tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16927933509770583712023-11-16T01:54:08.487-06:00Into the ExpectationMatt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.comBlogger309125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-13535579512459851612014-03-08T11:49:00.000-06:002014-03-10T07:56:55.709-05:00On Not Taking Offence When I Am Not Invited to Communion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Since I soon won’t get
many chances to check out non-Episcopal churches I decided to attend two neighborhood
churches a couple of weekends ago. On Saturday evening I attended the Roman
Catholic church that is literally around the corner from where I live now. On
Sunday I attended a Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Church a few blocks down the
street from the Catholic church. If you don’t know much about the <a href="http://www.wels.net/">WELS</a>, neither
do I, except that they have a reputation for being even more conservative than
the Missouri Synod Lutherans (e.g., while, like the Missouri Synod, they do not
recognize women’s ordination, unlike the Missouri Synod, women are not able
even to vote on church matters in the WELS.) </span>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I knew going in that
neither of these churches would be OK with my partaking of the
Eucharist/Communion. And that was OK with me. I want to explain why since it
seems to irritate or offend a lot of people when they attend churches whose
understanding of the Eucharist, communion, and belonging don’t fully include
them. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Respect</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Whether I agree with the
limits this or that church puts on who is welcome to receive Communion, it is
respectful to abide by their understanding when I am in their place – their
house, their rules. Just as I take my shoes of when I visit a mosque and am not
offended by their expectation that I do so, I am not offended by the
expectation that I not receive communion when visiting the RC or the WELS. Abiding
by their rules allows for and respects their otherness.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It also respects the reality
that the Church is divided. That we are not one is a scandal, but we ought not
to pretend the scandal away by ignoring it. It would be presumptuous and
dishonest for me to partake as if those divisions did not matter – even if I
did not think they mattered or understand why they mattered. Nor will I presume
that the fault for our lack of unity lies alone in those with whom I disagree. So,
rather than being put out when I attend churches whose Eucharistic discipline
is less open than mine, I am inclined to pray God’s forgiveness for us all for
the mutual pride, ignorance, and willfulness that has led to our divisions.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Communion</span></b><br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is
important to note that the communion we are about in Communion or the Eucharist
is not merely a personal communion with God. It <i>is</i> communion with God in
Christ, but it is also communion <i>with the body of Christ</i>, i.e., members of the Church. It is not an exercise
in individualistic piety. It is not just about me and my time with God on my
terms. I disagree with both the RC and the WELS about the terms of that
communion. But, I agree with them that Communion is not just about me and what
I think or want. Or what I think God thinks or wants.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am
persuaded that the Episcopal Church and the Anglican tradition have it right
that baptism is the sufficient (and essential) threshold for entering the body
of Christ and communing with that body. But, the RC expect more in this regard. They
expect one to belong to (be in communion with) the Church of Rome. I get that.
And since I am not in communion with the Pope, I am OK with not pretending
otherwise. I am also not in communion with every doctrine and discipline of the
RC. If their understanding of participating in communion is that it suggests
that I am or aspire to be, it would be false of me to do so. And it would be an
assertion of my own willfulness.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The WELS
expects an even more precise doctrinal conformity of those who commune
together. I do not think I would meet those expectations. And, in any event, I
have reservations of my own about a church that feels free to edit the Nicene Creed as
they do (changing “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church” to “one, holy,
Christian church”) and I profoundly disagree with their teaching on the place of women in church. So, again, it would be false and willful of me to commune
with them given their understanding of what that means.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[A bit of an
aside – though I was not invited to take communion, I was invited to contribute
money to both churches. It seems to me that if one of our concerns is to be
more hospitable, a good place to start would be to stop hitting up visitors for
cash. I would start there rather than changing church doctrine or discipline,
or disregarding church canons. We did not pass the plate at St. Barnabas, Glen
Ellyn. Rather, members know that belonging – communing – includes financial
commitments and know where and how to give.]</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am glad
that members of the RC and the WELS would be welcome to commune at an Episcopal
church. We recognize their baptisms and that is sufficient. But, humility
requires the acknowledgment that THEY MIGHT BE RIGHT. So, I took the
opportunity, while others were communing, to contemplate what it means to
belong and the cost of discipleship and community.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Boundaries</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I do not
share our cultural allergy to boundaries. Any body, whether biological or
social, needs boundaries to flourish. Boundaries are what enable a sense of
identity and integrity. They give definition to expectations and obligations. Denial
of this on the biological/personal level wreaks all sorts of havoc –
co-dependence, borderline personalty disorder, disregard for otherness, etc. There are
similar problems with the denial of boundaries in social bodies. And it blinds
us to what bodies (powers and principalities) we might actually belong to or
into which we have been subsumed. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While I
disagree with the boundaries the RC and WELS set for Communion, I do not disagree
that boundaries are good. So, when they name a boundary and ask me not to cross
it, I am not offended. It’s not about me anyway.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know that
there are folk who have experienced painful exclusion. And I have heard of
examples of priests, pastors, and lay people in both of these traditions being
obnoxious about their boundaries. That does offend and grieve me. But, I do not
think that acknowledging boundaries is necessarily obnoxious. It can be done in
ways that are not so. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Actually, in
neither of the churches I attended was there in any instruction one way or
another, written or verbal, as to who was invited to participate in Communion.
As a visitor, I actually found this rather confusing and thus inhospitable. This
was especially so in the WELS church. Toward the end of the service, but before
the liturgy of the Lord’s Supper as printed in the bulletin, and with no instruction
as to what was happening, the ushers dismissed folk pew by pew. But not everyone
left and some appeared to come back in or move toward the front for what was a
rather perfunctory reciting of the words of institution followed by Communion.
Had I been an uninformed visitor I would have had no idea what was going on or
what might be expected of me. In any event, I chose to abide by their
discipline as I knew it, remained seated where I was, and did not commune.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I will
likely attend the neighborhood RC church again. I am less likely to go back to
the WELS. But, when I attend the RC, I will refrain from partaking of Communion
though I could probably do so without anyone knowing I am not RC. It just seems
the respectful thing for a guest to abide by their understanding in their place. </span></div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-38789456435824686972014-01-08T05:43:00.001-06:002014-01-08T06:22:45.711-06:00Top 10 Posts of 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Here
are the ten <em>Into the Expectation</em> posts that received the most traffic in 2013:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">.
<a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/02/preoccupation-with-material-things.html">Preoccupation with Material Things</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
</o:p></span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2.
<a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/07/only-what-is-said-kindly-is-true.html">Only what is Said Kindly is True</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">3.
<a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/07/god-is-interesting-thing-about-religion.html">God is the interesting thing about religion</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">4.
<a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/08/refrain-from-trampling-sabbath_512.html">Refrain from Trampling the Sabbath</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">5.
<a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/02/getting-off-fence-reclaiming-self.html">Getting Off the Fence: Reclaiming Self-control</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">6.
<a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/05/nt-wrights-justification.html">N.T. Wright's Justification</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">7.
<a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-summary-of-gospel.html">A Summary of the Gospel</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">8.
<a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/11/reading-st-barnabas_19.html">“Reading” St. Barnabas</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">9.
<a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-swaddling-clothes-and-manger-in.html">Luther & Scripture as the swaddling-clothes </a></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-swaddling-clothes-and-manger-in.html"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the manger in which Christ lies</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">10.
