In his book, A Table in the Desert, the Rev. Paul Jones has a section on Sacraments. The question of what is a sacrament (an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace) and how many sacraments there are (seven in the Episcopal church, if you've forgotten) comes up. For us Episcopalians, we tend to see sacraments as an indelible mark that remains with us for ever.
We see this in baptism, when we are “sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ’s own for ever.” We become part of the family and that gift of baptism can never be revoked. We can see this in ordinations, where the newly ordained remains ordained for ever (they can be suspended, but that's another conversation). We can see it in marriage as well, where the assumption is that you remain married for ever (again, other complications for another day). We are very Catholic in that understanding.
Fr. Jones points out the difference between Catholics (as well as Anglicans and Orthodox) and Protestants about the issue of sacraments. For Anglicans, Catholics, and Orthodox, the sacraments are indelible marks – outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual graces – that cannot be removed by any act of man because they have been indelibly changed. For Protestants, these sacraments are seen as ordinances, or mandates, that are understood functionally. The only change occurring to the person has to do with a change in their authorized role. If a pastor resigns his post and decides to become a bus driver, he is no longer a pastor. This, I believe, has also led to the unfortunate belief and worry of some people over the possibility of “losing their salvation,” or wondering if they have been saved.
This functionality versus indelibility (yes, I made that up) can be summed up as the difference between what a person brings to the sacrament versus what a person receives from the sacraments. Take baptism, for instance. Many Protestants insist on a “believer's baptism;” that is, a baptism by a person old enough to bring a working knowledge and active choice to become Christian. Anglicans, Catholics, and Orthodox proclaim a baptism in which the person receives the Holy Spirit and is marked for ever.
This is also reflected in the sacrament of Holy Communion. How many times have we heard people say, “I want to take Communion,” or, “I took Communion this Sunday”? That is a very Protestant way of seeing Communion, because it emphasizes what you brought to the table; it proclaims that you believe this event to be important; it is your belief that infuses the bread and wine with meaning.
This is why we do not “take” Communion – we receive Communion. For us, the Holy Eucharist and Holy Communion are part of the divine mysteries, infused with the presence of Christ, by the Holy Spirit. We are participants in a divine action, and nothing we bring to the table causes the bread and wine to become holy; the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ by the divine action of God. When we approach the altar to participate in that holy meal, we receive that holy sacrament; and that outward and visible sign reflects an inward and spiritual grace which we receive into our own bodies.
This Lent, as you work through whatever spiritual discipline you have chosen to follow, don't ask yourself what you are taking from, or getting out of, that discipline – ask instead what you have been receiving from God.
Amen.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
February 17, 2016
In the service of Morning Prayer, one of two sets of Suffrages follows immediately after the Lord's Prayer. These Suffrages are conveniently and unoriginally labeled as A and B. For most of the year, I utilize Form A for no other reason than it comes first. The second petition within that set has always caught my attention:
Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
Let your people sing with joy.
For those wondering, this particular petition mirrors Psalm 132:9, yet again proving that so much of the Prayer Book is in the Bible. That aside, there are two reasons why this petition has caught my attention over the years.
First is the request to clothe God's ministers with righteousness. We need to remember for whom this petition is concerned. At first glance we might think it has to do with anyone wearing a collar. For those at St. Luke's, that would mean Bishop Michael, Deacon Joani, and myself. But if that's what you think when you read this petition, you are forgetting your Catechism.
The Catechism of the Episcopal Church states, “The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.” Everyone in the Church is a minister of the Church. Everyone has a job to do, and only some of them wear collars.
This Lent, as you work to incorporate whatever discipline you chose to take on or give up, may you remember that you are one of God's ministers in this branch of what Presiding Bishop Curry calls “the Jesus movement.” As you make your Lenten journey, may you be clothed in righteousness.
Second is the request to “let your people sing with joy.”
No matter where I have said Morning Prayer, and no matter what group of people are around me during that service, when we get to that line everybody instinctively emphasizes the word sing. It's as if they don't want to simply say that word, but they want to sing it out as we pray the Suffrages. There is always a hint of joy there, and it always causes me to smile just a bit.
We need to remember, especially in Lent, that our worship of God should be a joyful occasion. Lent is certainly the most somber of our seasons, but that does not mean we need to behave, as a comedian once said, like we are sucking on green persimmons. We can be appropriately reverent, but we can also allow our worship to be infused with joy.
This Lent, as we come together to worship God, remember that we are participating with heavenly hosts, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, as we worship God in the beauty of holiness. That fact alone should cause us to sing with joy.
You are ministers of God – may you be clothed in righteousness.
You are children of God – may you sing with joy.
Amen.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
Let your people sing with joy.
For those wondering, this particular petition mirrors Psalm 132:9, yet again proving that so much of the Prayer Book is in the Bible. That aside, there are two reasons why this petition has caught my attention over the years.
First is the request to clothe God's ministers with righteousness. We need to remember for whom this petition is concerned. At first glance we might think it has to do with anyone wearing a collar. For those at St. Luke's, that would mean Bishop Michael, Deacon Joani, and myself. But if that's what you think when you read this petition, you are forgetting your Catechism.
