Homily for Pentecost C, 2010

Come Holy Spirit; kindle in us the fire of your love!
In our first reading we heard the story of the Holy Spirit’s arrival. The experience was so overwhelming that the first disciples could only describe it as being over taken by violent winds and fire! It is now fifty days since Easter. The way Luke puts it shows that Pentecost is a milestone in the story of salvation. He attempts to describe the event in human terms (winds and flames) but it is never possible to explain a divine mystery. The coming of the Holy Spirit is the event which inaugurates the final stage of the salvation history; this new era includes our present times and builds to the end of time.

Acts is about mission, about speaking, proclaiming, the good news to people everywhere; Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit is the driving force behind this work, e.g. in the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch, we read “the Spirit said to Philip. . .” Today we read that they spoke in other languages through the Spirit’s power.

In our second reading we learn that Christians are obligated to live according to the Spirit as children of God. Paul has told us that Christian living is centered in life “in the Spirit rather than on any form of self-centeredness. The Christian is under an obligation to Christ: to live according to the Spirit. Now he says that those who live in the Spirit are children of God. This implies a new relationship with God.

In our Gospel reading, Jesus describes His relationship with the Father and encourages his disciples to believe. He then promises them the Holy Spirit and describes its importance for guiding the disciples and binding them in spiritual unity with himself and the Father. As faithful Christians we are to continue Jesus’ works – and do even greater.

There really are two different schools of thought as to the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit.” There is the Charismatic or Pentecostal view and the Scholastic view. From Pentecostle School we get the familiar list drawn from 1 Corinthians:

* Wisdom
* Knowledge
* Discernment of spirits
* Speaking in tongues
* Interpretation of tongues
* Prophecy
* Faith
* Working of miracles
* Healing

The Scholastic school (drawn from the reflections of late Midi-evil Christians) is probably less familiar to us but provides valuable expressions of more subtle spiritual gifts:

1. Wisdom, Recognizing God’s work in the world
2. Understanding, comprehending what it takes to follow Christ
3. Right Judgment (Council), making good decisions
4. Courage (fortitude), taking a Christian stand for what is right
5. Knowledge, understanding Scripture and Christian Tradition and always seeking deeper understanding
6. Reverence (Piety), respect for God
7. Fear of the Lord, wonder and Awe of God’s work, love and beauty

All Christians need to pray for growth in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The words of a very old Latin (Veni, Sancte Spiritus) hymn will help us end with a prayer.

Come, Holy Spirit,

send forth the heavenly

radiance of your light.

Come, provider for the poor,

come giver of gifts,

come, light of the heart.

Greatest comforter,

sweet guest of the soul,

sweet consolation.

In labor, rest,

in heat, temperance,

in tears, solace.

O most blessed light,

fill the inmost heart

of your faithful.

Without your divine will,

there is nothing in humanity,

nothing is harmless.

Wash that which is unclean,

water that which is dry,

heal that which is wounded.

Bend that which is inflexible,

warm that which is chilled,

make right that which is wrong.

Give to your faithful,

who rely on you,

the sevenfold gifts.

Give reward to virtue,

give salvation at our passing on,

give eternal joy.

Amen. Alleluia.

Bishiop Kirk Smith on PBS Religion and Ethics

On May 21, 2010, last Friday's broadcast, PBS: Religion and Ethics program gathered religious leaders for a discussion of Arizona's SB 1070 - the Arizona State immigration law.  I highly recommend both the video and transcript posted on the PBS web sight.

Click Here

As I mentioned in an early blog posting, I favor comprehensive immigration reform in the form of a worker visa program that is genuinely accessible to the individuals who seek work in the U.S.  I also take exception to the perspectives that conflate the immigration issues with drug smuggling and border security.  These are genuinely separate issues and require their own unique solutions. 

Here is my earlier post!

Homily for 6 Easter C

Let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of Christianity.

Our reading from Acts tells the story of the Conversion of Lydia and her household. In the ancient Greek culture, women were basically treated as property. In Roman culture, they had a bit more status but the improvement was not dramatic. I point this out because this story of the first Christians accepting Lydia as a head of household demonstrates their dramatic difference from the culture around them. This story is one more tiny glimpse into strongly our predecessors held the equality symbolized in images like the “Mystical Body of Christ.”

