Abba Poemen was asked, “How should a man behave?”
He answered, “Look at Daniel: no-one found anything in him to complain about except for his prayers to the Lord his God.”
An article appeared on the St. Luke's Facebook page last week about worship and the dying church. The article can be found here. If you can't access it, the author makes the claim that while service, mission, justice and community projects are important for churches to participate in, what is really vital to a healthy church is healthy worship.
As Christians we should be involved in issues that affect our wider community, and in proclaiming the gospel through a variety of means. But as Christians, we also need to remember and pay attention to that which makes us different from the Elks, Lions, Rotary or any other social/civic club. Can we serve meals to the hungry? Yes. Can we stand up against any number of injustices? Yes. Can we collect food and clothing, and offer our space to the local AA, NA and OA groups? Yes. But so can any social agency.
What makes Christians, and therefore the Church, different from all those other agencies? Worship.
Worship is at the core of what we do. It may not be at the core of what we believe; but worship is at the core of what the Church does. Worship defines us. Worship shapes us. Worship forms us. No other agency does this. And, as the author points out, we don't worship for ourselves or to “get something out of it.” We offer our prayers of praise and thanksgiving in the act of worship for the sole purpose of drawing nearer to God and receiving a foretaste of the heavenly banquet.
The Catechism states that the ministry of the laity is to “represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.”
The Baptismal Covenant asks a series of eight questions. The first three are affirmations of our statement of belief as found in the Creed. The very next question asks, “Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?” In other words, “Will you be faithful in worship?”
We can all serve our community in a variety of capacities. We can all stand up for those things in which we believe. We can all proclaim the gospel in thought, word and deed. But it is our worship that binds us together as a community. It is our worship that identifies us as a people of God.
May we remember that we are a worshiping community. May we strive to follow Daniel's example who, when pressured to conform to the dictates of the world, continued his daily practice of worshiping God. And, like the psalmist wrote, may we be glad when we hear the words, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Amen.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Jan. 21, 2015
If a man understands something and does not practice it, how can he teach it to his neighbor? – Abba Poemen
I’ve talked about that word “practice” before: the practice of prayer, the practice of worship, the practice of Christianity. Practice helps develop who we are and it can shape how we respond to things that happen around us. If we practice enough, what we practice becomes second nature. But we must guard against practicing improperly. As an extreme example, it does no good to practice CPR by compressing the stomach area 100 times per minute.
Sticking with that CPR example, if we do understand how to perform CPR, there's more to teaching it than simply telling people, “Yeah, lay them on the ground and push really hard and really fast.”
We need to have both the knowledge and the ability that comes through practice in order to teach others about it. The knowledge and ability that comes with practice can also develop a sense of confidence and enthusiasm in ourselves to speak with and help teach others.
Christianity is the same way. There are all sorts of doctrines and disciplines within Christianity, and a lot of them get debated. Some of them include: Jesus is fully human and fully divine; love God and love your neighbor; confess and repent of your sins; respect the dignity of every human being; proclaim the Good News of God in Christ.
We know this. We renew our baptismal vows four or five times a year, and four or five times a year we promise to continue on this path. We proclaim Jesus is the eternally begotten Son of the Father every Sunday. And every Sunday we ask for strength and courage to love and serve the Lord. We know this. We know it so well that, if I removed all the Prayer Books from the pews, you would play your part in the liturgy without missing a beat.
It's one thing to understand all this, but how are we at practicing it? How well do we love our neighbors and respect the dignity of other people regardless of their race, gender, orientation or social status? How well do we recognize our sins? How often do we name those sins, repent and return to the Lord? How well, and how often, do we proclaim the Good News?
Maybe we need an Epiphany discipline. In this season of the Epiphany when we recognize the manifestation of Christ to the world, look for that part of your faith that you would like to deepen, to practice more, and work at becoming proficient in that practice.
Maybe, with practice, you will develop the knowledge, ability and confidence to invite a neighbor to come and see. And with that, you will be playing a part in teaching another person about this thing called Christianity.
Amen.
I’ve talked about that word “practice” before: the practice of prayer, the practice of worship, the practice of Christianity. Practice helps develop who we are and it can shape how we respond to things that happen around us. If we practice enough, what we practice becomes second nature. But we must guard against practicing improperly. As an extreme example, it does no good to practice CPR by compressing the stomach area 100 times per minute.
Sticking with that CPR example, if we do understand how to perform CPR, there's more to teaching it than simply telling people, “Yeah, lay them on the ground and push really hard and really fast.”
