of Jesus that this persecution occurs, but in doing the hard work of love that they will take up after his death and Resurrection. We still struggle with this, particularly in the West, where our individuality and the celebration of our own gifts and achievements are in direct opposition to the kind of community John envisions. This is also a new direction for John in the Farewell Discourse; it is a look outside of the Johannine community. Comparably for us, it is a look at what waits beyond this mountain where we celebrate today.
But I must tell you –just in case you were worried-- that Jesus is not this frank with them in order to scare them! After all, if he were here preaching in my place he would absolutely NOT be saying, “Oh sure! Welcome to the vineyard. Don’t worry about the fact that nobody is gonna like you once you’ve been in here. Don’t be in a bother over the fact that some days are going to be just plain icky. Yesiree, now, sign right here and start your lifetime as a Christian . . . it will be just swell!” No, instead, he took great care to prepare them, so that they could remain strong and faithful in the face of conflict.
That is why the dragon is so very angry. Jesus was the real deal, not an illusion. Michael would not have had to fight that ancient battle with Satan written about in the Book of Revelation if Jesus had been just another oily telemarketer!
On the contrary, what makes Satan so angry is that the battle has already been lost at the cross. What is left is basically a big temper tantrum, “because he knows that his time is short,” and that is what the disciples will encounter in the world. Because they cannot be true to the singular commandment in the Gospel of John, to love one another as Jesus has loved them, and not meet resistance in a world that neither knows or understands that kind of love.
So, what if we all just move up here and put up a big gate and never go home? Surely a community that understands and practices this kind of love is a better place to live? We can keep the world out and watch the stars and sing around the campfire. . . .except for the fact that not being of this world is not the same thing as choosing not to live. There is also the matter of what Jesus asks us to do as Christians. Our job is to not to avoid living in the world, it is to make the world a better place to be by living in it.
The fruit of loving one another can only be borne through the hard work of watering, weeding, giving shade, nurturing and fertilizing.
Sometimes, it takes a lot of fertilizing. . .
We have to go into the world that neither knows nor comprehends the way God works and we have to be the living examples of that love. We have to remind ourselves-- and teach others --that signing up for the love that the world provides is to renounce the love which Jesus has shown to us. We have to remind ourselves and teach other that renouncing the world view for the Christian one will be a task which requires great faith. You see, for John, hate and love are not abstract concepts; they are real and concrete; they embody our relationship with the world and with Jesus.
And the biggest challenge of all? Before the Bishop pours the baptismal water and places confirming and receiving hands on you, let me enlighten you. The toughest thing of all is to embody this love in a world marked by hatred ---and yet not give in to that hatred ourselves. Let me say that again: The toughest thing of all is to embody this love in a world marked by hatred ---and yet not give in to that hatred ourselves.
That is our most fantastic challenge as followers of Jesus.
We can do it though, especially if we remember how unlovable we are and how dearly we are loved despite that fact. And we can do it if we remember that we do not do it alone. In a few minutes the Bishop will read these words from Eucharistic Prayer B: “Unite us to your son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him.” In Eucharist, we are given the strength and the presence to bear the fruit of loving especially those who do not know or understand about God’s love.
Not only that, we will make a commitment to bear that fruit of loving. Stad will not make his baptismal promises alone; each of us will renew our own vow with God’s help to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves. Each of us will also promise to strive for justice and peace and to respect the dignity of every human being.
Yes, the world will resist. Minor dragons may appear in difficult moments. It is good to be prepared so that we can stand strong and faithful. But “we have the technology,” As followers of Jesus we are invited into the knowledge and understanding of the One who created us in love. When we leave here today singing, “I too will praise him with a new song,” we will be free with grateful hearts to re-enter the world and take our own place in the Vineyard.
Amen.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Let the sunshine come in!
Erik and Case worked all weekend on a great project which made an awesome difference in our house. You can see it here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/EWil83/RemodelCopy?authkey=Gv1sRgCPT1yOzMjtan7AE&feat=email#
http://picasaweb.google.com/EWil83/RemodelCopy?authkey=Gv1sRgCPT1yOzMjtan7AE&feat=email#
Friday, March 20, 2009
In your face?