<a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/04/funny-jesus-songs-for-bright-sunday.html">Funny Jesus Songs for Bright Sunday</a></span></div>
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
</span></div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-67594815866223610202014-01-05T06:57:00.000-06:002014-01-05T06:57:38.165-06:00Binding, binding heart to heart!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today
is the twelfth and last day of this Christmas season. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, that does not mean we must leave
Christmas utterly behind. The one who was born on Christmas all those years ago
is alive and comes to us every day binding heart to heart. And it remains true every day of the year
that “where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Christmas
Meditation<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">He
who by a mother's love</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Made the wandering world his own,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every year comes from above,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Comes the parted to atone,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Binding Earth to the Father's throne.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nay, thou comest every day!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, thou never didst depart!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never hour hast been away!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always with us, Lord, thou art,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Binding, binding heart to heart! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> –
<a href="http://www.george-macdonald.com/">George MacDonald<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-91702538041809764302014-01-04T05:30:00.001-06:002014-01-04T05:30:55.599-06:00The good news will triumph!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For
the eleventh day of Christmas, here is something from Brother Geoffrey Tristram,
superior of the <a href="http://www.ssje.org/">Society of St. John the Evangelist</a> (SSJE), an Episcopal
religious community in Cambridge, Massachusetts.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">We are here to celebrate Good News –
wonderful, joyful good news – not make-believe or wishful thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good news is this: that “the Light shines
in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” (Jn 1:5) </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Yes there is darkness – God knows there is
darkness – darkness and all sorts of sinful, hurtful and shameful things in all
of us, and in our society, our world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the good news is that when God looks closely at you he is not like
the tabloid writer looking for scandal, for bad news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When God looks at you, he looks at you with
the eyes of love, just as when you look at the person you love, you see how
lovely they are – all that is beautiful and good about them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And when the person we love: our spouse, our
children, our partner, our brother – when they are in trouble, or mess up, or
fail and exam, or lose a job, or do something stupid and wrong, we don’t point
the finger at them, or condemn them, or tell everyone about it, like the
newspapers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, we love them even more,
and we do everything in our power to help them because we love them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when things go wrong, we love them even
more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And when God looks at you and me, and sees
how silly we often are, how we mess up, how easily we fall and sin: how we hurt
each other, and ourselves, how we damage our beautiful world, our environment;
when God looks at his beloved children in Iraq, Afghanistan, shooting and
burning and blowing each other up, when he sees his beloved children in this
country hurting and damaging and destroying each other, he doesn’t condemn them
and say, “You human beings are bad news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wash my hands of you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God loves us all the more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God so loves us that he sends his only Son
Jesus Christ into the world at Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But God didn’t send Jesus to us in order to look for the bad news about
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St. John writes in his Gospel,
chapter three:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Indeed God did not send
the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might
be saved through him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">God sent Jesus into the world at Christmas to
share what it is to be human: to experience in his body the terrible, hurtful
and sinful things that we can do to each other – and yet to carry on loving us,
and forgiving us and redeeming us: restoring us to who we are meant to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And that is very good news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However dark life can be, the light shines in
the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However bad the bad news is, the good news is
better, is stronger – the good news will triumph!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">(<a href="http://ssje.org/ssje/2010/12/24/have-you-heard-the-news-br-geoffrey-tristram/">Read it all here</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">
</span></div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-70455368622572553732014-01-03T05:57:00.002-06:002014-01-03T05:57:21.553-06:00Recovering our true humanity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For
the tenth day of Christmas, more from Dietrich Bonhoeffer:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“And in the Incarnation the whole human race
recovers the dignity of the image of God. Henceforth, any attack even on the
least of men is an attack on Christ, who took the form of man, and in his own
Person restored the image of God in all that bears a human form. Through
fellowship and communion with the incarnate Lord, we recover our true humanity,
and at the same time we are delivered from that individualism which is the
consequence of sin, and retrieve our solidarity with the whole human race. By
being partakers of Christ incarnate, we are partakers in the whole humanity
which he bore. We now know that we have been taken up and borne in the humanity
of Jesus, and therefore that new nature we now enjoy means that we too must
bear the sins and sorrows of others. The incarnate Lord makes his followers the
brothers of all mankind.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">― The Cost of Discipleship, Chapter 32<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“The Incarnation is the ultimate reason why
the service of God cannot be divorced from the service of man.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">― The Cost of Discipleship, Chapter 32<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-65975100864750131782014-01-02T07:17:00.002-06:002014-01-02T07:18:09.416-06:00Here lies the only remedy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something from <a href="http://www.dbonhoeffer.org/">Dietrich Bonhoeffer</a> for the ninth day of Christmas:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“God
sends his Son – here lies the only remedy. It is not enough to give man a new
philosophy or better religion. A Man comes to men. Every man bears an image.
His body and his life become visible. A man is not a bare word, a thought or a
will. He is above all and always a man, a form, an image, a brother. And thus
he does not create around him just a new way of thought, will and action but he
gives us the new image, the new form. Now in Jesus Christ this is just what has
happened. The image of God has entered our midst, in the form of our fallen
life, in the likeness of sinful flesh. In the teaching and acts of Christ, in
his life and death, the image of God is revealed. In him the divine image has
been re-created here on earth. The Incarnation, the words and acts of Jesus,
his death on the cross, all are indispensable parts of that image. But it is
not the same image as Adam bore in the primal glory of paradise. Rather, it is
the image of one who enters a world of sin and death, who takes upon himself
all the sorrows of humanity, who meekly bears God’s wrath and judgment against
sinners, and obeys his will with unswerving devotion in suffering and death,
the Man born to poverty, the friend of publicans and sinners, the Man of
sorrows, rejected of man and forsaken of God. Here is God made man, here is man
in the new image of God.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Cost-Discipleship-Dietrich-Bonhoeffer/dp/0684815001">The Cost of Discipleship</a>,
Chapter 32<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-56766460953591438762014-01-01T06:52:00.002-06:002014-01-01T06:52:55.412-06:00Honey, Music, and a Shout of Joy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The
eighth day of Christmas is the <a href="http://forallsaints.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/the-holy-name-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-3/">Feast of the Holy Name</a>. As <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_of_Clairvaux">Bernard of Clairvaux</a>
said,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Jesus is honey in the mouth, music in the
ear, and a shout of joy in the heart.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Here
is what the Bible says about the name:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">She
[Mary] will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his
people from their sins.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">(Matthew
1:21)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And
at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the
name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">(Luke
2:21)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Do
nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as
better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to
the interests of others. 5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who, though he was in the form of God,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>did not regard equality with God</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as something to be exploited, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but emptied himself,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>taking the form of a slave,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>being born in human likeness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And
being found in human form, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he humbled himself</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and
became obedient to the point of death—</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>even death on a cross. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Therefore
God also highly exalted him</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and gave him the name</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that is above every name, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so that at the name of Jesus</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> e</span>very knee should bend,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in heaven and on earth and under the earth, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and
every tongue should confess</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that Jesus Christ is Lord,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the glory of God the Father.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">(Philippians
2:3-11)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-42158912436315310662013-12-31T06:51:00.001-06:002013-12-31T06:51:28.580-06:00That shape and pattern which is at the heart of our reality<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The
seventh day of Christmas comes on the cusp of the secular new year. Here is a
quote from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Carter">Sydney Carter</a>:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I see Christ as the incarnation of the piper
who is calling us. He dances that shape and pattern which is at the heart of
our reality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">One
of my favorite Christmas carols plays with the image of Jesus dancing:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/RwbkORypxfA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1.
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would my true love did so chance</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To see the legend of my play,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To call my true love to my dance;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chorus:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Sing,
oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This have I done for my true love1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2.
Then was I born of a virgin pure,2</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of her I took fleshly substance</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus was I knit to man's nature</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To call my true love to my dance. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><em>Chorus<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">3.
