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Weekly
Homily:
News of Possible Communion with The Sea of Peter!
Homily - October 24, 2009
The Third Sunday After Epiphany
January 24, 2010
Epistle Reading – Romans 12:16-21
Gospel Reading – John 2:1-11
“Mine hour is not yet come.” [John 2:4]
The Gospel-Wedding Feasts:
This is what Jesus thought when He, his disciples, and his mother attended the wedding feast in Cana. Wedding feasts ‘back in the day’ were not a few-hours- on-a-Saturday deal:...they were week-long events with new guests arriving every day. The best of the wine was used during the initial day of the feast, with more inferior wine served as the feast wore on: perhaps because the guests would either be too inebriated to know the difference or that folks of less discriminating taste would come later in the feast week. How embarrassing it must have been for the host to have run out of wine before the feast ended. It’s not like he could send one of the servants to the corner liquor store for a couple of cases of Gallo. The wedding feast was on the brink of becoming the social faux pas of the year. Mary knew that she could save the day because she had the upmost faith in her son:...perhaps more faith than he had in himself at that time.
The Gospel-Forcing the Question:
Mary stated the problem to Jesus with a matter of fact: “they have no wine.” [John 2:3] The comment she received back was somewhat typical of someone in his middle to late 20's: “what have I to do with thee?” [John 2:4] (Essentially, ‘so what...it’s not my problem’). At this point, Our Lord told his mother, “Mine hour is not yet come” [John 2:4].... ‘it’s not the right time for me to go public’.... ‘I’m not ready yet’.... ‘I don’t know if I can do this.’ Yet, Mary painted him into a corner and pushed him to do what she knew he was ready to do and Jesus performed his first miracle by turning six pots of water into over one hundred gallons of wine which was the best anyone had ever tasted.
The Point of the Miracle:
It’s safe to assume that Jesus spent the years before his public ministry preparing for his life’s work. Our Gospel reading for today gave the impression that he didn’t quite know how or when to begin his work and needed that nudge from his mother to get started....And what a fine way to get started:...at a joyous celebration where what he did was among friends and family and saved the party from imminent disaster. In the larger scheme of things, the impact of this first miracle was immaterial. Surely Jesus performed more impressive miracles and, had he failed to turn water into wine, the feast would have ended and things would have reflected badly on the host, rather than on Him. Yet, with this first miracle, our Lord gained confidence by finding that his hour had indeed come and, as the Gospel reading concludes, “manifested forth his glory and his disciples believed on him.” [John 2:11]
Example:
At one time or another, we’ve all been where Jesus was because we thought “mine hour is not yet come.” [John 2:4] Maybe it was the first time we had to speak in public...or the first time we were asked to perform a complex task at work…or take on a supervisory role...or do something which others knew we could do, but we feared failure because we saw ourselves as not ready. Yet in those times, there was always a ‘Mary’ to give us that push we needed to make us do what we thought we were not ready to do. Perhaps our ‘Mary’ was the teacher who threatened failure if we did not get in front of the room and give the speech we had prepared...or the co-worker we bailed out because we knew how to do something in theory that he had been assigned that he had difficulty with in practice...or our boss who saw something in us that told her that we were supervisory material. What a basic human reaction that we can all share with Jesus is to feel and say “mine hour is not yet come” [John 2:4]… I recall a situation in Junior High School when my band director though my time had come to do a tuba solo in front of the whole school during a band concert. I recall how I protested, but he pushed me, threatening an F if I didn’t perform. The outcome was disastrous because I froze and couldn’t get a note out. Surely, in that situation, ‘mine hour had certainly not come.’ I later came to realize that the Band Director set me up to fail as pay back for being the class clown. Yet, I can think of times in school, college and grad school when the pushing and threats of failure by instructors showed me that ‘mine hour’ had indeed arrived. We can also share that basic human response that Mary had when we let someone know that their hour has come. The younger folks many of us have worked with on the job whom we’ve pushed and prodded to take on additional responsibilities who have gone on to be successful in our fields give us a taste of the satisfaction Mary felt when her Son was successful.
Preparing for The Hour That is to Come-The Epistle:
Just as Jesus spent his early years preparing for his ministry, we spent our early years preparing for our vocations, and our work time preparing for retirement. We found on several occasions that when we felt that ‘our hour was not yet come’ that it was indeed upon us and we performed accordingly. We know that the hour for us to move from this life to the next “is not yet come.” [John 2:4]Have we planned as meticulously for when that hour is upon us as we have for the more secular and temporal aspects of our lives? We heard in today’s epistle reading to the Romans and us about not re-paying evil with evil, but “to overcome evil with good”[Romans 12:21] and to leave vengeance in the hands of the Lord. This is such an important element in our preparation for the hour which is to come, yet one which so difficult to do because our humanness pushes us to seek revenge.
