The Smoke Rises

Today the chapel at Virginia Theological Seminary was destroyed by fire. It is amazing how quickly someone, me, can become attached to a building. But the chapel at VTS was more than a building, it was a place of worship and formation. My mentor worshipped there as a seminarian about 60 years ago. Countless students worshiped there three times a day for 130 years. The formation of deacons, priests, and bishops occurred within the chapel. The joys and sorrows, the prayers and tears that filled the chapel have all been laid to rest by fire.

There are physical aspects of the chapel that can not be replaced like the Tiffany window or the African wood of the altar rail. Another window and different wood will be used when the chapel is rebuilt, but it is really the spirit of the chapel that is lost forever.

When I visited the VTS campus last spring it was Eucharist in the chapel that helped me to know I belonged here. As a student this fall I looked forward to 8am Morning Prayer in the chapel on Monday, it was a great way to start the week. During our Quiet Day this fall I spent time praying in the chapel and getting to know the chapel. I sat in different places, I read the plaques on the wall, I touched the wood of the altar rail, I became very attached to the chapel.

Now I am looking at the probability that my time here at VTS will not include a chapel. Yes the chapel will be rebuilt. And yes I will be here for the ground breaking of the new chapel. But it is probable that the consecration of the chapel will not occur while I am still a student, these projects just take too long.

Of course worship will continue somewhere, but it won’t be our chapel. It will be some other temporary building and that seems to fall short of what our chapel brings to everyone.

I am not certain what my formation as a priest will be like without the chapel. With God and the VTS community formation will occur, even without the chapel, but it will be different.

In closing this is the prayer offered by the Very Reverend Ian Markham as the VTS community gathered:

Loving God, we give you thanks. Our sense of loss is great—so our pain, our worry, our concerns. We give you the thousands of memories that go with our chapel. We trust that in you our memories are captured and saved for our eternal life. We give thanks for the community services that came to help us—firefighters and police. Our community is at prayer, and we give thanks that the fire was contained and that no lives were lost. We give you our concerns and worries. We pray for wisdom and discernment and we offer this moment and ourselves to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Looking outside

I have been married for 23 years, and while that is worth writing about it is not my topic. The point is that I have worn the same ring on the same finger for 23 years. In those 23 years just a few people commented on the distinctiveness of my wedding band. In the last 4 weeks at Virginia Theological Seminary I have had more people comment on my wedding band and identify it as a Moebious strip than I have had people even notice it in the past 23 years.

Curious I thought; how is that so many people at VTS recognize the Moebious strip that forms my wedding band?

I gave it some thought and wondered about the people who I am associated with now and those from my past life. I found a difference that would explain the sudden recognition of my unique wedding band.

Those from my past associations are, to some degree, inner-focused. They might listen to the radio station WIFM - What’s in It For Me? When you consider that most, but not all, of my past associations were with business people the inner-focus is put into perspective. The business world is by nature competitive and self or inner-focused. It is in a crude way “all about me.” When you are focusing on “me” and “mine” then noticing other people is not a priority. I don't say this to be unfairly critical towards the business world and those in it. Many of those people do wonderful things for the community around them. And often it is their focus that enables these good works.

In contrast, the VTS population and most clergy, though not all, are outer-focused. They look inward so that they can look, and serve, outward. The primary concern is for others. I believe that it is this pastoral outer-focus that allows others to see and be alert to those around them. This outer-focus notices little things like unique wedding bands, or someone who needs a helping hand.

Am I outer-focused? Probably not as much as I should be. I have many years of business culture to unravel. But this was a good reminder for me. As I have noticed my own wedding band these past several weeks I am gently reminded of the differences between inner and outer-focused people.

Christ was concerned for others - outer-focused, so much so that He gave his life for us. I am seeing that being modeled for me by the VTS community. It is just one of the many lessons I hope to take with me.

Shalom,

brick by brick

Amen, fittingly that was the last word I spoke before entering silence.

Twice a year the entire seminary community enters a day of silence and prayer. There are no classes, course work is to cease, cell phones and computers are turned off. The entire campus is silent. The mid-day meal is eaten in silence.

I was struck by how warm and friendly everyone was, without uttering a word.