In a manger laid, and wrapped I was</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So very poor, this was my chance</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To call my true love to my dance. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><em>Chorus<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">A</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">nd
Sydney Carter himself wrote this familiar song of Jesus, the ‘Lord of the Dance’:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/c0aEHw3vKLg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And
here is one more song the plays with the image:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/iuX7pzQRI_k/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/iuX7pzQRI_k&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/iuX7pzQRI_k&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">May
your <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2014 be full of the Dance.</span></div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-35681065777785938452013-12-30T06:37:00.000-06:002013-12-30T06:37:13.104-06:00The undefeated heart of weakness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In
the Incarnation God comes to us in humility and simplicity searching for an answering
gaze. For the sixth day of Christmas, here is a poem by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Taylor_(bishop_of_Winchester)">J. V. Taylor</a>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Let
not my humble presence affront and stumble<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your hardened hearts that have not known my
ways<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>nor seen my tracks converge to this
uniqueness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine is the strength of the hills that endure
and crumble,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bleeding slow fertile dust to the valley
floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am the fire in the leaf that crisps and
falls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and rots into the roots of the rioting trees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am the mystery, rising, surfacing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>out of the seas into these infant eyes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that offer openness only and the unfocusing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>search for an answering gaze. O recognize,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am the undefeated heart of weakness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kneel and adore, fall down to pour your
praise:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you cannot lie so low as I have been always.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><u>“Christmas
Venite”, A Christmas Sequence and Other Poems</u> (Oxford: The Amate Press 1989)
p.15.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span> </span> </div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-44469133581883707532013-12-29T17:00:00.001-06:002013-12-29T17:01:50.327-06:00Where thrones shake, the mighty fall, the prominent perish<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">On
the fifth day of Christmas, something from Dietrich Bonhoeffer:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">For the great and powerful of this world,
there are only two places in which their courage fails them, of which they are
afraid deep down in their souls, from which they shy away. These are the manger
and the cross of Jesus Christ. No powerful person dares to approach the manger,
and this even includes King Herod. For this is where thrones shake, the mighty
fall, the prominent perish, because God is with the lowly. Here the rich come
to nothing, because God is with the poor and hungry, but the rich and satisfied
he sends away empty. Before Mary, the maid, before the manger of Christ, before
God in lowliness, the powerful come to naught; they have no right, no hope;
they are judged. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">– <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-Manger-Reflections-Advent-Christmas/dp/0664234291/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388357898&sr=1-1&keywords=god+is+in+the+manger">God Is In the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas</a></span></span></div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-7723087693122590992013-12-28T06:02:00.000-06:002013-12-28T06:08:59.929-06:00The Scandal of Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
fourth day of Christmas is the <a href="http://forallsaints.wordpress.com/2013/12/28/the-holy-innocents-4/">Feast of Holy Innocents</a> which reminds us that
the world into which Jesus was born was marked by violence and injustice. Those
who, like Herod, had power and privilege took advantage of those who had
neither. And they would tolerate no threat to that power and privilege. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sadly,
the world is still marked by violence and injustice. The weak and poor are
still taken advantage of by those with power and privilege. The innocent are
still slaughtered.</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The scandal of Christmas is not the virgin
birth but that God’s redemptive work defies the Herods of this world – not just
kings and presidents, but anyone who clings to power and privilege at the
expense of love.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">– Charles Moore, <a href="http://www.plough.com/en/articles/2013/december/the-scandal-of-christmas">The Scandal of Christmas</a></span></div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-31512828402651822572013-12-27T07:01:00.002-06:002013-12-27T07:01:53.403-06:00God's way of being human<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For
the third day of Christmas here is a portion of Archbishop of Canterbury,
Justin Welby's Christmas sermon: <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">God's way of being human shows us what being
human means. According to the gospel of Jesus Christ to be human means being
vulnerable, not safe. Our pride is humbled by God needing swaddling. Our wisdom
is confounded by the foolishness of God's baby cries. Love is demonstrated not
by grasping power but by lowering yourself so you can raise the fallen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The humility of God provokes us to seek to
awaken what is best, in every person we meet, every group that we encounter.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">God's vulnerability is seen in overwhelming
self giving. When as individuals or societies we grab for power, compete for
resources and neglect the weakest and most vulnerable amongst us we neglect
Christ himself. Where people are measured in their worth only by what they can
produce, what economic value they have, then Christ is denied and our own
humanity corrupted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The great ikons of Christ for us are all
those of vulnerability; a baby, a man dying abandoned on a cross, bread and
wine that can be crushed and spilt. Yet from the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>vulnerability we get life complete, eternal.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
full sermon can be found <a href="http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2013/12/archbishop-of-canterburys-christmas-sermon.aspx">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-34958820812927298782013-12-26T08:05:00.000-06:002013-12-26T08:31:42.276-06:00Ye who now will bless the poor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The second day of Christmas is the Feast of St. Stephen.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of my favorite Christmas carols is Good King Wenceslas which is set on this feast day. It reflects what it means to live out the implications of the Incarnate God coming to us among the poor and humble.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/SQVUMG6LZGM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Therefore, Christian men, be sure, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">wealth or rank possessing,<br /> Ye who now will bless the poor, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">shall yourselves find blessing.</span></div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-53530246606971150512013-12-25T07:01:00.001-06:002013-12-25T07:01:18.906-06:00God with an umbilical cord<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUvKHXc9DkjsRMxF4WGU-Uqyx7rOj79sDsMSv2NhZokTubpDOuCQVlKKGpYSPQjphn9HANcH8URyaidR05EX7DOwYNj-VlA8_M7nbIm1R3DNS__6uOymdY5jDWSfU4688-0ilxrWIcD1H/s1600/birth1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUvKHXc9DkjsRMxF4WGU-Uqyx7rOj79sDsMSv2NhZokTubpDOuCQVlKKGpYSPQjphn9HANcH8URyaidR05EX7DOwYNj-VlA8_M7nbIm1R3DNS__6uOymdY5jDWSfU4688-0ilxrWIcD1H/s320/birth1.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Merry
Christmas! The consumer Christmas season ends today. But, on the church calendar
Christmas season <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">begins</i> today. As I
have done the last couple of years, I will post a quote each of the twelve days
of Christmas expressing some aspect of the joy and wonder of the Incarnation.
For the first day of Christmas there is this reflection by mid-wife, Lois
Williams which I received via email at the beginning of <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Advent:</span></span></div>
</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It was mid-December and I was driving to a
birth in the Pocono Mountains. It was late and light snow was falling. I
searched for a radio station and found one playing Christmas carols. As is my
habit on the way to a birth, I began to pray for a smooth, uncomplicated labor
and a healthy baby.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As the carols played in the background, I prayed
aloud, “Please, Lord, let the baby be born without any cord complications; let
the placenta come out without difficulty; please, no extra bleeding…”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As I prayed, the words of the carols and my
thoughts about the very real process of childbirth merged in my mind. I found
myself imagining the birth of Jesus, his tiny head squeezing through Mary’s
birth canal, his fragile body still warm from Mary’s, the way he must have
“rooted” at her breast, the umbilical cord reaching from his body back up
inside his mother, connecting his life to hers. God with an umbilical cord. I
pulled over to the side of the road as my eyes filled with tears.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">God with an umbilical cord. That is the
Incarnation. That is Christmas. Our Christmas cards are so unlike real
childbirth. Mary is clothed, serene. She looks as if she never even broke into
a sweat. The infant Jesus appears to be about 6 months old. There is no blood.
No placenta. No umbilical cord. None of the pain of Incarnation.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">But God really did make his way into the world
by squeezing through the narrow doorway of a woman’s bones. And when we can
pause in wonder and worship of that fact, we have come close to comprehending
the real meaning of Christmas.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">–
Lois Wilson, <a href="http://www.evangelicalsforsocialaction.org/god-with-an-umbilical-cord-an-advent-devotional/">God with an Umbilical Cord: An Advent Devotional</a></span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-10878401662358052932013-11-30T17:22:00.001-06:002013-11-30T17:22:59.413-06:00“I could not rest until I found a church like that”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Frederick Buechner was a guest lecturer at Wheaton College,
Wheaton, IL in the fall of 1985. While doing so, he attended St. Barnabas. He
later wrote about his time here:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also found myself going to an
extraordinary church or, with my rather dim experience of churches back home,
one that was extraordinary at least to me. Its name was Saint Barnabas, and it
was located in a small town nearby called Glen Ellyn. It was described to me as
an evangelical high Episcopal church, and that seemed so wonderfully anomalous
that what took me there first was pure curiosity. What kept taking me back Sunday
after Sunday, however, was something else again. Part of the service was chanted
at Saint Barnabas, and I discovered that when a prayer or a psalm or a passage
from the Gospels is sung, you hear it in a new way. Words wear thin after a
while, especially religious words. We have spoken them and listened to them so
often that after a while we hardly even hear them anymore. As writer, preacher,
teacher I have spent so much of my life dealing with words that I find I get
fed up with them. I get fed up especially with my own words and the sound of my
own voice endlessly speaking them. What the chanting words did was to remind me
that worship is more than words and then in a way to give words back to me
again. It reminded me that words are not only meaning but music and magic and
power. The chanting italicized them, made poetry of their prose. It helped me
hear the holiness in them and in all of us as we chanted them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">. . . .<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">They also used incense at Saint
Barnabas. They censed the open pages of the Gospel before they read from it,
and even in the midst of a midwestern October heat wave, the church was
suddenly filled with Christmas. The hushed fragrance of it, the thin haze of
it, seemed to say that it is not just to our minds that God seeks to make
himself known, because, whatever we may think, we are much more than just our
minds, but to our sense of touch and taste too, to our seeing and hearing and
smelling the air whether it is incense that the air is laden with or burning
leaves or baking bread or honest human sweat. “O taste and see that the Lord is
good!” says the 34th Psalm, and it is not just being metaphorical.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">. . . .<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I remember too that the last
time I attended a service there, there were real tears running down my cheeks
at the realization that the chances were I would probably never find myself
there again. When I got home, I thought I could not rest until I found a church
like that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Frederick Buechner, <u>Telling Secrets</u>, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(New York: Harper
San Francisco, 1991), p. 82-86<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-92023081562664864922013-11-27T06:38:00.000-06:002014-01-08T06:21:15.612-06:00"Reading" St. Barnabas V<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This
is the last in the series of reflections on the symbolism built into the
worship space of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sanctus Light &
Tabernacle<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNE_FEoYqFA4yOkpK1tBmu2F9D14YunHNggyu2-bdf7FrPCjuIM5kJeaskCnoAkZAMVCyB7BiO4PP7HGZ6q8hPks8kKJFaDUKVKGDf39YAp_cQcTXLGcSdXFoKED9V8XT2Tf_HWuhipHD/s1600/IMG_6141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNE_FEoYqFA4yOkpK1tBmu2F9D14YunHNggyu2-bdf7FrPCjuIM5kJeaskCnoAkZAMVCyB7BiO4PP7HGZ6q8hPks8kKJFaDUKVKGDf39YAp_cQcTXLGcSdXFoKED9V8XT2Tf_HWuhipHD/s320/IMG_6141.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
Sanctus Light, or Presence Lamp, which hangs behind the altar, burns when there
is any "reserved sacrament" near the altar. The Reserved Sacrament is
Bread and/or Wine which has been blessed, but not consumed, at Holy Eucharist.
