Although this blog has tended to avoid dipping into the political arena, I just could not overlook the comments by one of our Presidential candidates at the 63rd Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner held on October 16, 2008, at the Waldorf Astoria. Sure, the event was delightful in that both candidates took time away from their busy campaigning to roast themselves and their opposing candidate but more especially to support the outreach of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York and to honor Alfred E. Smith. Al Smith, as he was known in private and public life, was the first Roman Catholic and Irish-American to run for President as a major party nominee. He lost the election to Herbert Hoover. He then became president of the Empire State, Inc. and was instrumental in getting the Empire State Building built during the Great Depression.
While watching and listening to the speeches I was brought to tears when one candidate closed his remarks with one of the finest statements defining what we as a country are all about and the responsibility we all share as citizens of these United States of America. I share those comments with you.
“You know, the fact that each October, in the closing weeks of a hard-fought campaign, people of all political persuasions can come to this dinner and share a meal and honor the work of this foundation underscores the reality that no matter what differences or divisions or arguments we’re having right now, we ultimately belong to something bigger and more lasting than a political party.
We belong to a community. We share a country. We are all children of God.
And in this country, there are millions of fellow citizens, our brothers and sisters, who need us very much, especially now. We are being battered by a very serious economic storm, and for many Americans it’s only deepened the quiet storms they’ve been struggling through for years.
Beyond the walls of this hotel, on the streets of one of the greatest cities in the wealthiest nation on earth, there are men and women and children who have fallen on hard times and hard luck, who can’t find work, or even a job that pays enough to keep a roof over their heads. Some are hanging on just by a thread.
Scripture says God creates us for works of service. We are blessed to have so many organizations like this one and the Catholic Diocese that perform these acts of God every day.
But each of us also has that responsibility. Each of us has that obligation, especially now. No matter who we are or what we do, what I believe each of us in this room asks for and hopes for and prays for is enough strength and wisdom to do good and to seek justice and play our small part in building a more hopeful and compassionate world for the generations that will follow.
Before Al Smith was a candidate who made history, he was a man who made a difference, a man who fought for many years to give Americans nothing more than a fair shake and a chance to succeed. And he touched the lives of hundreds of thousands — of millions as a result. Simply put, he helped people.
That’s a distinction we can all aspire to, that we can all achieve, young or old, rich or poor, Democrat or Republican or independent. And I have no doubt that if we come together at this moment of crisis with this goal in mind, America will meet this challenge and weather this storm, and, in the words of Al Smith, ‘walk once more in eternal sunshine.’
Thank you so much, everybody. God bless you.”
Barack Obama
Funerals are always a difficult time for family, friends and even clergy. This past weekend we buried one of the founding members of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. Not that I am unfamiliar with dealing with death, both personally and professionally, it is still a difficult time for everyone involved.
Thankfully our Book of Common Prayer provides very sound guidelines for the preparation and performance of the burial rite. These guidelines are a great comfort both to the deceased’s family as well as to the church staff responsible for the burial service.
Very early on in my ministry I was reflecting on what is communicated in our burial rite and concluded that if anything, we, as the Church, are communicating the promise found in Matthew 28:20, “…And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” One aspect of my ministry has always been the goal of trying to make our Holy Scriptures relevant and present in our everyday thoughts and actions. And, although the Burial Rite in our BCP underscores Christ’s promise to always be with us, I wondered if there was a way to communicate this promise in our liturgical actions as well.
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Hopes dashed. Options reduced. Plans and fantasies dismantled. Depression. Loneliness. Frustration. Anger. Desperation. Isolation. All because a man died upon a cross on a lonely hill outside of Jerusalem.
Although I’m forced to conjecture upon the situation in which Thomas found himself, since we are not told why he was not with the other apostles when Christ appeared the first time to them, I sense that I am probably not far awry about the feelings Thomas must have been experiencing during those agonizing days following the crucifixion of Jesus. Thomas, the apostle who offers to die with Jesus on His way to Bethany (John 11:16). Thomas, the apostle who interrupted the last discourse with his question “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”(John 14.5). Thomas, the apostle who doubted the Resurrection unless he were to touch the wounds of the Risen Lord (John 20:25-28). Thomas, the apostle who, after Christ’s appearance, confesses his faith in the words”My Lord and my God” and is thus the first to confess explicitly Jesus’ Divinity following His death and resurrection. Thomas, the apostle whose confession of faith is saliently recited by Catholic and Anglo-Catholic worshipers throughout the world during the elevation of the elements during the prayer of consecration of the Holy Eucharist. Thomas, the apostle who may guide us to a deeper understanding of our faith response in times of crisis as well as celebration.