I spent part of the morning wondering through the cemetery that is on campus. Sitting in the cemetery I wrote down these thoughts:

Sitting in hallowed space

Beneath a dog wood tree

This tree, who the legend says, chose to never grow so large as to have wood suitable for the cross of a crucifixion

This tree whose beauty belies the pain of the Passion

I sit on a bench in memory of the daughter of a seminarian.

Alice Mae died at the age of 6 months and 10 days

What a blessing she must have been to her family

I can only pray that the VTS seminary community was also a blessing to this family in their time of need

Each person memorialized before me has built the church that we have today. The lives of these people, both clergy and laity, became the bricks that form our church.

What substance do I have to also form a brick?

Shalom

The Humble Shall Be Exhalted

During a recent orientation session we participated in a Bible study(several actually). The Bible study was from the lectionary for this Sunday; Luke 14:1,7-14.

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.
When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, `Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, `Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."


One of Jesus' parables. How he loved to teach in parables, he invites you in and then – wham!
There you are looking in the mirror.

When I reflected on this passage I was reminded of several clergy that I have known and who have been a positive influenced on me. These specific clergy, both Bishop, Priest, and Deacon, were humble. How I wish I could say that all clergy, and all humankind for that matter, reflected the humbleness that Christ asked for, but we are all human so that is not the case. Though these specific clergy through their humbleness were also the most powerful and most effective clergy with whom I have been associated.

My reflection led me to see that those clergy who seemed to seek power seemed to have power elude them. And those clergy who freely gave power to others seem to be the most powerful and the most effective. I write this not to criticize any clergy in general or specific, rather this is a written note to myself, a reminder. I was so profoundly affected by the realization that their effectiveness resulted from their humbleness that I wanted to remind myself of this. I want to model my own life after their example. The lessons of Christ and the modeling by these clergy will guide me as I form my own life and ministry.

I also want to thank those clergy for modeling for me Christ's invitation to be humble.

Your servant in Christ,

When you sing you pray twice.

Registering for fall classes should not seem like a challenge but I found some interesting hurdles this year. In the past, as a first year student the path was clear. Now as a middler the path is confused by my transferring to a different seminary. I can't proceed with a typical middler schedule as there are some remaining 1st year requirements that have presented themselves due to the transfer. Well this is not really a big hurdle, just something that deserves attention.

The hurdle I found is listening to what I need to take compared to what I want to take. By 'need' I am not thinking about academic requirements, rather I am thinking about what I 'need' to become a better person and potentially better priest.

So I looked at the courses that I did not want to take; things that would make me turn and run. Chief among them is a course in singing for the musically challenged. Yes, that course would make me turn and run, so I signed up for that course.

I guess that if I am going to wear the fancy clothes then along with the Prayer Book I should be able to carry a tune. My suspicion is that the course requirements will have several text books, probably hymnals, and a bucket. Many of us need a bucket to carry a tune.

I am reminded that my wife tells me that a voice is a muscle and it just needs exercise and conditioning. This is the same person who thinks my singing is fine. I guess love is blind and tone deaf.

Well, there is a special place in heaven for the person who can teach me to sing and chant.

And while there is no prize for studying what you 'need' to study rather than what you want to study I suspect that there will be a reward someday in the future. Even if that reward is simply not attracting amorous cats or scaring little children when I sing the effort will be worthwhile.

So, this fall semester, with God's help I will learn to pray twice.

Shalom,

Bacon and Eggs

Doctors and cholesterol take the backseat, I do enjoy bacon and eggs for breakfast. It is a guilty pleasure. Now however I have more appreciation for the meal.

It requires both pigs and chickens to make bacon and eggs. But it does not require the same of each. The chicken contributes eggs to the meal. The pig however is totally committed to the bacon; it requires complete sacrifice.

Well in the past, I have been the chicken. I chose to attend a seminary in my home town. Life was disrupted and income affected, however it could return to a semblance of normal if it did not work out. Yes, like the chicken I was only contributing to my seminary education and theological formation.

Well now pigs can fly. And this pig has flown the coupe to go to Alexandria VA. The house is sold, the boxes and bags are packed. The entire family is making a new home and new friends in a new state and new town. My seminary education is continuing in a way best described as being totally committed. Life can no longer return to the previous normal.

I have become as committed to my calling as the pig is committed to bacon.

I have my wife and son to thank for allowing me to be this committed without being led to slaughter.

