The Economy of Giving
Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus - In return for so much, what shall we give back?
These noble words taken from psalm 116, v.12 emblazon the official stationery of my home city of Belfast, Northern Ireland. And, like so many rich sentiments taken from other languages, something is lost in the translation and something gained through poetic license or free interpretation. Perhaps this is a kind of proof that in the very act of giving, the giver receives, and upon receiving, both giver and receiver are mutually enriched in the economy of giving.
In any case, I had cause to think of these noble words recently when I celebrated “Lughnasa”, the Celtic feast of the harvest by “gathering” in a few close friends who fill my stores with all I need to sustain me through the winters of my life. And like the farmer who looks at the fallow field, I ponder what next to plant and what yield it might bring - or even if now is the time right for planting at all? Should I wait another year? In the economy of giving, there is an art and science of knowing what to do that work in tandem. The noble heart ponders the question while sound judgment and prudence recognize the right moment to act (kyros time) and the good work begins anew.
The farmer doesn’t linger long admiring his empty field or the full barn. He picks the day to get back to doing what is his to do – to cultivate and raise the next crop. The time for pondering is over, the time for work has begun.
In hopes of being like the good steward of the harvest drawn, I find myself looking around and through my abundant stores, furrow my brow and wonder if I have done enough to secure and protect what I have labored long and hard for. Will there be enough for me and mine? Should I have done more or consumed less? Such is the heavy burden of richness and good fortune!
But in the final analysis, there are only two things I must do before I rest this day: The first is to Give Thanks to God for so much I have already received and the second is to put my hand to the plough, for it is my labor that answers the noble question -in return for so much, what shall I give back?
Rev. Dermot Rodgers has returned from sabbatical renewed and refreshed for God’s work in the American Catholic Church, Diocese of California.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Solemnity Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe
On December 11, 1925, the Bishop of Rome Pius XI instituted this liturgical celebration as a feast, ranked as a Double of the First Class with his encyclical Quas Primas (Latin: in the first). In which he connected the denial of Christ as king to the rise of secularism. At that time, secularism was on the rise, and many Christians, including many Catholics, were doubting Christ's authority and even doubting Christ's existence. Pius XI, and the rest of the Christian world, were witnessing the rise of dictatorships in Europe and saw Christians being taken in by these earthly leaders. Just as the Feast of Corpus Christi was instituted when devotion to the Eucharist was at a low point, the Feast of Christ the King was instituted during a time when respect for Christ and the Church was waning, when the feast was most needed. In fact, it is still needed today.
PiusXI hoped the institution of the feast would have various effects. They were:
1. That nations would see that the Church has the right to freedom, and immunity from the state (Quas Primas, 32).
2. That leaders and nations would see that they are bound to give respect to Christ (Quas Primas, 31).
3. That the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration of the feast, as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our minds, wills, hearts, and bodies (Quas Primas, 33).
In 1969, the Bishop of Rome Paul VI gave the celebration a new title: "D. N. Iesu Christi universorum Regis" (Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe). He also gave it a new date: the last Sunday in the liturgical year, before a new year begins with the First Sunday in Advent. Through this choice of date, "the eschatological importance of this Sunday is made clearer".
The churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary observe Christ the King Sunday (titled, Reign of Christ Sunday, by some) as the last Sunday of the liturgical year. These churches include most major Anglican and mainline Protestant groups, including the Church of England and the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and other Lutheran bodies, the United Methodist Church and other Methodist bodies, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Church of Christ, and the Moravian Church.
As happens with all Sundays whose liturgies are replaced by those of important feasts, the prayers of the Sunday on which the celebration of Christ the King falls are used on the ferias (weekdays) of the following week; the Sunday liturgy is thus not totally omitted.
