Thursday, October 24, 2013
Dear Divinity Students:
I appreciate how earnest all of you are. Many of your statements reveal a zealous desire to serve at the altar. All of you wish to make a difference in the world and in the life of the Spirit; that's something you share even with those of us who sought ordination in the rapidly retreating past.
I understand that you have been well-programmed to know which secular ideologies to promote to your congregations from the pulpit and the lectern. You have obviously discovered the benefits of the obsequious charm to be employed before your bishops, archdeacons, canons, cardinal rectors, and even a stray adjunct professor. You have knowledge of canon law, of the correct contemporary interpretation of scripture, and of the various rubrics that guide our liturgical life, as long as those rubrics are neither too fussy nor too "old".
According to the leaders of your churches and denominations, you have everything you need to spend the remainder of your lives [given that your average age is around forty-seven, I appreciate that life-long service isn't what it was] furthering the Kingdom through able and involved leadership. Yep, that's the ideal, isn't it?
I have just one suggestion, or series of small suggestions, to offer: Throw out everything you know.
Don't preach secular ideologies as they are transient and trying to fit them into the Christian life will, from time to time, make you a hypocrite. You speak for eternal values that can be contradictory when placed against the mean needs of worldly expectations. Any preacher who has attempted to be both pro-choice and against the death penalty, or vice versa, has discovered this conundrum. Besides, people can get secular ideology from their politicians. From you, they want something deeper and more resonant with the eternal.
During your career you will serve liberals, conservatives, gun-owners, vegans, laborers, educators, and a portion of every other demographic in our society. To identify with just one group, and potentially alienate the others, would end your effectiveness as a preacher and pastor. It would also display that you believe little of what Jesus taught. There is nothing worse than listening to an ordained person speak warmly about how we must "respect the dignity of every person" and then turn around and confess how much they deeply and personally loathe the intellect, education, and wardrobe of a former Alaskan governor. All healthy congregations want is a man or woman of God who is ready to listen and respond to them. Unhealthy congregations may want a secular ideologue, but unhealthy congregations die and you don't want to be in on that.
As far as obsequity goes, while it may seem to have its usefulness, it does nothing but remind the authorities of your church of your subservience. That's important for them; rather soul-crushing for you. There may be some superficial career advantages in repeatedly reminding senior clergy of your status as a beta male or female, but it does not serve the Gospel.
While you may find yourself spending a career in what others might regard as minor ministries, you will be true to your call if you are honest and forthright in all associations. Yes, I know you don't see a lot of that on display among senior clergy these days, but that just indicates how much more it is needed. After all, it's not as if those who hold the reins of power in mainstream Christianity have done such a bang-up job of witness and evangelism, is it?
It is appropriate to know current Biblical interpretation; it is more important to allow your own experience to serve as the prism through which that holy light may shine. You can quote from the great scholars throughout a Sunday sermon, but your parish called you to that pulpit; they want to know how these verses work for you and have you use that platform to explain scripture's relevance in their lives. Sometimes that means that you have to be bold enough to be original in your thinking. I know that's something else you haven't seen much of, either.
But you should also know some things that aren't anticipated in your formal education. First, know how to use a hammer, drill, paintbrush, mop, and broom. You will have to do a lot of maintenance on your aging church buildings, and the work that you don't do yourself you will have to supervise. You will come to know the term "deferred maintenance" and regard it as synonymous with "radioactive". Deferred maintenance has destroyed more congregations throughout history than have notorious and unrepentant sins.
If you have church-supplied housing, it will also be in need of repair. That's a simple reality. Even though the congregation owns the house, they don't like to think they do and, as they don't live in it, can be stingy about paying for it. Appliances will be in need of replacement; plumbing, electrical, even structural work will have been neglected, perhaps for decades. Knowing how buildings are constructed and the names and functions of the various parts will help you communicate with the contractors you will know over the remainder of your career.
Additionally, in the 21st century, you will have to be a fund-raiser. If only to pay the utility bills for the parish, never mind costs related to staff, liturgical supplies, your insurance, pension, and salary, you will have to be raising money and encouraging donations every single day. It is harsh, yet honest, to observe that every ministry and every activity will have to be judged as to its affordability and economic sustenance. It may not seem so at this point in your education, but this is actually a sublime exercise in pastoral care. Ministries that give the parishioners a warm feeling about themselves, but wreck the budget and discourage future giving, are superficial and ultimately worthless. Ministries that can be maintained for subsequent generations not only enrich the lives of those involved, but enable the parish to have an identity and role to which people are attracted.
The greater church produces more geniuses than a conclave of Nobel Prize-winners, at least if you listen to other clergy. Every few years you will be introduced to "new" ideas in congregational development, parish organization, and who to place on top of the official list of the "socially aggrieved". Each new bishop will eliminate the familiar and replace it with the products of his or her own vision, only to have those replaced with the next change in administration, a change that often occurs in the same decade.
Remember in the heart of all of this din you will see small, quiet pockets of ministerial service. Do what you wish with the whims of the geniuses, but remember that it is in these pockets that your call may be realized and your obligation to the Holy Spirit fulfilled. Remember, too, that it is in those moments that you will feel God's pleasure, knowing that you have added to the Kingdom.
If you are able to find these moments, then you will understand the glory that is ministry, and that will always sustain you and grant you what you need to be a clergy-person of substance and Godly service.
I understand that you have been well-programmed to know which secular ideologies to promote to your congregations from the pulpit and the lectern. You have obviously discovered the benefits of the obsequious charm to be employed before your bishops, archdeacons, canons, cardinal rectors, and even a stray adjunct professor. You have knowledge of canon law, of the correct contemporary interpretation of scripture, and of the various rubrics that guide our liturgical life, as long as those rubrics are neither too fussy nor too "old".
According to the leaders of your churches and denominations, you have everything you need to spend the remainder of your lives [given that your average age is around forty-seven, I appreciate that life-long service isn't what it was] furthering the Kingdom through able and involved leadership. Yep, that's the ideal, isn't it?
I have just one suggestion, or series of small suggestions, to offer: Throw out everything you know.
Don't preach secular ideologies as they are transient and trying to fit them into the Christian life will, from time to time, make you a hypocrite. You speak for eternal values that can be contradictory when placed against the mean needs of worldly expectations. Any preacher who has attempted to be both pro-choice and against the death penalty, or vice versa, has discovered this conundrum. Besides, people can get secular ideology from their politicians. From you, they want something deeper and more resonant with the eternal.
During your career you will serve liberals, conservatives, gun-owners, vegans, laborers, educators, and a portion of every other demographic in our society. To identify with just one group, and potentially alienate the others, would end your effectiveness as a preacher and pastor. It would also display that you believe little of what Jesus taught. There is nothing worse than listening to an ordained person speak warmly about how we must "respect the dignity of every person" and then turn around and confess how much they deeply and personally loathe the intellect, education, and wardrobe of a former Alaskan governor. All healthy congregations want is a man or woman of God who is ready to listen and respond to them. Unhealthy congregations may want a secular ideologue, but unhealthy congregations die and you don't want to be in on that.
As far as obsequity goes, while it may seem to have its usefulness, it does nothing but remind the authorities of your church of your subservience. That's important for them; rather soul-crushing for you. There may be some superficial career advantages in repeatedly reminding senior clergy of your status as a beta male or female, but it does not serve the Gospel.
While you may find yourself spending a career in what others might regard as minor ministries, you will be true to your call if you are honest and forthright in all associations. Yes, I know you don't see a lot of that on display among senior clergy these days, but that just indicates how much more it is needed. After all, it's not as if those who hold the reins of power in mainstream Christianity have done such a bang-up job of witness and evangelism, is it?
It is appropriate to know current Biblical interpretation; it is more important to allow your own experience to serve as the prism through which that holy light may shine. You can quote from the great scholars throughout a Sunday sermon, but your parish called you to that pulpit; they want to know how these verses work for you and have you use that platform to explain scripture's relevance in their lives. Sometimes that means that you have to be bold enough to be original in your thinking. I know that's something else you haven't seen much of, either.