We need to have both the knowledge and the ability that comes through practice in order to teach others about it. The knowledge and ability that comes with practice can also develop a sense of confidence and enthusiasm in ourselves to speak with and help teach others.
Christianity is the same way. There are all sorts of doctrines and disciplines within Christianity, and a lot of them get debated. Some of them include: Jesus is fully human and fully divine; love God and love your neighbor; confess and repent of your sins; respect the dignity of every human being; proclaim the Good News of God in Christ.
We know this. We renew our baptismal vows four or five times a year, and four or five times a year we promise to continue on this path. We proclaim Jesus is the eternally begotten Son of the Father every Sunday. And every Sunday we ask for strength and courage to love and serve the Lord. We know this. We know it so well that, if I removed all the Prayer Books from the pews, you would play your part in the liturgy without missing a beat.
It's one thing to understand all this, but how are we at practicing it? How well do we love our neighbors and respect the dignity of other people regardless of their race, gender, orientation or social status? How well do we recognize our sins? How often do we name those sins, repent and return to the Lord? How well, and how often, do we proclaim the Good News?
Maybe we need an Epiphany discipline. In this season of the Epiphany when we recognize the manifestation of Christ to the world, look for that part of your faith that you would like to deepen, to practice more, and work at becoming proficient in that practice.
Maybe, with practice, you will develop the knowledge, ability and confidence to invite a neighbor to come and see. And with that, you will be playing a part in teaching another person about this thing called Christianity.
Amen.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Jan. 14, 2015
If a man wants God to hear his prayer quickly, then before he prays for anything else, even his own soul, when he stands and stretches out his hands towards God, he must pray with all his heart for his enemies. Through this action God will hear everything that he asks. – Abba Zeno
Do we do this? Do we pray for our enemies?
When we pray, we praise God for being the giver and author of life. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Almighty God, Father of all mercies . . . we bless you for our creation, preservation and all the blessings of this life. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
When we pray, we confess our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone, in thought, word and deed, for the evil we have done, and for the evil done on our behalf. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
When we pray, we offer our thanksgivings for family and friends, for the good earth which God has given us, for jobs and homes, for birthdays, anniversaries and recoveries, and for all manner of things which give us joy and comfort.
When we pray, we pray for the needs of others as well as ourselves. We pray for healing, reconciliation, discernment, strength, health and recovery. We pray for those who travel, for the aged and infirm, and for all manner of things which concern or burden us.
But when we pray, do we pray for our enemies? Do we even know who our enemies are? Do we pray for those involved in terrorism, that they may be struck with a spirit of peace? Do we pray for those with different ideologies, that we may develop a spirit of respect? Do we pray for those who have harmed us either physically, spiritually, emotionally or financially? Do we pray for a spirit of forgiveness?
Are we willing to take that first, terrifying step, allowing our enemies to be thought of as humans in need of our prayer, respecting their dignity, and thereby avoiding demonizing them to make us feel better?
Who is your enemy? Who do you think is your enemy?
Name them.
Pray for them.
Amen.
Do we do this? Do we pray for our enemies?
When we pray, we praise God for being the giver and author of life. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Almighty God, Father of all mercies . . . we bless you for our creation, preservation and all the blessings of this life. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
When we pray, we confess our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone, in thought, word and deed, for the evil we have done, and for the evil done on our behalf. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
When we pray, we offer our thanksgivings for family and friends, for the good earth which God has given us, for jobs and homes, for birthdays, anniversaries and recoveries, and for all manner of things which give us joy and comfort.
When we pray, we pray for the needs of others as well as ourselves. We pray for healing, reconciliation, discernment, strength, health and recovery. We pray for those who travel, for the aged and infirm, and for all manner of things which concern or burden us.
But when we pray, do we pray for our enemies? Do we even know who our enemies are? Do we pray for those involved in terrorism, that they may be struck with a spirit of peace? Do we pray for those with different ideologies, that we may develop a spirit of respect? Do we pray for those who have harmed us either physically, spiritually, emotionally or financially? Do we pray for a spirit of forgiveness?
Are we willing to take that first, terrifying step, allowing our enemies to be thought of as humans in need of our prayer, respecting their dignity, and thereby avoiding demonizing them to make us feel better?
Who is your enemy? Who do you think is your enemy?
Name them.
Pray for them.
Amen.
Jan. 7, 2015
A house is not built by beginning at the top and working down. You must begin with the foundations in order to reach the top. – Abba John the Dwarf
I think we forget this. I think we wish the world didn't work that way. I think we hope too often for the completed project. Too many times, I think, we see the spires of a great cathedral and say to ourselves, “I want to be like that.”