This story is set in Paul’s second great missionary journey. Starting from Caesarea Philippi, he has traveled north to Antioch, then generally northwest through Asia Minor. He, Silas and Timothy have now arrived at “Troas,” a seaport on the Aegean Sea. Now he has a dream, which he understands to contain instructions from God. “Macedonia” was the Roman province in northern Greece.

In our reading from Revelations, John continues describing the heavenly city established as God’s thrown in the recreated world. He dramatizes God’s glory by describing it as all the sunlight the city needs. In his dream John is carried by an angel into the desert to see a decaying “Babylon,” i.e. Rome. His next vision is the glorified Church, i.e., the new “holy city of Jerusalem.” The height of the city “wall” (21:17) is minuscule compared to what would be expected. This City fears no enemies.

Our gospel reading is from John’s account of the Last Supper. Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit after he arrives in heaven. He also warns that the Holy Spirit “will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said.” The implication is that more teachings (or revelations) are to come. There is an old monastic saying that is draw from this admonition: “Be attentive to the Holy Spirit!”

We are now in that part of the Easter Season where we look toward Christ’s Ascension and the birth of the Christian Church on Pentecost. Today we remembered the promise of the Holy Spirit and Jesus admonition that we actually listen to it…. We are further reminded of the promised perfected world to come in the reunion of Heaven and Earth.

Christianity has both a spiritual and practical side. We have talked much lately about that practical side: loving one’s neighbor, sharing out faith with others, even construction plans for our new building. We must not neglect the spiritual. It is important that we pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This is important because the act of making such prayers opens our hearts and minds for the Spirit’s guidance. It also helps us be ready to accept its gift of passionate spiritual love. That fiery part of the Pentecost story. Let us prayerfully make ourselves ready to celebrate the birth of the Church!

Border Security and Immigration Reform - From a Center-est Perspective

As an Episcopalian and political Independent, I am experiencing great offense at the polarized political bickering engendered by Arizona’s new Immigration Law. Recently an article in the Washington Post by Eugene Robinson was brought to my attention; it is this article that moved me to write down my thoughts. He makes appeal for “Fact-based analysis” and then grossly under represents the complexity of the issues and also misrepresents the facts in support of his obvious political bios. The following are the facts as I know them from my experience living in Cochise County; one of the counties that have been more dramatically affected by cross border crime.

1, Violence and theft related to professional smuggling operations along the border have been on the rise in the last four years; despite claims to the contrary. Here in Cochise County people have been held hostage at gun point in there own homes wile smugglers (Coyotes) waited for the cover of darkness. Recently a local rancher, Rob Krentz, who is well known as a kind and caring individual, was murdered on his ranch by someone involved in these smuggling operations. Members of my congregation, and I myself, have endured smuggling related burglaries and auto theft. The claim that we do not need to do more to secure the border is utterly naive.

2, Border security and illegal immigration are separate, though overlapping, issues. There should be no doubt that most of the illegal immigrants are individuals, driven by poverty, to seek employment here in this country swinging a hammer, pushing a broom, etc. I have personally encountered many of these hard-working individuals. Because of the inaccessibility of work visas, they pay “Coyotes” to guide them over the border. This not only puts them in the hands of professional drug smugglers but of the cartel enforcers who garde the shipments. I have found it all too routine to read in the local news about another body found in the local desert or mountains; an immigrant left to dye by a “Coyote.” The local smugglers and their drug cartel associates are ruthless professional criminals, let us not be in doubt of this fact. As a Christian I see this present situation as one humanitarian crisis compounded by another. To solve this we must recognize that there are two separate issues at hand: the need for greater security and safety along our border and the need for immigration reform. Which means that our present polarized bickering between the “Left and the Right” (which I see Mr. Robinson contributing too rather than helping) must end.

