I write this on my smartphone while riding the Amtrak train from Chicago to Ann Arbor, Michigan. I am more and more aware of the blessings in my life...the fact I have a state of the art phone that I can access email, finances, call or text a friend or loved one day or night. I am of the 5% of the worlds wealthiest population. If you are reading this, so are you...
Having just graduated from the seminary with more debt than a medium sized house would cost in Michigan my perspective on money has it's own twist. This past Sundays lectionary lessons had quite a bit to say about money. The rich man who dies and is according to the text separated from Father Abraham looks up and sees poor Lazarus who used to beg outside this rich mans house sitting in Glory next to Abraham. The rich man who goes unnamed begs that he even be given a drop of water from the tip of Lazarus's finger. What a change of role that has allowed. It was once poor Lazarus who begged outside of the rich mans home and now it is he the once rich man who begs of the once poor but now rich in blessings Lazarus...
I can at many moments in any given day feel like each of these men...either the rich man in his earthly glory or in his state of deprivation. I have felt like poor Lazarus who sits surrounded by wealth and wishes, hopes, longs, prays for the moment when his blessing will come.
I often wonder while riding public transportation what the thoughts are of those I pass and travel with. I wonder what their stories are, where are they headed, who are they and so forth. There are those who sit with downcast stares, those that stare out the window, those that never seem to glance away from their newspaper. Then there are those who sit with a smile on their face, those who too are looking around at all those around them. Maybe they are wondering the same things I am? Maybe they too would love to strike up a conversation. I know...I'm weird and like to break "proper commuter interaction policy". I love the times when I have struck up a conversation with a fellow train rider. Each of us has a unique life story so different from anyone elses, how much of a better place would the world be if we looked up from our newspapers and took off our iPod earbuds and actually aknowledged the person who just sat next to us for 30 min while riding the train or bus.
I know, I know. We don't want to be bothered. I know there are times I have thought that I did not want to be bothered. But, it seems that it was those exact times that I wanted to he alone in my own self pity that some other traveler on this journey we call life helped to shine a little brightness into the darkness that was that moment.
Whether we ride the train to a job we love/hate or take it home to Michigan for the funeral of a loved one. Whether we walk, drive or ride a bike we pass others who are journeying down the same path of life that we are.
I think that while there are so many lessons from last weeks Gospel text (ill insert later) one of them is to seize the moment and to notice the other who is standing or sitting 6 inches away from us. If we used the same social norms 2 thousand years ago as we do today how would the Gospel message ever been spread. No, I'm not advocating for prostilization on the trains and bus. I'm simply thinking that I'd we were to even acknowledge each other, how much better would he world be?
In that same Gospel lesson it appears that the rich man recognized the once poor Lazarus. My question is did he ever take he time to say hello or to help him in even a simple way? That we will never know, but we can certainly work to make sure that those we pass are acknowledged and who knows we might even gain some comfort or solace from it all.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
What is the Golden Tunicle?
What is the Golden Tunicle? Well, as I just typed Tunicle the little red squiggle line appeared under the word meaning that even Firefox doesn't know what it is! The Golden Tunicle is for me a metaphor for the Sacred in the Secular....let me first explain what a tunicle is.
In the Anglo-Catholic tradition the tunicle is the vestment that the Sub-Deacon wears in a solemn service (A Eucharist..er...Communion service where there is a Deacon, Priest and Sub-Deacon present. There are also other items that make it a solemn service but that is a main component.) The role of the Sub-Deacon is a contested position in many circles, it is not a level of ordination nor does it have any ecclesiastical (Church) status and is purely a liturgical role. Within the service traditionally the Sub-Deacon assists the Deacon during the Mass in the manner of holding the Gospel book while the Gospel is being proclaimed. The Sub-Deacon may read the Epistle lesson and traditionally stands to the Priests left during the Eucharistic portion of the service. While standing at the Altar most often the Sub-Deacon assists with turning the pages on the Altar book, and may or may not point to the place on the book so that the Priest does not lose their place while preforming the manual acts of the Eucharistic Prayer (elevation of the chalice and host [wafer/bread], reverencing of the elements/altar.
