Click here to listen to this sermon, preached on 29 June 2008.
The commitment of a Christian is total commitment. That’s the kind of faith we see in St Alban. And that’s the kind of faith we heard about last Sunday.
Today’s gospel (which is actually the gospel for St Alban’s day) continues what some call Jesus’ “missionary discourse,” which is Matthew 10. But before we get too comfortable with the thought that Jesus’ words here are only for “professional” Christian missionaries, let me remind you that this passage is addressed to all of us.
Jesus has a word here for every Christian believer. We all have the vocation of Christian discipleship, and discipleship includes glorifying Christ before others, by living holy lives and sharing the gospel (i.e., by being disciples who make disciples).
Jesus begins this missionary discourse in Matthew with the calling of the Twelve. Before he sent them out, Jesus gathered his disciples close to him. Gathering close to Jesus is an act of empowerment—that’s what we do in church on Sunday mornings. Perhaps you have felt powerless to do some of the things that you feel that God has called you to do. Maybe you feel that way because you set out too soon. Perhaps God wanted more personal time to shape and mold you. Remember, it took forty years to shape Moses for God’s work.
After Jesus calls his disciples close, then he sends them out. He gives them instructions for how to carry out their mission. We also have instructions for carrying out our mission. We can turn to the holy Bible for unfailing guidance on the moral and theological questions that may come up. We have the Holy Spirit to guide and lead us, to show us the way and unveil God’s will.
We also have the Church to lead and guide us. We are surrounded by a family of brothers and sister in Christ to encourage us and help us find our way. We have those whom God has empowered in apostolic ministry. We have a godly bishop—the one entrusted to oversee God’s flock. It is his duty to guard the faith, to be the chief teacher, and to nourish the people in Word and Sacraments. The priests are his co-workers in this ministry. The priests are among the people as ambassadors of Christ. They are there to listen and give counsel, and to preach and teach and absolve in the Lord’s name.
This is part of the pattern of the church’s life—the life of a family. People come into this fellowship; they are born into the mystical Body. Once people are born in a family, they are raised up. We raise them through sharing our spiritual traditions. We pray together and read Scripture together. We learn together in thing like Sunday School, VBS, youth group, and Bible studies. When we grow up, we begin to move out. Some of us move out to start new churches or serve in new ministries. Some of us move out by getting involved in ministries that make a difference inside and outside our church.
Of course, moving out in God’s mission is not without problems. Last Sunday, Jesus said persecutions might await you when you go out there. But do not be afraid of any hostility that may come along. Your job is not to arrest the hostility that comes from the world; your job is to remain faithful in spite of any hostility.
Today, we pick up with some words about discipleship from our blessed Lord that might seem shocking to us, but need to shape our perspective. Jesus says, “Forget those Christmas carols for a moment. Don’t think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Now, if that was all Jesus had said, we would be gravely mislead. Jesus is rightfully trying to get our attention here. Jesus is trying to tell us that what he’s doing will shake things up. Sometimes we need to be shaken up, because while we are well able to recognize the hostility from without, we are often less able to recognize the hostility within.
Jesus warns us that in some cases, his radical call of discipleship will bring hostility within the closest of bonds—the human family. He says, “I have come to divide such close relations as a man and his father, or a mother and daughter. And if you can’t choose me over them, then you are not good enough for me.” Ouch.
These kinds of passages are what we call the "hard sayings" of Jesus. They seem to clash with our expectations so abrasively, we can scarcely believe it was really spoken by Jesus. Jesus goes on to say something a bit more familiar, “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me, is not worthy of me.”
I believe Jesus is speaking here of the stark reality of priorities—what is most important? When faced with tough choices, one turns to his or her priorities. Often that’s how we first find out what our real priorities are. That’s why people say that conflict reveals character. That is, it is only when we make these tough decisions under real pressure that we discover what is truly important to a person.
Jesus is warning his disciples. “Before you go out there, before you face a hostile world, before things get messy in your own life, you need to set your priorities in order." That's why Jesus first drew them close. "And in case you miss it," Jesus tells us, "I am your number one priority.” Our main commitment as Christian disciples is that Jesus is our number one priority. It is what we mean when we say that Jesus is Lord.
We have many things that are meaningful and important and even crucial to us. But what is your highest priority? Food? Water? Shelter? Time? Let me suggest that your highest priority is not your job, your home, or your possessions; it is not your country nor your ethnic or family heritage; it is not your mother or father, nor your children, it is not even your husband or your wife or yourself. Your highest priority is Jesus Christ.
Who is this Jesus who claims such prominence? Our faith has a rich heritage of answers to that question: He is the Second Person of the Trinity, the Lord most high. He is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the only-begotten Son. He is the Bread of Life and the Captain of Salvation. Jesus is the Cornerstone and he is the Desire of Nations. He is the Light of the world, and the Dayspring from on high. He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of peace.
Jesus is the glory and power and wisdom of the Lord God Almighty. He is like the Ancient of Days, and the Head of the Church. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the Good Shepherd. He is our great High Priest. He is the Holy One of Israel. Jesus is Immanuel—“God with us.” He is the perfect icon of the Father. He is the Lamb of God. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He is the Man of Sorrows, the Mediator of a New Covenant. Jesus is the bright Morning Star. He is the Rose of Sharon. He is the Fairest of ten thousand. He is the Bishop of our souls. He is the Resurrection and the Life. He is the Root of David. Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness. He is the Seed of the woman. He is the True Light, the True Vine. He is the Truth. He is the incarnate Word of God.
I could go on, but I think you get the picture. Yet we must remember that each of those titles begins with the first confession we find in the early church: the confession that Jesus is Lord. If Jesus is not Lord in your heart, none of those others will matter.
One thing and one thing alone should have final command over every catholic believing heart—Jesus Christ as Lord. He is the measure of all things. He gives true perspective. He puts everything else in its proper order. Jesus lays an absolute claim on his church. He should rightfully be our highest priority. And that priority is not without its reward.
Jesus reminds us that welcoming the Son is the equivalent of welcoming the Father. He invokes the Jewish concept of shaliah, which regards the king’s emissary as if he were the king himself. And so the blessing moves on down the line: Welcoming the prophet earns the host a prophet’s reward. Welcoming the righteous person earns the host a righteous person’s reward. (Here, the righteous person might be said to be a mature Christian, what we would refer to as a strong believer or a living saint.) Finally, he said there will be great reward even for those who are good to these little ones because they are disciples. The little ones here are possibly children or new Christians. Each segment in the church’s life cycle is represented: those who are newborns, those who have grown up, and those who have been sent out.