Returning to having the theme of this Feast on the last Sunday of the church year, most modern eschatology and apocalypticism, both religious and secular, involves the violent disruption or destruction of the world, whereas in true Christian and Jewish eschatologies, we view the end times as the consummation or perfection of God's creation of the world. For example, according to ancient Hebrew belief, life takes a linear (and not cyclical) path; the world began with God and is constantly headed toward God’s final goal for creation.
For us in the United States, the notion of Kingship is foreign. Remember, we had casted off our overlord (King George III of the United Kingdom) in 1776 and embraced an egalitarian Democratic Republic form of government and in doing so we created in our national consciousness the rejection of the notion of kingship, yet the emphasis on this title of Jesus as King of the Universe supersedes and transcends our national notions. This Kingship of Christ, the Anointed One, is rooted in our human need to accept God’s superior position over our lives, rather than the notion the only authentic authority is the individual self. This is an expected outgrowth of our national identity and, by extension, our relationship with our God. So, many balk at the idea of kings and queens, believing them to be oppressive. Some even reject the titles of "lord" and "king" for Christ because they believe that such titles are borrowed from oppressive systems of government.
However true these statements might be (some, others would say many, kings and queens have been oppressive), these individuals miss the point: Christ's kingship, his nobility is one of humility and service. Jesus said: “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to become great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45). And Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?"... Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth” (John 18:33b, 36-37).
Thus, Jesus knew the oppressive nature of secular kings, and in contrast to them, he connected his role as king to humble service, and commanded his followers to be servants as well. In other passages of Scripture, his kingdom is tied to his suffering and death; as the suffering servant, as we see in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. John’s Gospel shows Jesus as triumphant and victorious. He freely mounts the throne of the cross; no one forces him to do it. He alone has the power to give up his life or to take it up again. While Christ is coming to judge the nations, his teachings spell out a kingdom of justice and judgment balanced with radical love, mercy, peace, and forgiveness.
When we celebrate Christ as King, we are not celebrating an oppressive ruler, but one willing to die for humanity and whose "loving kindness endures forever." Christ is the king that gives us true freedom, freedom in Him. Thus we must never forget that Christ radically redefined and transformed the concept of kingship. If we are able to put aside our national consciousness and look beyond it, we can see within the kingship of Christ there is service, humility, and commitment. Christ is our King. Hosanna to the Son of David!
In Christ, as your humble servant,
+Thomas
PiusXI hoped the institution of the feast would have various effects. They were:
1. That nations would see that the Church has the right to freedom, and immunity from the state (Quas Primas, 32).
2. That leaders and nations would see that they are bound to give respect to Christ (Quas Primas, 31).
3. That the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration of the feast, as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our minds, wills, hearts, and bodies (Quas Primas, 33).
In 1969, the Bishop of Rome Paul VI gave the celebration a new title: "D. N. Iesu Christi universorum Regis" (Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe). He also gave it a new date: the last Sunday in the liturgical year, before a new year begins with the First Sunday in Advent. Through this choice of date, "the eschatological importance of this Sunday is made clearer".
The churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary observe Christ the King Sunday (titled, Reign of Christ Sunday, by some) as the last Sunday of the liturgical year. These churches include most major Anglican and mainline Protestant groups, including the Church of England and the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and other Lutheran bodies, the United Methodist Church and other Methodist bodies, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Church of Christ, and the Moravian Church.
As happens with all Sundays whose liturgies are replaced by those of important feasts, the prayers of the Sunday on which the celebration of Christ the King falls are used on the ferias (weekdays) of the following week; the Sunday liturgy is thus not totally omitted.
Returning to having the theme of this Feast on the last Sunday of the church year, most modern eschatology and apocalypticism, both religious and secular, involves the violent disruption or destruction of the world, whereas in true Christian and Jewish eschatologies, we view the end times as the consummation or perfection of God's creation of the world. For example, according to ancient Hebrew belief, life takes a linear (and not cyclical) path; the world began with God and is constantly headed toward God’s final goal for creation.
