Humility

I realized that this is the essence of humility. There was complete absence of regard for the self in the way they lived. Either the work mattered or the person mattered. I had thought humility meant accepting that you did not amount to much, that you should always devalue yourself or your achievements when talking to other people. I had been influenced by the ethos of New College, at Oxford University, the essence of which is that you must never make your superiority to others apparent to them. This was essentially the English form of humility, which built the empire and realized, for a time, the prophecy that the meek would inherit the earth. But it was cant. Real humility, I learned from the nuns of Evangelismos, is not thinking yourself less than the dust. It is thinking of others so completely that you do not think about yourself at all (Peter France, A Place of Healing for the Soul: Patmos, Copyright 2002, Atlantic Monthly Press).

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-11, NKJV).

Blessed Is He Who Reads and Those Who Hear: 23 Pentecost (8 Nov 2009)

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near (Rev 1:1-3, NKJV).

On Sunday, 8 November 2009, the Service of the Word at Trinity Church will consist of a few, brief background remarks followed by a congregational reading of The Revelation of John. There is blessing promised in the reading and in the hearing.

The Great Thanksgiving in the Service of Holy Eucharist is drawn from the text of The Revelation.

The Great Thanksgiving

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come,
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness,
the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
and has made us to be a kingdom and priests
to serve his God and Father –
to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God,
“who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is good and right to join with the living creatures around your throne,
Lord God, who day and night never stop saying:
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come.

It is good and right to bow before you along with the twenty-four elders
who lay their crowns before your throne and say:
You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created and have their being.

We praise you Lord God and your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ:
the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David,
the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
You are worthy, Lord Christ, because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased a people for God
from every language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on earth.

With many angels numbering thousands upon thousands,
and ten thousand times ten thousand, in a loud voice we sing:
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise! Amen.

Now, with every creature in heaven and on earth
and under the earth and on the sea
we sing your praises, O God who sits enthroned,
and your praises, Jesus Christ the Lamb:

To him who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and power forever. Amen.

Praise our God, all you his servants,
you who fear him, both small and great!
Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him the glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.

Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!
These are the true words of God.

(All gather at the Table.)

(The following words of institution are from St. Paul’s letter to the saints in Corinth.)

We give you thanks, O God, for what we have received from the Lord,
that true word which has been passed on to us:

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed,
took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said,
“This is my body, which is for you;
do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood;
do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

For whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, gracious Father,
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup
in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning
against the body and blood of the Lord.
Therefore, we examine ourselves
before we eat of the bread and drink of the cup
that we may recognize the body of our Lord.

(Silence for self-examination)

We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts
that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ
and his Blood of the New Covenant.
Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice,
that we may be acceptable through him,
being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ,
and bring us to that heavenly country where, with all your saints,
we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation,
the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor are yours, almighty God,
forever and ever. Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us,
we are bold to say,

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

These are the gifts of God for the people of God.
Let us take them in remembrance that Christ died for us,
in celebration that he rose for us,
in proclamation that he will come again for us.
Feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.


Post-Communion Thanksgiving

Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Christ:
victory by the blood of the Lamb and the word of the testimony.
The kingdom of the world has become
the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,
and he will reign for ever and ever.

Let us pray.

Almighty and everliving God,
we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food
of the most precious Body and Blood
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
and for assuring us in these holy mysteries
that we are living members of the Body of your Son,
and heirs of your eternal kingdom.
And now, Father, send us out
to do the work you have given us to do,
to love and serve you
as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Personal Reflection: On Confirmation

The Service of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation has ended. I linger about our small chapel afterwards to reflect on the profound mysteries enacted there moments ago – heaven striking earth like lightning on this spot, as Frederica Mathewes-Green writes – and I notice the autumn light filtering through the windows, diffused by the rising smoke of incense, playing off the bottle filled with Holy Chrism, the Oil of Gladness: God, dwelling in light inaccessible from before time and forever, condescending to enlighten the world through his Son our Lord Jesus Christ. How gracious is our God to take the stuff of earth – water and oil, bread and wine, sacred word and action – and reveal it as the stuff of heaven. How merciful is our Lord to take the stuff of earth – water and oil, bread and wine, sacred word and action – and reveal the heavenly mysteries of new creation, of sanctification, of immortality, of truth, of life. How wondrous that our God should work through the mouths and hands and lives of sinners – of whom I am chief – to proclaim the gospel of reconciliation and to administer the mysteries of grace.