Peace,

If it is broken, bless it

Jesus took the bread and he blessed it. He broke it and give it to his disciples.

Jesus took the fish and blessed it, he broke it and his disciples gave it to the multitudes.

Take. Bless. Break. Give. The last supper in the upper room, the feeding of the 5000. This is a common theme in the Christian faith. Take, bless, give all makes sense; however, it is when you consider “break” that questions arise. Why must something be broken?

But is it not in our brokenness that we are made whole and holy?

When I started this blog the name “Stained Glass Reflections” just came to me. I have learned to not ignore such inspirations and now I see why this name presented itself. Stained Glass Windows are made up of individual pieces of glass. Each piece is a fragment of the larger piece of which it was once part. It is now a broken piece of glass. It is in its brokenness that the small piece of glass can be united with other broken pieces of glass. It is the unity of all these broken pieces of glass from which emerge a Stained Glass Window. It is broken glass that creates the beauty of a stained glass window. It is in its brokenness that the glass is whole and holy.

As a summer intern in a CPE program this brokenness comes to me daily in the patients that I see. They come to the medical center because of vehicle accident, trauma, gun shot, heart attack, stroke and illness of all manners. And they come in a manner that is often broken and holy. As a chaplain I am to minister to the patient and their family. As a student I learn daily from the patients that I see. I often wonder who gains more in this relationship, the patient or the chaplain?

I think of the patient who I prayed with prior to surgery. This patient had multiple diagnosis any one of which would be overwhelming to must of us, certainly to me. Yet this patient was at peace with their life, with their death, with their Christ. I learned from their brokenness and pray to reach the level of peace that they have found.

I think of the patient who died too young after too long in the hospital. This patient told me how they had found Christ only days before our first meeting. I spoke often with the patient's parents. It was in the grief of their child's impending death that they invited me into their lives to baptize the patient. Surrounded by family the patient was baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Surrounded by family and the patient I was welcomed into their family just as the patient was formally welcomed into Christ's own family. The next day we all mourned the death of the patient, but we also celebrated knowing that the patient was with Christ.

So many of the patients I see talk of the strength they have because of their faith. Some ask me how those without faith manage being in the medical center, it is a question I can not answer. But I can see the differences.

Those who come to this medical center broken so often bless me with their gifts. It is in their brokenness that I am made holy.

It is in the brokenness of the glass that the window becomes beautiful and holy.

Take. Bless. Break. Give. It is in our brokenness that we can give to each other.

Shalom,

A stranger in the land

Several things have been bothering me for the past several weeks and I now see that they are connected. As usual, it was the Holy Spirit that woke me up.

There were two letters to the editor in the local paper this past month. The first talked about the need for immigrants to speak American in this country. I am not making that up – the writer really thinks American is the official language of the U.S.

The second writer was concerned about the preservation and dissemination of Americanism (preservation and dissemination are my words not those of the original writer). I had to wonder if that was left or right Americanism or red or blue Americanism? Was it 21st century Americanism or 18th century Americanism? And what is Americanism?

When did the all the immigrants who came to this country without invitation from the indigenous population begin to speak American and display Americanism?

Then the Holy Spirit brought me the readings for Pentecost. This passage is particularly meaningful to me because it was the first reading I ever did as a Lector in church; and look at what trouble that caused. From The Acts of the Apostles 2.1-21 we have this excerpt:

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs-- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power."

I lived in South Florida for several years around 1980 and it was not uncommon to hear Spanish from the large Cuban population. At the time there was even an effort to make English the official language of Florida. Today in a small community in Pennsylvania it is not uncommon to hear Spanish as well as dozens of other languages. The local school district has somewhere over 30 different languages represented in the student body. In many ways it is music to my ears as I reflect on the wonders of each of these unique cultures. It is also sad for me to think that I can not communicate, even a little, with most of those brothers and sisters in their own language.

While I realize that being functional in English is important to someone living in the US so that they can be productive, stripping them of their own language is not the answer. Forcing the American language or Americanism culture upon someone is disrespectful.

The final piece to this puzzle came to me from a recent op-ed piece written by Rabbi Jack Paskoff where he makes a plea for compassion. Rabbi Paskoff reminds us of the words of the Hebrew Bible that say "You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt" (Exodus 23:9). Very few of us can claim that we or our families were not also strangers in the land of the US. But how many of us can claim compassion for the stranger in our land?

