Tag Archives: sacramental life

“Sacred Traditions”

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Pentecost 14 (Mark 7: 1-23)  09/02/2012

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The author of the Gospel according to Mark tells us this morning, “the Pharisees, and all the Jews…observed the traditions of the elders;…and there were many traditions that they observed.” (Mark 7:3-4) As we gather on this traditional Labor Day weekend, we must admit that there are a fair number of traditions that we observe. Perhaps as we sit in the church this morning with visions of the summer BBQ or the beach or some other holiday tradition on our minds, we might look quite fondly on our traditions. Traditions ground us in many ways: they connect us to our past and they provide us with a framework of how to proceed into our future. Some traditions are rather obvious and widely practiced, while other traditions are quite obscure and practiced by a select group of people. Turkey on Thanksgiving, freshly cut trees at Christmas and cakes with festive candles on birthdays include some of the most popular traditions in the United States. Lesser known traditions, so I’ve heard, include pulling off the legs of the turkey before cooking it in the oven, serving minced pie at Christmas, or taking long family hikes every New Year’s Day, regardless of the weather. Some traditions are fun and festive while others are quite sacred. Sacred traditions are often passed along to successive generations and eventually become accepted as strict rituals of the religious community. Continue reading →

“In the midst of change You are there with me”

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Seventh Sunday of Easter (John 17:6-19)  5/20/2012

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As the days get longer and the sun shines a bit warmer, I become more aware that the time is nearly here for school to take its summer recess. The thoughts of lazy summer days and relaxing trips to the beach instill great joy in the hearts of many students; while for those students who will be graduating, the coming end of the school year begins a time of great transition. The transition of those leaving school marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new chapter in one’s life; a transition to a world only previously imagined but never fully experienced. In fact, on this very day 25 years ago, I tossed my hat high into the air with my classmates as we marked the end of our college days and nervously imagined what was to follow. Transitions are life events that are often full of personal emotions and excitement, but transitions are also events that remind us that we are not alone, we rely on those we love for guidance and support. J. Philip Newell, author and spiritual director, quotes a wonderful story by George MacLeod in his book, Listening for the heartbeat of God. George MacLeod was a Scottish clergyman and founder of the modern day Christian community of Iona. MacLeod tells a story of a great day of transition for his young daughter, her first day of school. He writes, “I was busy. I was writing letters. I was self-important. My little daughter was going to school that morning for the first time. She came into my room, in her first school uniform. I said, ‘Your tie is not quite straight.’ Then I looked at her eyes. She wasn’t crying. She was unutterably disappointed. She hadn’t come for tie inspection. She had come to show she was going to school for the first time. A terrific day, and I had let her down. What is that bit in the Gospel? Whosoever shall offend against one of these little ones…better for a millstone to be tied around his neck and that he be cast into the sea. I ran downstairs. I said all the right things. I crossed the road with her. I went to school with her. I had missed the moment, missed the point. I will always see these eyes. Sometimes when I am very busy. Sometimes when I am writing letters. I am forgiven, but I won’t forget.”[i] MacLeod’s reflection on his daughter’s great day of transition insightfully paints a vivid picture of both the emotional excitement and the fragile nature of transitions, and the human need for the love and support of others as we navigate through these unfamiliar times. Continue reading →

“A dog, a flat tire, and the season of Lent”

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All diagnoses were uncertain and any relief based upon medical science appeared to be temporary, at best. My personal attachment to “man’s best friend” comes in the form of an eight year old chocolate lab. Since her earliest days she has endured recurring bouts with bladder infections. As a young pup and for her first few years these bouts were annual events. As the years added up, the frequency of the infections increased as well. She would be in discomfort only during the period of the infection itself and she responded very well to medication – nothing to worry about; maybe scratch your head and wonder why, but nothing to worry about until recently. The frequency passed semi-annual a while ago and was now heading toward a frequency greater than bi-monthly. After exhausting all non-invasive, medicine only, options and considering that she likely has several years of quality life remaining (the good LORD willing), we opted for the surgical option that promised to provide clearer answers and hopefully cure things once and for all…that was a few weeks ago and all is going very well. However, a significant portion of her bladder was removed (which will grow back) and until she has fully recuperated we take her outside every two hours or so, regardless of the time of day. My kids are now adults and I never thought I would have a small baby to care for again, but I certainly have one now…and I am very tired. Yesterday I was finishing a rather busy day and thinking about my dog’s doctor visit today (her re-check appointment). As I headed home from my meeting at the church a bit after 9pm I was thinking of the things I must do in the days ahead and only after driving a few minutes did I notice my car was pulling to the right. Fortunately I did not hear anything out of the ordinary and my drive home is short; when I arrived home my front tire was flat! Continue reading →

“Covenant partners with God: what you do does matter!”