And whether those spires are the job of our dreams, a major scientific breakthrough, the next great American novel, or a trophy signifying athletic prowess, too often we desire to be there instead of paying attention to the work that will get us there. But we don't get to the top, so to speak, by beginning at the top.
Every scientific breakthrough is built on the foundation of basic mathematical functions – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Every great novel is based on the foundation of basic grammar. Every sports achievement is based on conditioning and hours of practice. The foundation must be laid, and laid properly, for great works of aspiration to rise.
Unfortunately none of that is very fun. It's not fun to have to memorize the multiplication table. It's not fun to sit through grammar classes. It's not fun to spend hundreds of hours of training for only a few hours or moments of competition. It's not fun to do the hard work of building a foundation.
It's not fun, but it's necessary.
Looking at the parable of the sower, what if we changed our normal interpretation of that parable. What if, instead of looking at the sower as God and us as the variety of seed scattered willy-nilly on the ground where some of the seed landed on rocky soil, some on the path and some on good soil, what if we looked at the sower as us. And what if, instead of simply tossing seed out there and not worrying about where it lands, what if we did the hard work of ensuring every seed was placed in good soil, where its foundation could support growth and eventually yield thirty, sixty or a hundred-fold.
This, in a nutshell, is evangelism. Evangelism is the hard work of building the foundation of the church. Sure, we all want to be part of a magnificent church that generates a sense of admiration and awe. But we can't get there by building it from the top down. We can't put those magnificent spires in place until we have a good foundation. Unless we do the hard, foundational work of evangelism, we won't get there.
But evangelism itself also has a foundation. Like knowing the multiplication table and basic grammar rules before moving on to higher levels of math and prose, we need to know the basics of why we ourselves are here in the first place. Why are you an Episcopalian? Why do you attend St. Luke's. Once you answer those foundational questions, you can begin the hard work of evangelism. Once you know the answer to those questions, you can begin the hard work of ensuring every seed you sow is placed in good soil so that it, in turn, will have a good foundation in which to grow.
It may not be fun. It may not be the quick-fix solution. But according to John the Dwarf, it is necessary in order for us to reach the top.
Amen.
I think we forget this. I think we wish the world didn't work that way. I think we hope too often for the completed project. Too many times, I think, we see the spires of a great cathedral and say to ourselves, “I want to be like that.”
And whether those spires are the job of our dreams, a major scientific breakthrough, the next great American novel, or a trophy signifying athletic prowess, too often we desire to be there instead of paying attention to the work that will get us there. But we don't get to the top, so to speak, by beginning at the top.
Every scientific breakthrough is built on the foundation of basic mathematical functions – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Every great novel is based on the foundation of basic grammar. Every sports achievement is based on conditioning and hours of practice. The foundation must be laid, and laid properly, for great works of aspiration to rise.
Unfortunately none of that is very fun. It's not fun to have to memorize the multiplication table. It's not fun to sit through grammar classes. It's not fun to spend hundreds of hours of training for only a few hours or moments of competition. It's not fun to do the hard work of building a foundation.
It's not fun, but it's necessary.
Looking at the parable of the sower, what if we changed our normal interpretation of that parable. What if, instead of looking at the sower as God and us as the variety of seed scattered willy-nilly on the ground where some of the seed landed on rocky soil, some on the path and some on good soil, what if we looked at the sower as us. And what if, instead of simply tossing seed out there and not worrying about where it lands, what if we did the hard work of ensuring every seed was placed in good soil, where its foundation could support growth and eventually yield thirty, sixty or a hundred-fold.
This, in a nutshell, is evangelism. Evangelism is the hard work of building the foundation of the church. Sure, we all want to be part of a magnificent church that generates a sense of admiration and awe. But we can't get there by building it from the top down. We can't put those magnificent spires in place until we have a good foundation. Unless we do the hard, foundational work of evangelism, we won't get there.
But evangelism itself also has a foundation. Like knowing the multiplication table and basic grammar rules before moving on to higher levels of math and prose, we need to know the basics of why we ourselves are here in the first place. Why are you an Episcopalian? Why do you attend St. Luke's. Once you answer those foundational questions, you can begin the hard work of evangelism. Once you know the answer to those questions, you can begin the hard work of ensuring every seed you sow is placed in good soil so that it, in turn, will have a good foundation in which to grow.