The Bread is also called the “Host” from the Latin <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hostia</i> which means victim.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
reserved Sacrament is kept in the wooden Tabernacle suspended beneath the
Sanctus Light. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In
our sacramental understanding, God uses physical objects as means of conveying
grace. The bread and wine, once consecrated at the Eucharist, continue to be
active agents of grace and are worthy to be reserved and venerated. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It
is customary to bow reverently when passing by the Reserved Host as an
acknowledgement of the presence of the Holy Gift. </span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Stained Glass Windows</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">St.
Barnabas has two stained glass windows. Like the Baptismal Font, Altar, and
Processional Cross, these were designed by liturgical artist, <a href="http://rrcstudios.com/rrcstudios/About_the_Artist.html">Richard Caemmerer</a>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNBTkVmA0O1_3HfQCKuCf35draRzj7ueUaRPYRv3WLs-dBCLEIRX2q1uAlge2dOoSWgSsi0b0y7wm7FvLQR6PBKWi7Hi7RCmxKLqZ3hyL1onroILBP_RMCwiJO4q_Gsj5Bm8JIovughCx/s1600/Tabernacle+Aflame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNBTkVmA0O1_3HfQCKuCf35draRzj7ueUaRPYRv3WLs-dBCLEIRX2q1uAlge2dOoSWgSsi0b0y7wm7FvLQR6PBKWi7Hi7RCmxKLqZ3hyL1onroILBP_RMCwiJO4q_Gsj5Bm8JIovughCx/s320/Tabernacle+Aflame.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
stained glass window behind the altar is the Pentecost Window. This window
depicts the flame of the Holy Spirit and the flames that danced above the heads
of the disciples in the Upper room on the first day of Pentecost. May that same
Spirit enflame the community that worships here.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8cfodQ0eURwLFSspogtEnnPeqfhVllNiL4vFbUGVM9_YQdva-hVda_P92REJJnDPdTTZKHtqrHDrDr2hPazrS8gCNjpltPlocspIHSG1mcAnVFzYVFikbQJOYt6teL7iEm5riGd3Y2BM/s1600/IMG_6162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8cfodQ0eURwLFSspogtEnnPeqfhVllNiL4vFbUGVM9_YQdva-hVda_P92REJJnDPdTTZKHtqrHDrDr2hPazrS8gCNjpltPlocspIHSG1mcAnVFzYVFikbQJOYt6teL7iEm5riGd3Y2BM/s320/IMG_6162.jpg" height="320" width="135" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
stained glass window at the entrance is the Resurrection Window. This window
conveys a sense of dynamic upward sweep that culminates in a crown, signifying
that Jesus Christ is risen as Lord of lords and King of kings. It reminds us
that every Sunday is an Easter celebration of the resurrection, the foundation
of our faith and hope. May it encourage us to live as resurrection people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/11/reading-st-barnabas_19.html">“Reading”St. Barnabas I</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-70217908736635134842013-11-25T07:36:00.001-06:002014-01-08T06:20:03.565-06:00"Reading" St. Barnabas IV<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Another
in a series of posts identifying some of the symbolism in the worship space of
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Glen Ellyn, IL.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Altar</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Like
the Baptismal Font, the altar was designed by <a href="http://rrcstudios.com/rrcstudios/About_the_Artist.html">Richard Caemmerer</a>. It is the
focal point </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeLX0OznjM10HVL-JujHB7ah3TVXA-8owQERJulufUm4ltcBgGpAe6-5UE6_XktDulgrV28jOMJ1ZaJdX_MBKXuZ_9sMGuVuzSfgA6-9YSEcERrO5FoOK8ufOcfxQPcRDo57xeJzk7hFR/s1600/IMG_6149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeLX0OznjM10HVL-JujHB7ah3TVXA-8owQERJulufUm4ltcBgGpAe6-5UE6_XktDulgrV28jOMJ1ZaJdX_MBKXuZ_9sMGuVuzSfgA6-9YSEcERrO5FoOK8ufOcfxQPcRDo57xeJzk7hFR/s320/IMG_6149.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
of our worship space representing the centrality of worship at St.
Barnabas. Those who were here at the building’s groundbreaking tell us that the
first spade of dirt was turned where the altar was to be. Unlike many churches,
St. Barnabas intentionally has one altar and one main cross (the processional
cross) emphasizing our unity around the one sacrifice of Christ.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
theme of eight recurs around the altar. The railing has eight sides, and the
brick foundation of the altar is three tiers with eight sides each. This
reminds us again that as we receive the Sacrament we are incorporated into the
promise of the eighth day and new creation.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfjJIIlxPFTavqEGLIsWGCMag9wLjtGlVXqabrFVCXjMBfFDyDoXrPf7I9E0zbSF3T7mVNJR9_YvkDujPSlWRdLqQCV_ul9n4c1GKw5B7vYudqxLS-S4ggXWuwia8rernR_pjPL_faGZG/s1600/Altar+Railing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfjJIIlxPFTavqEGLIsWGCMag9wLjtGlVXqabrFVCXjMBfFDyDoXrPf7I9E0zbSF3T7mVNJR9_YvkDujPSlWRdLqQCV_ul9n4c1GKw5B7vYudqxLS-S4ggXWuwia8rernR_pjPL_faGZG/s320/Altar+Railing.jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Lantern</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Above
the altar is the "Lantern", a circular, lit, white pointed ceiling drawing our
eyes upwards to “the things that are above” (Colossians 3:2). The white circle,
with its two rings of light, represent the purity, light, and eternity of
heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2aH2bO6yqMmt3cFDh0f3-OJDJht2bkeUUITNZxL-vjEsQ6r_DNEYuEpbMLkQFhfdT1nQot4KlK-xBgrCYxmhoVYo3cIxoB8IVBXpj_BCT07bpRSOwUgj3UQ-zbWsWE9YjuUpESAi1i0A/s1600/IMG_6122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2aH2bO6yqMmt3cFDh0f3-OJDJht2bkeUUITNZxL-vjEsQ6r_DNEYuEpbMLkQFhfdT1nQot4KlK-xBgrCYxmhoVYo3cIxoB8IVBXpj_BCT07bpRSOwUgj3UQ-zbWsWE9YjuUpESAi1i0A/s320/IMG_6122.JPG" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Below
the lantern is an uneven circle of wood representing the world as we know it –
uneven and broken by sin. Sixteen wooden beams (8X2) radiate from that uneven
circle making it into a symbol of the Crown of Thorns Jesus wore at his Passion
in which he identified with and transformed the brokenness, suffering, and sin
of this world.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8lD-cn0z_NLLr7nCHF1VmCGHW9DQnBWKgabMyZmVpj85hWP6dC0dN8CVrzaZeIcKLoQVcjVViJSTGjWCVatnuEmuPKiR0ulwT-gvXBcaLgO9L1MIEhaCo9F4_Z7ar-BaxxJktE3vBMMU/s1600/Cross+of+Thorns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8lD-cn0z_NLLr7nCHF1VmCGHW9DQnBWKgabMyZmVpj85hWP6dC0dN8CVrzaZeIcKLoQVcjVViJSTGjWCVatnuEmuPKiR0ulwT-gvXBcaLgO9L1MIEhaCo9F4_Z7ar-BaxxJktE3vBMMU/s320/Cross+of+Thorns.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Processional Cross</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
St. Barnabas processional cross stands next to the altar reminding us that the
Eucharist is a participation in the one sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cross was also designed by Richard
Caemmerer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXYIHvUaraWyxJMHbcnvFGISv_z-U5GvftdDrhaDN92b8rEPBX-T-VMWJgK4BAjG11Oqg2arw4hNBEY3eIiOuM0ykEEqR6QehRoQ9EUMbmrmiz5g5clsf4esq66yxCcjeepW5zFpE5m6Y/s1600/IMG_6145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXYIHvUaraWyxJMHbcnvFGISv_z-U5GvftdDrhaDN92b8rEPBX-T-VMWJgK4BAjG11Oqg2arw4hNBEY3eIiOuM0ykEEqR6QehRoQ9EUMbmrmiz5g5clsf4esq66yxCcjeepW5zFpE5m6Y/s320/IMG_6145.jpg" height="320" width="249" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">On
the horizontal arms of the cross are the Greek letters, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alpha</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Omega</i> (the
equivalent of A and Z), reminding us that Christ is first and last, the
beginning and the end. (Revelation 1:8) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At
the top of the cross is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chi-Rho</i>,
an ancient Christian symbol made of the first two Greek letters in
"Christ" – ‘X’ and ‘P’ (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rho</i>,
or ‘r’ in Greek) - superimposed on each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At
the bottom is another ancient symbol, a Christ monogram. It is a combination of
the ‘I’ (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">iota</i>) and the ‘X’ (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chi</i>), the first letters of Jesus Christ
in Greek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In
the center of the cross is the body of Jesus – the corpus (body). The presence
of the corpus makes this a crucifix. It is a reminder that in the incarnation,
God came to us enfleshed as a human body. In the Passion, Jesus shared in real
bodily suffering; and in his resurrection, Christ rose bodily from the grave
conquering death and establishing the promise of new creation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
placement of the cross next to the altar signifies that the Eucharist is always
a participation in the one sacrifice offered by Jesus. And it reminds us that