Jesus’ note about reward here underscores the idea that the worthiness of a disciple is related to the priority of Jesus in their lives. It’s Jesus’ way of saying, “You can’t go wrong with me.” Just as persecutions await those who go out into the world in my name, so blessing will abound through those who go out into the world in my name. He doesn’t say what the rewards are—he only says they are certain.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, giver of every good and perfect gift: empower us to make Jesus the top priority in our hearts, that as committed disciples, we may share the blessings of Christ with all those we bring to him; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
More conference photos
Well, that wraps up the third St Michael's Youth Conference, Southwest. It was a great session. Physically, I feel worn out, but I'm all pumped up spiritually. Here are some more photos. Click on the photo for a larger version.
Our Lord and the angels and saints were watching over us this week.
At the trivia game, one team looses and has to form a pyramid as a penalty.
Fr Foster taught the Bible classes, worth the price of admission alone.
Our Lady watches over the clergy at Davies Lodge.
Fr Brown was a mads driver on the golf cart.
Friday was a votive of the Holy Cross.
The red vestments were ones I had made for my diaconal ordination.
Here is the smoky blessing at the end of Mass.
Fr Will Brown with yours truly.
A great faculty helped make it one of the best conferences ever.
Fr Jones gives the final faculty talk after Evensong.
We assemble for a group photo in the chapel.
The boys march together. Onward Christian soldiers!
Fr Perkins and other boys join in on the push ups.
One of the annual highlights is the impersonations of the clergy at the talent show. This year, Fr Perkins was played by his son (first on left) and Fr Yost was played by his son (third from left).
Emma Doremus practices sketching me as her entry in the talent show.
Holy Hour in the chapel, when about two third of our Michaelites made their confession.
We had great boys serving as acolytes all week.
Our choir was absolutely fantastic. The music was glorious.
Fr Director puts on incense at the closing Mass on Saturday.
It was a votive of St Michael and All Angels.
A teary good-bye ends the conference. The next reunion will be on Sunday, 28 September at St Mark's in Arlington, TX.
For Fr Whitfield's photos, click here.
For Fr Brown's photos, click here.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Journal from St Michael's Conference
Here are a few pictures from St Michael's Youth Conference, Southwest. (Click on the pictures to enlarge.) So far, things have been going pretty well this week. I am teaching one elective: the Holiness of Beauty. Michaelites attend Morning Prayer and Mass and have three class periods in the morning. There is also a faculty talk after Evensong each night. The afternoon and evening is taken up with recreational activities, and we close with Compline before bed. You might have thought that would be pretty heavy stuff for teenagers, but they eat it up with a spoon. The kids (and any of the adults who haven't yet) will start to make their confessions tomorrow, so keep them in your prayers. It's an intense time. We'll close on Saturday with a pageant for the parents.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Away at St Mike's
I'll be off this week to my third St. Michael's Youth Conference Southwest, being held this year at Camp Crucis in Granbury, TX. I'm teaching one course, "The Holiness of Beauty," and assitaint with another "Training in Righteousness." I'm looking forward to the experience, but I know it will be exhausting. I ask your prayers for the kids who are participating this year, as well as for the adult counselors and clergy, not to mention my poor wife who has to be alone this week.
Holy Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust down to hell Satan and all wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
O Prince most glorious, Michael the Archangel, keep us in remembrance; here and everywhere, always entreat the Son of God for us.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
What it means to remain faithful
Remaining faithful is a basic idea in the baptismal covenant (see BCP, 304-305). We pledge to continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to persevere in resisting evil, to proclaim the gospel, to serve Christ by loving others, and to strive for justice and peace. In other words, remain faithful. My wife and I have joined and I hope you might consider it as well. They have a new position paper out, and this is the summary:
Remain Faithful is a group of orthodox Episcopalians drawn from member parishes of the Diocese of Fort Worth who have formed an organization comprised of and led by lay Episcopalians to respond to what we see as a proliferation of misinformation concerning the pending split between the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and The Episcopal Church (TEC). To that end, a formal and detailed Position Paper has been written and posted on the group’s website, www.remainfaithful.org .
This Executive Summary outlines the purpose and contents of the larger Position Paper, which aims to:
* Spotlight the vast differences that now exist between the erroneous beliefs espoused by TEC and General Convention, and the essential and historic truths of our faith as Christians and members of the Anglican Communion.
* Clarify and correct a number of misconceptions TEC has spread in response to common questions that are troubling many Episcopalians (as well as other faithful, orthodox Anglican parishes in Canada and throughout the world) as they consider the practical aspects of remaining aligned with the Anglican Communion.
* Provide a glimpse as to what additional changes are on the horizon for TEC, General Convention, and those who choose to remain fully aligned with them.
Beliefs of Remain Faithful
The members of Remain Faithful believe two essential truths which are the cornerstone of our orthodox Christian faith:
* Jesus Christ is the Son of God, truly man and truly God, who died on the Cross for our sins, was resurrected from the dead, and is the sole source of eternal salvation.
* The Bible is the revealed and inspired word of God. It contains all things necessary for salvation, and is the final authority and unchangeable standard for Christian faith and life.
Remain Faithful is committed to speak the truth in love, communicating clearly the position of faithful orthodox Episcopalians upholding the authority of Holy Scripture. Remain Faithful stands firm with the vast majority in the worldwide Anglican Communion in its commitment to serve our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to support orthodox Christian ideals and beliefs, and to spread the Good News of Jesus' gift of salvation to all who accept him.
Revised Beliefs of The Episcopal Church
The General Convention of the Episcopal Church and The Episcopal Church itself have progressively moved away from, and in some instances repudiated, these essential truths of Christianity and our historic apostolic faith.
The following quotes from the leadership of TEC provide clear examples:
* Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori on the subject of Jesus: “We who practice the Christian tradition understand him as our vehicle to the divine. But for us to assume that God could not act in other ways is, I think, to put God in an awfully small box.” (Time, July 10, 2006).
* Former Presiding Bishop Griswold on the subject of the Bible: “And while I think we would all say as our ordination liturgy has us say – those of us who are ordained – that we believe that the Old and New Testament contain all things necessary to salvation, there is a broad interpretation of what precisely that means in actual terms as one looks at various issues and concerns in the life of the church. … So when we think about church, I think many of us think first of all about that sacramental experience rather than the Book” (AAC Equipping the Saints, 2007)
*Furthermore, the General Conventions of 2003 and 2006 failed to pass resolutions that would have reaffirmed the historic Anglican doctrines of Jesus as the Son of God and the Bible as the Word of God.
