This week has brought news from the Anglican Poo-Bahs across the Pond that +Gene Robinson–already disinvited to pray and learn with his fellow Bishops at Lambeth this sumer–has now been told he may not even act out of his priestly ordination vows. In other words, he may not preach or celebrate anywhere in Merry Olde England during this time. +Gene, who continues to amaze me with his humility, obedience to the See of Canterbury, and Christ-like love, says he will honor this pronouncement from Rowan Cantuar. Many of my colleagues have written about this in different weblogs or on other websites, so I will not duplicate what they are saying. You can go to http://episcopalchurch.typepad.com/episcope/ and follow some of the links on the right for your browsing and reading pleasure. Or, if you are like me, for your browsing and reading pain.
I am trying very hard to understand these political machinations of the global Church, I really am. I know that Christian brothers and sisters from both ends of the theological spectrum hold very strong positions on the sexuality and ordination issue. And far be it from me to suggest that the AB of C has no backbone when it comes to the Global South. I can only hope that there is a political method to his theological madness, as it were, and that when all is said and done, things will turn up “right.” Since I will never be accused of being “right” in these matters, I wonder.
Jesus of Nazareth left us with two primary commandments: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. Setting aside for the moment that most folks have a hard time loving themselves, and the question might well be asked how they can begin to love their neighbor–setting that business aside, Jesus said we must love the Lord our God. And if we do all we can, every day, to love God, then our focus is on that. And the natural corollary is that we love the creatures and creation that the Lord our God has created. God makes no junk. Of course I have contended for some time that if each one of us would focus on God and our own relationship with God (that relationship being nurtured primarily in prayer), that would, of necessity, bring us closer to each other.
Meanwhile, food costs are rising, gasoline prices are rising, millions of people in war-torn or famine-torn or drought-torn countries try desperately to feed their families on $1.00/day (or less), the United States War Machines trip lightly through billions of our dollars every week, Americans get $300 or $600 from Uncle Sam so that we will indulge our consumer addictions and spend ever more money that takes care of us, and forget our brothers and sisters who need us to preach the Gospel with our lives. Oh, and in the midst of all that, we in the Anglican Communion are fighting about. . .sexuality?
My colleague Elizabeth Kaeton compares this business with Alice in Wonderland. Well said, sister. You can see it at http://telling-secrets.blogspot.com/ (Tell her I sent you. . .)
Today, I decided I didn’t want to spend my day off in pain or worry, so I enjoyed my day off. I watched Papa Robin take his turn on the nest (note: there are THREE little blue eggs there.) I had a long lunch with a friend and colleague. I worked part of my lunch off at the gym. I wrote two notes of congratulations to two couples who have just welcomed their first son and first daughter into this world. I had some conversation with the Lion King Baby. And I enjoyed a warm, sunny day and wandered around my yard to take a few pictures. New things bloom every day.
God is in heaven and earth, and sooner or later, all will be whole in God’s kingdom. I don’t know when, but then it isn’t my business to know when. For the time being, my business is to love God and to love my neighbor. May God help me to keep paying attention to beauty in the midst of chaos. May God help me to let God do what God will do, while I discern what part God wants me to play in God’s church. May God bless everybody. No exceptions.
(c) Sheila N. McJilton
Pic of +Gene accessed at: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/images/robinson3_med.jpg
Excellent post, Sheila. It is painful to watch, especially when the AB of C doesn’t speak out loudly about the real pain of starvation, war,and disease in these 3rd world countries. Worried about sexuality? Please…….
Sue
I’m with Suzanne. We have other, more important, fish to fry. It’s time for the world to grow up on the subject of sexuality. Let it be sooner rather than later.