But you should also know some things that aren't anticipated in your formal education. First, know how to use a hammer, drill, paintbrush, mop, and broom. You will have to do a lot of maintenance on your aging church buildings, and the work that you don't do yourself you will have to supervise. You will come to know the term "deferred maintenance" and regard it as synonymous with "radioactive". Deferred maintenance has destroyed more congregations throughout history than have notorious and unrepentant sins.
Additionally, in the 21st century, you will have to be a fund-raiser. If only to pay the utility bills for the parish, never mind costs related to staff, liturgical supplies, your insurance, pension, and salary, you will have to be raising money and encouraging donations every single day. It is harsh, yet honest, to observe that every ministry and every activity will have to be judged as to its affordability and economic sustenance. It may not seem so at this point in your education, but this is actually a sublime exercise in pastoral care. Ministries that give the parishioners a warm feeling about themselves, but wreck the budget and discourage future giving, are superficial and ultimately worthless. Ministries that can be maintained for subsequent generations not only enrich the lives of those involved, but enable the parish to have an identity and role to which people are attracted.
The greater church produces more geniuses than a conclave of Nobel Prize-winners, at least if you listen to other clergy. Every few years you will be introduced to "new" ideas in congregational development, parish organization, and who to place on top of the official list of the "socially aggrieved". Each new bishop will eliminate the familiar and replace it with the products of his or her own vision, only to have those replaced with the next change in administration, a change that often occurs in the same decade.
Remember in the heart of all of this din you will see small, quiet pockets of ministerial service. Do what you wish with the whims of the geniuses, but remember that it is in these pockets that your call may be realized and your obligation to the Holy Spirit fulfilled. Remember, too, that it is in those moments that you will feel God's pleasure, knowing that you have added to the Kingdom.
If you are able to find these moments, then you will understand the glory that is ministry, and that will always sustain you and grant you what you need to be a clergy-person of substance and Godly service.
Thursday's Recipe: Lamb Pottage
½ cup olive oil
6 onions, diced
1 lb. lamb, cubed
2 carrots
2 stalks celery
1 green pepper
2 cups tomatoes
1 lb. lentils
2–3 cups water
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
Heat the oil; add the onions and saute until tender but not brown. Add the cubed meat (it should be as lean as possible) and let simmer while washing and dicing the vegetables. Add the vegetables and lentils to the meat with 2 cups of water, and simmer gently until lentils are tender. It will take about 1½ hours. Add salt and pepper when the lentils are cooked. Shake the pot occasionally or add another cup of water to prevent sticking. * Serve hot in a bowl or on a plate next to a cucumber salad.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Why the Elite Attack Mainstream America
Only people who actually believe that Midwesterners are mute and moronic could think this movie portrays accurately or with sympathy the folks who live in between our coasts. Rather, the film paints small town America as culturally deprived, small-minded and venal – inhabited by folks “clinging to their guns and religion” as Hillary Clinton so famously put it. It’s hard to picture Johnny Carson or Warren Buffet emerging from such a bleak landscape.
[My only disagreement is that it was the current occupant of the White House who made the unfortunate comment about people unlike himself clinging to guns and religion, not the one who desires to be the next occupant.]
[My only disagreement is that it was the current occupant of the White House who made the unfortunate comment about people unlike himself clinging to guns and religion, not the one who desires to be the next occupant.]
Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy #CSLEWIS"
— C. S. Lewis (@CSLewisU) October 21, 2013
Surfing NYC
The city’s surprising subculture of wave riders
The fact the author seems surprised by this is a little dissapointing, especially as Manhattan has both surf shops and surf bars. Heck, I was riding the subway with a board over thirty years ago.
The fact the author seems surprised by this is a little dissapointing, especially as Manhattan has both surf shops and surf bars. Heck, I was riding the subway with a board over thirty years ago.
Wednesday's Art: I Corinthians 10:13 by Mark Lawrence
Nice work if you can get it, but I don't get it.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Arranging my books by those that changed my life, those that changed my mind, and those that changed my locks.
— Nein. (@NeinQuarterly) October 22, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
This Week's Lesser Feasts
October 26: Alfred the Great [849-889]
It is always interesting to note the reaction of the un-churched or the non-theistic to those historical personages who make up our lesser feast days. As they only know of Christianity through inane presentations in popular media and entertainment, the reality can often be surprising; sometimes disquieting for them.
When I used to teach Comparative Religion, those students un-blessed with membership in any recognizable religious tradition would often be surprised that monarchs could be considered holy representatives of the Gospel. Actually, they used to phrase it as, "I thought there was separation of church and state."
Yes, so piecemeal was their education that they not only thought that church/state separation was to be found in the U.S. Constitution [it's not], but that it formed some transnational, pan-historical practice since the earliest days of organized civilization. Sometimes a semester could be very long.
King Alfred, who was and is the only English monarch ever to carry the appellation "the Great", was not only a king who was charged with protecting his people and territories from the ravenous tribes of Vikings, but a Christian who, through blood, perspiration, and faith, protected early Anglican Christianity from paganism. It was a considerable amount of blood, now that I think about it. He was, and not ironically, also committed to education and judicial reforms, thus laying the foundation for English common law and the British love of learning from which even this blogger has benefited in his own meager way.
The story of his times gives fascinating insight into the tension that historically existed between Roman and Celtic Christianity. The history is rather complicated and the hour early as I write this, so I will use the great gift of the Internet. Namely, I will link.
The official biography of Alfred and history of his times may be found at the official website of The British Monarchy, which is worth reading for hours, and not just about Alfred.
The official biography from the Church of Rome may be found here.
A British site offers a secularized history, which is what one expects from British academic websites these days, as they love to pose as non-theists. However, it is a breezy read.
O Sovereign Lord, you brought your servant Alfred to a troubled throne that he might establish peace in a ravaged land and revive learning and the arts among the people: Awake in us also a keen desire to increase our understanding while we are in this world, and an eager longing to reach that endless life where all will be made clear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
It is always interesting to note the reaction of the un-churched or the non-theistic to those historical personages who make up our lesser feast days. As they only know of Christianity through inane presentations in popular media and entertainment, the reality can often be surprising; sometimes disquieting for them.
When I used to teach Comparative Religion, those students un-blessed with membership in any recognizable religious tradition would often be surprised that monarchs could be considered holy representatives of the Gospel. Actually, they used to phrase it as, "I thought there was separation of church and state."
Yes, so piecemeal was their education that they not only thought that church/state separation was to be found in the U.S. Constitution [it's not], but that it formed some transnational, pan-historical practice since the earliest days of organized civilization. Sometimes a semester could be very long.
King Alfred, who was and is the only English monarch ever to carry the appellation "the Great", was not only a king who was charged with protecting his people and territories from the ravenous tribes of Vikings, but a Christian who, through blood, perspiration, and faith, protected early Anglican Christianity from paganism. It was a considerable amount of blood, now that I think about it. He was, and not ironically, also committed to education and judicial reforms, thus laying the foundation for English common law and the British love of learning from which even this blogger has benefited in his own meager way.
The story of his times gives fascinating insight into the tension that historically existed between Roman and Celtic Christianity. The history is rather complicated and the hour early as I write this, so I will use the great gift of the Internet. Namely, I will link.
The official biography of Alfred and history of his times may be found at the official website of The British Monarchy, which is worth reading for hours, and not just about Alfred.
The official biography from the Church of Rome may be found here.
A British site offers a secularized history, which is what one expects from British academic websites these days, as they love to pose as non-theists. However, it is a breezy read.
O Sovereign Lord, you brought your servant Alfred to a troubled throne that he might establish peace in a ravaged land and revive learning and the arts among the people: Awake in us also a keen desire to increase our understanding while we are in this world, and an eager longing to reach that endless life where all will be made clear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Ha-ha
Latest Real Jesus Shakes Christianity to Its Very Foundations!
Best quote: "Anybody with a keyboard can claim to be a “Bible scholar”.