Reactions by The Episcopal Church to Orthodox Views
Rather than debate these theological issues with the orthodox, the leadership of TEC has chosen the purely secular approach of 1) deposing bishops and priests who disagree with the revisionist view of the faith and of 2) filing lawsuits in an attempt to retain possession of the buildings and land used by parishes that would seek to realign with an orthodox diocese or province. Such a response plainly shows that TEC is aware that its theological positions are untenable, as do its efforts to distract from the essential matters of Christ and the Bible by focusing on other issues such as the ordination of women and the matter of sexuality.
Future Intentions of The Episcopal Church
It is clear the TEC intends to try to enforce its authority in addition to its theological views. For example, pending resolutions on “discipline” that are scheduled to be presented at the 2009 General Convention include a proposed change to Title I, Canon 17, Section 8 which would allow for the disciplinary action towards lay persons for the first time in TEC history. The proposal would apply to “any person accepting an office in this Church” - which would include all lay positions in the Church of any kind - and provides for “removal without cause.”
The Choice Facing All Episcopalians
A crisis point has been reached, resulting in a situation in which personal and corporate decisions must be made. We take seriously St. Jude’s admonition: “I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license of immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” (Jude 1:3-4)
We at Remain Faithful prayerfully encourage you to read and reflect on the full Position Paper and then take action as your conscience and prayers guide you. “...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24: 15)
Remain Faithful is a group of orthodox Episcopalians drawn from member parishes of the Diocese of Fort Worth who have formed an organization comprised of and led by lay Episcopalians to respond to what we see as a proliferation of misinformation concerning the pending split between the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and The Episcopal Church (TEC). To that end, a formal and detailed Position Paper has been written and posted on the group’s website, www.remainfaithful.org .
This Executive Summary outlines the purpose and contents of the larger Position Paper, which aims to:
* Spotlight the vast differences that now exist between the erroneous beliefs espoused by TEC and General Convention, and the essential and historic truths of our faith as Christians and members of the Anglican Communion.
* Clarify and correct a number of misconceptions TEC has spread in response to common questions that are troubling many Episcopalians (as well as other faithful, orthodox Anglican parishes in Canada and throughout the world) as they consider the practical aspects of remaining aligned with the Anglican Communion.
* Provide a glimpse as to what additional changes are on the horizon for TEC, General Convention, and those who choose to remain fully aligned with them.
Beliefs of Remain Faithful
The members of Remain Faithful believe two essential truths which are the cornerstone of our orthodox Christian faith:
* Jesus Christ is the Son of God, truly man and truly God, who died on the Cross for our sins, was resurrected from the dead, and is the sole source of eternal salvation.
* The Bible is the revealed and inspired word of God. It contains all things necessary for salvation, and is the final authority and unchangeable standard for Christian faith and life.
Remain Faithful is committed to speak the truth in love, communicating clearly the position of faithful orthodox Episcopalians upholding the authority of Holy Scripture. Remain Faithful stands firm with the vast majority in the worldwide Anglican Communion in its commitment to serve our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to support orthodox Christian ideals and beliefs, and to spread the Good News of Jesus' gift of salvation to all who accept him.
Revised Beliefs of The Episcopal Church
The General Convention of the Episcopal Church and The Episcopal Church itself have progressively moved away from, and in some instances repudiated, these essential truths of Christianity and our historic apostolic faith.
The following quotes from the leadership of TEC provide clear examples:
* Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori on the subject of Jesus: “We who practice the Christian tradition understand him as our vehicle to the divine. But for us to assume that God could not act in other ways is, I think, to put God in an awfully small box.” (Time, July 10, 2006).
* Former Presiding Bishop Griswold on the subject of the Bible: “And while I think we would all say as our ordination liturgy has us say – those of us who are ordained – that we believe that the Old and New Testament contain all things necessary to salvation, there is a broad interpretation of what precisely that means in actual terms as one looks at various issues and concerns in the life of the church. … So when we think about church, I think many of us think first of all about that sacramental experience rather than the Book” (AAC Equipping the Saints, 2007)
*Furthermore, the General Conventions of 2003 and 2006 failed to pass resolutions that would have reaffirmed the historic Anglican doctrines of Jesus as the Son of God and the Bible as the Word of God.
Reactions by The Episcopal Church to Orthodox Views
Rather than debate these theological issues with the orthodox, the leadership of TEC has chosen the purely secular approach of 1) deposing bishops and priests who disagree with the revisionist view of the faith and of 2) filing lawsuits in an attempt to retain possession of the buildings and land used by parishes that would seek to realign with an orthodox diocese or province. Such a response plainly shows that TEC is aware that its theological positions are untenable, as do its efforts to distract from the essential matters of Christ and the Bible by focusing on other issues such as the ordination of women and the matter of sexuality.
Future Intentions of The Episcopal Church
It is clear the TEC intends to try to enforce its authority in addition to its theological views. For example, pending resolutions on “discipline” that are scheduled to be presented at the 2009 General Convention include a proposed change to Title I, Canon 17, Section 8 which would allow for the disciplinary action towards lay persons for the first time in TEC history. The proposal would apply to “any person accepting an office in this Church” - which would include all lay positions in the Church of any kind - and provides for “removal without cause.”
The Choice Facing All Episcopalians
A crisis point has been reached, resulting in a situation in which personal and corporate decisions must be made. We take seriously St. Jude’s admonition: “I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license of immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” (Jude 1:3-4)
We at Remain Faithful prayerfully encourage you to read and reflect on the full Position Paper and then take action as your conscience and prayers guide you. “...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24: 15)
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
"Greater love hath no man . . .
. . . than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
A Schweinfurt, Germany-based infantryman who jumped on a grenade to save other troops was presented with the Medal of Honor yesterday. The 1st Infantry Division soldier, Spc. Ross Andrew McGinnis, 19, was killed 4 December 2006 while on a combat patrol in Baghdad.
Soldiers in his unit said he used his body to cover a grenade that had been thrown into his Humvee by an enemy fighter on a nearby rooftop. McGinnis’ actions probably saved the lives of the four other soldiers in the vehicle, his company commander, and other officials. As the U.S.’s highest award for wartime valor, the Medal of Honor is approved sparingly. This award is only the fifth which has been given out since the beginning of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
I think McGinnis's heroism and the many soldiers who show his kind of self-sacrifice day in and day out should be a model and inspiration to us all.
