Fr. Steve's Morning Email - 2/28/09

I grew up in a church where we said the Apostles' Creed every Sunday.  Sometimes we would use creeds from other churches, but mainly the Apostles' Creed.  We used the old language too, confessing that Jesus will judge 'the quick and the dead.'  You can imagine what my childhood mind, "Is it better to be slow and alive so we won't be judged?"  Anyway...in the Apostles' Creed, we never said "(he) was crucified, dead, and buried.  He descended into hell."  We would leave out the sentence, "He descended into hell."

That sentence always confused me when I heard it in other churches and I never heard a good explanation as to why it was said.  Why would Jesus descend into hell?  Was he not sinless?  Was he not the Son of God?  Yes and yes.

The answer comes from tomorrow's Epistle reading from St Peter.  Within that text is this sentence: "He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water." 

It's the "made a proclamation to the spirits in prison" that is the key.  Those three days between Good Friday and Easter Morning Jesus descended into hell and proclaimed his salvation to those souls in prison.  Logically this makes sense.  If the only way to the Father is through Jesus, then those before Jesus would still need his redemptive love. 

Isn't that amazing?  Even those who had died before him were loved by him.  I think St Paul sums it up nicely (Romans 8) that neither life nor death can separate us from the love of God in Christ.

I leave you with an icon of the resurrection.  See what Jesus is doing?  He's pulling those souls out of prison, one of whom is Adam.

 

Ash Wednesday, Part II

The strange thing about Ash Wednesday is that despite being perhaps the most somber services of the year, it is also one my most favorite.  The reason is, as I mentioned yesterday, is that as we confess our sins and are moved to look deep within at the brokenness and hurt, we are not alone.  At both services that sense of community permeated the recitation of the 51^st Psalm and the Litany of Penitence (both of which, by the way, are found on page 266-269 for those of you playing at home with your Prayer Book).  It's a wonderful feeling knowing that as we plead our need for God, our voices are joined with others pleading their need for God.

Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent also call our attention to a subject that most of us try to avoid – mortality.  During the imposition of ashes yesterday I couldn't help but reflect on the 8 persons I've buried since my arrival at St Timothy's.  I also knew that during my time here, some of those for whom I said, "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return" I will also say, "we commit his/her body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust."  It's a sobering feeling. 

Let us appreciate life today.  Let us appreciate those in our lives.  Let us think of God, say a prayer, and do good.

PS: As requested by Lilana Hines - incense was used at both services yesterday and the topic of the MASSIVE thurible came up. This comes from a cathedral in Spain.  If you can't see it on your screen, click here. Enjoy!

--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz

Plop, plop.  Fizz, fizz.  Those were the sounds in my kitchen this morning.  A little NyQuil last night and some Alka Seltzer this morning.  Yep, the crud has descended upon our house.  'Tis the season, I suppose.  It's literally in the air.

This is actually a theological way to describe sin.  It's in the air.  For a long time it was thought that original sin was passed down from one person to another as a genetic defect.  Sin was hereditary.  That has been the Western view.  In the East, however, original sin has been viewed more as being in the air we breathe.  It's not a genetic defect, but it's in the atmosphere.  Either way, we can't escape it.

It doesn't take a theologian to recognize that from the moment we can – we rebel.  Our thoughts rebel, our words rebel, our actions rebel.  Sometimes the rebellion is tiny and sometimes it is colossal, but rebellion it is.

It might be helpful to view sin as a cold or the flu.  For we know that if we don't wash our hands or get right in the way of a cough or sneeze, we are exposing ourselves to the germs.  Is it not the same when we place ourselves in positions were sin is just waiting for a partner?

Catholic tradition has given us nine ways in which we can participate in sin: 1. by counsel, 2. by command, 3. by consent, 4. by provocation, 5. by praise or flattery, 6. by concealment, 7. by partaking, 8. by silence, 9. by defense of the ill done.

We're gonna get sick – there's nothing we can do about it.  We're gonna sin – we can't stop it.

