Frustration

I'm certain that those who have an interest and are following the implosion of the Anglican Communion are aware that the Bishop of Colorado has ordained a practicing lesbian and has announced that he will further the cause of same sex coupling by creating a type of service for those wishing to have their relationship recognized in the Episcopal Church in Colorado.

One (and certainly not the only one) of my frustrations with this is in regard to how the people of the Episcopal Church respond to these types of attacks against their faith. We knew that it was a matter of time before this diocese would permit these types of activities, as there are other dioceses that have made it known that they intend to create rites to bless same sex unions. The consecration of the Bishop of New Hampshire wasn't the beginning of this situation, but it was the most visible to the outside world because of the media attention. So, what could have been done when the Bishop of New Hampshire was consecrated? Probably nothing since those in charge had determined that God was doing a new thing and that the Church isn't inclusive until we have redefined church. Folks protested, but then the consecration went on and there was no discipline from anywhere. The Episcopal hierarchy discovered many years ago with women's ordination, that if they simply announce that this is how things are going to be, those who disagree will speak out initially and may even be quite aggressive in their disagreement and then they will be quiet or go away. Those who are left will eventually come to the conclusion that the action was right and appropriate. Imagine, that now parishioners in the Episcopal Church wouldn't dream of questioning if it was right to ordain a woman to holy orders, and those who think otherwise are suspect. Given time, folks can be convinced of just about anything.

Many of the conservatives in the Episcopal Church have left and have become more evangelical and far less Catholic. It's not that being evangelical is a bad thing, but why do we have to throw the baby out with the bath water? It leaves those who wish to be a part of an English Catholic expression of Christianity without a place to go. Another concern with these break away groups is that you hear more about what they are against instead of what they favor. However, I do understand why they had to leave the Episcopal Church, so I strive not to be hyper critical of those groups (AMiA, CANA, etc.). Those in higher positions in the Episcopal Church believe that if you keep dialog open with different lines of communication, eventually you'll be able to find common ground. Frequently that is true and I'm all in favor of open comunication, but let's be clear, this isn't a discussion about what color to paint the building, or which music will be sung at Christmas. This is a discussion that goes to the heart of what the Church is and it's relationship to Christ. Scripture speaks constantly about male and female. The Church is referred to as the bride and Christ is the bridegroom. The union of male and female brings new life and the union of Christ and the Church brings new life. Paul compares the church to marriage between a man and woman. He calls it a great mystery. Obviously without the aid of technology, same sex unions do not bring new life and in most cases bring death through disease and shortened life spans. By allowing the counterfeit of same sex unions, we have fundamentally altered what it means to be Church. For conservative and orthodox Christians, this is not open for discussion or debate. So, I do understand why those in break away provinces had to leave because they would eventually be forced to participate in unholy activities.

So where does this leave us? We have been asleep at the wheel. Our nation didn't just wake up and discover the conditions that we find ourselves in. The homosexual community has been working on us for the longest time - decades in fact, to get us to accept this way of life as a reasonable alternative. It used to be that society agreed that sex before marriage or outside of one's own marriage was wrong, that babies need a mother and father married to each other, and that marriage is between one man and one woman. When society held to these views it was easier to be Church. Guess what. It's not so easy anymore. The choice before us is whether we are going to be a mirror of society and condone sin or are we going to stand and point to the standard in God's word that leads to life? Wake up, Church! The temple is in ruins and our ability to speak into culture has been damaged. Let's start to rebuild on the foundation handed down from the apostles and with Jesus as our cornerstone. It's time to be the Church and point people to God and life.

New Year

I've jumped through the last week of Advent, through Christmas, and now we're here in January. The tree in our yard was blown down last week in a terrific windstorm. The forecasters said it was the fourth worst windstorm in Colorado history. Fortunately, folks didn't loose their outdoor Christmas decorations and as we move toward Epiphany, the Christmas lights and baubles are moving into the background. Some folks have candlelight during their Christmas Eve service, but others have candlelight during their Epiphany service because it signifies the light (Christ) coming to the gentiles (wise men). More to be thankful for and aware of as we start the liturgical year again. Imagine, every year the church Catholic relives the life of Christ starting with his birth and moving through his death and resurrection at Easter. Have you ever thought about church this way? Each Sunday, each feast day is a teaching and learning experience where you as a member, get to come into contact with some aspect of Christ's life while learning about and reverencing God. Church is not a place where you come to judge what it gives you, it's a place where you come to be transformed. Just a thought. By the way--Happy New Year!

Third Week of Advent

The third candle, the rose candle. A time of joy during the suffering of self examination which brings an awareness of sin. Joy in knowing that even though we sin, we have a Savior who is Christ the Lord. By coming into the world, he revealed his boundless love for us and gave us victory over sin and death. Our devotion time suggested putting a laurel wreath in a window to remind us of the triumph we have in Christ. You may not have laurel to make into a wreath, but more frequently, you will see evergreen wreaths on doors and windows. When you see those wreaths, allow the circle to remind you of the unending love of Christ and the evergreen color to remind you of the new life that is yours' in Christ. The celebration that is Christmas comes closer.

Newsweek article about Homosexulaity and the Bible

The premise of the article by Newsweek states that the Bible doesn't condemn same sex marriage and in fact supports this choice. It truly comes to a point where as christians, we have to understand that the popular culture is looking for ways to find permission to continue in behavior that is contrary to scripture and tradition and that we will never persuade those who are so bent in finding justification to stay in their current lifestyle. We as believers, are in danger of that same offense. It's easy to find scripture that suppports all kinds of personal choices. We have long since abandoned any submission to authority except in the most cursory form, save our own authority and interpretation to what is right and good. The message of Christ is not about personal happiness and satisfaction. To be a follower of Christ is to work against a person's natural inclinations and strive towards being sanctified. We have come to a place where we are uncomfortable saying that certain behaviors are wrong (sin) and that there is a right way to live. This statement covers all sin and not just active homosexulaity. It is sin to sleep with anyone to whom you're not married. That statement touches on a great many folks and not just those who are protesting and invading churches to disrupt services. As christians we become easy targets because we are so inconsistent. We need to take this time in Advent to examine our own lives and become aware of our own sin, and to take stock of what we need to confess before we humbly address the sin in other people. The Church needs to speak with one voice and become visible sinners in need of a Savior. This is our inclusiveness - we are all lost and need to be saved.

Second Week of Advent

Yesterday the second week of Advent began quietly. Thoughts of Mary being visited by the angel of the Lord and submitting to being the vessel for the Son of God rise fresh in our minds. We are in awe of such humility and grace. Catholics everywhere honor Mary for her submission and example. May we be so humble in the presence of God to submit to his leading and work in our lives.

First Week of Advent

Truly we are beginning the second week of Advent tomorrow. My family has been using the writings of Henry Nouwen to begin our devotions for Advent. It has focused most on recognizing where God is working in our lives and in our preperations for Christ's coming, we should be working with others through serving them. Our devotions have challenged us to move out of ourselves and into the community to plan times of service and then be open to God's leading to help others that he may put in our path. How has this first week of Advent affected your spiritual walk?

Guess that film

The ornament pictured is one of a group from my very own Christmas tree. The name on the building is a bit fuzzy, but I think you can still make it out. It's from one of my favorite Christmas movies.