There are many other thoughts as to why there are three people in the "Sacred Trio" in the Solemn service. I have heard that its represents the Three persons of the Trinity, it is a representation of the three levels of initiation in the church, the baptized laity (Sub-Deacon), the ordained Deacon and the Ordained Priest or Presbyter (Depending on how you look at the level of the Episcopacy [Bishop] this could prove problematic, however a Bishop is a Priest...and when the Bishop is there some call the service a 'Pontifical Solemn High...'). There are many more I am sure, it seems that with most things in liturgy and ritual there are many thoughts as to why we do things and have certain things in the service....many of them may be correct, as there are many different traditions specific to individual parishes.
All that being said....
I hope that this blog, The Golden Tunicle, is a place where I can share my thoughts on the Sacred that is found in the Secular. Gold is a color and something worn on special days, a thing of beauty and status throughout history. I pray that my reflections will be of worth to read and that they may bring hope and insight into the dark world we live in.
In the Anglo-Catholic tradition the tunicle is the vestment that the Sub-Deacon wears in a solemn service (A Eucharist..er...Communion service where there is a Deacon, Priest and Sub-Deacon present. There are also other items that make it a solemn service but that is a main component.) The role of the Sub-Deacon is a contested position in many circles, it is not a level of ordination nor does it have any ecclesiastical (Church) status and is purely a liturgical role. Within the service traditionally the Sub-Deacon assists the Deacon during the Mass in the manner of holding the Gospel book while the Gospel is being proclaimed. The Sub-Deacon may read the Epistle lesson and traditionally stands to the Priests left during the Eucharistic portion of the service. While standing at the Altar most often the Sub-Deacon assists with turning the pages on the Altar book, and may or may not point to the place on the book so that the Priest does not lose their place while preforming the manual acts of the Eucharistic Prayer (elevation of the chalice and host [wafer/bread], reverencing of the elements/altar.
There are many other thoughts as to why there are three people in the "Sacred Trio" in the Solemn service. I have heard that its represents the Three persons of the Trinity, it is a representation of the three levels of initiation in the church, the baptized laity (Sub-Deacon), the ordained Deacon and the Ordained Priest or Presbyter (Depending on how you look at the level of the Episcopacy [Bishop] this could prove problematic, however a Bishop is a Priest...and when the Bishop is there some call the service a 'Pontifical Solemn High...'). There are many more I am sure, it seems that with most things in liturgy and ritual there are many thoughts as to why we do things and have certain things in the service....many of them may be correct, as there are many different traditions specific to individual parishes.
All that being said....
I hope that this blog, The Golden Tunicle, is a place where I can share my thoughts on the Sacred that is found in the Secular. Gold is a color and something worn on special days, a thing of beauty and status throughout history. I pray that my reflections will be of worth to read and that they may bring hope and insight into the dark world we live in.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Why?
I have spent the last two days laying in bed sick with the flu. This provides for a lot of time to lay there and think. Think about the past, the here and now, and the future. Some times this is beneficial and sometimes it causes one to second guess things. Maybe second guess actions or choices of the past, or second guess the anticipated future.
To borrow an old expression, we all make our own beds and at some point have to lay down in them. What is one to do if something has been in the making for years, costing tens of thousands of dollars, and towards the end of it after all that time and money has been spent, doubt settles in. There is the great play gone movie, Doubt. The final scene between the Rev. Mother and the young Sister says so much. The very self-sure Rev. Mother who has been the rock of the movie, breaks down. "I have doubts." She cries.