But we can use the spiritual ZiCam or Vitamin C as a preventative: self-examination, prayer, and repentance.   

Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

Down the Mountain

The Feast of the Transfiguration is perhaps my favorite feast day outside the biggies (Easter, Pentecost, Christmas, Epiphany).  We actually get to hear the transfiguration story twice each year – this Sunday and on August 6 (my ordination to the priesthood was on August 6 – so that adds to my attachment to this feast).  The story of Peter, James, and John going up the mountain with Jesus always speaks fresh truth.

 

If it's been a while, go on over to Mark 9:2-9.  Jesus took Peter, James, and John (the inner circle) up high on a mountain.  It was there that Jesus was 'transfigured.'  We don't know exactly what Jesus looked like as he was transfigured, other than his clothes became whiter than all the Clorox in the world.  It was a revelation to Peter, James, and John that Jesus is of God – he is God.  If that wasn't enough, Moses and Elijah appeared beside Jesus.  To put that in perspective, think George Washington and Abraham Lincoln appearing beside a politician giving their endorsement.

 

A spectacular event.  So spectacular that Peter didn't want to leave.  "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."  The Gospel writers chastise Peter for saying this.  I've always wanted to defend Peter because – why wouldn't you want to stay there?  Why not bask in the presence of God and his prophets?

 

Because there was much to do down the mountain.  Down the mountain was a boy who needed healing (9:17-29).  Down the mountain were people who needed to hear good news.  Down the mountain…

 

Tomorrow is our Annual Parish meeting.  We will elect new vestry members at noon in Drake Hall.  At both services I'll give the State of the Church.  We'll talk about all the wonderful things that St Timothy's has done for the Kingdom of God.  But we'll also talk about the work that remains to be done…down the mountain.

Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

We've Won!

I've got great news.  This morning as I checked my email I discovered correspondence from a barrister in the UK.  I don't know him, but he was left several million pounds from a relative's estate but he needs help transferring it to the United States.  If I can only provide some critical financial information, he will wire me the money and let me keep a portion of it for my troubles.  Isn't that wonderful!  I'm rich!  Because I love my job, I'll continue to work for free!

 

Obviously this is a scam.  It's become so common that we don't even notice when we get these types of emails 'phishing' for our financial information.  It is certainly too good to be true.  No one would ever just give us something, not something as truly incredible as a life free from financial worry.  There are always strings attached, right?

 

While we do live by 'caveat emptor' (let the buyer beware) and we are careful knowing that we never get something for nothing, the irony is the foundation of our salvation is based on a free gift.  Grace.  Gratia.  Charis. 

 

It's not earned and there is nothing we can do to pay it back.  It's free.  But aren't we required to live a life of faith and love and holiness?  We are, but look at it this way, if you inhale, aren't you required to exhale?  Yes and it comes naturally.  The moment we become aware that God loves, truly loves us, is the moment we starting learning how to 'exhale' faith and love and holiness.  Faith, love, and holiness are not conditions of grace – they are the fruits of it.

 

Martin Luther was changed when he realized this.  John Wesley was changed when he realized this.  How about us?

--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

Michael Phelps

The 2008 Summer Olympics in China were impressive on so many levels.  I don't know if we'll ever see an Opening Ceremony quite like the one pulled off in Beijing.  And then there was Michael Phelps.  I think my household watched every race in which he won a gold medal.  Cherilyn would wake me up if I feel asleep just to watch it.  He emerged from Beijing as one of the greatest Olympic champions ever.  The Wheaties cereal box cover was his.  Endorsements from Rosetta Stone software to Speedo swimwear were on their way.  People were inspired to swim or at the very least try the breast stroke in the bathtub. 

And then like so many heroes, Michael slipped.  A picture snapped with him smoking marijuana has not only jeopardized his endorsements but also his standing with the public.  While not condoning drug use, one laments that a person who has worked so hard to achieve so much may see much of it diminished by a single act of poor judgment.