And so many do. There must be good money in Jesus, not that I would know.
Best quote: "Anybody with a keyboard can claim to be a “Bible scholar”.
And so many do. There must be good money in Jesus, not that I would know.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Thursday's Bible Recipe: Wilderness Loaf
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Rub in the butter with your fingertips. Slowly add the kefir (or buttermilk or yogurt) and the raisins and chopped rosemary until a nice kneading consistency is achieved. If you overdo it, then add more oats or flour. You must not knead this dough.
Quickly make two round loaves. Put them on an oiled tray and with the back of a long knife mark lines across the tops. Divide each loaf into 6 sections. Bake for 20–30 minutes until moist but firm.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
The first woman ever to earn a PhD in Computer Science was a nun... - http://t.co/JzW1q4FRlP
— New Advent (@newadvent) October 15, 2013
Tuesday's Wave
“All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us and the change is painful.” - Flannery O'Connor
Monday, October 14, 2013
The Feast Day Of Schereschewsky
Last year I tore the cartilage in my knee. It required surgery which, in turn, required that I use crutches and a cane for about a month or so. What was once a simple walk from the rectory to the parish became a rather laborious trek. It was also, at least initially, a little exhausting. Instead of walking, I found myself having things e-mailed to me from an office 50 or so feet away.
I can't imagine what it would be like to have Parkinson's Disease and decide to translate the Holy Bible into the native languages of China with only the full use of one finger and using a turn of the century typewriter that required about twenty pounds of pressure to move a key. However, that was the achievement of our Friday fellow, who served in the early 20th century as our bishop in Shanghai.
Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky [his name always sounded to me like the title of a Tom Lehrer song], who lived from 1831 to 1906, was an Episcopal Church missionary to China at a time when most missions were funded by the missionary's wealthy family or trust fund.
[Rather like most of the "bi-vocational" clergy who serve as the "new" model for ministry, at least according to the still-existent (!) House of Bishops. This notion amuses me as I have never, in my entire career as a full-time clergyman, been able to afford to have fewer than two jobs at any one time, but I digress.]
He was unusual in that he was born and raised a Jew, had studied to be a rabbi, and, after studying the messianic prophecies in the Hebrew Bible, converted to Christianity, studied at the original General Theological Seminary [I actually lived in what had been his room], and gained ordination in the Episcopal Church. Since he was an orphan, I'm guessing that he didn't have to face much in the way of a shocked and disapproving family.
Since Schereschewsky had neither wealth nor a trust, he sought patronage for his work and found an innovative manner of raising funds by using his considerable intelligence and industry in translating scripture for use by other China missionaries. As he was fluent in English, Yiddish, Hebrew, German, Polish, and Russian, the Chinese dialects did not offer him much resistance. What did offer resistance was the crippling condition of his hands; a resistance that he overcame through pure stubbornness aided by faith.
In addition to his translations, Schereschewsky founded St. John's University of Shanghai, an institution of considerable quality and reputation that existed until it was "re-purposed" by the Communists in the early 1950's.
Although he has his own feast day, and it may seem redundant to also feature Schereschewsky on a Friday, I offer him today as I've always felt some kinship with him, and not just because we shared a dorm room some 120 years apart. Historically, the Episcopal Church's clergy have almost always been from the more elite portions of our society. It was difficult in earlier times for those of no money and little pedigree to find a place in the church, let alone become ordained. Schereschewsky cleared that hurdle through intellect and faith, not to mention prodigious hard work. The stubborn Christianity that still exists in the "Godless" paradise of Communist China owes its life to his work. As such, he serves as a model to those of us from modest origins; reminding us that when God calls, even the most unlikely of candidates can find a place, a role, a responsibility in the Church if we are willing to simply bring to it our positive and hopeful response.
[This was originally posted on this day in 2012.]
Sunday, October 13, 2013
This Week's Feast Days
October 15: Teresa of Avila [1515-1582]
St. Teresa is one of the "originals" from the calendar that was in place before the Rome/England schism, and we still address those from that calendar as "saints".
The Episcopal Church does not have a process or practice to assign sainthood to a particular individual; those who are saints are either those recognized in Christian tradition, such as the apostles and evangelists, or those of particular relation to the Celtic foundation of our distinct form of Christian faith. While the Church of Rome has many, many saints on its calendar, we retained only those from prior to circa 1600, and even then not all.
Teresa was a rather normal young woman of the 16th century Spanish gentry. Her family were pious Catholics, and she a serious Christian who also enjoyed a broad friendship. If she had lived in the 21st century, I imagine one would find her at the mall surrounded by giggling friends, all of them madly texting one another.
During her teen years her beloved mother died and her father, as was the custom of the times, sent her to be educated by the Carmelite nuns. The Carmelites were learned women known for their piety and academic ability and they found an apt pupil in Teresa. She would eventually become a nun of their order.
While still a young woman, Teresa was struck with malaria. In her feverish state, wracked with considerable pain, Teresa summoned a unique and purposeful relationship with God through prayer. As she would later write:
“I bore these sufferings with great composure, in fact with joy, except at first when the pain was too severe. What followed seemed to hurt less. I was completely surrendered to the will of God even if he intended to burden me like this forever..... The other sisters wondered at my God-given patience. Without him I truly could not have borne so much with so much joy.”
This experience would lead her into ecstatic visions in the depths of contemplative prayer. She was encouraged to suppress any mention of this outside of the convent, as the general population, and the leaders of the Church of Rome, still believed in demonic possession and would have been disquieted by revelation of these experiences.
[A side note: I once had to drive John Updike, the author, to a hospital in Cleveland because his appendix began to burst during a lecture and recitation of his works at the Jesuit university where I happened to be a grad student at the time. In the car, as we were speaking of saints like Teresa, he became quite jolly thinking what it would be like for a 20th century Lutheran pastor to suddenly announce to his congregation that he was having religious visions, hearing divine voices, and occasionally levitating. His temperature was a little high, I guess. We both laughed at what the reaction of his congregation and bishops might be. The only difference from the time of Teresa was that he would be thought schizophrenic rather than demonic. In a way, same difference. I really did expect his next novel to address that scenario. Alas....]
However, the power of her connection to God was obvious to her fellow sisters and she eventually started her own offshoot order of nuns, much more dedicated to simplicity and contemplative prayer with Teresa as the unquestioned teacher of all things holy. Of her leadership style, she wrote the following:
“The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love. Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything."
You really can't improve on that, can you?
In his book, On Mysticism, Sri Chimnoy notes the following:
"...Teresa of Avila offered to the world something profoundly mystical. Her mystical experience is the most successful culmination of the divine marriage between the aspiring soul and the liberating Christ, and it is here that man’s helpless crying will and God’s omnipotent all-fulfilling Will embrace each other.”
Her collect in the Episcopal Church:
O God, by your Holy Spirit you moved Teresa of Avila to manifest to your Church the way of perfection: Grant us, we pray, to be nourished by her excellent teaching, and enkindle within us a keen and unquenchable longing for true holiness; through Jesus Christ, the joy of loving hearts, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
October 16: Latimer, Ridley, and Cranmer
These three bishops were among the first in our distinctly Anglican tradition to be martyred. Whenever contemporary Episcopal bishops and their remora fish begin to regard themselves as transgressive whenever they simply repeat the talking points of a secular political party that is favored by the majority of those to whom they "witness", I think of what witness bishops used to offer to the faithful and how pale, wan, and sad is 21st century Christian bravery.
Hugh Latimer [Bishop of Worcester] and Nicholas Ridley [Bishop of Rochester] were burned at the stake together on October 16th, 1555, on the orders of Queen Mary Tudor. A year later, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer of Canterbury was also martyred. Cranmer was the author of the original Book of Common Prayer; the source of all subsequent versions of our most seminal and unique worship aid.
The site of Latimer and Ridley's martyrdom is commemorated in Oxford with the statue seen above. There are many sources of information about these men, and I would encourage the readers to look here and here.