It may not be fun. It may not be the quick-fix solution. But according to John the Dwarf, it is necessary in order for us to reach the top.
Amen.
Dec. 31, 2014
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name . . . – Philippians 2:5-9
Tomorrow is January 1, New Years' Day. This is generally the day when people begin working on their resolutions for the new year. Well, actually, this is probably the day before people begin working on their resolutions for the new year, since a fair number of people are recovering in one way or another from the previous night's celebration and/or spending the day watching the big Bowl Games and eating too much chips and dip.
For us in the church, however, the New Year came on November 30 with the First Sunday of Advent. I don't know if any of you made New Years' resolutions, be we heard once more the stories of the end of days, the return of Christ, judgment and we prepared for his coming to us as a baby lying in a manger. The New Year is upon us and we once again enter that great cycle of the church year that moves us from birth to Passion to Resurrection to discipleship.
Tomorrow is January 1, New Years' Day. But on the church calendar, tomorrow is celebrated as the Feast of the Holy Name – eight days from birth to the traditional day of circumcision and naming. This is the day we celebrate that event and honor the name of Jesus, the name given by the angel Gabriel before he was conceived.
Names are important things. In some ancient civilizations, names were thought to hold power; which is why you never told a stranger your real name. Native Americans gave names appropriate to a persons calling or character – think of John Dunbar being named Dances with Wolves. We still give thought to the naming of our children or businesses, hoping that name will be successful. And I've preached on how the name of a church impacts how a particular ethos is developed.
Tomorrow is the Feast of the Holy Name. Tomorrow the church celebrates the day when the infant born in a manger received the name that is above every name.
On this Feast of the Holy Name, if you haven't made a resolution for the New Year, may I suggest this:
In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue
all that is not holy, all that is not true;
crown him as your Captain in temptation's hour;
let his will enfold you in its light and power.
Hymn 435, v. 5
Tomorrow is January 1, New Years' Day. This is generally the day when people begin working on their resolutions for the new year. Well, actually, this is probably the day before people begin working on their resolutions for the new year, since a fair number of people are recovering in one way or another from the previous night's celebration and/or spending the day watching the big Bowl Games and eating too much chips and dip.
For us in the church, however, the New Year came on November 30 with the First Sunday of Advent. I don't know if any of you made New Years' resolutions, be we heard once more the stories of the end of days, the return of Christ, judgment and we prepared for his coming to us as a baby lying in a manger. The New Year is upon us and we once again enter that great cycle of the church year that moves us from birth to Passion to Resurrection to discipleship.
Tomorrow is January 1, New Years' Day. But on the church calendar, tomorrow is celebrated as the Feast of the Holy Name – eight days from birth to the traditional day of circumcision and naming. This is the day we celebrate that event and honor the name of Jesus, the name given by the angel Gabriel before he was conceived.
Names are important things. In some ancient civilizations, names were thought to hold power; which is why you never told a stranger your real name. Native Americans gave names appropriate to a persons calling or character – think of John Dunbar being named Dances with Wolves. We still give thought to the naming of our children or businesses, hoping that name will be successful. And I've preached on how the name of a church impacts how a particular ethos is developed.
Tomorrow is the Feast of the Holy Name. Tomorrow the church celebrates the day when the infant born in a manger received the name that is above every name.
On this Feast of the Holy Name, if you haven't made a resolution for the New Year, may I suggest this:
In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue
all that is not holy, all that is not true;
crown him as your Captain in temptation's hour;
let his will enfold you in its light and power.
Hymn 435, v. 5
Dec. 24, 2014
Of the Father's love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega, he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!
O that birth for ever blessed, when the Virgin, full of grace
by the Holy Ghost conceiving, bore the Savior of our race;
and the Babe, the world's Redeemer, first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore!
Let the heights of heaven adore him; angel hosts, his praises sing;
powers, dominions, bow before him, and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore!
Christ, to thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be;
honor, glory and dominion, and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore!
May you have a holy and blessed Christmas,
evermore and evermore!
Amen.
he is Alpha and Omega, he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!
O that birth for ever blessed, when the Virgin, full of grace
by the Holy Ghost conceiving, bore the Savior of our race;
and the Babe, the world's Redeemer, first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore!
Let the heights of heaven adore him; angel hosts, his praises sing;
powers, dominions, bow before him, and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore!
Christ, to thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be;
honor, glory and dominion, and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore!
May you have a holy and blessed Christmas,
evermore and evermore!
Amen.