I often wonder if that is what keeps many from the Church.  I wonder if there is a perceived expectation that one must be as spectacular as Michael Phelps and his 8 gold medals to be an active participant in the life of the Church.  Is that what keeps some of us away?  Knowing that we will, because of that nagging truth called human nature, slip up and fall short of expectations, we don't want the scrutiny that might come?

I bet Michael Phelps will not be caught smoking marijuana again.  I bet he's learned his lesson.  But more than anything, I hope he will be given a second chance.  I hope he will be shown forgiveness.

The Church calls us to holiness, that's true. The Church also recognizes that we are human beings and that part of being such a creature is making mistakes.  I hope our call to holiness is matched by our call to forgive, so that those who see our faith in action will see a people called to live in love and holiness, but also with grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

 

 

--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

While Standing in Line...

This morning as I was standing in line for my morning nourishment, the gentleman behind me mumbled under his breath, "How long does this take?"  Granted, there were three folks ahead of him, including me, and the patron at the counter had a complicated order and the other employee was handling an issue on the phone.  For a moment I contemplated how to handle this.  The sarcastic side in me wanted to turn around and explain exactly how long it would take.  "The person at the counter will be done in 73 seconds and then the second person, depending on what she orders should be finished in 49 seconds assuming her order is considerably less complicated than the first, and I know what I'm getting and since I'm here every day, it will only take 38 seconds, so in a little under 3 minutes you should be set."  I didn't.  I did, however, pause and wonder what the gentleman was looking for?  I'm quite sure he wasn't expecting an explanation of how long it would actually take.  He might not have expected any response at all, or he might have been inviting me to turn around and join in.

 

Are you ever tempted to respond to grumbling or comments made under the breath with "How are you?" or "What's going on in there?"  What's inside comes out.  Anger, negativity, jealousy, it all comes out in some form or fashion, either in our words or actions.

 

St Paul addressed the pettiness at Ephesus saying, "…let us all speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another.  Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil…Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear…Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together will all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you."  (4:25-32)

 

In other words – be self aware.  The things we say, even under our breaths while standing in line, can stay with people – for better or for worse.

--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

Change and Transition

This may sound like a contradiction, but think about how constant change is.  Very, very few things remain the same all the time.  Presidents change, the economy changes, relationships change, jobs change, and on and on.  I've been reading a fascinating book by William Bridges in which he argues there is a difference between a change and a transition.  A change, he argues, can be a move from San Francisco to New York City.  It happens and it's over.  One day you have a California address and the next you have a New York address.  But what is not instant is the transition.  How long before New York becomes "home" and San Francisco becomes a former residence?  The same is true with any change; there is an obvious difference at first but there is always a transition from old ways of thinking, feeling, and acting into new ways.  And many times it's the transition that is harder than the change.

 

I'm sure this won't be the last time I mention this, not only because our lives are always in change and transition, but as your new rector we are currently in a transition.  The change has been made – that took place on June 1.  Now we are in the transition.

 

Bridges says there are three phases: 1) the ending, losing, and letting go, 2) the neutral zone, and 3) the new beginning.  What is fascinating is that he says the neutral zone, that time when things aren't the way they used to be but we aren't really in a new pattern of thought, feeling, and action, is when the creative energy takes place.

 

That's exciting.  The in-between time – from where we are ending, losing, and letting go and the new beginning is the time of discovery, excitement, and creativity!  Bridges was thinking about corporations, but I think it applies perfectly for individuals and yes, even churches.

 

Are you in a period of transition?  Behind the stress and the uncertainty is the potential for creative energy.  Take advantage of it!

--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

Dreaming

Do you remember your dreams?  Do you want to remember most of your dreams?  Last night I had series of strange dreams, even to the point of having dreams within my dreams.  My undergraduate degree is in psychology, which means I remember we talked about dreams but I don't remember what the professor said!  I do believe Sigmund Freud gave us some great advice on interpreting our dreams – 'sometimes a cigar is just a cigar,' meaning some things in our dreams have no interpretation (just the result of spicy food too late at night).