If you are wondering why learned, pious, and good men such as these were slaughtered, it was just simple politics. It always is, isn't it?
Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, that, like your servants, Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer, we may live in your fear, die in your favor, and rest in your peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
October 17: Ignatius of Antioch [?-107]
Ignatius was an early Patriarch of Antioch in the 2nd century who had been a student of John the apostle. The Roman government was getting a little tired of these Christians and their antics, so they arrested Ignatius and had him fight wild beasts in the arena, where he would inevitably meet his death. However, on the rather long trip from Antioch to Rome, he wrote a series of letters that were so powerful, faithful, and true, that the early Christians were energized rather than defeated. Take that, Rome.
A comprehensive look at his writings may be found here.
Almighty God, we praise your Name for your Bishop and martyr Ignatius of Antioch, who offered himself as grain to be ground by the teeth of wild beasts that he might present to you the pure bread of sacrifice. Accept, we pray, the willing tribute of our lives and give us a share in the pure and spotless offering of your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
October 19: Henry Martyn [1781-1812]
Martyn was a missionary of the Church of England in India in the early 19th century. He died at the age of 31, no doubt from illnesses received in the sub-continent, but during his life of service did much to bring Christianity to the poor, the helpless, and the needy. One of the reasons that Christianity is so strong in India is that Martyn produced a translation of the New Testament in both Hindi and Persian, along with an improvement upon a contemporary Arabic version of the same. A very nice biography of Martyn may be found here.
O God of the nations, you gave your faithful servant Henry Martyn a brilliant mind, a loving heart, and a gift for languages, that he might translate the Scriptures and other holy writings for the peoples of India and Persia: Inspire in us a love like his, eager to commit both life and talents to you who gave them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
St. Teresa is one of the "originals" from the calendar that was in place before the Rome/England schism, and we still address those from that calendar as "saints".
The Episcopal Church does not have a process or practice to assign sainthood to a particular individual; those who are saints are either those recognized in Christian tradition, such as the apostles and evangelists, or those of particular relation to the Celtic foundation of our distinct form of Christian faith. While the Church of Rome has many, many saints on its calendar, we retained only those from prior to circa 1600, and even then not all.
Teresa was a rather normal young woman of the 16th century Spanish gentry. Her family were pious Catholics, and she a serious Christian who also enjoyed a broad friendship. If she had lived in the 21st century, I imagine one would find her at the mall surrounded by giggling friends, all of them madly texting one another.
During her teen years her beloved mother died and her father, as was the custom of the times, sent her to be educated by the Carmelite nuns. The Carmelites were learned women known for their piety and academic ability and they found an apt pupil in Teresa. She would eventually become a nun of their order.
While still a young woman, Teresa was struck with malaria. In her feverish state, wracked with considerable pain, Teresa summoned a unique and purposeful relationship with God through prayer. As she would later write:
“I bore these sufferings with great composure, in fact with joy, except at first when the pain was too severe. What followed seemed to hurt less. I was completely surrendered to the will of God even if he intended to burden me like this forever..... The other sisters wondered at my God-given patience. Without him I truly could not have borne so much with so much joy.”
This experience would lead her into ecstatic visions in the depths of contemplative prayer. She was encouraged to suppress any mention of this outside of the convent, as the general population, and the leaders of the Church of Rome, still believed in demonic possession and would have been disquieted by revelation of these experiences.
[A side note: I once had to drive John Updike, the author, to a hospital in Cleveland because his appendix began to burst during a lecture and recitation of his works at the Jesuit university where I happened to be a grad student at the time. In the car, as we were speaking of saints like Teresa, he became quite jolly thinking what it would be like for a 20th century Lutheran pastor to suddenly announce to his congregation that he was having religious visions, hearing divine voices, and occasionally levitating. His temperature was a little high, I guess. We both laughed at what the reaction of his congregation and bishops might be. The only difference from the time of Teresa was that he would be thought schizophrenic rather than demonic. In a way, same difference. I really did expect his next novel to address that scenario. Alas....]
However, the power of her connection to God was obvious to her fellow sisters and she eventually started her own offshoot order of nuns, much more dedicated to simplicity and contemplative prayer with Teresa as the unquestioned teacher of all things holy. Of her leadership style, she wrote the following:
“The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love. Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything."
You really can't improve on that, can you?
In his book, On Mysticism, Sri Chimnoy notes the following:
"...Teresa of Avila offered to the world something profoundly mystical. Her mystical experience is the most successful culmination of the divine marriage between the aspiring soul and the liberating Christ, and it is here that man’s helpless crying will and God’s omnipotent all-fulfilling Will embrace each other.”
Her collect in the Episcopal Church:
O God, by your Holy Spirit you moved Teresa of Avila to manifest to your Church the way of perfection: Grant us, we pray, to be nourished by her excellent teaching, and enkindle within us a keen and unquenchable longing for true holiness; through Jesus Christ, the joy of loving hearts, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
October 16: Latimer, Ridley, and Cranmer
These three bishops were among the first in our distinctly Anglican tradition to be martyred. Whenever contemporary Episcopal bishops and their remora fish begin to regard themselves as transgressive whenever they simply repeat the talking points of a secular political party that is favored by the majority of those to whom they "witness", I think of what witness bishops used to offer to the faithful and how pale, wan, and sad is 21st century Christian bravery.
Hugh Latimer [Bishop of Worcester] and Nicholas Ridley [Bishop of Rochester] were burned at the stake together on October 16th, 1555, on the orders of Queen Mary Tudor. A year later, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer of Canterbury was also martyred. Cranmer was the author of the original Book of Common Prayer; the source of all subsequent versions of our most seminal and unique worship aid.
The site of Latimer and Ridley's martyrdom is commemorated in Oxford with the statue seen above. There are many sources of information about these men, and I would encourage the readers to look here and here.
If you are wondering why learned, pious, and good men such as these were slaughtered, it was just simple politics. It always is, isn't it?
Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, that, like your servants, Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer, we may live in your fear, die in your favor, and rest in your peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
October 17: Ignatius of Antioch [?-107]
Ignatius was an early Patriarch of Antioch in the 2nd century who had been a student of John the apostle. The Roman government was getting a little tired of these Christians and their antics, so they arrested Ignatius and had him fight wild beasts in the arena, where he would inevitably meet his death. However, on the rather long trip from Antioch to Rome, he wrote a series of letters that were so powerful, faithful, and true, that the early Christians were energized rather than defeated. Take that, Rome.
A comprehensive look at his writings may be found here.
Almighty God, we praise your Name for your Bishop and martyr Ignatius of Antioch, who offered himself as grain to be ground by the teeth of wild beasts that he might present to you the pure bread of sacrifice. Accept, we pray, the willing tribute of our lives and give us a share in the pure and spotless offering of your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
October 19: Henry Martyn [1781-1812]
Martyn was a missionary of the Church of England in India in the early 19th century. He died at the age of 31, no doubt from illnesses received in the sub-continent, but during his life of service did much to bring Christianity to the poor, the helpless, and the needy. One of the reasons that Christianity is so strong in India is that Martyn produced a translation of the New Testament in both Hindi and Persian, along with an improvement upon a contemporary Arabic version of the same. A very nice biography of Martyn may be found here.
O God of the nations, you gave your faithful servant Henry Martyn a brilliant mind, a loving heart, and a gift for languages, that he might translate the Scriptures and other holy writings for the peoples of India and Persia: Inspire in us a love like his, eager to commit both life and talents to you who gave them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Asked the church HQ the other day if they had any coordinated statement about the plight of Christians in the Middle East and if we as a church have a formal response. I was told information would be forthcoming. Yesterday I received materials from them for National Coming Out Day. I guess that's my answer.
Friday's Church: Las Lajas Sanctuary In Ipiales, Colombia
I'm very glad I don't have to maintain this property.
It was built between 1916 and 1949 so, despite its Gothic style, it is a recent construction, at least by the standard of churches.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Thursday's Bible Recipe: Pocket Bread
This was a ubiquitous form of bread in the 1st century, similar to pita bread but with a more voluminous pocket. It could and can be stuffed with meat, vegetables, quinoa and other grain-based concoctions, or even grape jelly.