we can bring all our needs to the foot of the cross and that we are called
ourselves to take up the cross and follow Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/11/reading-st-barnabas-v.html">"Reading"St. Barnabas V</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/11/reading-st-barnabas_19.html">"Reading"St. Barnabas I</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></o:p><br /></span><br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-59968759168100115392013-11-23T08:01:00.000-06:002014-01-08T06:17:52.010-06:00"Reading" St. Barnabas III<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is the third in a series of post looking at the
symbolism in the worship space of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn,
IL.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Circular Seating</span></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The seating is circular reminding us that God calls us
into community where we are bound to one another. The pew design – open at the
ends – underscores our mutual connection. We sit together such that we see one
another even as we direct our attention toward the altar. Thus, we hope to
discern the body of Christ both in the bread and wine of Eucharist and in the
members of the gathered body of Christ.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This arrangement reinforces the fact that Christian
worship is inherently communal. It is neither entertainment nor the activity
primarily of the clergy. It is performed by everyone gathered. Liturgy means
the work of and for the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word
is Greek, a compound of the word for people <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(<em>laos</em>)</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLw0OOkQbCiuLPt247SNiIX5qUu5lxy5agmWFzgcyTrNU4y9V994OTpgfTF6az0Iv0a4Cyd8EwgZX6-JzrDKL9tDV_Ys9YaY5laK4ykSk9NG0hQQESpMPkwivCiyBOLW7olGXn2xvFll1n/s1600/sanctuary2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLw0OOkQbCiuLPt247SNiIX5qUu5lxy5agmWFzgcyTrNU4y9V994OTpgfTF6az0Iv0a4Cyd8EwgZX6-JzrDKL9tDV_Ys9YaY5laK4ykSk9NG0hQQESpMPkwivCiyBOLW7olGXn2xvFll1n/s320/sanctuary2.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and the word for work (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ergon</i>).
It was not originally associated with worship, but with any work undertaken or
paid for by private citizens for the benefit of the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the New Testament, Christ is said to
perform a liturgy:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jesus has now
obtained a more excellent ministry [the Greek word here is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">litourgia</i>], and to that degree he is the mediator of a better
covenant, which has been enacted through better promises.” (Hebrews 8:6).
Christ’s life of obedience, death on the cross, and resurrection is <em>the</em>
Christian liturgy. It is public work done for the benefit of the people. Our
service of worship is a “making present” and participation – together – in the
life, death, and resurrection of Christ. In worship, we appropriate Christ’s
liturgy as our own and are shaped by it. Our worship space encourages that
shaping.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pulpit</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The pulpit mirrors the design of the altar rail,
reminding us that the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist are
fundamentally one liturgy. The pulpit repeats the theme of the eighth day and
new creation. Of necessity, the pulpit is only half of an octagon, but it
suggests the whole. It was designed by Fr. Matt Gunter in consultation with the
Saint Barnabas Liturgy Commission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nbiQgPEMkaYiTK72fw29nFDofvCHsCjvCbe10j_ot8cw7bMXMHKNlPhZWIdeApiEA6KT5O-H2BA7LU3jS4dI84-XlIY2XWyzzv5SATqUGEDu-milsvDN08YP-TVbC-05xG5rcqoqF15O/s1600/IMG_6132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nbiQgPEMkaYiTK72fw29nFDofvCHsCjvCbe10j_ot8cw7bMXMHKNlPhZWIdeApiEA6KT5O-H2BA7LU3jS4dI84-XlIY2XWyzzv5SATqUGEDu-milsvDN08YP-TVbC-05xG5rcqoqF15O/s200/IMG_6132.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The design of the pulpit reflects the importance of
scripture in our common life. Attached to the front of the pulpit is a stand
for the Gospel book, which is left open during the sermon, showing our
intention to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. The two candles on the
pulpit symbolize the light of Christ and our hope that his Word will illuminate
our hearts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/11/reading-st-barnabas-iv_25.html">"Reading"St. Barnabas IV</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/11/reading-st-barnabas_19.html">"Reading"St. Barnabas I</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></o:p><br /></span><br /></div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-57895715724240417152013-11-21T13:03:00.000-06:002014-01-08T06:11:14.163-06:00"Reading" St. Barnabas II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Continuing the series on
the worship space of St. Barnabas, Glen Ellyn, IL where I have been the rector
since January, 2000.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Lion’s Head</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just inside the main
doors, on the wall to the right, is a lion’s head. The lion is the classic
symbol for St. Mark and is a reminder that St. Mark, Glen Ellyn was
instrumental in the founding of St. Barnabas. Around the lion’s head is a
reference to Acts 15:36-39 which refers to Mark’s </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">companionship with Barnabas
in mission. It recognizes that our congregation is part of a web of other
congregations and that to be a Christian is to be part of a larger community
and a longer story. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vb-0emfa_sqJMJyi5Ir9wqlH2H6AXjmn3RxYcYhjTkzK7xDOUtIlyokIRqy4qnI-BO1vrmA_P1B-v1XH2S_gR7sArGZQ2BjI7UXn0DVGX2Fp5gCzUJhssvVDbpOePjDtUuJ4DoG2L4PG/s1600/Lion+Head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vb-0emfa_sqJMJyi5Ir9wqlH2H6AXjmn3RxYcYhjTkzK7xDOUtIlyokIRqy4qnI-BO1vrmA_P1B-v1XH2S_gR7sArGZQ2BjI7UXn0DVGX2Fp5gCzUJhssvVDbpOePjDtUuJ4DoG2L4PG/s1600/Lion+Head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vb-0emfa_sqJMJyi5Ir9wqlH2H6AXjmn3RxYcYhjTkzK7xDOUtIlyokIRqy4qnI-BO1vrmA_P1B-v1XH2S_gR7sArGZQ2BjI7UXn0DVGX2Fp5gCzUJhssvVDbpOePjDtUuJ4DoG2L4PG/s200/Lion+Head.jpg" height="127" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It also calls to mind
Revelation 5:5, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the
Root of David, has triumphed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The lion will make many at
St. Barnabas think of C. S. Lewis’ Aslan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></b> </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eight Days a Week<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDeLq2SZU9gK_Qxvc_-EqC2v_9d_7bRzU6fN2zIM5_Ly7WrMQGFC8oTdH9xvt0J9vCmen_0bFJFVARJt8a7xvMdAvX6uct2edVKIokRWrTzdXuDPrrPRcS29CQPd1qVaMemwevv6yIXvhf/s1600/Baptismal+Font+from+Above.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDeLq2SZU9gK_Qxvc_-EqC2v_9d_7bRzU6fN2zIM5_Ly7WrMQGFC8oTdH9xvt0J9vCmen_0bFJFVARJt8a7xvMdAvX6uct2edVKIokRWrTzdXuDPrrPRcS29CQPd1qVaMemwevv6yIXvhf/s200/Baptismal+Font+from+Above.png" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the distinctive and
pervasive symbols in the worship space at St. Barnabas is the number eight.
Eight walls enclose the space and the octagon recurs in other places. For
Christians, eight has symbolized the conviction that new creation has begun
through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because it is the day of
resurrection, Sunday became understood as not just the first day of the week,
but also as the first day of the New Creation. As such, Sunday became known as
the “eighth day”. In an early Christian text that was not included in the Bible,
we read, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.
. . when giving rest to all things, I shall make a beginning of the eighth day,
that is, a beginning of another world. Wherefore, also, we keep the eighth day
with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose again from the dead. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">–
Epistle of Barnabas, 15:8 (c. 100 A.D.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thus, worship on Sunday is
a present invitation to enter into the new creation in Christ (cf. 2
Corinthians 5:17). It is also a call to live in expectation of the new creation
promised by God and inaugurated by Jesus. (cf. Isaiah 65:17-19, 22-25;
Revelation 21:1-5)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baptismal Font<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Baptismal Font,
designed by liturgical artist, Richard Caemmerer, is one of three focal points,
the other two being the altar and the pulpit. It is octagonal, symbolizing that
through baptism we enter the eighth day and the beginning of the new creation.