Biblically, however, dreams are all over the place and many times they are the meeting place for God's revelation.  If have time in your lunch break, pull out your Bible or go online and look up Genesis 28:12 (Jacob's dream), Genesis 41:1 (Pharaoh's dream), I Kings 3:5 (Solomon's dream), Daniel 7:1 (Daniel's dream), Matthew 1:20 (Joseph's dream), and the book of Revelation (St John's dream).  These biblical characters were not suffering from spicy gumbo the night before - they were approached by God.

Why did God use dreams?  I don't know.  Maybe we are a captive audience in our sleep and are more willing to listen and see.  Maybe our guard is down when we dream.  In any case, I believe that we can learn a lot about where we are in life and what is going on in our lives based on the elements in our dreams.  Do you have a lot of airplanes, trains, or cars?  Maybe you are going through a transition in life.  Are you falling?  Maybe you feel as if you have no control over your situations.  Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, but other times those strange elements in our dreams can clue us in to what is really going on inside.  And sometimes what is going on inside is a glimpse of God.

 

 

--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

Faith and Politics

The website poll has declared "Politics and Faith" the subject for tonight's adult excursion into the intersection of our faith and everything else.  This topic is fascinating for a variety of reasons.  First of all, virtually no politician can rise to the national ranks without a stance on faith.  If I say JFK and faith, one will think of the Roman Catholic Church.  If I say Jimmy Carter and faith, one will think of a Southern Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia (although President Carter is no longer Southern Baptist, I'll explain that one tonight) and President Obama received much scrutiny for his membership at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.  During the last presidential campaign, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, made this statement at a high profile speech on faith:

Almost 50 years ago, another candidate from Massachusetts explained that he was an American running for President, not a Catholic running for President. Like him, I am an American running for President. I do not define my candidacy by my religion. A person should not be elected because of his faith nor should he be rejected because of his faith. Let me assure you that no authorities of my church, or of any other church for that matter, will ever exert influence on presidential decisions. Their authority is theirs, within the province of church affairs, and it ends where the affairs of the nation begin.

It might be fair to say that many public leaders have made similar statements.  A question I would like to explore tonight – is a statement such as this valid for a person of faith?

St Paul also has some interesting statement on our relationship with civil authorities.  There is also a very interesting document by 3^rd century Church Father, Hippolytus of Rome that says concerning those who could be admitted to the catechumenate (baptism preparation): If someone is a military governor,^a or the ruler of a city who wears the purple, he shall cease or he shall be rejected.   

This will be a very good discussion.  If you can't make it tonight, I hope these questions and thoughts will stir some theological thinking today.  Until tomorrow, here's a collect in keeping with the theme of this morning's email:

O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that, being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to the President of the United States, the Governor of this State (or Commonwealth), and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.   Book of Common Prayer, page 820

Peace,

 

PS:  For back issues of the Morning Email - click here.

--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

Process Instead of Recess

Driving in this morning the local radio station reported that America's recession has spread globally to what is now a world recession.  In particular, Japan's automakers are reporting disappointing revenue and layoffs are imminent. If I remember correctly, a recession is two consecutive quarters of negative growth.  In other words, the economy is going backwards instead of forward.

 

This takes me back to the first day of liturgy class in seminary.  The professor, obviously responding to a pet peeve, said "We do not recess at the end of the service.  We process out!"  That was news to me because every bulletin I had read to that point said "Recessional Hymn" or "The Recessional."  There is a theological point to be made, he said.  We are not walking backwards or moving backwards – we are always moving forward.  Every time we leave worship we are stepping out going forth in the world, never backwards.

 

In the midst of a global move backwards the Body of Christ is called to show what it means to process in the midst of a recess.  How can we move someone or some situation forward today?