Dec. 17, 2014
“ . . . you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them. . .” – Prayer of St. Chrysostom
The Prayer of St. Chrysostom is the concluding Collect for both Morning and Evening Prayer, and the rubrics state that it may be used before the close of the Office; in other words, it's an optional concluding prayer. I tend to use this particular concluding Collect on Mondays for no other reason than it reminds us who gather at the beginning of the week that God is in our midst.
When I was in seminary and going through the process of discernment to ordained ministry, one of the questions I was asked was, “Where do you gain spiritual strength?” My answer to that was along the lines of, “Community worship.” While prayer is often seen and understood as an individual action in our relationship with God, community worship allows us to be secluded in our own thoughts and prayers while standing in the midst of a great congregation. It was and is this dual action, private prayer coupled with communal worship in a parish and in the larger body of Christ, that gave, and still gives, me spiritual strength.
Two years ago I committed to being in the chapel every weekday morning at 7:15 for Morning Prayer. For most of that time, I have been joined by others, as many as eight, but more often as few as one. Lately, though, it's been just me and God, sitting in the quiet, sharing time together.
The other day a parishioner joined me for this early morning worship service. As we went through the service, as we read the psalms and canticles in unison, as we participated in the back and forth of versicle and response, I was reminded again of how important corporate worship is. To pray the liturgy is one thing; to pray the liturgy out loud in the company of another is something else indeed.
This past Sunday we heard the story of John the Baptist and his confrontation with those sent by the Pharisees. In that confrontation he said, “Among you stands one whom you do not know.”
When you come to worship, whether that's every Sunday, a Sunday and some weekdays, or only when you can seem to find the time, wrap yourself in prayer. Spend some quiet time before the service settling down and focusing on God. Use those periods of silence to prayerfully reflect on readings or the sermon just heard. Honestly reflect on sins committed before saying the General Confession. Give thanks for the gift of bread and wine, body and blood, which you have received.
But don't let it end there. When you come to worship, take note of the people in the building and know that they have come to worship with you. When you make your responses, when you sing the hymns and say the psalms, when you participate in the petitions of the Prayers of the People, and when you recite the postcommunion prayer, take note of the voices around you. Can you hear wonder? Can you hear distress? Can you hear joy? Can you hear God?
When two or three are gathered in his name, there stands one whom we do know. We just have to listen.
Amen.
The Prayer of St. Chrysostom is the concluding Collect for both Morning and Evening Prayer, and the rubrics state that it may be used before the close of the Office; in other words, it's an optional concluding prayer. I tend to use this particular concluding Collect on Mondays for no other reason than it reminds us who gather at the beginning of the week that God is in our midst.
When I was in seminary and going through the process of discernment to ordained ministry, one of the questions I was asked was, “Where do you gain spiritual strength?” My answer to that was along the lines of, “Community worship.” While prayer is often seen and understood as an individual action in our relationship with God, community worship allows us to be secluded in our own thoughts and prayers while standing in the midst of a great congregation. It was and is this dual action, private prayer coupled with communal worship in a parish and in the larger body of Christ, that gave, and still gives, me spiritual strength.
Two years ago I committed to being in the chapel every weekday morning at 7:15 for Morning Prayer. For most of that time, I have been joined by others, as many as eight, but more often as few as one. Lately, though, it's been just me and God, sitting in the quiet, sharing time together.
The other day a parishioner joined me for this early morning worship service. As we went through the service, as we read the psalms and canticles in unison, as we participated in the back and forth of versicle and response, I was reminded again of how important corporate worship is. To pray the liturgy is one thing; to pray the liturgy out loud in the company of another is something else indeed.
This past Sunday we heard the story of John the Baptist and his confrontation with those sent by the Pharisees. In that confrontation he said, “Among you stands one whom you do not know.”
When you come to worship, whether that's every Sunday, a Sunday and some weekdays, or only when you can seem to find the time, wrap yourself in prayer. Spend some quiet time before the service settling down and focusing on God. Use those periods of silence to prayerfully reflect on readings or the sermon just heard. Honestly reflect on sins committed before saying the General Confession. Give thanks for the gift of bread and wine, body and blood, which you have received.
But don't let it end there. When you come to worship, take note of the people in the building and know that they have come to worship with you. When you make your responses, when you sing the hymns and say the psalms, when you participate in the petitions of the Prayers of the People, and when you recite the postcommunion prayer, take note of the voices around you. Can you hear wonder? Can you hear distress? Can you hear joy? Can you hear God?
When two or three are gathered in his name, there stands one whom we do know. We just have to listen.
Amen.
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