The complete recipe may be found at this link.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Wednesday's Art: Christ and the Abbot Mena
This is a true and traditional icon, as it is painted on wood from a fig tree. It is currently displayed at the Louvre in Paris.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
What The Heck Do You Think A Funeral Is?
"Stanzi did not want a funeral. Instead, she wanted us all to celebrate her life."
[Quotation from an Internet solicitation for funds.]
[Quotation from an Internet solicitation for funds.]
More From The Congressman Who Was The Only "No" Vote Against The Resolution Restoring Chaplaincy to Goverment Services And The Military
Meet Representative Bill Enyart, a Democrat from downstate Illinois; I don't think he missed a Mensa meeting in order to vote "no" on the floor of the House of Representatives:
As the former head of the Illinois National Guard, Enyart tells WSIL-TV the resolution was silly and that it does nothing to resolve Washington's bigger issues. Enyart calls Saturday's action "phony" and says it "didn't do anything."
That's true, Enyart, it "didn't do anything" to address the bigger issues. The resolution wasn't intended to do so. What it did do is permit the men and women of the armed forces and other government agencies the opportunity to receive spiritual care without extraordinary hindrance and in accordance with such provision in the U.S. Constitution.
I confess, though, that I'm disquieted at the notion that the minor role I play as a volunteer in the grand machine of government is one that can be used so readily by the powers that be as a political bludgeon, especially as it removes a source of comfort and serenity from a body of people who have gladly donated their lives to service to that same government. I'm not sure it is a role in which I intend on participating for much longer.
As the former head of the Illinois National Guard, Enyart tells WSIL-TV the resolution was silly and that it does nothing to resolve Washington's bigger issues. Enyart calls Saturday's action "phony" and says it "didn't do anything."
That's true, Enyart, it "didn't do anything" to address the bigger issues. The resolution wasn't intended to do so. What it did do is permit the men and women of the armed forces and other government agencies the opportunity to receive spiritual care without extraordinary hindrance and in accordance with such provision in the U.S. Constitution.
I confess, though, that I'm disquieted at the notion that the minor role I play as a volunteer in the grand machine of government is one that can be used so readily by the powers that be as a political bludgeon, especially as it removes a source of comfort and serenity from a body of people who have gladly donated their lives to service to that same government. I'm not sure it is a role in which I intend on participating for much longer.
Tuesday's Wave
"The devil's greatest wile is to convince us that he does not exist." - Charles Baudelaire
Monday, October 7, 2013
For those curious about my Friday evening adventure in confronting the power of the state, if you did not read it in earlier comments, I was able to pray on government property, mainly because the memo I received barring me from doing so was never shared with the port's security staff. I guess clergy were on the honor system or something; a system I happily and willingly dishonored and will do again whenever the government thinks it can tell any of us when and where we may pray and celebrate the Mass.
Thank you for your support; it was and is appreciated. Curiously, I received no commentary or support in this from any of my ordained colleagues, save for my wife. They must be fulfilling the honor system in their own quiet way.
An update.
An update.
Langston Hughes
Dream Variations
To fling my arms wide
In some place of the sun,
To whirl and to dance
Till the white day is done.
Then rest at cool evening
Beneath a tall tree
While night comes on gently,
Dark like me— That is my dream!
To fling my arms wide In the face of the sun,
Dance! Whirl! Whirl!
Till the quick day is done.
Rest at pale evening . . .
A tall, slim tree . . .
Night coming tenderly
Black like me.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
This Week's Feast Days
Robert Grosseteste, [circa 1168–1253]
One of the greatest intellects produced by our tradition, Grosseteste, who was the Bishop of Lincoln in what was the "English Church" [that is, the Church of Rome in England, the forerunner of the Church of England], was a talented theologian, philosopher, and scientist. As a bishop, he was also an able and active leader, pastor, and administrator. Oh, for a bishop these days who is any of just one of those things.
Here's a portion of his biography from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, no less:
Vita Dutton Scudder, [1861-1954]
To be honest, I don't really know what recommends Scudder to the calendar as she seems a rather ordinary member of the Episcopal Church's gentry. She was certainly of an academic intelligence, as she was educated atSmith College and Oxford ;
she spent her teaching career in the English department at Wellesley College
Most gracious God, you sent your beloved Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Raise up in your Church witnesses who, after the example of your servant Vida Dutton Scudder, stand firm in proclaiming the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
[It's always been interesting to me that the Episcopal Church is so remarkably faux populist that it not only hesistates to include the "underclass" on the calendar, at least among those who, like Scudder, were of ordinary acheivement, but the Church also would never consider giving J. P. Morgan, the Gilded Age millionaire and Episcopalian, a date on the calendar, despite the fact that he created the Church Pension Fund; an organization that greatly benefits each and every ordained person the Church. Apparently, there is an area between too little and too much money that serves as the well from which to draw the honorees.]
One of the greatest intellects produced by our tradition, Grosseteste, who was the Bishop of Lincoln in what was the "English Church" [that is, the Church of Rome in England, the forerunner of the Church of England], was a talented theologian, philosopher, and scientist. As a bishop, he was also an able and active leader, pastor, and administrator. Oh, for a bishop these days who is any of just one of those things.
Here's a portion of his biography from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, no less:
"...one of the most prominent and remarkable figures in thirteenth-century English intellectual life. He was a man of many talents: commentator and translator of Aristotle and Greek patristic thinkers, philosopher, theologian, and student of nature. He was heavily influenced by Augustine, whose thought permeates his writings and from whom he drew a Neoplatonic outlook. But he was also one of the first to make extensive use of the thought of Aristotle, Avicenna and Averroes. He developed a highly original and imaginative account of the generation and fundamental nature of the physical world in terms of the action of light, and composed a number of short works regarding optics and other natural phenomena, as well as works of philosophy and theology. As bishop, he was an important figure in English ecclesiastical life, focusing his energies on rooting out abuses of the pastoral care, which in later life he traced to the papacy itself. He made a powerful impression on his contemporaries and subsequent thinkers at Oxford, and has been hailed as an inspiration to scientific developments in fourteenth-century Oxford.O God, our heavenly Father, who raised up your faithful servant Robert Grosseteste to be a bishop and pastor in your Church and to feed your flock: Give abundantly to all pastors the gifts of your Holy Spirit, that they may minister in your household as true servants of Christ and stewards of your divine mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Vita Dutton Scudder, [1861-1954]
To be honest, I don't really know what recommends Scudder to the calendar as she seems a rather ordinary member of the Episcopal Church's gentry. She was certainly of an academic intelligence, as she was educated at
Scudder was gay, or at least we are told so, although the notion
of socially active gay women in Boston
She lived a long life filled with comfort. I'm guessing that, as with many recent
additions to the lesser feast calendar, she serves to represent a political
demographic in the Episcopal Church. Certainly, privileged white people who
favor socialism and suffer from cultural oikophobia make up about half of those with
whom I've worked over the last thirty years, so she does have some
representation.
I find her collect below somewhat bland, as if its author
also didn't really know why she was included on a calendar of martyrs, high
achievers, literary artists, church musicians, scientists, or cultural
forerunners. Perhaps, one bright and shining day, one of those members of the
"underclass" will be given a calendar date. Am I a dreamer or what?
Most gracious God, you sent your beloved Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Raise up in your Church witnesses who, after the example of your servant Vida Dutton Scudder, stand firm in proclaiming the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
[It's always been interesting to me that the Episcopal Church is so remarkably faux populist that it not only hesistates to include the "underclass" on the calendar, at least among those who, like Scudder, were of ordinary acheivement, but the Church also would never consider giving J. P. Morgan, the Gilded Age millionaire and Episcopalian, a date on the calendar, despite the fact that he created the Church Pension Fund; an organization that greatly benefits each and every ordained person the Church. Apparently, there is an area between too little and too much money that serves as the well from which to draw the honorees.]