What is one to do when they find them self in just the place that the uber strong Rev. Mother was in? Full of doubts and feeling alone at the place one is in, alone like the Rev. Mother was. She had people around her, she had her fellow sisters, and she was strong for them. But, she herself was unsure, doubtful. Doubtful of what, we really don't know. The Church maybe, her faith, the accusations of the priest she accused. Maybe it was life in general, maybe she doubted the goodness of humanity. Maybe she doubted her vocation and calling, maybe she doubted her abilities to do the job she was entrusted to do. Maybe there were things in her life, things about herself she hid behind the habit that she wore. Doubts.
I have doubts.
MJV
To borrow an old expression, we all make our own beds and at some point have to lay down in them. What is one to do if something has been in the making for years, costing tens of thousands of dollars, and towards the end of it after all that time and money has been spent, doubt settles in. There is the great play gone movie, Doubt. The final scene between the Rev. Mother and the young Sister says so much. The very self-sure Rev. Mother who has been the rock of the movie, breaks down. "I have doubts." She cries.
What is one to do when they find them self in just the place that the uber strong Rev. Mother was in? Full of doubts and feeling alone at the place one is in, alone like the Rev. Mother was. She had people around her, she had her fellow sisters, and she was strong for them. But, she herself was unsure, doubtful. Doubtful of what, we really don't know. The Church maybe, her faith, the accusations of the priest she accused. Maybe it was life in general, maybe she doubted the goodness of humanity. Maybe she doubted her vocation and calling, maybe she doubted her abilities to do the job she was entrusted to do. Maybe there were things in her life, things about herself she hid behind the habit that she wore. Doubts.
I have doubts.
MJV
Saturday, October 10, 2009
What's is all about....
So I am taking the advice of my friend Brandon and actually writing something on this here blog...
I am in my third year of a Master of Divinity program at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Which in sort means I will be graduating in May with my degree and no job in sight. I made a transition from the United Methodist Church to the Episcopal Church this past May. Because of this, my ordination process has been interrupted as well. Long story short, I wont be ordained and given the go ahead to "officially operate in a pastoral role" for the organized Church for at least 2-3 years. This leaves me with an unknown future...what will I do for work? How will i pay my bills once the student loans stop in May. Where am I going to find a job when there are more unemployed people it seems in Chicago than those with jobs...I know...it comes down to trust...right?
To be honest, I am sick and tired of well intentioned people saying to me "God has a plan and everything will work out..." I have even found myself saying that to friends going through similar situations. I am not saying that God is not present in our lives, quite the contrary but, I do not believe we live a life that was planned out for us moment by moment since the beginning of time. Life is a very complicated thing, and there are choices we all have to make that form what our lives will end up being. God's is present with us every step of the way to love us and sustain us within those things we choose to do. I do also believe that God provides us opportunities to assist us in the journey we are on, we just have to be willing to recognize when those opportunities are present to us.
I recall a story of a man who falls on hard times and prays to God that he would win the lottery. The numbers come up and the man does not win. The next day the man prays to God asking again to win the lottery, this time promising to share the money he wins with his family and those who are in need. Again, the numbers come up and the man does not win. This goes on for a few more days, and the man promises all kinds of things to God in return for letting him win...again the numbers come up and the man does not win. The next day as he is praying to win a voice comes down from Heaven and says "Hey Bill, it's God humor me and buy a lotto ticket."
How often do we just expect God to drop what we need into our laps? Wouldn't it be cool if that was the way it worked? Some times it seems that there are those around us that seem to have just that happen to them. Everything seems to just fall into place, in their jobs, relationships, financial status. Some would say that those who have such good things happen must have more faith or better status with God, that in my opinion could not be further from the truth. While I do believe that all we have is a blessing from God, our lives at the center most of that. I do not think that God pours blessings out on us according to our merits or our favor with God. God's love is universial and equal for all...and when I say all, I mean all. God's love is not dependet on our acceptance of it, dependent upon our social or economical status in society. When looking at the life of Jesus Christ he reached out to all people, even those that society deemed unworthy to be touched.