Conclusion:
If we engage in vengeful actions and give in to the temptation to give back what we received to those who have wronged us, we will indeed, on that final day, quite rightfully plead with God that “mine hour is not yet come”[John 2:4] because we have not prepared for our salvation. Instead, may be able to say with our lips that “mine hour is not yet come”[John 2:4] out of a love for this life, but know in our hearts that we are prepared for the salvation of the everlasting life to come.
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The Twentieth Sunday After Trinity
October 25, 2009
Epistle Reading - Ephesians 5:16-21
Gospel Reading - Matthew 22:1-14
“Wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is...” [Ephesians 5:15]
Introduction:
Paul’s words to the Ephesians are apropos as we reflect upon last Tuesday’s announcement by the Vatican that a procedure has been developed to make it possible for traditional Anglican Catholics to be in communion with our brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic Church. Let’s take some time this morning to see how this came about and what it means for us.
Background:
Bp. George Langberg, Vice President of the ACA House of Bishops, gives us some background. He wrote, that “in the early 1960's. the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury pledged to accomplish the reunification of the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion: a pledge heartily endorsed by both sides. An official dialogue was established to make that happen, but within a few years, the Anglicans began unilaterally changing the rules. Last summer, Cardinal Walter Kasper advised the worldwide gathering of Anglican bishops at Lambeth that changes in the Anglican faith and practice which had produced, along with other innovations, female priests and bishops, an openly homosexual bishop, and the blessing of same- sex unions, had made the goal of full communion much less realistic.”
“Ten months earlier in October, 2007, the bishops of the Traditional Anglican Communion (a twenty-year old worldwide union of Anglican churches no longer in communion with Canterbury) had come to the same conclusion, and we sought a way to keep alive the hope of reunion. As the “faithful remnant” of Anglicans who had made the original pledge, the thirty of us who had gathered for the purpose, drafted a formal letter to the Holy See expressing our desire to fulfill the forty-year old vision, and asking what we could do to bring it to pass. We see Cardinal Levada’s announcement [on behalf of the Holy See] as an answer to that question.”
Bishops Letter:
Our Bishop, Stephen Strawn, wrote us the following letter to be read today which further explains Cardinal Levada’s announcement and it impact upon us:
“I am sure you all know by now, October 20, 2009 will forever be seen as an historic day in the life of the One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. It appears that the Vatican has answered our question as to how we might enter into a state of full communion with the See of Peter. As has been indicated, the Roman Catholic Church has been working on a structure in which they could respond to our petition in a positive way. After two years of work, Pope Benedict XVI has issued an Apostolic Constitution that creates a “Personal Ordinariate” as the means to achieve corporate unity, without absorption, with the See of Peter.
While the full text of the Constitution has yet to be released, William Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Archbishop Augustine DiNoia, Secretary of the Congregation for the Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, held a conference Tuesday, October 20 at which time they announced the canonical vehicle by which Anglican jurisdictions could be received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Since yesterday, there has been much press from both the Roman and Anglican media, not to mention the secular press. As we might expect, much of the press reporting is inaccurate and many of the quotes come from individuals with the own personal agendas. These media reports can become a distraction for us and it may be best if we consider only what is released from the Official Vatican News Service and from the Bishops of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC), and the Anglican Church in America (ACA).
Let me remind you of the history and discussions between Rome and the Anglican Church. For over 450 years, both Anglican Catholics and Roman Catholics have explored ways in which the churches could be “united, but not absorbed.” Additionally, two years ago the TAC presented a petition to the Vatican stating that we desired to be restored to full communion with the See of Peter and asked how that might be accomplished. The Apostolic Constitution answers our question and offers a way to accomplish such a state of corporate reunion. The media will not be a reliable source of information for you in this matter.
So, what are the facts? Right now there is only one absolute fact: we have not received the Apostolic Constitution.
Robert Moynihan, a reporter in Rome, probably had the most accurate press release I have read regarding this. In his release he said, “The Vatican today made a dramatic announcement: Pope Benedict has authorized a bold new plan to bring Anglicans back into full union with Rome. But many questions remain unanswered.” That is a very true statement. I expect that the answers to these “many questions”will come with the release of the full text of the Apostolic Constitution in the coming weeks.
