Unconsionable is... well, unconscionable

Recently I somewhat patiently sat through a rather pompous tirade uttered by a fellow priest in which he spoke of "some" parishes that were acting in what he called a manner "unconscionable". One of the parishes of which he spoke was the parish I serve as Rector. In time past I would have responded and engaged like for like, amazing how apparently astute people forget the maxim about "people in glasshouses should not throw stones"; little by little, though, I am learning the wisdom of "reticence of tongue and pen" and of "never explain, never defend".

But I thought afterwards what arrogance to declare anyone's act without conscience especially if the accuser has taken no time at all to understand the background and talk with the accused, even just a little. I feel good that the word "unconscionable" rarely crosses my lips for it presumes such knowledge and understanding that is truly presumptious.

Check this link for a legal approach to "unconscionable" -
http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/unconscionable.

I'm also none too attracted by people who either quote anonymous "others" who support their views or who hide ungentlemanly for cover in adversely critizing "others" rather than calling them by name!

I guess what I'm feeling is the use of unconsionable is probably generally not wise, should be used after much thought and is... well... unconscionable!

Holy Wafers Stocked in Supermarkets!?

A member of the church recently sent me this link which describes the easy internet access to the purchase of communion wafers, though matter what the intent and purpose of the purchase. http://killingthebuddha.com/mag/dogma/buying-the-body-of-christ%20

The article itself might offend some Christian people as in bad taste or disrespectful thoughtfulness but Christians have long been accustomed to the disproportionate of abuse and ridicule that is hurled in their directions rather than in the direction of, say, other world faiths

Actually re-reading the article, which I found slightly amusing, made me realize how the human mind has the ready capacity to take what is holy, revered by thousands of others, and with a dash of cynicism, a spoonful of sophistication and a wafting of erudition make it seem ridiculous
What I know is this - in June I will have been an ordained minister for 35 years; every time I have taken Communion (no matter how badly, confused, lost I have been) I have felt better afterwards; not perfect but definitely better.

By the way (and it's way at the bottom of the post, so it will hardly be read) talking of the attitude to Christianity vis-a-vis other world faiths, given the appropriate welcome given to the Menorah every year in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia... will there soon be an appropriate welcome to a Christian creche scene in the Square for 2012? I will not be tabling other tasks waiting for this to happen.

The Turin Shroud

Though my faith does not rest upon the authenticity of the Turin Shroud and though the practice of relics has never been part of my spiritual journey yet the story and debate about the Shroud has always fascinated me. It has been no problem for me to accept its authenticity and I rather like the image of resurrection power acting like some power almost unknown to man.

Quite recently another study as published arguing for the authenticity of the scrolls http://www.iol.co.za/scitech/science/discovery/turin-shroud-made-by-flash-of-light-1.1202271, it's worth reading.

So perhaps I am a crypto-conservative pre-Vatican Roman Catholic somewhere very deep down and well hidden in this evangelical body. I doubt this really; I remember when I was asked to kiss a relic of King Charles in a church not too far from here - my thought, and later comment, was, "I try not to kiss anything without some form of identification!

I think, at heart, I am thrilled by the possibility of seeing resurrection power so tangibly at work though I know it is as much at work in the hearts and lives of women and men throughout the ages and in my life today. And, I suppose, the possibility that here is the face of Jesus... well!

Nothing stays like... styrofoam!

Well, yes, it might be very easy to pack a box with styrofoam packing material (actually it looks rather fun) but try to disassociate yourself from the wretched stuff - that's another story.

And so this morning I opened a package which contained the real package one-tenth of its size; the rest was filled with styrofoam material.

I tried my best to get rid of the clinging balls and pieces - they stuck to trousers, jacket, coat. At one point I just waved jacket and coat and that seemed to work except the displaced pieces then chose a new site closer to home - my hands.

I tried to pick them off but it was a useless process doomed to frustration and then the solution hit me - wash them off. Moving to the bathroom I had pictures of people attacked by insects who then dive into a river to wash them off; well, that wasn't for me (though there is a shower in the church offices!). It worked and easily.

There are definitely times when I labour over minutiae when really what is needed is to be washed again, overwhelmed by the cleansing and renewing love and grace of God. It works too, I promise!

Stability!

In my prayer for today, I reflected on the verse "Dwell in the land and feed on its riches" (Psalm 37:3). As I read the verse in morning prayer it occurred to me that here was a calling to accept and embrace this day with all its tasks and conversations, hopes and fears. In theory this seemed altogether quite a pleasant thought and then...

Leaving Morning Prayer a new friend appeared at the church doors clearly expecting a breakfast meeting with me. For some reason there had been confusion and I was caught by surprise. Because I had other "plans" for the morning I felt a little taken aback and disappointed but we had breakfast nevertheless. It was a great conversation, moving and inspiring. So, there you go, "dwell in the land [accept where you are] and feed on its riches"; it was indeed richly nourishing to develop friendship with my new friend and... the bacon and eggs was good too!

Is consistency the hobgoblin of little minds?

Ah, well to begin with I owe Mr. Ralph Waldo Emerson an apology; for far too long I have misquoted him for he actually said, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" and I think the work "foolish" is pretty significant, yes?

Anyway; yesterday I read a NYTimes Obituary of Dan Evins, the founder of the Cracker Barrel franchise of restaurants. I read that in the 1990's Mr. Evins instituted a policy of not employing people "whose sexual preferences failed to demonstrate normal heterosexual values". The policy was reversed and Mr. Evins called it "a mistake".

I believe Mr. Evins strong anti-gay stance was largely due to his reading of Holy Scripture but then, towards the end of the obituary, I read that he had two divorces before meeting his third and final wife. Now, Holy Scripture is pretty clear about divorce; in fact very clear.

So, is it in vain that I look for "consistency"? This raises the important, basic, radical question of how we read and how we interpret Holy Scripture for I've yet to meet someone who has obeyed Scripture in consistent ways. Am I right?

So, the question is not whether I or a conservative Christian love Scripture more for I revere the book and love its author. No, the question is how we interpret and apply the Word.

Don't Shout, be part of the group!

I have just returned from an Ordination Service in the Diocese of Philadelphia; I'll refrain from making some rather adverse comments on relatively little things that occurred during the service. yes I will! Though it makes me realize what practices, rituals take place at The Church of the Holy Trinity which make little sense and may even be counterproductive - and I need someone with fresh eyes to tell me. But this principle applies in so many aspects of life.

But anyway, as is my wont, I digress.

I was disappointed that some of my clergy colleagues seemed to forget they were not leading the worship but rather being a participant with other participants.

Years ago, almost fifty years ago, I learned from a choirmaster that if I could not hear the person next to me I was probably singing too loudly - unless it really was a s solo and I was not asked to sing many of those!

Of course the praying or the singing didn't quite match the energy and noise of Al Pacino but it was happening.

Perhaps the recent story of a Latin American cell 'phone call interrupting Mahler has a similar theme - we forget, we forget, we forget our participation in the group, membership in the community and so outlandish things just tend to happen. Though, actually, I've never really understood Mahler so for me it might have been almost a divine moment of relief.