For us in the United States, the notion of Kingship is foreign. Remember, we had casted off our overlord (King George III of the United Kingdom) in 1776 and embraced an egalitarian Democratic Republic form of government and in doing so we created in our national consciousness the rejection of the notion of kingship, yet the emphasis on this title of Jesus as King of the Universe supersedes and transcends our national notions. This Kingship of Christ, the Anointed One, is rooted in our human need to accept God’s superior position over our lives, rather than the notion the only authentic authority is the individual self. This is an expected outgrowth of our national identity and, by extension, our relationship with our God. So, many balk at the idea of kings and queens, believing them to be oppressive. Some even reject the titles of "lord" and "king" for Christ because they believe that such titles are borrowed from oppressive systems of government.
However true these statements might be (some, others would say many, kings and queens have been oppressive), these individuals miss the point: Christ's kingship, his nobility is one of humility and service. Jesus said: “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to become great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45). And Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?"... Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth” (John 18:33b, 36-37).
Thus, Jesus knew the oppressive nature of secular kings, and in contrast to them, he connected his role as king to humble service, and commanded his followers to be servants as well. In other passages of Scripture, his kingdom is tied to his suffering and death; as the suffering servant, as we see in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. John’s Gospel shows Jesus as triumphant and victorious. He freely mounts the throne of the cross; no one forces him to do it. He alone has the power to give up his life or to take it up again. While Christ is coming to judge the nations, his teachings spell out a kingdom of justice and judgment balanced with radical love, mercy, peace, and forgiveness.
When we celebrate Christ as King, we are not celebrating an oppressive ruler, but one willing to die for humanity and whose "loving kindness endures forever." Christ is the king that gives us true freedom, freedom in Him. Thus we must never forget that Christ radically redefined and transformed the concept of kingship. If we are able to put aside our national consciousness and look beyond it, we can see within the kingship of Christ there is service, humility, and commitment. Christ is our King. Hosanna to the Son of David!
In Christ, as your humble servant,
+Thomas
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Keeping the Faith
November 4, 2009 Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo
“KEEPING THE FAITH”
Yesterday, November 3rd , at noon, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, along with forty other faith leaders, I participated in the San Diego gathering of “Keeping the Faith,” a series of talks held throughout the State of California keeping in the forefront of the minds of all Californians the need for Marriage Equality.
The gathering was phenomenal. All of my fellow faith leaders, most of whom were Pastors of local parishes in the greater San Diego area, stressed the importance of looking forward to a time in the near future when traditional American values of liberty & justice for all, traditional family values, traditional faith values are heard loud and clear, again, as they have in the past, making Americans the envy of the world once more and Californians the envy of the Nation for liberty. In one way or another we touched on these themes:
• Dr. Martin Luther King said the arc of history is long but bends toward justice and today we stand together to claim the true American value of liberty and justice for ALL!
• One year ago equality and justice was denied here in California, but we are not looking back, we are marching forward to reclaim the fundamental value of this country: that ALL persons are created equal.
• It is time now to focus on the values that make up a family – not the gender of the couple – and work together to bring liberty and justice to all.
• Today we stand with all who have suffered injustice... whether it is in marriage equality, immigration rights, health care, or equal access to education... to proclaim that justice delayed is justice denied.
• All relationships and families deserve equal protection and equal rights under the law… and people of faith join secular leaders throughout California to speak out until ALL means every same sex marriage and every gay or lesbian family are recognized as equal.
For my part, I spoke humbly to the leaders of the Church: “as the Presiding Bishop and Ordinary of the Diocese of California American Catholic Church, resident in the Hillcrest area of San Diego, as the Apostles of Christ have done in their example of embracing all with love, and as direct descendants of theirs in our Office, I urge my fellow Bishops and our helpers; the Priests, the Deacons, the members of Religious Orders and Communities, with the laity as I join six thousand other faith leaders from across the state of California who are keeping the faith; walking together on our journey for marriage equality.”