 

"…forgetting what is behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:13-14

 

PS:  I received several emails about yesterday's email concerning the self-examination.  A note about that:  self-examinations are tools to show us our need for God.  It is not supposed to be a checklist that one must complete before receiving communion – just the opposite, it is supposed to show us how much we need Christ in the Eucharist.

--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

A Form of Self-Examination Before Receiving the Eucharist

Have I believed in God: in Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
Have I trusted in God and in His promises?
Have I been thankful for Gods blessings?
Have I tried to serve God and to keep God's commandments?
Have I worked for God, the Church, and their honor and glory?
Have I said my morning and evening prayers faithfully?
Have I gone regularly to Church? To Holy Communion?
Have I prepared carefully for Holy Com-munion?
Have 1 stayed away from the Holy Eucharist on Sundays or Holy Days except through grave cause?
Have I done unnecessary work on Sunday? Have. I said Grace' at meals?
Have I been irreverent in Church, or elsewhere?
Have I tried to make my home happy and holy, and to be faithful in all my family relations?
Have I at all times tried to do unto others as I would have them do unto me?
Have I been proud, vain, envious, covetous, selfish, discontented?

Have I humbly received counsel and reproof, and been willing to acknowledge my faults?
Have I been angry? Struck anyone? Blasphemed? Used in vain God's Name, or the Holy Name of Jesus?
Have I been cross, disagreeable, fault-finding, revengeful?
Have I borne malice or hatred in my heart? Rejoiced at the misfortunes of others?
Have I failed to be kind, patient, forgiving?
Have I cheated, gambled, wasted money, lied?
Have I been impure in thought, word, or deed?
Have I acted dishonourably in any way?
Am I truly sorry for my sins, and do I truly desire to do better?
(Parish Press 1970,p.1)


--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

All Things to All People

I think it was Abraham Lincoln that reminded us of something we already know: 'you can't please all the people all the time.'  I wonder if Abe next said under his breath, 'If you don't believe me, try it."  I bet many of us have and all of us have come to President Lincoln's conclusion, we can't be all things to all people.  Or can we?

 

Tomorrow's Gospel lesson from Mark brings us to the beginning of Jesus' ministry, and since we are in Mark, Jesus is very busy.  He heals Peter's mother-in-law (yes, the first pope was married), the whole city gathers around him at sunset and he heals those possessed by demons and those sick with various diseases.  And then the next morning Jesus and the disciples head out to the surrounding towns doing the same thing.

 

What strikes me in reading tomorrow's Gospel is that Jesus addressed so many people with so many different issues (that's why I italicized whole and various).  Jesus wasn't just an exorcist, he was also a physician.  He was a counselor.  He was a friend.  He was whatever they needed.

 

Then let us meander over to St Paul and his first letter to the Corinthians and we catch him saying something similar: When I'm with the Jews, I become a Jew.  When I'm with the Gentiles, I'm a Gentile, etc. St Paul gave us that famous line, "I have become all things to all people." I don't think St Paul is being disingenuous.  Instead I think he is trying to translate the good news of God's love in whatever emotional, spiritual, or psychological dialect is spoken.

 

Put together and we have a hopeful message that whatever is ailing us – personal demons, our past, our health, our relationship, you fill in the blank, Jesus is whatever we need.  The challenge for the church is one of translation.

--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

Retreat!

This weekend some three dozen St Timothy's ladies are going on retreat.  I must admit I smile when I use the word 'retreat.'  Are our ladies running from the battlefield?  Are they throwing in the white flag, sounding the bugle, and getting out of Dodge?  I have the same image when the vestry goes on retreat.  Can we no longer handle leadership in the church so we are escaping from the demands and work of shepherding God's people?

 

I took a little stroll over to Merriam Webster and discovered three definitions for retreat.  The first is the white flag waving, bugle sounding, running from the battlefield type.  The second is a place of refuge, and the third is a period of group withdrawal for prayer, reflection, and meditation.  Obviously our ladies (and the vestry) are exercising the third definition.  Although retreating for prayer, reflection and meditation may be the remedy for the weariness of the battlefield.