We've Had Trouble Figuring Out The Muslim World View Since Jefferson Was President
The Tsarnaev brothers killed and maimed in service to their version of Islam. So did Major Hasan, screaming Allahu Akbar as he shot his fellow soldiers at Fort Hood. The Middle East is undergoing the greatest religious cleansing of Christians of the modern age. This month, eighty Christians were blown up in a church in Peshawar, Pakistan — charged, tried, and executed in a nanosecond by Muslim suicide bombers. At about the very same time, gunmen of the Islamist terrorist group Al Shabaab from Somalia murdered nearly 70 shoppers — after torturing and mutilating many of their victims — in a Nairobi shopping mall during a children’s event. None of these massacres had anything to do with the West Bank, Americans in Iraq, maltreatment of Muslims in the U.S., unkind immigration policies, undue attention shown Muslim travelers, or much of anything other than the usual grievances such as fighting back against terrorists.
Note that Europe and the U.S. are largely silent on the religious dimensions of this now almost daily violence. Apparently the EU and America believe that their own domestic security protocols have made it difficult for Islamists like the Tsarnaevs, Hasan, or bombers from Peshawar to harvest civilians with regularity in the West — or at least that terrorists can be kept out of Chevy Chase, the Upper West Side, Martha’s Vineyard, and Santa Monica.
Note that Europe and the U.S. are largely silent on the religious dimensions of this now almost daily violence. Apparently the EU and America believe that their own domestic security protocols have made it difficult for Islamists like the Tsarnaevs, Hasan, or bombers from Peshawar to harvest civilians with regularity in the West — or at least that terrorists can be kept out of Chevy Chase, the Upper West Side, Martha’s Vineyard, and Santa Monica.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
I'm Sure That Gosh-Darned Govt Shutdown Is To Blame
Biden Accidentally Shows Press Cover of Classified Document
My students used to have that look on their faces when they were about to tell me why their term papers would be late.
Friday, October 4, 2013
This Is Really Getting Stupid
I serve as an unpaid chaplain to members of the merchant marine community. While a volunteer activity, I am granted status as a "civilian under government authority". I also get a uniform which I wear on occasion, mainly for the annual photograph or for parades and such. The reason that my colleagues and I do so is because the U.S. Navy can no longer provide enough commissioned officer/chaplains to cover the merchant service, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and U.S. Public Health Service.
Due to this nonsensical and mostly unnoticeable government "shutdown", about which I place blame on the entire system rather than one political party or another, I was informed today that I may not exercise any pastoral or liturgical services to personnel of the maritime service.
My other ordained colleagues who help in other branches of military/government service have received the same notice. For example,
MILITARY PRIESTS FACE ARREST FOR CELEBRATING MASS IN DEFIANCE OF SHUTDOWN
This evening I'm travelling to the port of New London to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in defiance of a government order not to do so. After all, if clergy start rolling over in the face of unfair and illegal commands from agents of the state, we reverse all of the traditional independence that we have earned in every country for the past two thousand years.
Naturally, I will be joined by all of the Episcopal clergy of the diocese who are willing to stand up against ill-placed secular authority. Yep, I'll be all alone.
Due to this nonsensical and mostly unnoticeable government "shutdown", about which I place blame on the entire system rather than one political party or another, I was informed today that I may not exercise any pastoral or liturgical services to personnel of the maritime service.
My other ordained colleagues who help in other branches of military/government service have received the same notice. For example,
MILITARY PRIESTS FACE ARREST FOR CELEBRATING MASS IN DEFIANCE OF SHUTDOWN
This evening I'm travelling to the port of New London to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in defiance of a government order not to do so. After all, if clergy start rolling over in the face of unfair and illegal commands from agents of the state, we reverse all of the traditional independence that we have earned in every country for the past two thousand years.
Naturally, I will be joined by all of the Episcopal clergy of the diocese who are willing to stand up against ill-placed secular authority. Yep, I'll be all alone.
Friday's Church: Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool
Frankly, I always thought it looked like something from a Soviet-produced science-fiction film.
It also rather reminds me of the pyramid in Mexico I once climbed.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Yes, social media, thank you for killing media. But we all know society was already dead.
— Nein. (@NeinQuarterly) October 3, 2013
Thursday's Biblical Recipe: Baked Sheep's Milk Cheese and Fresh Dates
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Place a mound of a creamy sheep's milk cheese in a small loaf pan, and spread a teaspoon of honey over the surface. Bake for 45 minutes. Scoop out onto a large dish and surround with fresh dates for dipping and eating.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Just Because I Had To Correct Someone About This Earlier Today
Despite what you may read elsewhere, all military pay & allowances, including special & incentive, will be paid through #shutdown
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) October 2, 2013
Rector's News For October
The First Thursdays group will meet this week with a continuation of our look at how the elaborate and advanced highway system of the
Confirmation will be held on Saturday, October 5th
at 5pm.
Most of the membership of the parish has expressed, to one
degree or another, some disfavor with the original color of the front doors of the
church. Certainly, I was surprised to
discover the painters’ interpretation of the “firehouse red” that was to have
matched the interior of the doors. While
I was hopeful that one of those who felt strongly about this would come
forward, paintbrush in hand, I addressed the issue myself this past week.
As I am blessed with an abundance of guitar paint, due to
one of my eccentric hobbies, I thought it might be nice to offer the parish and
greater community something different.
Namely, we are now the only church I know that has doors in a classic rock
and roll color. If you think that Fender
Guitar’s “fiesta red” looks great on a guitar wielded by Pete Townsend of The
Who, Andy Summers of The Police, Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, blues great
Stevie Ray Vaughan, or even Eric Clapton, you should see what it looks like on
a pair of church doors.
By the way, the reason that Episcopal Church doors are red
is because of the traditional offering of "sanctuary". The sacred space behind those doors is understood
to be holy and permits, under traditional English law, those inside of them to
be safe from legal authority. The red
color so marked that understanding. Of
course, the rite of sanctuary only works if honored by those in pursuit, as the
martyr Thomas Becket so learned, so in recent times the red doors have come to
represent a less legal and more spiritual designation. Those within the red doors are safe from
spiritual harm and may freely abide in a place set aside for one’s pilgrimage.
The Blessing of the Animals will be held during the Octave
of St. Francis at noon on Saturday, October 12th at the
columbarium. All animals and their
stewards are invited.
What’s the most interesting feast day of the month, you
ask? There are quite a few, but I’ve
always been partial to the life and witness of Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky, who was our missionary bishop in Shanghai China
O God, in your providence you called Joseph
Schereschewsky from his home in Eastern Europe to the ministry of this Church,
and sent him as a missionary to China, upholding him in his infirmity, that he
might translate the Holy Scriptures into languages of that land. Lead us, we
pray, to commit our lives and talents to you, in the confidence that when you
give your servants any work to do, you also supply the strength to do it;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
My dates tonight: mortification and solitude.
— KimKierkegaardashian (@KimKierkegaard) October 1, 2013
Tuesday's Wave
"I do not know you God because I am in the way. Please help me to push myself aside." - Flannery O'Connor
[For those curious about the photo, this is what happens when one rides up a wave instead of down it. If you time it right, and the wave is powerful enough (this wave pattern is found in Newport Beach and is known as "The Wedge"), one gets launched into the air. It's fun, certainly, but then you're faced with the tedious duty of finding your surfboard.]
Monday, September 30, 2013
And thus ends the brief experiment with adverts. I've reconsidered after capricious rules were presented by Google in a seemingly unending cascade; that, plus anyone may object to the content of an ad at any time and have them pulled until I "appeal" Google's decision. Yeah. After having twice to appeal a Google decision to withhold ads from the site, for reasons that they will not reveal, I realized why the corporation and our government get along so well.
So, back to normal.