So where am I going with this, that is a good question. I don't really know. Just like I don't know where tomorrow is going to take me as well. However, one thing I do know is that God's love and grace will be there to surround me each step of the way. There will be times when I wont know where I am or what is going on, but I can trust in God's love at those times. Life is a journey, at times it is a busy Chicago street with lots of honking cars and pot holes big enough to swollow you up. Other times it is a beautiful treelined lakeside Northern Michigan country road. No matter what road we are on, it is part of the journey and sometimes we have to take a detour or sit in traffic and wait like those that are around us.
The road I am on right now is one with lots of turns and streets with no signs...but I am trusting in God's presence to accompany me on the the journey. There is always something that we can learn from every situation, I just hope I have my head up and my eyes open for the lessons to be learned in this one.
I guess thats all for now.
Peace....MJV
I am in my third year of a Master of Divinity program at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Which in sort means I will be graduating in May with my degree and no job in sight. I made a transition from the United Methodist Church to the Episcopal Church this past May. Because of this, my ordination process has been interrupted as well. Long story short, I wont be ordained and given the go ahead to "officially operate in a pastoral role" for the organized Church for at least 2-3 years. This leaves me with an unknown future...what will I do for work? How will i pay my bills once the student loans stop in May. Where am I going to find a job when there are more unemployed people it seems in Chicago than those with jobs...I know...it comes down to trust...right?
To be honest, I am sick and tired of well intentioned people saying to me "God has a plan and everything will work out..." I have even found myself saying that to friends going through similar situations. I am not saying that God is not present in our lives, quite the contrary but, I do not believe we live a life that was planned out for us moment by moment since the beginning of time. Life is a very complicated thing, and there are choices we all have to make that form what our lives will end up being. God's is present with us every step of the way to love us and sustain us within those things we choose to do. I do also believe that God provides us opportunities to assist us in the journey we are on, we just have to be willing to recognize when those opportunities are present to us.
I recall a story of a man who falls on hard times and prays to God that he would win the lottery. The numbers come up and the man does not win. The next day the man prays to God asking again to win the lottery, this time promising to share the money he wins with his family and those who are in need. Again, the numbers come up and the man does not win. This goes on for a few more days, and the man promises all kinds of things to God in return for letting him win...again the numbers come up and the man does not win. The next day as he is praying to win a voice comes down from Heaven and says "Hey Bill, it's God humor me and buy a lotto ticket."
How often do we just expect God to drop what we need into our laps? Wouldn't it be cool if that was the way it worked? Some times it seems that there are those around us that seem to have just that happen to them. Everything seems to just fall into place, in their jobs, relationships, financial status. Some would say that those who have such good things happen must have more faith or better status with God, that in my opinion could not be further from the truth. While I do believe that all we have is a blessing from God, our lives at the center most of that. I do not think that God pours blessings out on us according to our merits or our favor with God. God's love is universial and equal for all...and when I say all, I mean all. God's love is not dependet on our acceptance of it, dependent upon our social or economical status in society. When looking at the life of Jesus Christ he reached out to all people, even those that society deemed unworthy to be touched.
So where am I going with this, that is a good question. I don't really know. Just like I don't know where tomorrow is going to take me as well. However, one thing I do know is that God's love and grace will be there to surround me each step of the way. There will be times when I wont know where I am or what is going on, but I can trust in God's love at those times. Life is a journey, at times it is a busy Chicago street with lots of honking cars and pot holes big enough to swollow you up. Other times it is a beautiful treelined lakeside Northern Michigan country road. No matter what road we are on, it is part of the journey and sometimes we have to take a detour or sit in traffic and wait like those that are around us.
The road I am on right now is one with lots of turns and streets with no signs...but I am trusting in God's presence to accompany me on the the journey. There is always something that we can learn from every situation, I just hope I have my head up and my eyes open for the lessons to be learned in this one.
I guess thats all for now.
Peace....MJV
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