</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi469PAg-SN8Ip9oBKy7n-MpPEQi_Sqi_IJ6NMWB_eqeIIj7zfBMErDsSk0H7xaTUCSCbyhMvpG7BlU2_GIuPTStqWMXH7S-H6XwzMwvDIcNdIhwOpFlbUeXAdSAVVyfNv_IpeCJcouMBPM/s1600/Font.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi469PAg-SN8Ip9oBKy7n-MpPEQi_Sqi_IJ6NMWB_eqeIIj7zfBMErDsSk0H7xaTUCSCbyhMvpG7BlU2_GIuPTStqWMXH7S-H6XwzMwvDIcNdIhwOpFlbUeXAdSAVVyfNv_IpeCJcouMBPM/s320/Font.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, the base of the font is a cross, reminding us that the Church’s one
foundation is the cross of Jesus and in baptism we are summoned to take up our
cross and follow him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The baptismal font is
placed at the center of the entrance to the worship space. This reminds us that
“Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes
us members of Christ's Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God”
(BCP, p. 858). In the water of Baptism “we are buried with Christ in his death.
By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy
Spirit” (BCP, p.306). It is therefore customary to dip a finger or two in the
water and cross oneself when entering or leaving as a reminder of our own
baptism</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">P</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">aschal Candle<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Paschal Candle stands
near the Baptismal Font, except during Easter season when it is near the Altar.
Paschal, derived from the Jewish Passover, is the classic term for Easter. The
candle is lit when there is a baptism and reminds us that in baptism we have
new life through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Light of the world.
May the light of Christ gloriously rising dispel the darkness of our hearts and
minds.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkYesKUnpNwvtTYtHOGIiG9BmR2hTfbzlqsbTue2DNPfMszTupfGGAnTib7OxWVkbKq6CDxDKejOs9CgE7efVwTQ3BnEcj2scZgUljpoCpnQKtzJ5im84azT7nKi4w9EdJlDnP3Ulv7SP/s1600/IMG_6166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkYesKUnpNwvtTYtHOGIiG9BmR2hTfbzlqsbTue2DNPfMszTupfGGAnTib7OxWVkbKq6CDxDKejOs9CgE7efVwTQ3BnEcj2scZgUljpoCpnQKtzJ5im84azT7nKi4w9EdJlDnP3Ulv7SP/s200/IMG_6166.jpg" height="200" width="77" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/11/reading-st-barnabas-iii.html">"Reading"St. Barnabas III</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/11/reading-st-barnabas_19.html">"Reading"St. Barnabas I</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-24319830336356321372013-11-19T17:10:00.000-06:002014-01-08T06:05:07.889-06:00“Reading” St. Barnabas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For
fourteen years I have had a love affair with the worship space of<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Barnabas-Episcopal-Church/189933401030127?ref=hl"> St. Barnabas Episcopal Church</a>, Glen Ellyn, IL where I have had the honor of serving as
rector. It is an unusually successful combination of contemporary and classic
design. Though that design is deliberately simple, there is an abundance of
symbolism “written” into the very structure. And there are other symbolic
features as well. Recently, I completed a brief booklet explaining some of
those feature. I’d like to share that here in a series of posts. Here is the
beginning:<o:p></o:p></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Reading” St.
Barnabas<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What
does it mean to “read” a church? Historically, churches have been designed not
only for utility, but also for the edification of those who gather for worship.
The earliest churches had paintings on the walls. Eventually there were also
icons, stained glass windows, statues, banners, etc. But even the design and
structure of most churches have been intended to inform the faith and worship
of those who gather. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is true of the worship space of St. Barnabas. Built
in 1964, it was designed by architects Buderus & Sunshine. It received the
top award “for excellence in religious architecture” given by the American
Society for Church Architecture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Our
worship space is rich with symbolism. What follows is an explanation of some of
that symbolism. Given the nature of symbolism, you will likely see other
meanings. If you see them, rejoice and be edified.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Red Doors</span></b></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5IP1rVEA8NkkuERmy_K4r7hhw2gkxnIaxvL73dT1FQUqjWq4g7V7WzcL2pVvH9aj88w3ifJR8xqiYlpksDkcZnh5PGOlTQ-5ZcgMWw_qfQheG_cO8X2z_tPaVlbVBffP0Fl3utXIGxHw/s1600/IMG_6168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5IP1rVEA8NkkuERmy_K4r7hhw2gkxnIaxvL73dT1FQUqjWq4g7V7WzcL2pVvH9aj88w3ifJR8xqiYlpksDkcZnh5PGOlTQ-5ZcgMWw_qfQheG_cO8X2z_tPaVlbVBffP0Fl3utXIGxHw/s320/IMG_6168.jpg" height="320" width="259" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It
is customary, especially in Episcopal Churches, to paint the doors red. The
reason for this is obscure. There are several proposed explanations. The most mundane
is that once upon a time painting the doors of a building red signified that
the mortgage had been paid in full. Red doors also remind us of the Passover in
which God commanded the Hebrews to mark their doors with sacrificial lamb’s
blood to protect them from his judgment on the firstborn in the land of Egypt.
For Christians this symbolizes the blood of Jesus “poured out for many for the
forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28).</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Red
is liturgically significant. It represents the blood of the martyrs calling us
to lives of self-sacrificial love and discipleship and faithful witness (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">martus</i> in Greek) to the </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">good
news of Jesus Christ. Red also represents the fire of the Holy Spirit. When we e</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">nter
the church we place our lives in the sphere of the gift-giving Spirit who
births the church and us as its members, who comforts, strengthens, challenges,
refines, and transforms us. Red also reminds us that we are about to hear the
Scriptures, inspired by the Holy Spirit, read and proclaimed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Jerusalem Cross<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d8Llfm12Q7o8_gM9wC-zfSGiHWofQThaX6bt66SYJbNBMQBmwCm501p2gnmS9gRAsUrr5n2XkGlzuaWQhXN0ORr8Naq7TGT-z4_gHI_DygcX0BRG3vN1_nrkPuhT-L6PyqpYULFkPrNz/s1600/IMG_6167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d8Llfm12Q7o8_gM9wC-zfSGiHWofQThaX6bt66SYJbNBMQBmwCm501p2gnmS9gRAsUrr5n2XkGlzuaWQhXN0ORr8Naq7TGT-z4_gHI_DygcX0BRG3vN1_nrkPuhT-L6PyqpYULFkPrNz/s320/IMG_6167.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
windows of the doors leading into our worship space are etched with the
Jerusalem Cross. This cross was first used as a coat of arms for the Latin
Kingdom in Jerusalem during the Crusades. These remind us that the Church and
its members have at times succumbed to the temptation of fear, power, and
violence in ways that are unfaithful to the glad tidings of peace promised at
the birth of the Prince of Peace. Thus, we are reminded that repentance is a
basic Christian practice and humility a basic Christian virtue.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Still,
the Jerusalem cross is a positive symbol: The larger central cross stands for
the person of Christ and the four smaller crosses are the four Gospels
proclaimed to the four corners of the earth, beginning in Jerusalem. Together,
they symbolize our focus on Christ and our commitment to proclaiming his good
news to the world. As we enter the worship space, they also remind us of the heavenly
Jerusalem that is our hope and the worship in that City in which our worship
participates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/11/reading-st-barnabas-ii.html">"Reading" St. Barnabas II</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></o:p><br /></span><br /></div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-39709718708420490032013-09-27T09:09:00.002-05:002014-01-02T06:19:04.363-06:00A Summary of the Gospel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“The God of Israel, the creator of the world, has acted (astoundingly) to rescue a lost and broken world through the death and resurrection of Jesus; the full scope of that rescue is not yet apparent, but God has created a community of witnesses to this good news, the church. While awaiting the grand conclusion of the story, the church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is called to reenact the loving obedience of Jesus Christ and thus to serve as a sign of God’s redemptive purposes for the world.” </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">– Richard B. Hays, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Moral-Vision-New-Testament/dp/006063796X">The Moral Vision of the New Testament</a>, page 193<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><br /></div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-18568046846552506892013-08-30T09:29:00.002-05:002013-08-30T10:09:48.838-05:00The Art of Co-operating with Grace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Thornton">MartinThornton</a> (1915–1986) was an influential Anglican priest, spiritual director,
and author. He was an advocate of <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">ascetical or, </span>“applied theology,” which he saw as a body of
knowledge and practice that leads the Church and individual Christians to “the
Vision of God.” <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have found his
writing a tonic to the self-indulgent, spiritual sloth to which I am prone and with
which I suspect many American Christian have become comfortable. </span>Here are some quotes from his book on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/English-Spirituality-Ascetical-according-Tradition/dp/1620320533">English Spirituality</a>:</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Christian goal is the Vision of God and
nothing less will ever do: however long the journey, however remote the end may
seem, our eyes must be constantly fixed upon it. We must take comfort in the
fact that so long as we progress, however slowly, all is well, but progress is
meaningless without a destination. All our methods, disciplines, Rules, fasts,
mortifications, etc. are pointless unless we move toward our final glory in
heaven, where, as St. Augustine teaches, we shall see God and love God and
praise God and rest in God. (p. 22-23)</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Ascetical theology is Christian doctrine
interpreted and applied by a teacher of prayer together with the mental and
physical disciplines which nurture and support it. The experience of the
Church, codified by her saints and doctors, assures us that this total
discipline is necessary as means to an end. Fasting, mortification, and so on
are needed, but they do not constitute ascetical theology, they are subsidiary parts
of it. Or we may say with John of the Cross that ascetical theology consists in
those methods and disciplines which dispose the soul to receive the motions of
the Holy Ghost: it is the art of co-operating with grace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Needless to say, when we speak of teaching <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">prayer</i>, we mean that total spirituality
which controls the whole of human life, that which includes not only liturgical
and formal private prayer but also habitual recollection colouring and
inspiring every minute and every action of a lifetime. To the Christian, then, ascetical
theology is the key to the art of living as fully, creatively, and indeed