So, back to normal.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
This Week's Feast Days
October 1: St. Remi [or Remigius; 438-530]
Remi was the Bishop of Reims in France beginning at the age of 22. Yes, that's right. Remarkable that in contemporary times we draw out the process of electing a bishop through multiple meetings, video presentations, and "penetrating" questions. As we have seen in our Monday lesser feasts, early Christian bishops were selected according to the regard of the faithful; they are either very young or, for the times, rather elderly when appointed, and yet are able to lead and inspire with great power.
Maybe we should go back to the old method.
Remi was one such bishop, who was able for 70 years to present a mighty witness in what is now France. In fact, the devoted style of Christianity that is practiced by the French [including Acadians, Canucks, Cajuns, etc.] began when Remi baptised King Clovis [as seen to the left], thus converting an entire and sizable portion of Europe from a variety of pagan beliefs.
More of him may be read here.
O God, by the teaching of your faithful servant and bishop Remigius you turned the nation of the Franks from vain idolatry to the worship of you, the true and living God, in the fullness of the catholic faith: Grant that we who glory in the name of Christian may show forth our faith in worthy deeds; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
October 4: St. Francis of Assisi [1182-1226]
Certainly, one of the best known of all the medieval saints, so much so that there are at least a dozen films made of his life, countless publications, plus one Marvel comic book. The monastic order that he established, the Society of St. Francis, or SSF, is not only still in existence but there is still a very active chapter that is part of the Episcopal Church.
It would be difficult to distill his life into a few paragraphs, not to mention a disservice to his considerable story, so I'll simply make reference to a few sites to be found at the links here, here, and here. Lay people who are interested in having more routine spiritual direction in their lives may join the Third Order of the SSF, which enables those who are in the world to have the support of a prayerful community and the occasional opportunity for retreat and meditation as supported by a world-wide network of like-minded people.
Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Iowa, Minnesota & Wisconsin should secede and form the breakaway Republic of Casserolia.
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) September 28, 2013
The 11 O'Clock Report
First Story:
(1) Contrary to some initial news reports, Alexis did not use an AR-15 assault rifle. Rather, he used a shotgun, which he brought with him, and a pistol he appears to have taken from an armed guard at the Navy Yard. So, arguments about banning “military-style assault rifles” don’t fit this particular — still tragic — narrative.
(2) Alexis had a Secret security clearance. More than a simple criminal background check, the procedure requires a few months to a year of investigation. So, the usual arguments about basic background checks for gun ownership preventing tragedies of this sort don’t fit this narrative either.
So, what does fit? What changes to law and policy can we talk about in the aftermath of this week’s tragedy?
Second Story, something one won't find in any American media:
SAS hero of the mall massacre: Off-duty soldier with a handgun saved 100 lives as terrorists ran amok
Third Story, to be filed under "Gee, no kidding":
Bloomberg News - Turns Out Obamacare Is Going to Limit Your Choices
Fourth Story: The folks we're currently supporting in Syria removing a cross from a Christian church because it "offends" them.
(1) Contrary to some initial news reports, Alexis did not use an AR-15 assault rifle. Rather, he used a shotgun, which he brought with him, and a pistol he appears to have taken from an armed guard at the Navy Yard. So, arguments about banning “military-style assault rifles” don’t fit this particular — still tragic — narrative.
(2) Alexis had a Secret security clearance. More than a simple criminal background check, the procedure requires a few months to a year of investigation. So, the usual arguments about basic background checks for gun ownership preventing tragedies of this sort don’t fit this narrative either.
So, what does fit? What changes to law and policy can we talk about in the aftermath of this week’s tragedy?
Second Story, something one won't find in any American media:
SAS hero of the mall massacre: Off-duty soldier with a handgun saved 100 lives as terrorists ran amok
Third Story, to be filed under "Gee, no kidding":
Bloomberg News - Turns Out Obamacare Is Going to Limit Your Choices
Fourth Story: The folks we're currently supporting in Syria removing a cross from a Christian church because it "offends" them.
Princeton wins in a dominant performance over Georgetown 50-22. Next up Columbia next week at home.
— Princeton Football (@PUTigerFootball) September 28, 2013
Anger In Higher Education
The problem is that the feminist anger of the 1960s and 1970s s been institutionalized on our campus, where it seems impervious to change. Consider what your son faces if he enters a college in North America, Australia, or most of Europe. In the first week or two, he is required to attend a program on date rape, but nothing on date communication. By October, he will encounter Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but nothing about a "prostate cancer awareness month," though the incidence and deaths from the two diseases are similar. If your son becomes involved in student activities, he has access to significant student funds for women's centers and speakers on women's issues, but not for men's centers or speakers on men's issues.
If your son is heterosexual, he may express interest in a woman who is taking a women's studies course or degree, and see her researching papers on how the patriarchy consists of men who made laws to benefit men at the expense of women. He may learn she is on a scholarship to encourage women in engineering, math or the other STEM professions; if he's observant, he'll note that despite few men majoring in the social sciences, he hasn't run across even a single man with a scholarship designed to encourage men to enter the social sciences. The low percentage of women in STEM fields is depicted as very troubling, but the fact that males account for only 43% of all college students is not.
If your son is heterosexual, he may express interest in a woman who is taking a women's studies course or degree, and see her researching papers on how the patriarchy consists of men who made laws to benefit men at the expense of women. He may learn she is on a scholarship to encourage women in engineering, math or the other STEM professions; if he's observant, he'll note that despite few men majoring in the social sciences, he hasn't run across even a single man with a scholarship designed to encourage men to enter the social sciences. The low percentage of women in STEM fields is depicted as very troubling, but the fact that males account for only 43% of all college students is not.
Friday, September 27, 2013
First They Removed The Fire Pits, Now This
Southern California beaches aren't as much fun as they used to be:
City officials in San Diego said the annual July 4 marshmallow fight will no longer be allowed in the Ocean Beach neighborhood.
City officials in San Diego said the annual July 4 marshmallow fight will no longer be allowed in the Ocean Beach neighborhood.
Not Just In Science, But Also Theology
No matter what subject they touched -- the Big Bang, the origin of life, the intersection of ideology and science -- every author had the same adolescent tone of smug superiority to go along with their dull absence of style and their one-dimensional shallowness of thought. The magazine seems to exert a heavy editorial hand that banishes seriousness of thought; or that affirms a frivolous certainty.
To put it another way, their minds are entirely lacking in creative surprisal, so perhaps the metaphysic they embrace is just a massive projection of their own experience and limitations.
Warning: Some adult language may be found in the body of the article.
To put it another way, their minds are entirely lacking in creative surprisal, so perhaps the metaphysic they embrace is just a massive projection of their own experience and limitations.
Warning: Some adult language may be found in the body of the article.
Friday's Church: Harajuku Protestant Church, Japan
The "waves" in the ceiling cause sound to echo for two brief seconds, which both enables the congregation to hear without extraordinary amplification and lends a natural reverb to chant.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Archaeological News [Sorta]
Lost cities discovered in the Amazon basin:
The combination of land cleared of its rainforest for grazing and satellite survey have revealed a sophisticated pre-Columbian monument-building society in the upper Amazon Basin on the east side of the Andes. This hitherto unknown people constructed earthworks of precise geometric plan connected by straight orthogonal roads. Introducing us to this new civilisation, the authors...also suggest that we have so far seen no more than a tenth of it.
Hang on, this means that the land was cleared not just during recent decades, but in ancient times as well. This means, too, that the rain forest is far more durable than is generally acknowledged.
The combination of land cleared of its rainforest for grazing and satellite survey have revealed a sophisticated pre-Columbian monument-building society in the upper Amazon Basin on the east side of the Andes. This hitherto unknown people constructed earthworks of precise geometric plan connected by straight orthogonal roads. Introducing us to this new civilisation, the authors...also suggest that we have so far seen no more than a tenth of it.
Hang on, this means that the land was cleared not just during recent decades, but in ancient times as well. This means, too, that the rain forest is far more durable than is generally acknowledged.