While a majority of the speakers spoke so eloquently, boldly, firmly and with strong passion, citing authors of poem and prose in literature, invoking needed emotion to the case for justice, reaching out to the broader audience of the California electorate, I felt compelled to speak directly to church leaders, those in position of power and influence, to step out and be heard on the side of equality, of upholding human dignity and value, codified in our church Canons and the United States Constitution.
Do you know as of today, four, down from five, states (Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, & Iowa) and the District of Columbia have all affirmed that equal protection means equal access for both “same” and “opposite” sex couples to both the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage? Countries on four continents: (Belgium, Canada, Spain, South Africa, Norway. Nepal and The Netherlands) allow same sex couples to marry. Marriage is a civil contract to which the church, in the name of God, adds a blessing. Unlike the opposition who often make claims to the contrary, no clergy will ever be forced to marry a couple if they don't want to do so. No one's religious rights will be violated if same sex couples gain the right to marry. These arguments are scare tactics perpetuated by those who want to see Prop 8 remain in California.
Let us be ready to face evil with good, negativity with possibilities, elitism with equality.
God’s Blessings,
+Thomas
“KEEPING THE FAITH”
Yesterday, November 3rd , at noon, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, along with forty other faith leaders, I participated in the San Diego gathering of “Keeping the Faith,” a series of talks held throughout the State of California keeping in the forefront of the minds of all Californians the need for Marriage Equality.
The gathering was phenomenal. All of my fellow faith leaders, most of whom were Pastors of local parishes in the greater San Diego area, stressed the importance of looking forward to a time in the near future when traditional American values of liberty & justice for all, traditional family values, traditional faith values are heard loud and clear, again, as they have in the past, making Americans the envy of the world once more and Californians the envy of the Nation for liberty. In one way or another we touched on these themes:
• Dr. Martin Luther King said the arc of history is long but bends toward justice and today we stand together to claim the true American value of liberty and justice for ALL!
• One year ago equality and justice was denied here in California, but we are not looking back, we are marching forward to reclaim the fundamental value of this country: that ALL persons are created equal.
• It is time now to focus on the values that make up a family – not the gender of the couple – and work together to bring liberty and justice to all.
• Today we stand with all who have suffered injustice... whether it is in marriage equality, immigration rights, health care, or equal access to education... to proclaim that justice delayed is justice denied.
• All relationships and families deserve equal protection and equal rights under the law… and people of faith join secular leaders throughout California to speak out until ALL means every same sex marriage and every gay or lesbian family are recognized as equal.
For my part, I spoke humbly to the leaders of the Church: “as the Presiding Bishop and Ordinary of the Diocese of California American Catholic Church, resident in the Hillcrest area of San Diego, as the Apostles of Christ have done in their example of embracing all with love, and as direct descendants of theirs in our Office, I urge my fellow Bishops and our helpers; the Priests, the Deacons, the members of Religious Orders and Communities, with the laity as I join six thousand other faith leaders from across the state of California who are keeping the faith; walking together on our journey for marriage equality.”
While a majority of the speakers spoke so eloquently, boldly, firmly and with strong passion, citing authors of poem and prose in literature, invoking needed emotion to the case for justice, reaching out to the broader audience of the California electorate, I felt compelled to speak directly to church leaders, those in position of power and influence, to step out and be heard on the side of equality, of upholding human dignity and value, codified in our church Canons and the United States Constitution.
Do you know as of today, four, down from five, states (Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, & Iowa) and the District of Columbia have all affirmed that equal protection means equal access for both “same” and “opposite” sex couples to both the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage? Countries on four continents: (Belgium, Canada, Spain, South Africa, Norway. Nepal and The Netherlands) allow same sex couples to marry. Marriage is a civil contract to which the church, in the name of God, adds a blessing. Unlike the opposition who often make claims to the contrary, no clergy will ever be forced to marry a couple if they don't want to do so. No one's religious rights will be violated if same sex couples gain the right to marry. These arguments are scare tactics perpetuated by those who want to see Prop 8 remain in California.
