On this the first Sunday in Advent, Charlie touched on several themes. Some of these we have heard before (such as the voices of the Prophets coming from left field). He again took a shot at individulism, and I have to fire back. The Episcopal Church is standing on shakey ground if it tries to be the voice of prophesy. It can't point it's finger and say "do this," or "don't do that," until it gets it's act together. Until then, we individuals need to keep thinking, and talking since we are the Church. Will the Episcopal Church expire before me? Will there be a second coming of the Episcopal Church? The end of the world or the Apocalypse may be further in the future, but as an individual, I am facing "the Day of the Lord" or "the second coming" when I anticipate my own time of death. All this serious stuff can make my head spin, and when that happens, it is time to look to Bethlehem, clear my mind and focus on the promise of God's Gift to us. If we all do, maybe then we will use God's Gift as Charlie suggests, to create the promised land ourselves (my words not his).
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This is not exactly on topic, but it did occur to me this morning. The "Episcopal 101" blurb in the bulletin was used to decry to increasing commercialization of Christmas and the loss of the sense of the Advent season. This has also been mentioned from the pulpit on occasion. My question: what exactly was the purpose of the Christmasville festivities if not to entice more people to the downtown area and to convince them to part company with their hard-earned shekels? And, more to the point, if we, as a church community, choose to belittle such creeping commercialization, why do we encourage it by offering our support and participation? Just wondering, of course.
ReplyDeleteThe Moderator's "The Second Coming" post is the outline of a spendid and beautiful sermon. If he would write it out into an article/sermon we might submit it to The Living Church magazine, who like to receive thoughtful articles from intelligent lay persons. My thanks for stimulating my mind, Underground Pewster (whosoever thou art). I do not thank you for stimulating my envy.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are probably too disorganized for the general public. I would not want to lead them in "heresy." Cato would find out and then I would be cast into the pit.
ReplyDeleteIn any liberal parish there needs to be at least one orthodox voice...much like the voice of one crying in the wilderness.
ReplyDeleteI note with some sorrow--but little surprise--that no one has attempted an answer to my questions (above) regarding the recent Christmasville festivities.
ReplyDeleteSo, we continue to spout our pious platitudes and walk in the ways of political correctness, bowing to the gods of commerce. See Matthew 21:12-13 for further guidance.
Our Christmasville participation was for Mission and Outreach. In addition, it provided an excellent excuse to open our doors to people. Perhaps we should have simply provided free restrooms for parade goers, while we humbled ourselves by cleaning the latrines. Either approach to "Christmasville" seems reasonable. I see no need to overturn the tables of the vendors outside the Temple.
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