It is my prayer that, before I die, I can truly pray the Nunc dimittis, The Song of Simeon.

Lord, you now have set your servant free
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A light to enlighten the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.

This day is part of God’s ongoing answer to my prayer: a day when through this sinner’s hands, my daughter in the flesh – and another dear one who is a second daughter to me – became most truly my sisters in the faith. These eyes of mine have seen the Savior in the lives of these two. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. By his great mercy we have been born anew through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Mercy, indeed.

The Knowledge of God

I wish I could take credit for the essay "The Knowledge of God"; unfortunately, I cannot -- it is yet another example of the clear thinking and writing of Fr. Stephen Freeman of St. Anne's Orthodox Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. It is enough for me simply to point you toward it.

"THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD" by Fr. Stephen Freeman

You will also find this essay in audio format at the "Glory To God" podcast page on Ancient Faith Radio.

"THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD" podcast on Ancient Faith Radio

Feast of All Saints: A Service of Confirmation

Sermon: All Saints’ Day (1 November 2009)
A Service of Confirmation
(Josh 24:1-2a, 14-18/Ps 1/ Eph 1:15-23/Mt 16:24-27)
Markers

Blessed be God who has made us worthy to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Amen.

This sermon is for Hayleigh and Mary Kathleen on the occasion of their Confirmation. But, you are welcome to “ eavesdrop” if you’d like.
_____________________________________

Moses is dead. The devil wanted his body, but the archangel Michael contended with the devil and defeated him, not with sword or might or legion of angels but with the power of the word: “The Lord rebuke you!” is all Michael said (cf Jude 9), and that word spoken in the name of the Lord was enough. And now Moses lies buried in a valley in the land of Moab, in a grave known only to God (cf Dt 34:6).

Now, Joshua leads Israel – Joshua, chosen by God and ordained by Moses; Joshua, full of the spirit of wisdom. God has given Joshua his marching orders, literally:

[T]he LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 “Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess’” (Josh 1:1b-11, NKJV).

This much is clear: Israel’s possession of the land rests on the promises of God – promises past and promises future. “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you;” it “shall be your territory;” “no man shall be able to stand before you.” But this is equally clear: Israel’s possession of the land is contingent upon the strength, courage, and obedience of Joshua and all the people. “Be strong and of good courage;” do according to all that is written in the Law – then you will have good success. This is your salvation story writ large in the pages of Israel’s history, for the salvation that is ours in Christ Jesus rests solely upon the promises of God – promises past and future. But our salvation is also contingent upon our strength, courage, and obedience – all energized by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the faithful. So the church charges you this day as God charged Joshua that day: Be strong and very courageous. Keep the faith; do not turn from it to the right or to the left. God who has promised is faithful, and you will have good success.

There are yet many obstacles in Israel’s way: the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites; walled and well-defended cities; treachery, seduction, disobedience, and faithlessness. But none of these obstacles are as immediate as the Jordan River. It is harvest time and the Jordan is at flood stage, overflowing all its banks. Israel is camped on the east bank; Jericho and the main body of Israel’s inheritance lie across the Jordan to the west. God commands the people to cross, a first test of their strength, courage, and obedience.

7 And the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 8 You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan.’” 11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan. 12 Now therefore, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man from every tribe. 13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap.” 14 So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), 16 that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan (Josh 3:7-8, 11-17, NKJV).