A Schweinfurt, Germany-based infantryman who jumped on a grenade to save other troops was presented with the Medal of Honor yesterday. The 1st Infantry Division soldier, Spc. Ross Andrew McGinnis, 19, was killed 4 December 2006 while on a combat patrol in Baghdad.
Soldiers in his unit said he used his body to cover a grenade that had been thrown into his Humvee by an enemy fighter on a nearby rooftop. McGinnis’ actions probably saved the lives of the four other soldiers in the vehicle, his company commander, and other officials. As the U.S.’s highest award for wartime valor, the Medal of Honor is approved sparingly. This award is only the fifth which has been given out since the beginning of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
I think McGinnis's heroism and the many soldiers who show his kind of self-sacrifice day in and day out should be a model and inspiration to us all.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
The Visitation of Our Lady
Today, we celebrate the feast of the Visitation of Our Lady to S. Elizabeth. The event is recorded in Luke 1:39-56. Having heard that her older cousin Elizabeth (who should be beyond child-bearing age) is six months pregnant, Mary goes to visit her in the hill country. We know that babies begin to hear in the womb at about 20 weeks. When Mary arrives, Elizabeth feels the baby kicking and says that the sound of Mary's voice is giving her baby cause to jump for joy in the womb.
I have wondered about the date of the feast. In the old kalendar, it was on July 2nd. In the new Kalendar, is it on May 31st. The old date of July 2 goes back to 1389 when Pope Urban VI established it as a feast to be kept throughout the Western Church. It was moved to May 31 in 1969 by Pope Paul VI in the revision of the kalendar. The date chosen was May 31st, which was already the minor commemoration of Mary as Queen of the Apostles. It would round out the month of May, which is particularly set aside for devotion to the Virgin. It would also bring the celebration in line with the timing of Christmas (six months before) and Annunciation (three months after) for Mary and for Elizabeth, it would coincide with the conception (six months after) and nativity (three months before) of John the Baptist.
Our little Matkin
For those interested in tracking baby updates, Melisa and I have set up a blog called Our Little Matkin. You can see how we are doing, see pictures, find our gift registry (there are no theology books in our registry, I promise), and our pregnancy countdown graphic. The momma is better about posting than I am, but my ideas are coming. Check it out.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Let us forever adore the most holy Sacrament
O God our Father, whose Son Jesus Christ in a wonderful Sacrament, hath left unto us a memorial his passion: Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of his Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of thy redemption; who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Lambeth on (new) provinces
The 1930 Lambeth Conference issued the following resolutions on the topic: "The Anglican Communion-Provincial Organisation."
Resolution 52
Saving always the moral and spiritual independence of the divine society, the Conference approves the association of dioceses or provinces in the larger unity of a "national Church," with or without the formal recognition of the civil government, as serving to give spiritual expression to the distinctive genius of races and peoples, and thus to bring more effectively under the influence of Christ's religion both the process of government and the habit of society.
Resolution 53
1. In view of the many advantages of the organisation of dioceses into provinces and the difficulties and dangers of isolation, the formation of provinces should everywhere be encouraged.
2. The minimum organisation essential to provincial life is a college or synod of bishops which will act corporately in dealing with questions concerning the faith, order and discipline of the Church.
3. The minimum number of dioceses suitable to form a province is four.
4. The balance between provincial authority and diocesan autonomy may vary from province to province according to the constitutions agreed upon in each case.
Resolution 54
Without prejudice to the provisions of any constitution already adopted by any province or regional Church, the Conference advises that when the bishops of a group of dioceses under the oversight of the Archbishop of Canterbury or attached to some other province have prepared and accepted a tentative constitution for a province, they should notify this to the authorities under which they have hitherto worked, and request that the new province be recognised as such and that they be released from obedience to other authority, as far as is necessary to enable them to subscribe to the constitution of the new province, and (if so required) take the oath of canonical obedience to its metropolitan. If this request be granted, the new province may then be formally constituted. The proper procedure would be that the bishops and clergy should subscribe to its constitution and that the bishops (if so required) should take the oath of canonical obedience to its metropolitan. The metropolitan or presiding bishop should thereupon notify all metropolitans and presiding bishops in the Anglican Communion of the formation of the province.
Resolution 52
Saving always the moral and spiritual independence of the divine society, the Conference approves the association of dioceses or provinces in the larger unity of a "national Church," with or without the formal recognition of the civil government, as serving to give spiritual expression to the distinctive genius of races and peoples, and thus to bring more effectively under the influence of Christ's religion both the process of government and the habit of society.
Resolution 53
1. In view of the many advantages of the organisation of dioceses into provinces and the difficulties and dangers of isolation, the formation of provinces should everywhere be encouraged.
2. The minimum organisation essential to provincial life is a college or synod of bishops which will act corporately in dealing with questions concerning the faith, order and discipline of the Church.
3. The minimum number of dioceses suitable to form a province is four.
4. The balance between provincial authority and diocesan autonomy may vary from province to province according to the constitutions agreed upon in each case.
Resolution 54
Without prejudice to the provisions of any constitution already adopted by any province or regional Church, the Conference advises that when the bishops of a group of dioceses under the oversight of the Archbishop of Canterbury or attached to some other province have prepared and accepted a tentative constitution for a province, they should notify this to the authorities under which they have hitherto worked, and request that the new province be recognised as such and that they be released from obedience to other authority, as far as is necessary to enable them to subscribe to the constitution of the new province, and (if so required) take the oath of canonical obedience to its metropolitan. If this request be granted, the new province may then be formally constituted. The proper procedure would be that the bishops and clergy should subscribe to its constitution and that the bishops (if so required) should take the oath of canonical obedience to its metropolitan. The metropolitan or presiding bishop should thereupon notify all metropolitans and presiding bishops in the Anglican Communion of the formation of the province.
Two bishops, same city, same issue, two views
With totally opposite comments as Christian leaders. The issue is the 4-3 ruling of the California Supreme Court on May 15th , 2008 to strike down California's existing statutes limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples as unconstitutional. The opinion, written by Chief Justice Ronald George, cited the court's 1948 decision that reversed the state's interracial marriages ban. It found that "equal respect and dignity" of marriage is a "basic civil right" that cannot be withheld from same-sex couples, that sexual orientation is a protected class like race and gender, and that any classification or discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is subject to strict scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause of the California State Constitution.
The comments come from two bishops in San Francisco--Archbishop George Niederauer and Bishop Marc Andrus. Can you tell which one is the Episcopalian and which one is the Roman Catholic?