See what do we know right now? First, we know the Apostolic Constitution creates a a process which will allow us to enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Second, should we decide to accept this opportunity, we can be assured that we will not be absorbed into the Roman Catholic Church. The Constitution provides for suri juris (of one’s own laws) ordinariates (another name for diocese) that choose their own unmarried bishop or priest (married or unmarried) from among our own clergy to serve as Ordinary of the Ordinariate. These Anglican Ordinariates will exist parallel to existing dioceses of the Roman Catholic Church. As such, they will have complete autonomy fro the local Roman Catholic Diocese.
If the Ordinary is an unmarried Bishop, he will serve the full Episcopal orders. However, it the Ordinary is a priest, he will serve with all the usual functions of a bishop, with the exception of ordination. So, should we accept this opportunity, our jurisdiction will not lose our autonomy and we will still function according to our current structure. We will still be able to go through the exact process we have now to choose who will succeed a retiring bishop or Ordinary. The change is that if he is an unmarried man, he will be consecrated bishop. If he is married, he will remain a priest, but will serve as “Ordinary” of the ordinariate with full authority, including the administration of Holy Confirmation.
Therefore, we know that we will not be converting to Roman Catholicism or otherwise be absorbed. Rather, the Apostolic Constitution provides the canonical vehicle for full communion with the Roman Catholic Church while, at the same time, retaining our Anglican liturgy, spirituality, patrimony, and ability to function suri juris. Additionally, we will retain our autonomy in that the Constitution creates Anglican Ordinariates that will exist parallel to the existing dioceses of Roman Catholic Church. Additionally, when I retire, resign, or an called home by God, you will choose my successor just as you did when ABp. Falk retired. If he is unmarried, he will be bishop. If he is married (as I am), he will remain a priest, but serve you exactly as I have and will continue to do should we accept this opportunity.
This information was reinforced during the Bishops Conference Call on Tuesday. This is all we know or likely will know until the full text of the Apostolic Constitution is published and we can review it. When we have received this document, should there be differences with what I have written or what we have been told, we can address any differences at that time. However, I do want to assure you that based on current information, you would not notice any difference in the day to day life of your parish or parish worship.
So what is next? Long ago I learned that it is not wise to make quick decisions, but that it was best to obtain all the facts, weigh those facts, pray for guidance, and then make a decision. That is what I am going to do and I pray that you will join me in doing the same. Once we have all the facts, we can make an informed decision together in the Special General Synod which will be called to discuss this matter.
You will recall that before the TAC petition was formalized and delivered to Rome, each TAC jurisdiction endorsed that effort, with the ACA doing so at the General Synod in 2005. Now that we have the offer of this new structure, all TAC Jurisdictions will need to consider and either accept or reject this offer. We are already looking for venues that might be available for this Special General Synod on short notice.
But for now, I encourage everyone to first step back and simply appreciate, regardless of your feelings, that October 20, 2009 was indeed an historic day in the life of the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Secondly, Rejoice in the power of the Holy Ghost inspiring the hearts of those in God’s Church and be confident that God’s Spirit will guide us in the days ahead. Once the Apostolic Constitution is received, we will meet in Special General Synod to discuss the facts and vote on accepting or rejecting the opportunity to enter into communion with the Roman Catholic Church. In the meantime, I encourage you to focus all your energy on the proclamation of the Gospel in your communities
Your Brother and Servant in Christ, Stephen D. Strawn-Bishop of the Missouri Valley.”
The Primate’s Conclusion:
The Primate of the TAC, ABp. John Hepworth wrote that the offer of the Apostolic Constitution “is an act of great goodness on the part of the Holy Father. He has dedicated his pontificate to the cause of unity. It more than matches the dream we dared to include in our petition two years ago. It more than matches our prayers.” He concluded that “this is a moment of grace, perhaps even a moment of history, not because the past is undone, but because the past is transformed.”
Conclusion:
As further information is revealed to us, let us weigh the importance of the decision our Church will make in the very near future through discussion, thought and prayer and keep Paul’s words in mind as we engage in this process: “Wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is...”
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St.