I believe that although our times are different from the 1st century disciples and followers of Christ, the people are the same and so is the loving message of God. We are living in a very different time than Thomas. I suppose many of us would think we therefore are quite different. But, are we really?
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In my previous posts dealing with various aspects of Holy Baptism, both theological and pastoral [See: Holy Baptism: The Salt of Baptism, New Baptismal Theology? Adult Baptism, Holy Baptism: An Adult Respected and We Receive You], I have based my comments and understandings on what I understand as my theology of Holy Baptism. However, there are times when it is necessary to throw all the theological understandings and arguments out the window! But, I firmly believe that this should only be done for sound pastoral reasons.
During my years in Clinical Pastoral Education in a medical setting many situations arose which challenge a chaplain’s theology. As I have mentioned before, Clinical Pastoral Education has as a very basic principle the utilization of the “living human document” as the primary teaching tool in the development of pastoral skills and the providing of pastoral care. The “living human document” is the person being ministered to as well as the person offering pastoral ministry. And it is in the interaction of the minister and the layperson that pastoral care is defined, exercised and communicated.
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I reader recently passed along a short video clip in response to the posts regarding baptism. I just could not miss the opportunity to share the clip with you.
Be sure to watch out for the second child being baptized. He is a hoot!
This past Spring two members of St. Michael’s approached me about a project they had in mind. This couple had been working on the grounds around the physical plant and were wondering about all the open space located beyond the paved parking lot and the surrounding residential homes behind the parish hall. Having cleared the property line of brush and other growth, they wanted to know if it might be possible to put in a summer vegetable garden.
I took their request to the very next Vestry meeting and after discussion they approved the idea. What emerged in the discussion was the position that, as long as there were volunteers to maintain the garden, all produce would be available to anyone and everyone whether or not he or she was a member of the congregation or not.
Well, volunteers stepped forward. After tilling the soil, a real task since the location had once been part of a gravel parking lot, preparing the soil, the vegetables were planted and continued to be watered by hand.
It is such a joy to see cars pulling into the area and persons getting out to inspect the results. It is especially rewarding when persons not affiliated with St. Michael’s avail themselves to this project.
Scripture says they we are to “feed the hungry” and in one very small way St. Michael’s is fulfilling this demand. This vegetable garden is truly “Summer Manna.”
Almost every Episcopalian has had the opportunity to witness and share in the baptism of a child or adult during a Sunday morning worship service. Since Holy Baptism is most appropriate in the content of our Sunday morning Eucharistic celebration [See: New Baptismal Theology? Adult Baptism] one aspect of the Rite of Holy Baptism that is often overlooked, or is at least not emphasized, is the role of the congregation in this sacramental celebration. Read the rest of this entry » » » »
Continuing with the theme of Holy Baptism some consideration needs to be addressed regarding some pastoral aspects of this sacramental rite. It’s my guess that very little thought is given to baptism by most laity except for their desire as parents to have their children baptized. More thought is surely given by adults who desire to be baptized and hopefully, in these cases, more time and effort is expended by all parties concerning the decision to be baptized. For a background on the issue of adult baptism I strongly suggest that you read my post New Baptismal Theology? Adult Baptism. However, for a priest sometimes the decision to baptize is not so cut and dry, especially in light of pastoral concerns and issues. Read the rest of this entry » » » »
Previously I shared an old practice and use of baptismal salt as a part of the rite of baptism. (See: Holy Baptism - The Salt Of Baptism) Recently I have had the privilege of performing baptisms of two adults and was thus given the opportunity to think and preach about baptism and especially adult baptism. In my research I was able to delve into the nature of the baptismal rite and especially the differences between the 1928 Book of Common Prayer and the revised 1979 BCP. During the revision of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer there were many who charged that the new revision was a change in our theology - our understanding of how God interacts with the world. AND THESE CHARGES WERE CORRECT! Read the rest of this entry » » » »
Recently I have had the privilege to perform several baptisms, two of these were adult men. Maybe my ministry has been exceptional in that almost exclusively I have performed baptisms of young children. But, I feel that my life in ministry is probably common in this matter. With these baptisms several thoughts have come to mind and therefore this piece of ‘manna’ is one of four regarding various aspects of baptism. The second ‘manna’ will deal with some of the history and theology of the Sacrament of Baptism as contained in our 1979 Book of Common Prayer. [See: New Baptismal Theology? Adult Baptism] The final three address pastoral aspects of baptisms drawn from my 35 years in the ordained ministry. The first is Holy Baptism: An Adult Respected, the second We Receive You, and the final post is The Tears of Baptism: A Pastoral Response.
One custom I have incorporated into the celebration of the baptismal rite has been the utilization of baptismal salt. Read the rest of this entry » » » »