Here is one view:
In regard to this decision of the court, the Catholic Bishops of California have said that "Catholic teaching maintains that marriage is a faithful, exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman joined in an intimate partnership of life and love-a union instituted by God for the mutual fulfillment of the husband and wife as well as for the procreation and education of children."
This teaching of the Church follows forth from the teaching of Jesus Christ: "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?" (Matthew 19: 4-5)
At a moment in our society when we need to reinforce the strength of marriage and family this decision of the Supreme Court takes California in the opposite direction. This action challenges those in society who believe in the importance of the traditional understanding of marriage to deepen their witness to the unique and essential role that marriage between a man and a woman has in the life of society.
Here is another view:
I welcome the ruling of the California Supreme Court affirming the fundamental right of all people to marry and establish a family. All children of God should be afforded the same rights under the law, and this decision recognizes that all Californians, regardless of sexual orientation, have equal access to one of our fundamental human institutions. This decision gives our church another opportunity to partner with our state to ensure that all families have the support they need to build relationships that strengthen our communities, state and country. Jesus tried to free his disciples from a narrow definition of what it means to be his follower. In Matthew 10:42, Jesus says “whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” God affirms the good in the world outside the boundaries of religious creeds and dogmas. In this spirit, we also affirm and rejoice in this decision by the California Supreme Court precisely because we are Christians. Clearly, this momentous decision will have ecclesial implications for the Episcopal Diocese of California. I intend to be in prayerful consultation with the people of our diocese to see how we can use this decision to strengthen our support of our lesbian and gay sisters and brothers, and our witness to God’s inclusive love. The Diocese of California will issue an appropriate statement in due course.
The comments come from two bishops in San Francisco--Archbishop George Niederauer and Bishop Marc Andrus. Can you tell which one is the Episcopalian and which one is the Roman Catholic?
Here is one view:
In regard to this decision of the court, the Catholic Bishops of California have said that "Catholic teaching maintains that marriage is a faithful, exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman joined in an intimate partnership of life and love-a union instituted by God for the mutual fulfillment of the husband and wife as well as for the procreation and education of children."
This teaching of the Church follows forth from the teaching of Jesus Christ: "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?" (Matthew 19: 4-5)
At a moment in our society when we need to reinforce the strength of marriage and family this decision of the Supreme Court takes California in the opposite direction. This action challenges those in society who believe in the importance of the traditional understanding of marriage to deepen their witness to the unique and essential role that marriage between a man and a woman has in the life of society.
Here is another view:
I welcome the ruling of the California Supreme Court affirming the fundamental right of all people to marry and establish a family. All children of God should be afforded the same rights under the law, and this decision recognizes that all Californians, regardless of sexual orientation, have equal access to one of our fundamental human institutions. This decision gives our church another opportunity to partner with our state to ensure that all families have the support they need to build relationships that strengthen our communities, state and country. Jesus tried to free his disciples from a narrow definition of what it means to be his follower. In Matthew 10:42, Jesus says “whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” God affirms the good in the world outside the boundaries of religious creeds and dogmas. In this spirit, we also affirm and rejoice in this decision by the California Supreme Court precisely because we are Christians. Clearly, this momentous decision will have ecclesial implications for the Episcopal Diocese of California. I intend to be in prayerful consultation with the people of our diocese to see how we can use this decision to strengthen our support of our lesbian and gay sisters and brothers, and our witness to God’s inclusive love. The Diocese of California will issue an appropriate statement in due course.
A new spin on an old scam
I was amused by this letter from FBi (sic) Director Robert Mueller, but I am honored that he took the time to write. Apparently, $49 million has been transferred to me via ATM from Nigeria but only $10 million of it was allowed through. I have to demonstrate that I am not a terrorist or a drug dealer before the rest of the funds will be processed. (Actually, I checked my bank account today. It is nearly $10 million short.)
I understand that it is the duty of the Anti-Terrorist & Monitory (sic) Crime Division, as a "word wide commission" (sic) to look after these matters and protect our country. I appreciate that. If I can prove I'm on the straight-and-narrow, I can get the rest of my cash. Actually, $10 million is plenty for me; they can keep the remaining $39 million.
One thing I don't quite understand is how I could more easily obtain my "rap sheet" than the FBi could. Another thing that seemed a little fishy is that FBi Director Mueller's email address is: fbifundsnewyork2@myway.com. Anyway, read the letter and decide for yourself.
ANTI TERRORIST & MONITORY CRIME DIVISION
ATTENTION: FUND BENEFICIARY
THIS IS AN OFFICIAL ADVICE FROM THE FBI FOREIGN REMITTANCE/TELEGRAPHIC DEPT. IT HAS COME TO OUR NOTICE THAT THE H.S.B.C BANK LIVERPOOL DISTRICT, HAS RELEASED 49,500,000.00 U.S DOLLARS INTO YOUR ACCOUNT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, BY ATM MEANS.
THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA KNOWING FULLY WELL THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FACILITIES TO EFFECT THIS PAYMENT FROM UNITED KINGDOM TO YOUR ACCOUNT, USED WHAT WE KNOW AS A SECRET DIPLOMATIC TRANSIT PAYMENT S.T.D.P TO PAY THIS FUND THROUGH ATM ,THEY USED THIS MEANS TO COMPLETE THE PAYMENT, AND INSTEAD OF PAYING 49.5 MILLION, THEY PAID $10,000,000.00 THEY ARE STILL, WAITING FOR CONFIRMATION FROM YOU ON THE ALREADY
TRANSFERRED FUNDS WHICH WAS CONVERTED TO ATM SO THAT THEY CAN DO FINAL CREDITING TO YOUR ACCOUNT.