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1st Sunday of Lent (Genesis 9:8-17)  02/26/2012

On this first Sunday of Lent, as we have now made our way through the first few days of our Lenten journey, my hope is that you have already set aside some time and have jumped in to this season by taking advantage of some of the many offerings at St. John’s Church or have decided on a few of your own. If not, I hope you have had the opportunity to at least consider something that you might like to try out during the days and weeks ahead. As for me, I have taken up an invitation from Jeffrey Lee, Bishop of Chicago, to read a book and follow Bishop Lee’s discussion questions and reflections. The book is entitled, A Practical Christianity: Meditations for the season of Lent, by Jane Shaw. The Rev. Shaw is the Dean of Grace Cathedral, located in San Francisco, CA. Her book is about the practices of Lent rather than the beliefs (or the theology and doctrines of Christianity) that we feel we must subscribe to. In the introduction to her book, Shaw writes, “For the earliest converts to Christianity, the question before they were baptized and joined the Christian community was not so much “What do you believe?” as “How has your life been transformed?”[i] I will be reading the book as a Lenten guide, so I have only read the introduction so far, but Shaw provides a wonderful overview and clearly outlines her intentions for the book. She makes the following points: Christians should not get wrapped up in difficult theologies and doctrines as they travel through their Lenten journey; more importantly, and consistent with the practices of the Early Church, is the notion that what we do is as important, if not more formative, than what we believe. Consistent with the Anglican understanding of “lex orandi, lex credendi: out of the law of praying comes the law of belief” or perhaps more practically, what you do becomes what you believe, and eventually this will form the shape of your life, your life with God and your life with your neighbor. Shaw’s book presents itself as an interesting guide to the journey of practical self-reflection toward one’s personal life, one’s relationship with God and relationship with others. Her book provides guidance on a journey that explores the many aspects of one’s relationships and it is a journey that I am looking forward to taking up throughout these forty days of Lent. Continue reading →

“Remove the obstacles that hold you back from Christ”

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Ash Wednesday (2 Cor 5:20-6:13)  2/22/2012

Welcome to the season of Lent. And if your lives are in any way fashioned around the academic calendar of the town school system, welcome back from a long weekend. A long weekend, formerly known as “Winter Recess,” but that was before the events of October came upon us all, in the form of “Storm Alfred.” A time that was unfortunately longer than a long weekend. As I reflected on this coming season of Lent and the Scripture readings that we heard today, I could not get the vivid images of that storm and the many days that followed out of my thoughts. I began to wonder if the Apostle Paul had in some way experienced some similar type of event; an event that required “great endurance, afflictions, hardships, calamities…and sleepless nights.” (2 Cor 6:4) Paul’s life, the life of a first-century apostle in foreign lands, was likely not isolated to one or two of these difficult events, but these challenges were familiar occasions throughout his days. Today, we hear Paul sharing his experiences with the community in Corinth; his highs and his lows, his fears and his hopes, and ultimately, his love for Christ and his confidence that the road of discipleship to Christ will vindicate all the challenges that he has endured. Continue reading →

“The habit of being an intentional Christian”

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1st Sunday after Epiphany [The Baptism of our Lord] (Mark 1:4-11)  1/8/2012

Happy New Year! We are now one week into the New Year, and if you have made a resolution I pray that you are still holding on strong to your new habits. The New Year offers a new beginning and a time that some people choose to make a resolution. There are, of course, all types of resolutions that people make for themselves, but most resolutions involve some type of change: a change from one behavior to another; a change from one way of being to another way of being. The really hard part of successfully achieving the new way of life is actually making it stick – how is it that the resolution becomes a permanent habit; the new practice becomes the new way of living. According to many reports that I have recently read in the media success comes through diligent practice – repetition creates the permanent habit. I have read that 4 or 5 weeks of practice will make the newly desired habit “successful.” This is nice to imagine, but I have fallen off the “daily exercise” wagon enough times to wonder if this estimate is really accurate. Several weeks of practice will get you going in the right direction, but constant immersion in a community that supports and sustains the new habit is certainly best, whether your resolution is the mastery of a new language, adherence to a new diet, or any other manner of new living. No matter what the challenge might be in your life, those closest to us help us as we seek to live our lives in new ways. Continue reading →

“Living Lent throughout Christian History – Colonial America”

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Each period of history throughout the Christian tradition has offered its unique contribution to our understanding of Lent. Select the link below to view an outline of the particular experiences of Colonial America and the establishment of the new American Prayer Book, based on the life and religious experiences of the community in the United States. I hope you will discover new insights that will help you on your Lenten journey.

Living Lent throughout Christian History – Colonial America