This, too, is part of your salvation story: the mighty hand and outstretched arm of God miraculously led you down into, through, and out of the baptismal waters – from the old life (and death) of slavery and wilderness wondering to the new life of inheritance and kingdom.

Hayleigh and Mary Kathleen, this is your story. You stand today on the far side of the Jordan; you’ve come up out of the baptismal waters. Your inheritance as children of God lies before you. One thing remains yet to do before you go forward with strength and courage and obedience to seize it. Listen again to the ancient story.

1 And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying: 2 “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’”4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; 5 and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” 8 And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan, as the LORD had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. 9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day (Josh 4:1-9, NKJV).

Before Israel moves forward, Israel – at God’s command – sets up markers, stone altars of remembrance and thanksgiving. One stands in the middle of the Jordan River, under torrents of water, seen only by God: This is where we were, it proclaims. One stands on the far side of the Jordan, seen by all for generations to come: This is where God has brought us, it proclaims. Draw a line from the marker hidden in the Jordan through the marker on dry ground and it points westward, into the land of promise, toward Israel’s inheritance. Follow this line, God says; do not turn from it to the right or left. And be strong and of good courage, for I have promised to be with you wherever you go.

Mary Kathleen and Hayleigh, it is time for you to build a marker, an altar of remembrance and thanksgiving – not with stones, but with faith and vow and proclamation. That is the nature of Confirmation. It looks back toward your baptism – to your own Jordan, through which God brought you. In those waters you were born and named and sealed as Christ’s own forever. Never forget your baptism. When doubts arise, when temptations come, when sin besets you, look back to that marker and proclaim, “I have been baptized. I am God’s beloved.” And though that marker is hidden beneath the water, it is seen by God, for he knows his own.

But Confirmation does not just look back; it looks around and establishes a second marker. Since your baptism you have grown in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. You have grown in faith and understanding and grace. It is time to build another marker to proclaim, “Here I stand, by God’s grace, ready to renew my covenant with him, ready to take my place fully with the people of God, ready to shoulder the yoke of Christ, ready to take up the cross and carry it daily, ready to press on toward the high calling of Christ to which God has called me.” Are you ready to build this marker? Are you ready to confirm, as young adults, those holy words spoken for you in your infancy or spoken by you in your childhood? The church believes you are. So, the church will ask you to speak this day for yourselves, by your own choosing, and by speaking, to bind yourselves solemnly to the common faith and life of the church, to the way and the truth and the life found only in Jesus. Understand that it is a difficult way, but a glorious one. Understand that on this way much will be lost, but even more will be gained. Understand that persecution comes to those who walk this way, but great blessing and reward as well. Are you ready to set the marker stones?

Draw a line from the marker of your baptism through the new marker of your confirmation – a line of faith – and it points forward into eternal life in the Kingdom of God – eternal life that begins even now. There are many obstacles ahead that you must overcome, many battles that you must fight. Your salvation rests on God’s promise, remember, but it also depends on your courage, strength, and obedience. There are passions you must battle, temptations you must overcome, sin you must forsake. You must make repentance your constant companion, prayer your trusted ally, the Word of God your sword, and the body and blood of Christ your heavenly food. And remember: you are not alone; you are never alone. Jesus promised that he would never abandon or forsake you, and his promise is good. The Holy Spirit has made of you his temple, dwelling in you and cleansing you of all impurity. And, you are surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses we honor this day: the saints, the great body of the faithful throughout all time past and stretching into the eternal future. They are watching you, cheering you on, strengthening you by their faithful testimony and through their prayers. And they are beckoning you to join that great fellowship of the holy ones of God. The line drawn from your baptism through your Confirmation leads you through the saints and beyond to the One whom they worship.

19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. 20 And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. 21 Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; 23 for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, 24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever” (Josh 4:19-24, NKJV).

Hayleigh and Mary Kathleen, place your twelve stones. Mary Kathleen and Hayleigh, place the marker of Confirmation firmly this day so that you may remember what the Lord has done for you, so that you may see the way ahead clearly, so that you and all the people whose lives you will touch may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, and that you may fear the Lord your God forever. Amen.