SECRET DIPLOMATIC PAYMENTS ARE NOT MADE UNLESS THE FUNDS ARE RELATED TO TERRORIST ACTIVITIES WHY MUST YOUR PAYMENT BE MADE IN SECRET TRANSFER, IF YOUR TRANSACTION IS LEGITIMATE, IF YOU ARE NOT A TERRORIST, THEN WHY DID YOU NOT RECEIVE THE MONEY DIRECTLY INTO YOUR ACCOUNT; THIS IS A PURE CODED, MEANS OF PAYMENT? RECORDS WHICH WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS METHOD OF PAYMENT IN THE PAST HAS ALWAYS BEEN RELATED TO TERRORIST ACTS, WE DO NOT WANT YOU TO GET INTO TROUBLE AS SOON AS THESE FUNDS REFLECT IN YOUR ACCOUNT IN THE U.S.A, SO IT IS OUR DUTY AS A WORD WIDE COMMISSION TO CORRECT THIS LITTLE PROBLEM BEFORE THIS FUND IS DELIVERED. DUE TO THE INCREASED DIFFICULTY AND UNNECESSARY SCRUTINY BY THE AMERICAN AUTHORITIES WHEN FUNDS COME FROM OUTSIDE OF EUROPE, AND THE MIDDLE EAST, THE F.B.I BANK COMMISSION FOR EUROPE HAS STOPPED THE TRANSFER ON ITS WAY TO DELIVER PAYMENT OF $10,000,000.00 TO DEBIT YOUR RESERVE ACCOUNT AND PAY YOU THROUGH A SECURED DIPLOMATIC TRANSIT ACCOUNT (S.D.T.A).
WE GOVERN AND OVERSEE FUNDS TRANSFER FOR THE WORLD BANK AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. WE ADVICE YOU CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY, AS THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN STOPPED AND ARE BEING HELD IN OUR OFFICE HERE , UNTIL YOU CAN BE ABLE TO PROVIDE US, (WITH THE ENCODED F.B.I ORDER FOR TRANSFER),WE ADVICE YOU PRESENT US WITH A DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY SEAL OF TRANSFER WITHIN 3 DAYS FROM THE BANK WHERE THE FUNDS WHERE TRANSFERRED FROM FOR US TO CERTIFY THAT THE FUNDS THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO RECEIVE FROM NIGERIA ARE ANTITERRORIST/DRUG FREE OR WE SHALL HAVE CAUSE TO CROSS AND IMPOUND THE NAME WE HAVE ON THE FUND AS THE RIGHTFUL BENEFICIARY IS YOUR NAME THAT IS WHY WE HAVE DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU DIRECTLY TO ACQUIRE THE PROPER VERIFICATIONS AND PROOF FROM YOU TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE THE RIGHTFUL PERSON TO RECEIVE THIS FUND, BECAUSE THE ABOVE MENTIONED AMOUNT IS A BIG AMOUNT OF MONEY, THAT IS WHY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IS A CLEAR AND LEGAL MONEY YOU ARE ABOUT TO RECEIVE BE INFORMED THAT THE FUND HAVE HIT YOUR ACCOUNT , BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ASK THE
YOU ARE TO FORWARD THE DOCUMENTS TO US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE IT WITH IN YOUR POSSESSION, IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT LET US KNOW SO THAT WE WILL DIRECT AND INFORM YOU WHERE TO OBTAIN THE DOCUMENT AND SEND TO US SO THAT WE WILL ASK THE BANK HOLDING THE FUNDS THE BANK OF AMERICA TO GO AHEAD CREDITING YOUR ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY. THIS DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE ISSUED TO YOU FROM THE PLACE WHERE THE FUND WAS TRANSFER FROM, SO GET BACK TO US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE DOCUMENT SO THAT WE WILL INFORM YOU THE PARTICULAR PLACE AND WHAT IT WILL TAKES TO OBTAIN IT IN FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, BECAUSE WE HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT THE FUND IS TRANSFERRED FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
AN FBI IDENTIFICATION RECORD AND CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP OFTEN REFERRED TO AS A CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD OR RAP SHEET IS A LISTING OF CERTAIN INFORMATION TAKEN FROM FINGERPRINT SUBMISSIONS RETAINED BY THE FBI IN CONNECTION WITH ARRESTS AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT, NATURALIZATION, OR MILITARY SERVICE. THESE CONDITION IS VALID UNTIL 20TH OF MAY 2008 AFTER WE SHALL TAKE ACTIONS ON CANCELING THE PAYMENT AND THEN CHARGE YOU WITH THE FOR ILLEGALLY MOVING FUNDS OUT OF NIGERIA.
GUARANTEE: FUNDS WILL BE RELEASED ON CONFIRMATION OF THE DOCUMENT.: DOCUMENTED PROOF OF OWNERSHIP .final instruction: 60f credit payment instruction: irrevocable credit guarantee 61e beneficiary has full power when validation is cleared 62 beneficiaries bank in u.s.a. , can only release funds- 62 upon confirmation from the world bank/united nations. 64 bearers must clear bank protocol and validation request
NOTE: We have asked for the above documents to make available the most complete and up-to date records possible for the enhancement of public safety, welfare and security of Society while recognizing the importance of individual privacy rights.. If you fail to provide the Documents to us, we will charge you with the FBI and take our proper action against you for not proofing to us the legitimate of the fund you are about to receive.
Regards
Robert S Mueller
Director Fbi Washington Dc
I understand that it is the duty of the Anti-Terrorist & Monitory (sic) Crime Division, as a "word wide commission" (sic) to look after these matters and protect our country. I appreciate that. If I can prove I'm on the straight-and-narrow, I can get the rest of my cash. Actually, $10 million is plenty for me; they can keep the remaining $39 million.
One thing I don't quite understand is how I could more easily obtain my "rap sheet" than the FBi could. Another thing that seemed a little fishy is that FBi Director Mueller's email address is: fbifundsnewyork2@myway.com. Anyway, read the letter and decide for yourself.
ANTI TERRORIST & MONITORY CRIME DIVISION
ATTENTION: FUND BENEFICIARY
THIS IS AN OFFICIAL ADVICE FROM THE FBI FOREIGN REMITTANCE/TELEGRAPHIC DEPT. IT HAS COME TO OUR NOTICE THAT THE H.S.B.C BANK LIVERPOOL DISTRICT, HAS RELEASED 49,500,000.00 U.S DOLLARS INTO YOUR ACCOUNT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, BY ATM MEANS.
THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA KNOWING FULLY WELL THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FACILITIES TO EFFECT THIS PAYMENT FROM UNITED KINGDOM TO YOUR ACCOUNT, USED WHAT WE KNOW AS A SECRET DIPLOMATIC TRANSIT PAYMENT S.T.D.P TO PAY THIS FUND THROUGH ATM ,THEY USED THIS MEANS TO COMPLETE THE PAYMENT, AND INSTEAD OF PAYING 49.5 MILLION, THEY PAID $10,000,000.00 THEY ARE STILL, WAITING FOR CONFIRMATION FROM YOU ON THE ALREADY
TRANSFERRED FUNDS WHICH WAS CONVERTED TO ATM SO THAT THEY CAN DO FINAL CREDITING TO YOUR ACCOUNT.