Clare of Assisi
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Hover Community All Faiths Chapel
1401 Elmhurst Drive, Longmont, CO 80503
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First Sunday After Epiphany
January 10, 2010
Epistle Reading - Romans 12: 1-5
Gospel Reading - Luke 2: 41-52
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in the favour of God and man.” [Luke 2:52]
The Gospel:
Our Gospel reading for today from Luke contains the only snippet any of the Gospels have about the childhood years of Jesus. We can conclude from the reading that Mary and Joseph, like most parents of early adolescent kids, were giving their son some independence. After making the required trip to Jerusalem for the seven day Passover festival, his parents realized that Jesus was not a part of the caravan back to Nazareth. They re-traced their steps and found Him in the Temple courtyard in a question-answer-discussion session with a group of rabbis. His retort to his frantic mother seemed to be typical of a twelve year old who has just been brought down to earth and made to deal with the reality of being missing. This small glimpse of Our Lord as a youngster seems to illustrate that his attitude and behavior was quite similar to kids of that age throughout the years. If we can recall the first time we took part in an adult discussion sometime during our adolescence and we were actually listened to, we’ve probably got a grasp of what Jesus was feeling. Remember how quickly that feeling of “I’m finally being respected for what I’m saying” disappeared when your mother came on the scene and brought you back to being a kid again.
His Attitude:
During his boyhood, Jesus most likely attended the synagogue school in Nazareth. As a precocious youngster, he seemed to have a thirst for knowledge and to learn as much as he could about God and the teachings of the Old Testament. Thus, when he had the opportunity during his trip to Jerusalem, he sought out those who could teach him more. Although he realized later in his life that there was much these teachers of the law did not understand, Jesus attitude toward them at this stage of his development was one of respect for those who were looked upon to be interpreters of the truth of God. He listened, answered their questions, and engaged in discussion and made a very positive impression upon those he was interacting with. It’s interesting to note that the Gospel reading ends by making the point that Jesus was not only in favor with God: He had the friendliness and down to earth qualities that won him the favor of people.
Jesus’ Appeal:
Jesus was the anti-Pharisee who enjoyed his interactions with others and relished opportunities to be with people and offer them something the straight-laced and somber Jewish hierarchy couldn’t: the promise of salvation for all, not just the stringent keepers of the law. His appeal to people caused men to put aside everything else and follow him...rough men...the blue collar folks of His time...people who made their living the best way they could...fisherman, prostitutes, tax collectors, the poor, the diseased, the lower echelons of society, sinners who had lost favor...In essence, He seemed to be universally and genuinely liked by everyone except that small group who offered bitter opposition and eventually caused his death. Mark’s Gospel tells us that “the common people heard Him gladly.”
Why the Common People Heard Him Gladly:
The common people heard him gladly perhaps because they were fed up with being browbeaten with the seriousness of the law and the drabness of conventional religion. The common people heard him gladly because Jesus was one of them: an individual who knew the importance of a relationship with God, yet knew and celebrated the joy of life. We see His joy of life in John’s Gospel when Our Lord performs his first miracle at the wedding feast in Cana. He attended another feast to which Matthew, the tax collector, invited all of his friends. We can assume that the guests were not from the upper crust of society. Jesus also sat at a banquet in the home of Simon the Pharisee. The Gospel of Matthew indicates that “the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they [his detractors] say ‘Behold a man gluttonous and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.’”[Matthew 11:19] How could such a man be the Messiah? How could someone as worldly and friendly as Jesus be a king...the Savior of the World? No doubt those in power had a quite different perception of what a Messiah should be.
Losing Sight of Jesus Humanness:
At times we lose sight of the humanness of Jesus and forget about those qualities which endeared Him to those around him. Some of us who are traditionalists and others who look at themselves as true Christians may tend to look at the practice of our faith as a hard inward discipline of the spirit and view religion as having little to do with the everyday matter of keeping human contacts warm and loving. Some look at religion as a Sunday thing and focus upon the ritual rather than on the daily practice. They forgot that true holiness and living a life devoted to God is found in how we live and deal with others. Their images of Jesus may be as the baby in the manger and as Christ Crucified, rather than of a man filled with holiness and a zest for life.
The Epistle:
Paul, in Today’s Epistle, implied that we must not forget that combination of holiness and living that Jesus demonstrated in His life. He wrote the Romans and us “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another.” [Romans 12:4-5] In essence, we are all interdependent and function in the world, rather than in isolation.
Conclusion:
We are all different in our functions, yet we must function together as one unified body of Christ. Like Our Lord who, in His humanness, attracted the diversity of humankind to Him, we must be attractive beacons to others through the way we live our lives and how we show our enjoyment of living. May we, like Jesus, increase in our “wisdom and stature, and in the favour of God and man.” [Luke 2:52]
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