joyfully, as [humanity] is capable. (p. 24-25)</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Related: <a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2013/02/getting-off-fence-reclaiming-self.html">Getting Off the Fence: Reclaiming Self-control</a></span></div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-79946107207157751542013-08-28T11:54:00.002-05:002013-08-28T17:11:54.933-05:00Refrain from Trampling the Sabbath<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A
sermon on <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=244709340">Isaiah 58:9b-14</a> & <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=244708636">Luke 13:10-17</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
have a couple of fund raising ideas I’d like to run pass you this morning. What
do you think of this? I have a niece who is a very good dancer – very good. One
of the kinds of dance she does is tap dancing. I think it would be great to
have her come and perform here at St. Barnabas. We can sell tickets and raise
money. The best venue would probably be right here in the worship space. But, I
was wondering where might be the best place for her to dance so everyone can
see her and especially her feet. It seems the obvious platform is right over
there [motion toward the altar which is made of dark granite]. Wouldn’t that be
wonderful? We’d take the Fair Linen off, of course. I can see many of you have
a problem with that. Raise your hand if you don’t like this idea. I see.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Well,
then, how about this? Every other year, the Outreach Commission sells crafts
and jewelry from Kenya to raise funds for the Africa Team Ministry to assist victims
of AIDS. I’m thinking that next time we do that we should have the tables of
merchandise around the outside of the altar railing [the railing at St.
Barnabas in circular]. And whoever is collecting the money can stand behind the
altar using it as a counter with the cash box and everything. Who has a problem
with that? I see.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">You
people are so disagreeable, it is making me thirsty [I pull out from the pulpit
a bottle of 7–UP and a chalice and make like I am going to pour the soda pop
into the chalice]. What?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">OK,
so you’ve got some scruples about how we treat some spaces and things. How
about these? Does it bother you to . . .</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Work
on Sunday?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Buy
stuff on Sunday?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Run
errands on Sunday?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Curious,
isn’t it? We understand the sacredness of some spaces and some things that have
been consecrated for set apart for holy use, but we have largely forgotten the
idea of sacred time which is fundamental to both Judaism and Christianity.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There
might not be any more telling sign of the Church’s capitulation to secular
culture than the fact that outside of sometimes coming to church on Sunday
mornings, most American Christians behave on Sunday pretty much like everyone
else. Secularism says that all days are the same, one following another in a
pointless sequence. That we often live as though we agree is a problem. I’ve
become convinced that this is a more serious problem than we have come to
think.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It
certainly sounds pretty serious in this morning’s Old Testament lesson from
Isaiah:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If you refrain from trampling the sabbath, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">from pursuing your own interests on my holy
day; </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">if you call the sabbath a delight </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">and the holy day of the LORD honorable; </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">if you honor it, not going your own ways, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">serving your own interests, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">or pursuing your own affairs; </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">then you shall take delight in the LORD, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">and I will make you ride upon the heights of
the earth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">(Isaiah 58:13 – 14a)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Refrain
from trampling the sabbath.” Wow! Like, “Refrain from tap dancing on the
altar.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In
the Old Testament</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
sabbath is coded into creation – God created the Sabbath and ‘rested’
contemplating what he had done in all its goodness.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
sabbath was a great leveler. Whether you were the king or the poorest peasant,
on the sabbath you were equal in dignity and obligation. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Relatedly,
keeping sabbath was a matter of justice. Slaves and servants could not be made
to work. On the sabbath there were no masters or no slaves, no employers or
employees. Even animals and the fields got to rest without human interference. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There
was no buying or selling on the sabbath</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
sabbath was a reminder that God is in control and you are not. Lauren Winner
has written, “When we cease interfering in the world we are acknowledging that
it is God’s world.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
sabbath was also reminder of liberation. In <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=244708724">Deuteronomy 5</a>, the sabbath is connected
to God's deliverance of the people of Israel from bondage in Egypt. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Early
on, for reasons we don’t have time to go into, the Church shifted its
observance of sabbath from Saturday to Sunday (See: <a href="http://intotheexpectation.blogspot.com/2012/04/eight-days-week-or-why-sunday.html">Eight Days a Week</a>). I will just
say that given that it was on a Sunday that Jesus rose from the tomb liberating
us from the bondage of sin and death and inaugurating a new creation, it makes
sense.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And
it makes sense that we not treat this day just like any other.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In
Exodus 20:8 – part of the Ten Commandments whose authority we still claim to
recognize – we hear, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Keep it holy, set apart. Like a chalice. Like the altar.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus
does not contradict this basic Old Testament revelation. He reorients it. He
asserts that the sabbath was made for humans, not humans for the Sabbath. It is
not a day to obsess about many detailed rules. Certainly not a day to obsess
about whether your neighbor is doing it right – no “pointing of the finger”
like the synagogue ruler in this morning’s gospel.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It
is a day when it is good to do good like Jesus did. And it is a day when we can
be liberated from the burdens we bear like Jesus liberated the bent over woman.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Some
of the early teachers of the Church interpreted this gospel passage
metaphorically in ways that are instructive when thinking of the Sabbath:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">St.
Augustine suggested that the woman represents humanity that has bent itself
over looking at the world and temporal concerns rather than looking up to God.
The result is crippled souls.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Augustine’s
mentor, St. Ambrose, likened the woman to people who are weighed down with the
burdens of this life – money, family, work, school, etc. Worry over these
matters weighs people down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all know
the feeling, “It feels like a giant weight on my shoulders.” </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Maryann
McKibben-Dana, in her book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sabbath-Suburbs-Familys-Experiment-Project/dp/0827235216">Sabbath in the Suburbs</a>, describes this well,
"Life felt like a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle with 600 pieces."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was caught up in a frenetic suburban
existence –a relentless list of work, errands, carpool, dishes, email, bills,
yardwork, etc., etc., etc.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Weighed
down, with our eyes on our own temporal concerns, serving our own interests,
and pursuing our own affairs <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">without
interruption</i> will bend our spirits and make it more difficult to see God.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If
we really want to be counter-cultural, if we really want to resist the
secularization of the church, if we really want to “ride upon the heights of
the earth”, if we want to stand up straight, one place we should start is by reclaiming
the liberating discipline of keeping Sabbath.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">That
discipline might well take various shapes. Given the realities of the society
in which we live it might be truly difficult for some, if not impossible, to
dedicate all of Sunday. But, I doubt that there are many here for whom that is
the case. For almost all of us it would require a kind of commitment,
discipline, and planning that we are not used to. So take baby steps if you
need to. But here are some ideas to refrain from trampling on the Sabbath:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Attend
worship. Be here on Sunday morning. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Refrain
from paid employment, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Refrain
from commercial activity – no buying, no selling </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Refrain
from running errands – pursuing your own affairs</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Refrain
from the Internet – This is one I have found particularly difficult, but also
one that I have come to value. I dare you to try it. And that means your iPhone
as well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Refrain
from watching the News – turn off CNN. Turn off Fox. Turn off MSNBC. The usual
madness of the world will go on whether or not you witness it or worry about
it. Remember, the world is in God’s hands.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">But
keeping Sabbath is not just about refraining from some things, important as
that is. It is also about investing in other things – investing in things that
matter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Invest
time in relationships</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Take
a nap – some rabbis have suggested that if you are married, you might do more
than nap.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Celebrate
creation – go for a walk in the woods</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Do
things that refresh your spirit</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Meditate
on God’s goodness and give thanks</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Reflect
on the past week – did you tend to things that really matter? Pray for the week
ahead</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Feast
– Sunday is not a fast day. Enjoy some good food.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Invest
in intentional acts of kindness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Rest.