3, If meaningful immigration reform were enacted, allowing real accessability to work visas, many dynamics of the present situation would be transformed for the better. First, workers seeking employment in the U.S. and the businesses that need these workers, would have legal access to each other. Let us not pretend that business in the U.S. does not need these workers. If immigrant workers were not finding jobs, their influx would have slowed to a trickle long ago. The next most obvious effect of this change would be to remove the drive for immigrants to seek out the services of criminal guides. This would be a genuine humanitarian victory from my perspective. Finally, the reform would also allow federal and local law enforcement to focus on interdicting the truly serious crime that threatens the safety of those (like myself) who live near the international border.

4, The conservative pretense that a new Arizona law against illegal immigration will help keep the border areas secure is nonsense. Such redundancy cannot do any more to inhibit crime than have the preexisting federal laws. This law will tie up limited local resources enforcing laws that federal agencies are already enforcing. It will require local law enforcement to look for probable cause in areas that are outside their training. Which will lead to racial profiling (even though this law was amended to ban such) simply because local law enforcement is not trained in this sphere in the manner of Customs and Border Patrol. From my perspective, this is nothing less than political posturing.

Finally one other fact bears noting. The liberal calm that the Mexican drug cartels procure their assault weapons on the U.S. side of the border is a genuine lie. Investigative reporters with Fox News debunked this claim months ago. The firearms that the Mexican government requested the U.S. government to trace represented only 10% of the weapons they had confiscated in their war with the drug cartels. The other 90% came from other countries and from their own military. Of that 10% only a fraction actually came from this country. Claiming that we have a responsibility to bear for feeding the violence in Mexico is utter propaganda.


Will we Americans ever put aside simplistic “group think,” “blame the other side” politics and pursue real solutions to our challenges?

Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Easter cycle C

My sisters and brothers let us follow the example of Peter and Paul – responding to Christ’s call with diligence.

In our first reading we heard the famous story of the conversion of St. Paul. He is not only smacked down by God but healed by Ananias and baptized. That is, Paul becomes a member of “The Way” that he had been persecuting. His conversion is utter and complete. Luke has told us, earlier in Acts that in Jerusalem - Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women throwing them into prison. Now we see his great transformation: from persecutor to evangelist. In the early days, Christianity was known as “the Way” and its members were almost exclusively Jewish. Their custom was to worship in synagogues on the Sabbath and to celebrate the “Lord’s Supper” gathered in one another’s homes. It wasn’t until after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, 70 AD, that the service we are familiar with began to develop. But the roots of our worship service do go back to the first and second generation of Christians.

In the second reading we heard today, from Revelation, John further describes his vision of the glorious court of heaven. This is intended to be an inspired picture-book, inspiring the reader through their imagination. In his vision, he sees God’s throne and the heavenly scene around it and hears the praises sung there. He describes God’s throne as reverenced by “twenty-four elders,” perhaps the twelve Old Testament patriarchs and the twelve apostles.

The “four living creatures” around the throne are angelic beings representing the whole of creation; they are God’s agents who watch over all of nature and symbolize what is most splendid about animals: nobility (lion), strength (ox), wisdom (human), and oversight (eagle).

Our gospel story today is another of Jesus appearances after the resurrection; this time, by the sea of Tiberius. Three times Jesus questions Peter about loving him and three times commissions him to be pastor for the others. Several scholars have written about this scene, trying to make deeper sense of it. Most agree that it is a symbolic reversal of Peter’s denial of Jesus; supporting Peters primary role as head apostle.

Today we should take a close look at the example of Peter and Paul. Neither are “perfect disciples” but, both are called and commissioned as ministers in Christ. Each experienced the call in their own unique ways. We are each called and commissioned also and our experience of that call can be as unique as Peter or Paul.

Probably most of us would rather pattern our selves after Peter rather than Paul. Getting a smack down from the Lord as Paul did certainly doesn’t look pleasant. But some of us may well have experienced this kind of conversion. Neither kind of experience makes us better or worse disciples. Peter got questioned about his commitment three times. But then again, we all fall short and need to make a rededication of some sort. What matters is that we say yes and diligently pursue the work of God.

That work is something we actually know too well. Love your neighbor; treat others the way you want to be treated. It simply means if you would want help in a time of trouble or crises, then reach out to others in their time of hardship. Whether that is people suffering from poverty, crime, hatred or separation from family and friends, etc. It’s about doing the loving and charitable thing the presents itself to be done.

Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, cycle C

My sisters and brothers, our lessons today express the faith of our predecessors in Christ.

In our first reading Peter and John are arrested by the Temple authority for teaching and proclaiming that “in Jesus there is resurrection of the dead. The Sanhedrin has ordered them “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter proclaims that they will obey God before human authority. The council members are so enraged that they want to kill Peter and John, but a famous liberal rabbi, Gamaliel, cautions them: “if this ... is of human origin, it will fail”; but if it is from God, they “will not be able to overthrow them” and they will be working against God. Gamaliel is father of a great rabbinic dynasty that persisted for at least 4 generations.

In our second reading, John addresses his book of revelations to the churches in Asia Minor. He praises Christ and then begins his messages: Jesus the Christ is all things for all places and all peoples. Christ, as Creator with Yahweh is both source of all things and the fulfillment of all things. John begins and ends this book as a letter. Essentially Revelation tells of the struggle between good and evil, and the ultimate victory of Christ. Writing in symbolic language, its author urges Christians to keep faith in a period of persecution.

In our gospel story Jesus appears to a gathering of his disciples. He gives them the Holy Spirit and commissions them to forgive sins in his name. He then reappears a week later and address Thomas’ doubts. Finally the author restates his purpose in writing this book: that you (the reader) may “believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God” and have life. Earlier on this day Mary Magdalene has discovered that Jesus’ body is missing from the tomb; the stone door is open, so it looks as though someone has stolen it. She has seen a man standing near the tomb. When he speaks to her, she recognizes him as Jesus. She has told the disciples: “I have seen the Lord. Later on that Easter day, Jesus joins the disciples, gathered behind locked doors as we heard. Upon seeing, Thomas makes the most complete affirmation of faith of anyone in the gospel (despite his earlier doubts). Henceforth the faith of all Christians in all ages will rest on the testimony of the first believers.

Belief is accepting the reality of something we cannot independently prove. Faith is trusting that person or thing will perform as hoped. Believing in Jesus is accepting the truth of Jesus and his spiritual gifts on the testimony of others. But we each can support our belief with our own spiritual experiences, just like I can support my belief in the Atlantic Ocean by visiting it. This is why prayer is so important in our lives.

Faith in Jesus is trusting the way of life that He taught and living your lives accordingly. This also will be supported by your own experience of the benefits that come from His way of life. Like Peter and John before us, we can and must put the Christian life ahead of all other elements in our lives. Only in this kind of trusting relationship with Christ can we move forward in our mission as Christians. Again, we strengthen our faith through prayer & worship, fellowship, study and working for the spread of God’s kingdom. My brothers & sisters let us never allow the events of life to intimidate us when it comes to our faith in Christ!

Homily for Easter 2010

My sisters and brothers, Mary Magdalene sets us a wonderful example us. Her example is one of openness to receiving Christ and of sharing Christ.

Today/tonight, we celebrate that Christ conquers the deepest fears of humanity and offers the greatest blessing and oneness with our Creator. God incarnate (Jesus the Christ) not only embraces the deepest human fears and pains of human existence but turns it all into resurrected life.

As we celebrate, let’s not miss the powerful example set for us by the disciple who plays the most central role in discovering and proclaiming the resurrection. Mary Magdalene!

Her ministry of service and steadfast companionship, even as a witness to the crucifixion, has, through the centuries, been an example of genuine and faithful devotion to Christ. All four Gospels name Mary as the central figure among the witnesses of the empty tomb. Her weeping for the loss of Jesus strikes a common chord with the grief of all others over the death of loved ones. Jesus’ tender response to her grief — meeting her in the garden, revealing his glory to her — makes her the first witness to the risen Lord. She is given the command, “Go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17). As the first messenger of the resurrection, she had been named Apostle to the Apostles. She is believed by some and not by others but she faithfully proclaims the message and shares the joy she has been blessed with. My sisters & brothers, if Mary had been shy about reporting her experience of the risen Lord, we might have all missed out on the Christian faith. Let us follow her example and be ready to share our faith with others, when and where it is appropriate.