SECRET DIPLOMATIC PAYMENTS ARE NOT MADE UNLESS THE FUNDS ARE RELATED TO TERRORIST ACTIVITIES WHY MUST YOUR PAYMENT BE MADE IN SECRET TRANSFER, IF YOUR TRANSACTION IS LEGITIMATE, IF YOU ARE NOT A TERRORIST, THEN WHY DID YOU NOT RECEIVE THE MONEY DIRECTLY INTO YOUR ACCOUNT; THIS IS A PURE CODED, MEANS OF PAYMENT? RECORDS WHICH WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS METHOD OF PAYMENT IN THE PAST HAS ALWAYS BEEN RELATED TO TERRORIST ACTS, WE DO NOT WANT YOU TO GET INTO TROUBLE AS SOON AS THESE FUNDS REFLECT IN YOUR ACCOUNT IN THE U.S.A, SO IT IS OUR DUTY AS A WORD WIDE COMMISSION TO CORRECT THIS LITTLE PROBLEM BEFORE THIS FUND IS DELIVERED. DUE TO THE INCREASED DIFFICULTY AND UNNECESSARY SCRUTINY BY THE AMERICAN AUTHORITIES WHEN FUNDS COME FROM OUTSIDE OF EUROPE, AND THE MIDDLE EAST, THE F.B.I BANK COMMISSION FOR EUROPE HAS STOPPED THE TRANSFER ON ITS WAY TO DELIVER PAYMENT OF $10,000,000.00 TO DEBIT YOUR RESERVE ACCOUNT AND PAY YOU THROUGH A SECURED DIPLOMATIC TRANSIT ACCOUNT (S.D.T.A).
WE GOVERN AND OVERSEE FUNDS TRANSFER FOR THE WORLD BANK AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. WE ADVICE YOU CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY, AS THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN STOPPED AND ARE BEING HELD IN OUR OFFICE HERE , UNTIL YOU CAN BE ABLE TO PROVIDE US, (WITH THE ENCODED F.B.I ORDER FOR TRANSFER),WE ADVICE YOU PRESENT US WITH A DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY SEAL OF TRANSFER WITHIN 3 DAYS FROM THE BANK WHERE THE FUNDS WHERE TRANSFERRED FROM FOR US TO CERTIFY THAT THE FUNDS THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO RECEIVE FROM NIGERIA ARE ANTITERRORIST/DRUG FREE OR WE SHALL HAVE CAUSE TO CROSS AND IMPOUND THE NAME WE HAVE ON THE FUND AS THE RIGHTFUL BENEFICIARY IS YOUR NAME THAT IS WHY WE HAVE DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU DIRECTLY TO ACQUIRE THE PROPER VERIFICATIONS AND PROOF FROM YOU TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE THE RIGHTFUL PERSON TO RECEIVE THIS FUND, BECAUSE THE ABOVE MENTIONED AMOUNT IS A BIG AMOUNT OF MONEY, THAT IS WHY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IS A CLEAR AND LEGAL MONEY YOU ARE ABOUT TO RECEIVE BE INFORMED THAT THE FUND HAVE HIT YOUR ACCOUNT , BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ASK THE
YOU ARE TO FORWARD THE DOCUMENTS TO US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE IT WITH IN YOUR POSSESSION, IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT LET US KNOW SO THAT WE WILL DIRECT AND INFORM YOU WHERE TO OBTAIN THE DOCUMENT AND SEND TO US SO THAT WE WILL ASK THE BANK HOLDING THE FUNDS THE BANK OF AMERICA TO GO AHEAD CREDITING YOUR ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY. THIS DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE ISSUED TO YOU FROM THE PLACE WHERE THE FUND WAS TRANSFER FROM, SO GET BACK TO US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE DOCUMENT SO THAT WE WILL INFORM YOU THE PARTICULAR PLACE AND WHAT IT WILL TAKES TO OBTAIN IT IN FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, BECAUSE WE HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT THE FUND IS TRANSFERRED FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
AN FBI IDENTIFICATION RECORD AND CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP OFTEN REFERRED TO AS A CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD OR RAP SHEET IS A LISTING OF CERTAIN INFORMATION TAKEN FROM FINGERPRINT SUBMISSIONS RETAINED BY THE FBI IN CONNECTION WITH ARRESTS AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT, NATURALIZATION, OR MILITARY SERVICE. THESE CONDITION IS VALID UNTIL 20TH OF MAY 2008 AFTER WE SHALL TAKE ACTIONS ON CANCELING THE PAYMENT AND THEN CHARGE YOU WITH THE FOR ILLEGALLY MOVING FUNDS OUT OF NIGERIA.
GUARANTEE: FUNDS WILL BE RELEASED ON CONFIRMATION OF THE DOCUMENT.: DOCUMENTED PROOF OF OWNERSHIP .final instruction: 60f credit payment instruction: irrevocable credit guarantee 61e beneficiary has full power when validation is cleared 62 beneficiaries bank in u.s.a. , can only release funds- 62 upon confirmation from the world bank/united nations. 64 bearers must clear bank protocol and validation request
NOTE: We have asked for the above documents to make available the most complete and up-to date records possible for the enhancement of public safety, welfare and security of Society while recognizing the importance of individual privacy rights.. If you fail to provide the Documents to us, we will charge you with the FBI and take our proper action against you for not proofing to us the legitimate of the fund you are about to receive.
Regards
Robert S Mueller
Director Fbi Washington Dc
Monday, May 19, 2008
Pentecost and Mother Church
It is common to look to the Feast of Pentecost as the birth-day of the church. If we can say that the Church was conceived in Matthew 16:18 with Jesus’ words to St Peter near Caesarea-Philippi, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church,” then we should say that Pentecost is the church’s joyous birth when she manifests to the world the gifts of the spirit and like a newborn baby, cries out to the world with a vigorous proclamation of the Gospel.
As it is also Mother’s Day, my mind is taken back to the image of the Virgin Mary, who is often pictured in the center of paintings of Pentecost (like the one above), awaiting with the disciples in the Upper Room, as Acts tells us, the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit, signified in the tongues of fire illuminating their minds with God’s truth and in the miracle of languages to proclaim the Gospel.
May is the month of devotion to the blessed Virgin Mary. As Our Lady is called the Virgin Mother of God, so also is she looked upon as the Mother of those who find new life in the Savior she bore. She is likewise the first Christian, who heard the Word, responded in faith, carried Christ within her, followed him to the cross, and suffered along with him as he bore his passion. She is the Christian prototype.