Be refreshed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Saint
Augustine famously wrote in Confessions, "You have made us for yourself, O
Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If
we want to rest in God, why not start by “refraining from trampling the
sabbath, from pursuing our own interests on God’s holy day.”</span></div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-39144132747498112202013-07-29T09:04:00.000-05:002013-08-02T19:31:44.360-05:00Only What is Said Kindly is True<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Basel,
26 November 1968</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You very kindly sent me your writing along
with an accompanying letter. I thank you for this but also have to admit quite
openly that I took no pleasure in reading it.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As opposed to what you learned from the other
side, I have to say that precisely “in essentials” I am not at one with you and that I do not
expect this publication of yours to have any salutary effect.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Why not? Because I do not detect in your work
the slightest trace of what is called in holy scripture the peace of God that
passes all understanding.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You say many correct things. But what is
correct is not always true. Only what is said kindly is true. You do not speak kindly
in a single line.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You utter a powerful No on all sides. It is
indeed necessary to say No too. But the right No can only be one which derives
from and is upheld by an even more powerful Yes. I hear you say only No.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You accuse. That, too, has to be done. But,
again, if this is Christian accusation, it has to be enclosed in the promise,
in the glad tidings of God’s grace. In you it is naked accusation.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You demand that others repent. Sometimes one
must dare to do this. But only he may do so who himself repents and lives in
repentance. You preach down from your high horse, righteous among the
unrighteous, pure among the impure.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dear Mr. N. N., I am in my eighty-third year,
I am ahead of you by many years along with their experience of life, and I can
only say: It cannot be done as you are trying to do it in your book. A
Christian should not speak as you do either to his fellow-Christians or to his
fellow-men nor should the church speak to the world.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. . . I concede you mean well. But in my
serious opinion you must mean well in a better way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">(<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Karl-Barth-Letters-1961-1968/dp/0567093212">Karl Barth Letters, 1963-1968</a>, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Karl-Barth-Letters-1961-1968/dp/0567093212"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
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</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">p.
328-329</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
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<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
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<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
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<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
has me wondering (and I do not have the philosophical or theological background to
do more than wonder). I wonder: If God is love (1 John 4:8)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4), might
we say with Barth that mere facts, however correct, do not fully participate in
the Truth unless they are expressed with kindness and toward loving ends? And
unless we are able to do so, can we claim to know what we are talking about?
How might the answers to these questions inform our speech to and about one
another and, for that matter, the rest of creation</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">?</span><br />
<br />
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<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
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<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
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<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to
grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole
body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when
each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.
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Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-40210205529881544252013-07-08T12:42:00.001-05:002013-07-08T12:42:13.546-05:00God is the interesting thing about religion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Over
the last couple of years I have rediscovered <a href="http://www.evelynunderhill.org/her_work/about_her_life.shtml">Evelyn Underhill</a> and have found
her consistently edifying. Here is a letter she wrote to the Archbishop <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmo_Gordon_Lang">Cosmo Gordon Lang</a> of
Canterbury. Much that is in the letter is just as relevant now as it was when
she wrote it. The highlighting is mine.</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A
letter from Evelyn Underhill </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">to Archbishop Lang of Canterbury</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">MAY
it please your Grace: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
desire very humbly to suggest with bishops assembled at Lambeth that the
greatest and most necessary work they could do at the present time for the
spiritual renewal of the Anglican Church would be to call the clergy as a whole,
solemnly and insistently to a greater interiority and cultivation of the
personal life of prayer. This was the original aim of the founders of the
Jerusalem Chamber Fellowship, of whom I am one. We were convinced that the real
failures, difficulties and weaknesses of the Church are spiritual and can only
be remedied by spiritual effort and sacrifice, and that her deepest need is a
renewal, first in the clergy and through them in the laity; of the great
Christian tradition of the inner life. <span style="background-color: yellow;">The Church wants not more consecrated
philanthropists, but a disciplined priesthood of theocentric souls who shall be
tools and channels of the Spirit of God: and this she cannot have until
Communion with God is recognized as the first duty of the priest</span>. But under modern
conditions this is so difficult that unless our fathers in God solemnly require
it of us, the necessary efforts and readjustments will not be made. With the
development of that which is now called "The Way of Renewal" more and
more emphasis has been placed on the nurture and improvement of the intellect,
less and less, on that of the soul. I do not underrate the importance of the
intellectual side of religion. But all who do personal religious work know that
the real hunger among the laity is not for halting attempts to reconcile
theology and physical science, but for the deep things of the Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">We
look to the Church to give us an experience of God, mystery, holiness and
prayer which, though it may not solve the antinomies of the natural world,
shall lift us to contact with the supernatural world and minister eternal life.</span>
We look to the clergy to help and direct our spiritual growth. We are seldom
satisfied because with a few noble exceptions they are so lacking in spiritual
realism, so ignorant of the laws and experiences of the life of prayer. Their
Christianity as a whole is humanitarian rather than theocentric. So their
dealings with souls are often vague and amateurish. Those needing spiritual
help may find much kindliness, but seldom that firm touch of firsthand
knowledge of interior ways which comes only from a disciplined personal life of
prayer. In public worship they often fail to evoke the spirit of adoration
because they do not possess it themselves. Hence the dreary character of many
church services and the result in the increasing alienation of the laity from
institutional forms. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">God
is the interesting thing about religion, and people are hungry for God</span>. But
<span style="background-color: yellow;">only a priest whose life is soaked in prayer, sacrifice, and love can, by his
own spirit of adoring worship, help us to apprehend Him</span>. We ask the bishops . .
. to declare to the Church and especially its ministers, that the future of
organized Christianity hinges not on the triumph of this or that type of
churchman's theology or doctrine, but on the interior spirit of poverty,
chastity and obedience of the ordained. However difficult and apparently
unrewarding, care for the interior spirit is the first duty of every priest.
Divine renewal can only come through those whose roots are in the world of
prayer. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">THE
TWO things that the laity want from the priesthood are spiritual realism and
genuine love of souls</span>. It is by these that all Christian successes have been
won in the past and it is to these that men always respond. We instantly
recognize those services and sermons that are the outward expression of the
priest's interior adherence to God and the selfless love of souls. These always
give us a religious experience. On the other hand, every perfunctory service,
every cold and slovenly celebration (for these are more frequent than the
bishops realize because when they are present, everything is at its best), is a
lost opportunity which discredits corporate worship and again reflects back to
the poor and shallow quality of the Priest's inner life... It is perhaps
worthwhile to recall the humbling fact that recent notable secessions to the
Roman Catholic communion have been caused by declaration by a felt need of the
supernatural which the Church of England failed to satisfy, while the
astonishing success of the Oxford Group Movement among young people of the
educated class witnesses to the widespread desire for an experience of God
unmet by the ordinary ministrations of the Church. History shows that these
quasi-mystical movements among the laity do not flourish where the invisible
side of institutional religion is vigorously maintained. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
know that recovering the ordered interior life of prayer and meditation will be
very difficult for clergy immersed increasingly in routine work. It will mean
for many a complete rearrangement of values and a reduction of social
activities. They will not do it unless they are made to feel its crucial
importance. This will not be achieved through "schools of prayer"
which stimulate the mind rather than the spirit. But the solemn voice of the
united episcopate, recalling the Church to that personal, realistic contact
with the Supernatural which has been since Pentecost the one source of her
power, will give authoritative support to those who already feel the need of a
deeper spirituality and will remind the others that the renewal of a spiritual
society must depend on giving absolute priority to the spiritual life. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
venture to put before the conference the following practical recommendations:
(1) Education of Ordinands--- That the bishops shall emphasize the need and
importance of a far more thorough, varied, interesting and expert devotional
training in our theological colleges which, with a few striking exceptions,
seem to me to give insufficient attention to this vital part of their work. (2)
The Clergy--- That they should call upon every ordained clergyman, as an
essential part of his pastoral duty and not merely for his own sake: (a) To
adopt a rule of life which shall include a fixed daily period of prayer and
reading of a type that feeds, pacifies and expands his soul, and deepens his
communion with God; b) To make an annual retreat; (c) To use every endeavour to
make his church into a real home of prayer and teach his people, both by
exhortation and example so to use it.</span></div>
</div>
Matt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.com1