 

There is something about space that transports.  When I walk into St Timothy's with the slate floors and the high ceilings, I am conscious of my sound and instinctively I grow quiet.  I can pray, meditate, and reflect better in the church.  That's what I respond to.  My office is populated with icons and crucifixes because when the battlefield is dangerous and I am reaching for the white flag and listening for the bugle, those images help me to retreat – not run away, but run to Christ.

 

Do you have a space like that?  Do you have a place where you can allow your thoughts and emotions to be transported to a higher, more peaceful place?

Pray for our ladies as they go on retreat.  And husbands, ahem, I've been told that the guys and kids take the Sunday off when the retreat weekend comes.  What better way to honor their retreat by coming to a sacred space of your own?  Let us retreat to Christ.

--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

Church Silence on the Economy

A thought provoking column from David Waters in Newsweek back in September. Here's the link. Click here for this morning's email.


I've been waiting for a week for at least one major Christian denomination to help us gain some spiritual or even scriptural insight into Wall Street's moral failings, first brought to our attention by Brother Alan Greenspan in 2002.

"An infectious greed seemed to grip much of our business community," the then-Fed chairman told Congress. "It is not that humans have become any more greedy than in generations past. It is that the avenues to express greed had grown so enormously."

Since Wall Street began melting down last week, the only avenue of greed the major Christian denominations have felt called upon to inspect this has been the one that leads to their church pensions. Good news, clergy and lay employees of the United Methodist and Episcopal churches. Your pensions are safe. No word on how your parishioners are doing during the current housing/credit/debt crisis, and not a hint of rebuke for the free enterprise faithful who caused all of this grief, but your billions of investment dollars are being looked after.

"The greatest challenge is assuring participants that we have a disciplined process, that we're adhering to that process and that they should ignore short-term fluctuations in stock prices," said David Zellner, chief investment officer for the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits, which claims to be the largest faith-based investor in the U.S.

"In light of the recent market volatility, the Board and staff of the Church Pension Fund want to reassure participants in the Clergy Pension Plan that the Fund's financial condition remains very strong, with assets well in excess of liabilities," the Episcopal Clergy Pension Board reported.

Last time I checked, assets and liabilities were not how the church measured its work or worth. Greed is still one of the seven deadly sins. Covetousness hasn't been amended out of the Ten Commandments. Depending on your interpretation of scripture, Christianity either strongly cautions against or forbids charging interest and accumulating wealth and debt, not to mention gambling.

So why aren't the leaders of our major Christians denominations saying anything about the economy? They've had plenty to say during the past week about other pressing moral issues. Catholic bishops remain focused on abortion. Southern Baptist leaders continue to condemn abortion and defend Sarah Palin, and National Baptist Convention leaders fretting about aging congregations and applauded Michelle Obama. Presbyterian leaders expressed concern about gun violence, Assemblies of God about hurricane victims, Lutherans about poverty, United Church of Christ leaders about peace. None of them said anything about Wall Street.

Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did express some concern about how the economic crisis might be affecting the welfare of others, but only to remind LDS about the church's own welfare program "based on the principle of self-reliance."

"If you build self-reliance in people," Dennis Lifferth, managing director of the LDS welfare program, explained on the site, "everybody grows; it is the essence of the welfare plan. Lives can be changed by personal interest and attention."

Self-reliance. Personal interest. Everybody grows. Sounds like capitalism to me, but at least LDS is acknowledging the situation, and offering some guidance.

I'm not saying our religious leaders should threaten to withhold communion from the greedy sinners responsible for the economy's going to hell in a financial basket, because that might include just about all of us. I know I've taken advantage of lower interest rates, mortgage refinancing, home equity growth (remember that?), stock options and other little 'trickle-down' perks we get during the bubbles.

I'm not even saying our religious leaders should withhold endorsements from candidates whose policies, votes or views encourage the sort of risky business that blows parts of our economy into bubbles that burst all over us. Those are people we've all voted for.