PAZ,

Ears to hear

I am convinced that God is alive and well and quite talkative. We just need to listen. God speaks to us in many ways. This is not usually the Bill Cosby variety where he used a booming voice to call out “Noah, NOAH, I want you to build me an ark.” In the skit even Noah said “Who is the really? Am I on Candid Camera?”

No I think God is much more subtle than that. He often speaks to us in our dreams. Not the type were you need to psychoanalyze every dream; but rather, waking up and knowing what you are to do. Writing this blog post is one example. I woke up knowing what to say, I just hope I remember it because at 3am it sounded really good.

God also talks to us through other people. People we interact with in the course of our day help guide and direct us. Some of those people are not there by mere coincidence.

Sometimes a piece of scripture will speak to us. It may be something we have read before. Or it may be a new passage that we found just when we needed it.

Yes, God is talking – but why are we not listening?

Case in point, Floyd Landis. Floyd was raised in a very devout Mennonite home. I would think that he should recognize when God is trying to get his point across. Yet according to Floyd Landis, he began using performance enhancing drugs in 2002. Why did he not listen to that voice in 2002 that said not only are the PEDs dangerous, but they are wrong to use? Then in 2006 when he was caught using the drugs he lied to the world. More profoundly, he lied to his parents. I firmly believe that God was trying many different ways to tell Floyd to stand strong with the truth and then try to resurrect his life.

Now Floyd says “I lied then, but now I am telling the truth” and he is implicating other riders. God wants us to be united in brotherhood, not accuse our brothers. Floyd is still not listening.

What is it about our society that makes it so difficult to listen to God? I denied my own calling to the ministry for decades. I am sure others are also missing the message about their calling, whether in ministry or the secular world. One only has to see the front page of the paper to see those who are missing the message about ethical behaviors.

I don’t think this is a problem that is unique to those in the 21^st century. However, we complicate the issue with technology and pressure for monetary achievement.

Think about Jesus walking in a crowd and he sensed that someone had touched his robe. That is awareness. Yet for many, they would not even notice the crowd because they are texting or talking on the cell phone.

Can we become more aware? Prayer time helps. Removing some the technology distractions would be a good start (even just for a little while). Stopping to study a flower, really look at it closely, might open you up to hear.

When I enter a place of worship I begin by kneeling in prayer. Often I simply ask that God open my eyes to see, my ears to hear, and my heart to feel. May this also be true for you.

Shalom,

I have plenty of time

Life changed a lot about 4 weeks ago when I met with the Bishop. It seems that I will have to study a least one year at an Episcopal Seminary. This was not always the case as there were plans for local formation – however it is the case now. My family and I have talked about this and prayed about this.

We reached a consensus that my commuting to Virginia or New York City would not be good for any of us. Taking a long story and making it short, we are selling the house and moving to Alexandria Virginia where I will complete my final two years of seminary training. It is a big adventure for all of us and a bit scary and it certainly is stress inducing.

We signed with a realtor two days ago. For the last two weeks we have started to prepare our home for the sales market. Oops, it is no longer our home, it is now a property to be marketed and sold – that is taking some getting used to.

What strikes me is that much of what we have been doing, and will be doing in the prep work are all things we have talked about doing before and just never got around to doing. The walls that I have painted needed painting before. The microwave needed to be replaced before and now it has been replaced. The clutter that is being tossed or donated could have gone away long ago. It is a long list of to-do items none of which are surprises or revelations. It is just now we have a deadline and so they are getting done.

How often is this the case for the important things in our life?

What about the friends we intend to call? Or the musical instrument we want to learn to play? Or the family member we have not spoken with in so many years? Or the person we need to look at and say “I love you” or “thank you”?

Well these things can wait because the deadline is kind of fuzzy. We don’t know when we will die, or when they will die so there is no hurry. Right? After all the realtor needs to get the property (not home) on the MLS system so that deadline is coming quickly. The other things can wait.

Each year we walk with Jesus for the 40 days of Lent and then Holy Week. All so that He can die and be resurrected. We know precisely when this will occur and our schedules can be adjusted accordingly. It is our own mortality that is not on our schedule.