As it is Mother’s Day, my mind is also drawn back to that famous quote from St Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage in Northern Africa. About AD 250, he asked rhetorically, “Can one have God as his Father, before one has had the Church for his Mother?”
Perhaps you remember the children’s book, Are you my Mother? by P.D. Eastman. It was a favorite of mine growing up, and I think it may help us to learn more about holy Mother Church today. If you have ever changed denominations or moved to a new city and looked around for a church, you can empathize with the bird’s search in this book: “Are you my mother?”
The story begins when an egg begins to twitch. The momma bird knows her egg will soon break and goes to find some food for her newborn. Sure enough, the egg hatches while she is away getting a worm. The baby bird stumbles out of the nest in search of his mother. He comes first to a kitten, then a hen, a dog, and a cow. “Are you my mother? Did I have a mother,” the baby bird thinks to himself. “I know I did. I will find her.” So he wanders on looking for mom.
He runs into an old car, a boat, and an airplane. But these are not his mother either. He then hops into the digging bucket of a backhoe. “Are you my mother?” The contraption lets out a “Snort!” and rumbles to life. The bird is caught in the rising arm of this crawler, being transported to some unknown destination.
Just when he thought he was about meet his end, the bucket dumps the bird back into his own nest in his own tree. And there is a creature who looks very much like himself and has a fresh meal waiting for his hungry belly. “Do you know who I am?” she said to the baby bird.
“Yes, I know who you are. You are not a kitten, a hen, a dog, or a cow,” he said. “You are not a car, a boat, a plane, or a snort. You are a bird, and you are my mother.” Once the little bird saw his mother, the contrast became quite obvious. None of these other things looked even remotely like his mother.
St John, to whom Jesus entrusted Mary as his mother at the cross, used this kind of high contrast in the Book of Revelation to illustrate the nature of our holy Mother Church. There is no confusing the Christ and the anti-Christ or the church and the world. The forces of evil are pictures as a seductively-clad harlot, full of abominations, drunk on the blood of the saints. She is the personified goddess Roma, riding on the back of the empire—the beast with seven imperial horns, trampling over the nations of the earth. Who could possibly confuse this with the Church, the spotless bride dressed in the purest linen, and a jewel-encrusted city with room for all coming down from heaven, the eternal home for the bride to share with Christ, her beloved husband.
“Are you my mother?” How do you know? What does the church look like? In confirmation class, we talk about the four “marks” of the church in the creed. The Church is "One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic." The Church is One (in spite of all our efforts to the contrary) because our Lord is one. Christ is not divided, and the church is his body, united to Christ as its one head.
The Church is Holy (despite all our shortcomings in the moral life) because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. "Holy" Church is a way of saying that we are a community that belongs to God.
The Church is Catholic (which means we are Catholics) because we hold the faith together—that which has been believed “everywhere, always, and by all”—not because we hold some unique modern or American version of the faith. We could say that the local church only is the Church, insofar as it is the local manifestation of the Universal Church.
The Church is Apostolic, because it comes to us from the apostles themselves and carries on their apostolic zeal for the Gospel and witness to the risen Lord. “Are you my mother?” We remind ourselves each Sunday in the Nicene Creed what the Church (momma bird) is supposed to look like.
Of course, these are not the only attributes of the Church, though we must have those four. It is schismatic to depart from the Unity with Christ, the Holiness of life, the Catholicity of faith and the Apostolicity of ministry that God entrusted to his Church. These are non-negotiables.
On Pentecost, we are also reminded that the Church is a gifted community. When the Church was filled with the Holy Spirit, she immediately manifested the gifts that come with that empowerment. The first sign was the gift of tongues to spread the Gospel.
There are a myriad of spiritual gifts that God has imparted to his Church through the Holy Spirit. St Paul explains in today’s epistle, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good,” and he mentions some of these: wisdom, knowledge, words of faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, spiritual discernment, tongues and the interpretation of them. “All these are activated by one and the same Spirit,” he said, “who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.” We can also recognize Mother Church by the giftedness she has and her faithfulness in using spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ.
Looking at that first Pentecost Sunday, we also note that the Church is missionary. Just before he ascended into heaven, Luke tells us that our blessed Lord told the disciples: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem (that is, at home), in Judea and Samaria (a little further out of your comfort zone), and to all the ends of the earth.”
The collect for the day reminds us of this central purpose of the Church: “Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: shed abroad this gift by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth . . .” My mother looks like a missionary. She is hard at work sharing the Gospel with people at home and with people abroad.
Another defining characteristic we see in holy Mother Church is the splendor of truth. In our Gospel today, Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”
The Church receives truth from her Lord—the truth about God, about man, about sin and redemption, about the way of salvation—all these come from God. As the Holy Spirit imparts the gifts of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, Jesus refers to him as the Spirit of truth who dwells in the Church. We find these revealed truths in the Bible (the written Word) and in the sacred tradition of the Church’s faith. The Holy Spirit guides us by reason into this truth.
“Are you my mother?” In his first letter to Timothy, St Paul described our mother as “the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” (1 Tim 3:15)
Finally, we recognize Mother Church because of the love she shares. How did the baby bird in our story know he had found his mother? He found a creature that loved him, that was waiting with his first meal.
In our Gospel, Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” At first that may sound a bit pretentious. But what does he mean by that? If we turn back to the previous chapter, we find the answer. Jesus said, “I am giving you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are to love one another.”
We do this most fully by entering into the inexhaustible love of God. In his theology of the Trinity, St Augustine of Hippo described the third person of the Trinity as the Spirit of love—he is the love that binds the Son to the Father and the Father to the Son.
In the midst of perfect love, we find the bond of perfect unity. Remember that question from St Cyprian posed earlier about “Mother” Church? It came in his book On the Unity of the Catholic Church. After examining the nature and attributed of the church, he comes around to answering his own question. And he closes with a word of caution: “If you leave the Church of Christ, you will not come to Christ’s rewards. You will be an alien, an outcast, an enemy. You cannot have God for your Father unless you have the Church for your Mother.”
“Are you my mother?” My mother loves me, and I can see that she is totally, head-over-heels in love with Jesus, her husband. My mother believes the truth. My mother talks about it all the time, sharing the truth with the world, even to the ends of the earth. And my mother shows the gifts that she has, using them to strengthen our faith and build us up as a family.
You may have been looking for a mother like that, and if that’s the case, welcome home. Come celebrate with us, because it’s mom’s birthday and we’re having a party.
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