I have been thinking a lot about Facebook. I love being able to keep up with my very busy seminary friends. I miss them very much and love to know what is going on in their lives without bothering them. It helps me miss our friendships a bit less. But it is not a real relationship, and for me I am thinking the drawbacks are more obvious.
For one thing, communication is reduced to an elementary-aged emotionalism. People get mad if you post things about them (and sometimes they should? What were you thinking?) Feelings are hurt if a friend request is sent and not answered. How do you "un-befriend" someone if you have second thoughts? How can you slip online to check on your friends and yet not LOOK like you are online so that when people who are really acquaintances (How did Facebook send to people I did not check on the list?) jump into your screen wanting to chat? Some I love chatting with but I am too low tech to choose! And of course, sometimes it is just the timing and my own foibles about being rude--"Oh, you caught me. . .but I do not want to talk to ANYONE right now! So I am going to get offline and skulk away." Perhaps I am moving toward "I" on that MB scale. . .
And in some cases, people who have been a part of the past you really are trying to get beyond reach out to people you love most, ruining their day and bringing back all sorts of things you would rather not think about.
Gosh, what about the things you discern about people that you would rather NOT know! TMI, that so and so had dinner with someone else--and that it might be a train wreck waiting to happen. . . I have enough of that in my head that I DO need to know--I do not need to know what is none of my business.
I know some people who have taken down their page, saying they are tired of virtual relationships that are shallow and public, and that they long for fewer relationships of a deeper nature. I know others who feel it is intrusive and gossipy.
I agreed to do it partially because some of the college aged folks at one of my churches communicate largely in that way, and I do cherish their friendships. They email and text too, so is it worth keeping for that? Suddenly, this is the main way I am finding out that folks at another church may need pastoral care. I wish they would just call me!
And of course, although I am only on it for about ten minutes at any given time, and have ignored the many generous gifts of hatching dragons and exquisite vestments due to time constraints, it is time I could more productively spend working on the relationships with the two fellows who live with me. Let's finally finish that game of Risk!
Well, enough ranting. I will pray about it. But what if I only really communicated with God on the Holy Facebook Page? Truthfully, I think God might be relieved, but our communication would feel very superficial and unsatisfying on my end.
For one thing, communication is reduced to an elementary-aged emotionalism. People get mad if you post things about them (and sometimes they should? What were you thinking?) Feelings are hurt if a friend request is sent and not answered. How do you "un-befriend" someone if you have second thoughts? How can you slip online to check on your friends and yet not LOOK like you are online so that when people who are really acquaintances (How did Facebook send to people I did not check on the list?) jump into your screen wanting to chat? Some I love chatting with but I am too low tech to choose! And of course, sometimes it is just the timing and my own foibles about being rude--"Oh, you caught me. . .but I do not want to talk to ANYONE right now! So I am going to get offline and skulk away." Perhaps I am moving toward "I" on that MB scale. . .
And in some cases, people who have been a part of the past you really are trying to get beyond reach out to people you love most, ruining their day and bringing back all sorts of things you would rather not think about.
Gosh, what about the things you discern about people that you would rather NOT know! TMI, that so and so had dinner with someone else--and that it might be a train wreck waiting to happen. . . I have enough of that in my head that I DO need to know--I do not need to know what is none of my business.
I know some people who have taken down their page, saying they are tired of virtual relationships that are shallow and public, and that they long for fewer relationships of a deeper nature. I know others who feel it is intrusive and gossipy.
I agreed to do it partially because some of the college aged folks at one of my churches communicate largely in that way, and I do cherish their friendships. They email and text too, so is it worth keeping for that? Suddenly, this is the main way I am finding out that folks at another church may need pastoral care. I wish they would just call me!
And of course, although I am only on it for about ten minutes at any given time, and have ignored the many generous gifts of hatching dragons and exquisite vestments due to time constraints, it is time I could more productively spend working on the relationships with the two fellows who live with me. Let's finally finish that game of Risk!
Well, enough ranting. I will pray about it. But what if I only really communicated with God on the Holy Facebook Page? Truthfully, I think God might be relieved, but our communication would feel very superficial and unsatisfying on my end.
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