In the last week I have painted, replaced a microwave, and fixed little items here and there. I am glad to have done these things; but I also told my family that I was sorry I did not do these things sooner so we could enjoy them. There is other unfinished business too. I guess I better get them done now so we can all enjoy them for what I hope is a long time.

Diane, I love you. Parr, you are my son, my beloved, and with you I am well pleased.

Shalom,

Emmanuel - God with us

This past weekend, with several clergy traveling and Deacons busy, I was asked to assist the Celebrant for three services. I am not ordained so there are limits to what I can do, however, I can allow the Celebrant time for prayer and reflection during the service. I was asked to do this by setting the Eucharistic table. Performing this honored task allows the Celebrant time to pray and be centered just prior to beginning the actual Eucharist. This is a wonderful act of service.

During the service the Celebrant asked that I assist in administering the Eucharistic Host to the congregation. It is often that I serve the Wine, however it is unusual for a layperson to serve the Host. Many Priests do not approve of laity serving the Host, though the rules of the Church do allow it. I have always taken great joy in serving the Communion Wine; the Eucharistic Host is an even more blessed service. It is more intimate and powerful.

While serving, there were two young children who came forward with their arms folded across their chest. This indicates that they do not partake in Communion, however, they did want a blessing. I have never been instructed in this. This was a first for me.

This moment reminded me that rather than calling the equipped God equips the called. I learned this while I was trying to dodge my own calling with one of my many excuses. And sure enough, God equipped me as needed.

That Sunday morning, as each of the two children approached me I simply knew what to do. It was as if I had someone standing next to me whispering instructions into my ear. The first child smiled, as did mom who was watching. The second child looked up at me with the big wondrous eyes of a child and said “Amen.” Yes, God equipped the called.

It was that confidence and knowledge that came to me as I needed it. The next day in a prayerful moment at the start of class I was reminded by the reading that Emmanuel translates as “God with us.” Yes, God equips the called and God is with us.

Peace be with you as you walk with Emmanuel.

One Father

This past weekend I had the wonderful experience to attend a Bar Mitzvah. What a great way to recognize a young man’s progression in life. The service, the prayers, the songs were very joyous. My wife, son and I were honored to be in attendance.

Sunday morning when I attended church the full experience of the Bar Mitzvah became apparent to me. In the temple, this young man read many passages in Hebrew (without vowels or punctuation). One of the passages he read was from Isaiah chapter 6. On Sunday morning the assigned Old Testament reading was from Isaiah chapter 6. This same passage was read in churches and synagogues on the same weekend all around the world.

For all the differences between the Christian and Hebrew faiths, there we were reading from Isaiah chapter 6 on the same weekend.

That got me to think about all the similarities between the Christian and Hebrew faiths. This area is certainly not my expertise. However, I suspect we are more alike than many people would care to admit. Clearly, there are differences – many are very obvious and fundamental. Our differences make us and our faiths unique. But when it comes to stewardship of the earth, love for your neighbor, respect for others our guiding principles are the same. We share the Hebrew Bible, and we share a faith and love in the LORD our God. We both pray for guidance, and we pray for the departed and we pray for those in need.

Our similarities allow us to walk together and work together, to laugh together and cry together. We are all brothers descendant from Abraham; we can celebrate our commonalities and respect our uniqueness.

Shalom my brothers and sisters, shalom.

Hear it for the first time - everytime

Have you ever driven to work the same way for so long that you stop noticing the scenery along the route? The streetscape is there, but the details have disappeared. Businesses along the way may come and go but it is so familiar that you no longer notice the changes. You may even drive the familiar roads and as you approach a particular section you suddenly wonder “How did I get here? I don't remember the last 10 miles.” Sometimes it seems we are on autopilot, the scenery goes by like a blur.

That can happen with scripture too.

How many times have you heard the 23^rd Psalm? How many times have you heard the creation story?

When was the last time you really listened?

This January term I am taking a course on Speech for the Preacher and Presider. This is helping me to see how I can use my voice and my body to communicate more effectively. Interestingly, most of the people in the class were already skilled, and everyone in the class is getting better. But as I often find in seminary, there is the course material that we learn, and there are the unintentional lessons that hit us, or me, like a ton of bricks.

Susan, our professor, made a comment about the wonderful interpretation of the 23^rd Psalm that was written by Bobby McFarrin as a gift to his mother. I of course went to YouTube and found the recording.

