Just Because...

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.

Psalm 36:7-9

Imagine! We drink from the river of God's delights.

Meanderings

The members of my church, with the exception of a few, generally do not want to talk about the controversies swirling within the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion. Since I don't care to push unwanted conversation upon others, I have found myself with few people to talk to about things that concern me in my own church.

Partially from a sense of frustration, and partially from a desire to lend a small voice in support of full inclusion in the life of the Episcopal Church for all its baptized members, I began to write this blog.

For quite some time, I had occasionally written long comments in response to posts on the blogs of others, taking up a good deal of space in their comments boxes. Lately, more and more often, I found that I was barred from commenting, unless I had a blog of my own, or, at the very least, a faux blog. The name I chose for my faux blog was available on Blogger, and once the blank space was there, I began to write. The rest, as they say, is history.

My blog has a small readership, and I seem to be preaching to the choir for the most part, but perhaps someone out there reads something here that leads them to think a little about the idea of inclusion within the church

Last week, Fr. Jake linked to a post by Mata H. in which she tells a beautiful story:

I have a friend whom I have known since we were both 16, who is a gay man, now 57. He is a brilliant professor and writer. We were chatting on the phone the other day and generally blathering on (as we do) about the condition of the world in general and America in specific. Out of the blue (because we have never discussed it) he said, "I really love the Episcopalians!"

Why does he "love the Episcopalians"?

"Because look at all those straight people putting -- of all things -- their church on the line in support of our right to a full life. Church people, straight people, standing up for us for the first time! It is wonderful, so hopeful!"

I don't know about you, but that warms my heart. It makes me feel that my small effort might do a bit of good.

Here are Mata's final words in her post:

Do not be discouraged, those of you in the Episcopalian or other churches who care about inclusion. Do not fear. Know that as you speak the words of inclusion, people you do not know, people who thirst for the gospel, people who have never seen courage like this -- well, those people are listening, and they are thankful. Those people are gay and straight, rich and poor, urban and rural -- they are the people outside your doors whose hearts will be touched progressively more deeply as your doors open progressively more widely.

If you do not think of me as an unlikely candidate to take up the cause of inclusion, well, think again. Or read my four part story which I link to on the sidebar, "Confessions Of A Recovering Homophobe". Or take my word for it; it's quicker.

Just Look At This!

Jim Naughton at the Episcopal Café calls our attention to a letter from "A group of Episcopal rectors and cathedral deans, fresh from a retreat in Canterbury".

The first two paragraphs read as follows:

We are members of a clergy colleague group enjoying a retreat at Canterbury Study Centre in the Second week of Easter. While here, we have appreciated the hospitality and history of Canterbury Cathedral itself. Surely this holy place represents the graceful strength and broad wisdom of the entire Anglican Communion of churches. We are proud to locate our own history in this spot, and we are glad that our own ministries are refreshed by our time here.

We can say gratefully and humbly that our own congregations represent centers of faithfulness, outreach and documented growth, something not always reported about mainstream Anglicanism in North America. We believe our growth has something to do with our own practice of invitation and hospitality in the one Lord. We are deeply committed both to the Anglican Communion, and to gays and lesbians as integral members of our communities.

It's way past time that Archbishop Rowan hears from groups such as this. At times, he has seemed truly out of touch with and unaware of the existence of large numbers of priests and parishioners of the Episcopal Church in the US.

Thanks be to God for the voices of these priests.

I'm no theologian, nor am I a Scripture scholar, but when folks tell me that I am wrong in my thinking that all baptized members of the Episcopal Church should be welcomed into the full life of the church, I tell them, "If I make a mistake, I'd rather make it on the side of inclusion, with the Jesus of the Gospels as my model."

Attitude Of The Heart

At church today the appointed readings from the Bible included a favorite passage of mine from the book of Revelation:

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice,
‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!’
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,
‘To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might
for ever and ever!’
And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the elders fell down and worshiped. Rev. 6:11-14

Why would such a fantastic vision of John's arouse such admiration? To me, it's perfect imagery to describe the proper attitude of the heart when we gather together to worship God. It's not the case that every Sunday I present to God this perfect and pure attitude of the heart, but every time I read the passage, it reminds me of how it should be. From time to time, by the grace of God, it happens, and it's a gift and a wonder to me.


From Psalm 33:1-3,

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.
Praise befits the upright.
Praise the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.
Sing to him a new song;
play skilfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

....

Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

God is God. We are his creatures. Acknowledgment is due. God doesn't need the acknowledgment; we do. As the Psalm says, "Praise befits the upright."

UPDATE: We capped the service off with a favorite hymn of praise:

Alleluia! sing to Jesus! His the scepter, His the throne.
Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone.
Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood.
Jesus out of every nation has redeemed us by His blood.

All in all, a lovely morning.

"Si, Mi Chiamano Mimì" - Atto Due

In the comments to my previous post, about heading out to hear "La Bohême" Allen said, "ma il suo nome non è Lucia." He is correct. My name is not Lucia. The line that follows, "They call me Mimi," in the opera is, "But my name is Lucia." My grandchildren do call me Mimi. I answer to that name, and that's all I'll say, Allen. My real given name is "out there" in the ethers of the internet, if you search diligently. Weren't you the one who ferreted out my church parish, my ferret friend?