Thursday's Biblilcal Recipe: Pistachio-Crusted Sunfish
Chop the nuts finely just short of a powder. (You can use a blender or a mini-food processor or do it the old-fashioned way, with a mallet in a sieved cloth). Place the nuts in a large bowl and quickly mix in the zaatar. Wash the fish in cold water; then dip them into the beaten eggs. Sprinkle the nut and zaatar mixture onto one side of the fish; then press it in to provide an ample coating. Fry the fish in melted butter or sunflower oil at a very high temperature, turning frequently so that they do not burn.
Yield: 4 normal servings
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Tuesday's Wave
"Do not be satisfied with little things, because God wants great things!” - St. Catherine of Siena
Monday, September 23, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
This, Too, Is Becoming More And More Common
The attack occurred as worshipers left the All Saints Church in the old quarter of the regional capital, Peshawar, after a service on Sunday morning. Up to 600 worshipers had attended the service and were leaving to receive free food being distributed on the lawn outside when two explosions ripped through the crowd.
Dozens of people were killed and more than 100 wounded, said Akhtar Ali Shah, the home secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.
Dozens of people were killed and more than 100 wounded, said Akhtar Ali Shah, the home secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.
This Week's Feast Days
September 25: Sergius of Moscow [1314-1392]
While Western Christians have little knowledge of the abbot/farmer, he is the patron saint of Moscow and is much revered in the Russian Orthodox Church. Like many of the "old-time" saints, he has a feast day on our calendar inherited from before our church's 16th Century split from the Church of Rome.
Sergius' power over Christian imagination is due not to his ferocity, self-humiliation, or academic degrees; he was known for his personality and humility, even to the extent of refusing to be named Metropolitan [that is, archbishop] of Moscow as he would have to wear an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary suspended by, and here's the point of controversy for Sergius, gold chains.
As he noted at the time:
"From my youth up, I have never possessed or worn gold, and how now can I adorn myself in my old age?"
Much more of him may be found at the link that marks the quotation.
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Sergius of Moscow, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
September 26: Lancelot Andrewes [1555-1626]
Once upon a time, bishops were true scholars with degrees in subject areas of which people outside of the church had actually heard. Andrewes was one such bishop/scholar, and the one who has had more influence over our understanding of the Bible than anyone else in the Western Church. Think I exaggerate? Andrewes was a polyglot who was fluent in 21 languages. His ability in English was so sublime that, had it not been for his particular, and rather staggering achievement, he would have been remembered as one of the church's great poets. This is high praise, as he was a contemporary of Christopher Marlow, Ben Jonson, and, oh, yes, William Shakespeare.
With his linguistic talent, artful ability to write clearly, and political savvy, Andrewes was the ideal man on whom to call to lead a large collection of scholars charged with a singular responsibly. Namely, translate the entire Holy Bible into a lucid and linguistically accurate English. His patron for this was King James I of England [and, as I learned in school in gloomy Edinburgh, James VI of Scotland].
The finished product is the King James Version of the Holy Bible, or simply the KJV.
More of Bishop Andrewes may be found here. More of the KJV and its considerable influence may be found anywhere Bibles are sold, discussed, or, in particular, read aloud.
Lord and Father, our King and God, by your grace the Church was enriched by the great learning and eloquent preaching of you servant Lancelot Andrewes, but even more by his example of biblical and liturgical prayer: Conform our lives, like his, to the image of Christ, that our hearts may love you, our minds serve you, and our lips proclaim the greatness of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
While Western Christians have little knowledge of the abbot/farmer, he is the patron saint of Moscow and is much revered in the Russian Orthodox Church. Like many of the "old-time" saints, he has a feast day on our calendar inherited from before our church's 16th Century split from the Church of Rome.
Sergius' power over Christian imagination is due not to his ferocity, self-humiliation, or academic degrees; he was known for his personality and humility, even to the extent of refusing to be named Metropolitan [that is, archbishop] of Moscow as he would have to wear an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary suspended by, and here's the point of controversy for Sergius, gold chains.
As he noted at the time:
"From my youth up, I have never possessed or worn gold, and how now can I adorn myself in my old age?"
Much more of him may be found at the link that marks the quotation.
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Sergius of Moscow, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
September 26: Lancelot Andrewes [1555-1626]
Once upon a time, bishops were true scholars with degrees in subject areas of which people outside of the church had actually heard. Andrewes was one such bishop/scholar, and the one who has had more influence over our understanding of the Bible than anyone else in the Western Church. Think I exaggerate? Andrewes was a polyglot who was fluent in 21 languages. His ability in English was so sublime that, had it not been for his particular, and rather staggering achievement, he would have been remembered as one of the church's great poets. This is high praise, as he was a contemporary of Christopher Marlow, Ben Jonson, and, oh, yes, William Shakespeare.
With his linguistic talent, artful ability to write clearly, and political savvy, Andrewes was the ideal man on whom to call to lead a large collection of scholars charged with a singular responsibly. Namely, translate the entire Holy Bible into a lucid and linguistically accurate English. His patron for this was King James I of England [and, as I learned in school in gloomy Edinburgh, James VI of Scotland].
The finished product is the King James Version of the Holy Bible, or simply the KJV.
More of Bishop Andrewes may be found here. More of the KJV and its considerable influence may be found anywhere Bibles are sold, discussed, or, in particular, read aloud.
Lord and Father, our King and God, by your grace the Church was enriched by the great learning and eloquent preaching of you servant Lancelot Andrewes, but even more by his example of biblical and liturgical prayer: Conform our lives, like his, to the image of Christ, that our hearts may love you, our minds serve you, and our lips proclaim the greatness of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Hey, What's Our Senator Up To?
Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said that it would be morally justifiable for Congress to pass a continuing resolution that forces Americans to buy health care plans covering abortion-inducing drugs even if doing so violates their religious beliefs.
Congress is now a moral agency and Catholicism and Islam aren't.
Congress is now a moral agency and Catholicism and Islam aren't.
A Difficult Translation From A Shawnee Poem [On The Occasion Of Today's Warrior Dash]
The day will come when the pack will not wait
And you will not be able to run with them
The body will age but the spirit still yearn
But today is not that day
Today you will run and you will climb
You will crawl through thicket and mud
As you did when you were young
You will leap again through fire
The pack will climb
And if halted, will break the obstacle
The pack will leap
And if held, will rend nature itself
We will not be burned by the fire
We will burn hotter than the fire
And when the pack ends its journey
You will be with them
The pack will know and will see
Will power wrapped in scar tissue
So come then, sons and daughters of war hounds
Come hither and taste blood.
And you will not be able to run with them
The body will age but the spirit still yearn
But today is not that day
Today you will run and you will climb
You will crawl through thicket and mud
As you did when you were young
You will leap again through fire
The pack will climb
And if halted, will break the obstacle
The pack will leap
And if held, will rend nature itself
We will not be burned by the fire
We will burn hotter than the fire
And when the pack ends its journey
You will be with them
The pack will know and will see
Will power wrapped in scar tissue
So come then, sons and daughters of war hounds
Come hither and taste blood.
Friday, September 20, 2013
For more than 50 years now, we in the United States have been gradually reducing children’s opportunities to play, and the same is true in many other countries. In his book Children at Play: An American History (2007), Howard Chudacoff refers to the first half of the 20th century as the ‘golden age’ of children’s free play. By about 1900, the need for child labour had declined, so children had a good deal of free time. But then, beginning around 1960 or a little before, adults began chipping away at that freedom by increasing the time that children had to spend at schoolwork and, even more significantly, by reducing children’s freedom to play on their own, even when they were out of school and not doing homework. Adult-directed sports for children began to replace ‘pickup’ games; adult-directed classes out of school began to replace hobbies; and parents’ fears led them, ever more, to forbid children from going out to play with other kids, away from home, unsupervised. There are lots of reasons for these changes but the effect, over the decades, has been a continuous and ultimately dramatic decline in children’s opportunities to play and explore in their own chosen ways.
Over the same decades that children’s play has been declining, childhood mental disorders have been increasing.
Over the same decades that children’s play has been declining, childhood mental disorders have been increasing.
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