It was as if I was hearing the 23^rd Psalm for the first time. It could have been the beautiful harmony of the a capella group. Or it could have been the feminine role of God that Bobby McFarrin used in his interpretation. Regardless, it was wonderful.

For many, God needs to be a white male that looks like Merlin the Magician, or perhaps Albus Dumbledore. I don't think that God can be type cast with such rigidity. After all, we are made in His image. So He looks like you and me. And the last time I looked around that included men and women, and people of color, and people of differing sexual orientations and the variations goes on and on...... But I am getting sidetracked, so back to my original thought.

Today in class I had the opportunity to read the poem “The Creation” by James Weldon Johnson. This creation story brought the creation story of Genesis back to life for me. It was as if I read it for the first time.

I wonder how many people, like myself, have heard scripture passages so often and done so poorly that the passage goes by like a blur? Wouldn't it be wonderful if every time you heard the same passage it was like the first time that you heard it?

Peace be with you,

Simple Pleasures

Today is my first day back in class since December 22nd. The time off flew by quickly, but that is another story. And yes, being in class with the other students is a pleasure. However, today was also the first day of the seminary library book sale. Its a secret, but students were offered a preview of the sale before the public was allowed in. Yes it was a room full of simple pleasures. When a dollar will not typically buy a cup of coffee it is amazing that it will buy you a book.

So lets see some of the simple pleasures a dollar afforded me today. For my historical reference there is a copy of the 1940 Hymnal and the 1916 Hymnal. My theological library had a gaping hole filled in with the purchase of a King James Bible. This copy is from the 80's; something that is verified by the dates written in the margins by the previous owner indicating when they read a particular passage.

My new old copy of Lesser Feasts and Fasts opened to reveal the prayers for the prophet Martin Luther King Jr. A week after his birthday celebration they prayers still sound sweet.

There were two books examining The Book of Common Prayer and two books on the Eucharist and Sacraments.

Never knowing when one might need a prayer or collect there are two books full of wisdom. The Book of English Collects encompasses prayers from England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa and the United States. Then there is The Collects of Thomas Cranmer. Written in the 1500's these are timeless and are the foundation of the prayers of the Anglican Church.

Perhaps the prize find of the lot is also the thinnest paperback among a stack of voluminous hardcover books. Walk with Jesus: Stations of the Cross by Henri Nouwen. With Lent approaching this book will lead me along a powerful journey that is the Stations of the Cross. Henri Nouwen has been a favorite since I was first introduced to his writing and I am looking forward to this journey with him.

This stack of books was purchased for less than a trip for two to Starbucks. It has brought me pleasure to find them and will bring me further pleasure to explore and get lost in them. As I pulled book after book from my messenger bag my wife smiled, she was especially proud to learn how little I paid for the stacks. I also found two CDs by Grover Washington Jr. and Wynton Marsalis. These provided musical inspiration for a quick dance lesson across the kitchen floor for our 13 year old son.

Interesting how our perspective changes. In my past life this would not have measured as a great pleasure. Simple pleasures cost a great deal more then. But tonight as we said a blessing before dinner my wife interjected at the end “and thank you for the wonderful stack of books.”

Peace be with you,

A Coat of Many Colors

There was a photo in this morning’s paper of one my classmates, he was involved in a Martin Luther King celebration. His photo reminded me of the diversity of the incoming class. While some schools are represented by a bastion of white males the overwhelming feature of this class is its diversity.

By any measure we are diverse. Ages range from 22 to 60 something. Ethnic origin does not encompass a full spectrum but it is close. Married, single, newly married, divorced, and same gender partnered are all represented in quantities sufficient to eliminate “token” categories. Faith traditions that range from conservative Biblical literalists to non-Trinitarian and from high liturgy to spiritual are all represented.

This presents a broad array of views and opinions in discussions. It is amazing how the professors balance this along with their own faith. The varying ideas have been eye opening. I am hearing interpretations and perspectives that I never before was able to see. I don’t necessarily agree with all that I hear, but I am listening and processing the views. The diversity of ideas has been an education in itself. It is an important feature of our individual formation. The breadth and diversity of this seminary education makes this experience unique. It is a challenge and a treasure.

Each of us has come together in community to form a fabric of many colors and textures. The strength of this quilt is it diversity.