Let us be ready to face evil with good, negativity with possibilities, elitism with equality.
God’s Blessings,
+Thomas
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Welcome
This is the first entry to our blog.
I am Tom Abel, the Presiding Bishop of the Diocese of California American Catholic Church. Our cathedral parish is located in San Diego, CA. This is our first attempt to reach out to others using a blog. It is our hope we will be able to discuss how each of us can feel God's love in our life.
I would like to start our discussion with the topic near and dear to the hearts of our members; we are an Open and Affirming Community of Faith. What does this mean in the world? Well, first and foremost we embrace the wide diversity of humanity. We acknowledge each of us are at a unique point in our life having various encounters impacting us, for better and for worst. If we, as individuals, are able to respond to God's presence around us through our experiences and the talents and skills we have, then we start with acceptance. While one person may feel at peace in their life and their relationship with others and with God, another person may not feel the same way. I am going out on a limb here and say, God's love is so radical it is difficult for most of us to accept it. The fact is, if we allow God to be God and know we are loved, accepted, embraced for who we are and because of who we are, we can overlook how others treat us.
Some folks will use individual passages of Holy Scripture to point our faults, as if by just speaking the Words of Scripture they are justified in treating others sinfully; less good than they are without understanding the totality of the Scriptures, which is the example of how much God really loves us. What a sin this is! It denies the magnitude of the possibility of an ever-expanding, ever-embracing God. Christ called all of us to reach out to him and join him in the fullness of creation, God's creation. By far, this is the first sin we commit when we place ourselves in a position of superiority over another, we play God. This is truly unchristian at its core.
This is so evident when we reach into the realm of sexuality. One person always seems to have the RIGHT ANSWER of how another is to live their life. If there is one thing my 57 years of life has shown me is that, we truly are a diverse group. Maybe we just need to step back and be willing to hear what others have to say, when they approach life in a loving manner based first on acceptance. From that point, love will prevail.
Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. I welcome your thoughts as well. Peace to all.
Bishop Tom
I am Tom Abel, the Presiding Bishop of the Diocese of California American Catholic Church. Our cathedral parish is located in San Diego, CA. This is our first attempt to reach out to others using a blog. It is our hope we will be able to discuss how each of us can feel God's love in our life.
I would like to start our discussion with the topic near and dear to the hearts of our members; we are an Open and Affirming Community of Faith. What does this mean in the world? Well, first and foremost we embrace the wide diversity of humanity. We acknowledge each of us are at a unique point in our life having various encounters impacting us, for better and for worst. If we, as individuals, are able to respond to God's presence around us through our experiences and the talents and skills we have, then we start with acceptance. While one person may feel at peace in their life and their relationship with others and with God, another person may not feel the same way. I am going out on a limb here and say, God's love is so radical it is difficult for most of us to accept it. The fact is, if we allow God to be God and know we are loved, accepted, embraced for who we are and because of who we are, we can overlook how others treat us.
Some folks will use individual passages of Holy Scripture to point our faults, as if by just speaking the Words of Scripture they are justified in treating others sinfully; less good than they are without understanding the totality of the Scriptures, which is the example of how much God really loves us. What a sin this is! It denies the magnitude of the possibility of an ever-expanding, ever-embracing God. Christ called all of us to reach out to him and join him in the fullness of creation, God's creation. By far, this is the first sin we commit when we place ourselves in a position of superiority over another, we play God. This is truly unchristian at its core.
This is so evident when we reach into the realm of sexuality. One person always seems to have the RIGHT ANSWER of how another is to live their life. If there is one thing my 57 years of life has shown me is that, we truly are a diverse group. Maybe we just need to step back and be willing to hear what others have to say, when they approach life in a loving manner based first on acceptance. From that point, love will prevail.
Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. I welcome your thoughts as well. Peace to all.
Bishop Tom
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