The Catechism of the Episcopal Church states, “The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.” Everyone in the Church is a minister of the Church. Everyone has a job to do, and only some of them wear collars.
This Lent, as you work to incorporate whatever discipline you chose to take on or give up, may you remember that you are one of God's ministers in this branch of what Presiding Bishop Curry calls “the Jesus movement.” As you make your Lenten journey, may you be clothed in righteousness.
Second is the request to “let your people sing with joy.”
No matter where I have said Morning Prayer, and no matter what group of people are around me during that service, when we get to that line everybody instinctively emphasizes the word sing. It's as if they don't want to simply say that word, but they want to sing it out as we pray the Suffrages. There is always a hint of joy there, and it always causes me to smile just a bit.
We need to remember, especially in Lent, that our worship of God should be a joyful occasion. Lent is certainly the most somber of our seasons, but that does not mean we need to behave, as a comedian once said, like we are sucking on green persimmons. We can be appropriately reverent, but we can also allow our worship to be infused with joy.
This Lent, as we come together to worship God, remember that we are participating with heavenly hosts, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, as we worship God in the beauty of holiness. That fact alone should cause us to sing with joy.
You are ministers of God – may you be clothed in righteousness.
You are children of God – may you sing with joy.
Amen.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
February 10, 2016
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.
We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit.
We confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness:
the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives;
our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people;
our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves;
our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work;
our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us.
Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done:
for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty;
for all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us;
for our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us.
Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us;
Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great.
Accomplish in us the work of your salvation;
That we may show forth your glory in the world.
By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord;
Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
Amen.
We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.
We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit.
We confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness:
the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives;
our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people;
our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves;
our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work;
our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us.
Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done:
for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty;
for all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us;
for our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us.
Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us;
Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great.
Accomplish in us the work of your salvation;
That we may show forth your glory in the world.
By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord;
Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
Amen.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
February 3, 2016
Alleluia!
This is a word of praise for God. It's a word we use to celebrate the greatness, power, and glory of God.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! His the scepter, his the throne.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia is also used in non-liturgical, non-religious, but still thankful and grateful ways.
Alleluia! I found my car keys.
Alleluia! I got job.
Alleluia! We've been approved for a new house.
Alleluia is a word of thanksgiving. It's a word of praise. It's a word we use to celebrate. It's a word of joy.
But, as you know, not everything in life is joyful, praiseworthy, or celebratory. Sometimes things are hard. Sometimes things seem unbearable. Sometimes it seems like we are wandering through a wilderness and wonder if we'll ever come out. Our faith, though, tells us that we will arrive on the other side, and God has promised to be there waiting for us.
Lent begins next Wednesday. The somber season begins with the service of Ash Wednesday, a call to a holy Lent through self-examination and repentance, prayer, fasting, self-denial, and the imposition of ashes. And it removes 'Alleluia' from our vocabulary.
As Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, we also spend 40 days traveling through Lent. I encourage you to plan now for how you will live into a holy Lent, through picking up a new discipline (may I suggest reading a Daily Office) or through the discipline of self-denial (fasting on Fridays is always an option). This last week of Epiphany is a good time to plan for that discipline so that, come Ash Wednesday, you won't be surprised.
We are in the last week of the Epiphany season. This coming Sunday will be your last opportunity to shout, 'Alleluia!' before Easter. We are getting ready to enter the somber season of Lent. We are preparing to wander through the wilderness. Somewhere along the line, you might reexamine the wisdom of picking up a particular discipline or committing to an act of self-denial.
Don't give up. Don't give in. God will meet you on the other side.
Alleluia!
This is a word of praise for God. It's a word we use to celebrate the greatness, power, and glory of God.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! His the scepter, his the throne.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia is also used in non-liturgical, non-religious, but still thankful and grateful ways.
Alleluia! I found my car keys.
Alleluia! I got job.
Alleluia! We've been approved for a new house.
Alleluia is a word of thanksgiving. It's a word of praise. It's a word we use to celebrate. It's a word of joy.
But, as you know, not everything in life is joyful, praiseworthy, or celebratory. Sometimes things are hard. Sometimes things seem unbearable. Sometimes it seems like we are wandering through a wilderness and wonder if we'll ever come out. Our faith, though, tells us that we will arrive on the other side, and God has promised to be there waiting for us.
Lent begins next Wednesday. The somber season begins with the service of Ash Wednesday, a call to a holy Lent through self-examination and repentance, prayer, fasting, self-denial, and the imposition of ashes. And it removes 'Alleluia' from our vocabulary.
As Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, we also spend 40 days traveling through Lent. I encourage you to plan now for how you will live into a holy Lent, through picking up a new discipline (may I suggest reading a Daily Office) or through the discipline of self-denial (fasting on Fridays is always an option). This last week of Epiphany is a good time to plan for that discipline so that, come Ash Wednesday, you won't be surprised.
We are in the last week of the Epiphany season. This coming Sunday will be your last opportunity to shout, 'Alleluia!' before Easter. We are getting ready to enter the somber season of Lent. We are preparing to wander through the wilderness. Somewhere along the line, you might reexamine the wisdom of picking up a particular discipline or committing to an act of self-denial.
Don't give up. Don't give in. God will meet you on the other side.
Alleluia!
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