Peace be with you,

Guns and Roses

During orientation for 1st year seminary students we were given the opportunity to write about a topic and possibly waive a normally required course on research and writing techniques. We were asked to choose between two current news articles and develop a response to the story in 20 minutes. The story that I wrote about concerned bringing guns to church. Well about a week ago another story came to light about a proposed Georgia law that would permit guns in churches. Guns in church is a whole different discussion; what has been sticking with me is one of the comments posted in response to the article. “Armed Geek” wrote:

Luke Chapter 22 NIV
35Then Jesus asked them, 'When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?'
'Nothing,' they answered.

36He said to them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'[b]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.'

38The disciples said, 'See, Lord, here are two swords.'
'That is enough,' he replied.

The belief that Christians should be unarmed sheep for the slaughter is both unbiblical and morally repugnant.

So here is a Bible quote that justifies carrying guns. Wow – Jesus says we should carry guns.

But I am not too sure about Jesus packing heat. Two of my professors (thanks to Julia and Greg for the wisdom) have mentioned looking at what comes before and after a passage to understand that passage. Also, is the interpretation of the passage consistent with the message of the whole book or Bible? Does “Armed Geek’s” Bible quote hold up to this examination?

In this passage Jesus is about to face persecution and arrest. He knows this is coming. He is also preparing his disciples for the probability that they too will be arrested. Following this passage Luke shows us Jesus’ response to the use of swords later in this chapter. When one of the disciples cuts off the ear of the slave of the high priest Jesus says “No more of this!” and heals the slave with a touch. Then he turns to the priests, police, and elders saying “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit?....But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!” (NRSV 22:51-53). Here Jesus has aligned the use of swords with the power of darkness. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

What came before this passage? Peace and love! I can’t find a passage about Jesus striking with a sword, carrying a sword, or wanting a sword. Jesus lived as a pacifist. Why would he now want swords? We know that Jesus liked to talk in parables, liked to use metaphors and generally confuse his disciples. Well I would suggest (and so do a lot of good Bible commentaries) that “Armed Geek” is quoting one of Jesus’ metaphors. The disciples took his statement at face value and so did “Armed Geek.” The response to this could be as Jesus said in exasperation "It is enough."

It is enough using Bible passages out of context. It is enough trying to distort the teachings of our Savior to further a cause – a cause that is not supported by the life and actions of Jesus. Jesus showed us love and compassion; that is not congruent with violence and guns. “Armed Geek’s” interpretation of the passage is not congruent with the life and teachings of Jesus, nor is it congruent with the disdain for the sword that follows in the same chapter. It does not stand up to the exercise of actually reading the Bible.

However, “Armed Geek” should be comforted to know that the disciples also got it wrong. Jesus was simply preparing them for persecution and for learning to live with the realities of the sword being used against them. The disciples, and “Armed Geek,” are not to actually use a sword, but they are to stand strong with the strength of the sword, not the violence of the sword, in their hearts. I remember news footage of Vietnam War protests. The protesters placed flowers in the barrels of the rifles carried by the National Guard Troops and the police. That is how I believe Jesus would have faced a gun, he would have calmly placed a long stem rose in the barrel of the gun.

Peace be with you,

Raison d'etre

There must be a reason to start a blog - you believe that you have something to say, or someone else believes that you have something to say. In this case, I suspect that it is some of both. My two biggest fans, my wife and my son, have encouraged me to write about my experience as a seminary student. Perhaps I will have to get them to guest-post as the family of a seminarian.

While this may not be the most interesting topic, it will be important for me to look back and remember lessons learned. It may also prove important for my son to someday understand why our world changed when dad realized he was called to ordained ministry.

Contrary to how I usually approach tasks with every detail explored before starting, this will be a work in progress. For starters, I have not decided if I am going to name the seminary that I am attending. This is not to protect the innocent, rather, I hope that some of my reflections will be universal so that my denomination and seminary need not be the focus. I do realize that after a series of posts the seminary and other details may become apparent, or I may simply decide to name them. Also, because it is now January and I have completed my first semester of seminary there is a bit of a backlog on thoughts and reflections. There will probably be some posts that are out of date sequence. If Hollywood can alter the time line continum then so can I.

So just as the light reflections of stained glass change with the movement of the sun across the sky, so too might this blog change.

Peace be with you.