I am saying that the best moral analysis of these financial failures shouldn't come from Alan Greenspan, who arguably is as responsible as anyone for our growing indebtedness.

Jesus said nothing about abortion, homosexuality or pension plans (although he did say not to worry about tomorrow). He had plenty to say about money and moneychangers, greed and wealth, and the root of all evil. He had good news for the poor, not for investors.

As "On Faith" panelist and nondenominational leader Jim Wallis wrote, "The behavior of too many on Wall Street is a violation of biblical ethics . . . It's time for the pulpit to speak -- for the religious community to bring the Word of God to bear on the moral issues of the American economy. The Bible speaks of such things from beginning to end, so why not our pastors and preachers?"

Why not?

Tonight's topic at our Wednesday night adult Bible Study is the economy - specifically our faith and the economy. This column will certainly be at the center of the discussion.

Delayed

2 hour delay.  That was the news on the radio and on the television.  Ice on the roads, not safe to drive, you're delayed.  There is great spiritual irony in this.  I usually take Abby to school, but because of the delay, my morning has to be rearranged if possible – because of the delay.  How about this scene?  Standing in the airport staring at the departures board and in big red letters – DELAYED.  Then follows frustrated calls on the cell phone to whoever is picking us up or expected us upon our arrival.  Or this one – red lights (another delay).  Busy signals (another delay).  Our lives have been so structured (and so full) that the slightest delay, even if it doesn't really impact our schedule, twists our emotions all out of sorts.

 

The spiritual irony in this is that throughout the Biblical story and in Church Tradition, we are called to delay to notice God.  Perhaps we should tape Psalm 46:10 to our dash boards (or our cell phones!): "Be still, and know that I am God!"  I don't think we are much unlike the raging waves of the Galilee.  Restless, churning, even violent.  Then there were the words of Jesus, "Peace.  Be still." (Mark 4:39)

 

St Augustine once echoed the waves of the sea, "Let my soul take refuge from the crowding turmoil of worldly thought, behind the shadow of Thy wings.  Let my heart, this sea of restless waves, find peace in Thee, O God."

 

If you have a two hour delay, how will you spend it? If you're at a red light and you cannot move, where are your thoughts?  If you're on a concourse and your plane is delayed, what now?

 

What about silence?  Thinking of God and holding other people in your thoughts of God.  Think about those for whom you are at odds and ask for God's blessing on them.  The Lord's Prayer.  Enjoy the delay.  Be still and know God.

--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294

Groundhog Day

This is from my morning email. If you'd like to subscribe, click here.

Today is Groundhog Day.  I don't think I can ever disassociate Groundhog Day from the Bill Murray comedy of the same name.  A cynical weatherman reporting at the home of Puxatony Phil finds himself trapped in a Twilight Zone cycle of waking up every day to the same day.  The same events happen, the same words are spoken, and the only one who knows the day is repeated over and over is Bill Murray's character.  The only way the cycle could be broken is if his love interest fell in love with him.  Who knows, maybe Groundhog Day is a modern take on Beauty and the Beast.

It's been a while since I've watched the movie.  I wonder if I watch it now I will see a social commentary that unless we find true love, all of life is just a mindless repeat of days and nights.  I actually think there is something to that.  In reading St Paul's very familiar chapter on love in 1 Corinthians 13, I think he alludes to the mindless repetition of life without love.

"If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing."

Granted, we hear this most often at weddings, and I think it does speak of love between people, but it most certainly speaks of the love of God.  Bill Murray knew that life was more than just a mindless repeat of the previous day, but it couldn't figure out how to break the cycle.  Doesn't that sound familiar to so many?

The answer was love.

Show love to someone today.  Tell someone you love them.  Break the cycle.

Eternal Father, you have to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of your salvation: Plan in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.  Collect for the Holy Name.

PS:  This Wednesday we will take a look at current events and hold them in tension with our faith.  If you have second, go on over to this page and vote on which topic you'd like to cover this week.