As We Forgive

Two years ago my community was shocked by the kidnap, rape, torture, and murder of a young couple. The brutality of the crimes was and is almost unimaginable to those who do not know the depth of darkness in the human spirit enslaved by our ancient foe. Since that time -- and particularly now as the defendants are being tried, convicted, and sentenced -- we have been confronted with issues of justice, vengeance, and forgiveness. I find an article by Kh. Frederica Mathewes-Green helpful -- a review of the doumentary film, As We Forgive, on the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide and the struggle for forgiveness.

As We Forgive

Benedict XVI and the Anglican Communion

Pope Benedict XVI is making overtures to disaffected Anglican clergy, suggesting that even married Anglican priests may be accepted into the Roman Catholic priesthood and may retain their Anglican rites and liturgy. While details are vague, even this hint is enough to delight and dismay various contingents in both expressions of the faith.

Fr. Chris Larimer, vicar of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Louisville, Kentucky and author of Adiaphora blogsite recently posted the following quote in response to the Vatican’s announcement.

What can be supposed wanting in our Church in order to salvation? We have the Word of God, the Faith of the Apostles, the Creeds of the Primitive Church, the Articles of the four first General Councils, a holy liturgy, excellent prayers, perfect sacraments, faith and repentance, the Ten Commandments, and the sermons of Christ, and all the precepts and counsels of the Gospels. We … require and strictly exact the severity of a holy life. … We communicate often, our priests absolve the penitent. Our Bishops ordain priests, and confirm baptised persons, and bless their people and intercede for them. And what could here, be wanting to salvation?”
- Jeremy Taylor, Bp. of Down & Connor (1613-1667)

Why return to Rome, wondered Anglican Bp. Taylor nearly four centuries ago, when there is nothing wanting in Canterbury? Of course, much has changed in both Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism in the intervening centuries, but the question still hangs in the air – especially now.

“And what could here, be wanting to salvation?” It would be presumptuous – for several reasons – for me to posit an answer to Bp. Taylor’s question. First, I am neither Anglican nor Roman Catholic. Second, and most significant, to answer the question would require me to stand outside the church and to stand in judgment upon one or another expression of it. As James, the brother of our Lord, taught us (cf James 4:11-12), that is a most dangerous place to stand: Who am I to judge my neighbor – particular when he is the servant of another?

But – Already I’m on treacherous ground; Lord, have mercy on this sinner. – there is implied by Bp. Taylor’s question a notion that perhaps I may address without transgression. Surely, the implied assertion that Anglicanism lacks nothing for salvation cannot mean that Canterbury and Rome are equivalent/indistinguishable in their understanding and practice of Christian salvation? The differences between Anglicanism and Catholicism are profound. And, as different as they are one from another, taken together, they are more different still from Orthodoxy. “What could … be wanting to salvation?” begs this even more fundamental question: “Are all views of the nature of salvation equivalent?” And, if they are not equivalent, are the differences significant?

We can answer these reformulated questions without standing in judgment of any particular communion. No, all views of the nature of salvation are not equivalent. Yes, the differences are significant. Both Anglicanism and Roman Catholicism lack or de-emphasize the therapeutic understanding of salvation so central to Orthodoxy, just as Orthodoxy lacks or de-emphasizes the forensic understanding of salvation prevalent in Western expressions of the faith. These differences in emphasis lead to corresponding differences in theology and praxis. Orthodox theosis – and life of askesis generally required to approach it – for example, is relatively foreign to the Western church; yet, it is the goal and nature of salvation in the Eastern church. The Western concept of original sin is not equivalent to the Eastern understanding of ancestral sin. Simply put, Athanasius is not Anselm.

So, to return to Bp. Taylor’s question: “And what could here, be wanting to salvation?” In one sense, nothing; salvation is available on paths that lead through Canterbury, Rome, Constantinople, and Antioch. But that doesn’t mean the paths are the same.