Also in the comments, Dennis said, "how was it?" It was wonderful! The principal artists sang beautifully. Mimi and Rodolfo's voices soared to heavenly places when they sang duets. Marcello's baritone was outstanding.

All of the principals were terrific actors, too. Musetta's acting was superb. The production moved along at a pace which left not one dull moment. The sets and costumes were traditional, but quite pleasing.

I believe that producers and directors of opera sometimes focus on the music to the extent that they forget that an opera is a musical drama. In this instance, they remembered well.

All in all, it was a lovely evening, pure pleasure.

As Mimi was dying, my cursed tendency toward irony (which sometimes intrudes at the most inappropriate moments) kicked in, and I found myself thinking that for a dying lady, Mimi was in very strong voice.

The good news is that the Mimi who writes this blog did not die of consumption, and remains in good health, but for feeling a little sleepy because of a late night out.

"Si, Mi Chiamano Mimì"

I'm heading out to a performance of "La Bohème" at Tulane University with a young friend. It's one of my favorite operas. Romantic that I am, I like the operas that are filled with beautiful melodies and arias. The number of talented artists performing in the relative hinterlands is always an amazement to me. I hope for the best today.

"Si, mi chiamano Mimì". Arrivederci, amici.

The Hymnal at the Diocese of Wenchoster

I have been poking around at the website of the Diocese of Wenchoster again. The website includes such a bounty of riches, that I hardly know where to start whenever I visit. I decided to have a look at their Hymnody section, where I found extracts from the Cathedral hymnbook "Hymns Modern & Ancient". To my surprise, their hymnal includes a specially composed tribute to Alpha. Having recently completed five Alpha series sessions during Lent, I was delighted


18: O Church of Alpha, by whose word

(Tune: Dundee.)

O Church of Alpha, by whose word,
House groups are filled with food.
To fill their hearts and minds with faith,
A tactic rather shrewd.

Invite them round for wine and cheese,
Perhaps a large baked cod.
Then after all have had their fill,
You gently mention God.

....

Let all recall that we're not there
To give them free repast.
It's all a ploy to win their lives,
And make them join our caste.

©Pharisaios 2002


This next hymn is dedicated to priests who may visit and to lay persons who enjoy the spectacle of their priests parading in the splendor of liturgical vestments:

76: Priests need vestments that are pretty

(Tune: "Stuttgart" by C. F. Witt. 1660 - 1716)

Priests need vestments that are pretty,
So in state they may propel
Round the altar in procession,
And the Mass of Rome excel.

....

Eastern rites in all their glory
Make our worship rich and rare,
Oblivious to all the people,
Clergy persons make their prayer.

....

Ditching alb for fur-lined cassock,
Rural clergy bend the knee,
Trying to keep their butts from freezing
In the cold Epiphany.


©Pharisaios 2001

The hymns are wonderful, and I wanted to quote them in full, but there is "fair use" to be considered for copyrighted material. I hope I have not crossed the line there. If I have, the authorities at the cathedral know where to reach me to order a "cease and desist".

If you would like to read my impressions of the Alpha series, you can by going here, here, here, here, and here, but I really would not advise taking the trouble.

Enjoy.

This Article Hasn't Been Commented Yet.

Today, I checked out the website of the Diocese of Louisiana to see if my comment to Bishop Jenkins' response to the House of Bishop's "Communication" had been posted. I have already said that I think the comment will not see the light of day, and, indeed, it has not so far. My comment was not dated, but my post quoting it and the bishop's response went up on April 9, 2007.

At the website, above the space for posting a comment, is the notation, "This article hasn't been commented yet." Well, that's not quite true, is it? I'm fairly certain that mine was not the only comment that was sent in.

In addition, I had sent a letter concerning the plans of the Windsor bishops on March 5, 2007, and an email concerning his response to the HOB "Communication" on April 5, 2007, and I have not received a response to either of them.

The War Prayer

Saint Pat at No Claim To Sainthood has posted Mark Twain's "The War Prayer". It's a shocking piece of writing, which is well worth reading or rereading from time to time. Twain makes his point brilliantly. Although this wasn't published during his lifetime, it has lived on. He was a very wise man.

Peter and Thomas And God's Woman

Peter Denies Jesus

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, ‘I am not.’
....

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, ‘You are not also one of his disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’ One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with him?’ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. John 18:15-17, 25-27

Jesus and Thomas

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ John 20:24-29

God's Woman

Peter, Thomas, are you my kin?
I call you, "Brother". Are we alike?
You imperfect ones, a doubter, a denier,
Am I your sister?

"I tell you I do not know him!"
Three times your Lord denied.
Oh, Peter, when you heard the cock crow,
Your salty tears were bitter.

You, Thomas, to touch, to see was all.
"Me believe? When I see the nail marks,
When I put my finger in his side."
"My Lord and my God!"

You, my brothers, deeply, fully human,
You flaw-filled men of God,
You give me strength; you give me courage.
Perhaps I'll be God's woman, after all.

June Butler 4/18/07