Rogation Days

I find the Rogation Days to be very meaningful and more important than ever these days, especially in light of the shortage of food around the world. During the Rogation Days (rogare - to ask) we ask God to "pour forth His blessing upon the land and to give us fruitful seasons" (Collect for the Rogation Days, BCP p.261). There is a good prayer for the Rogations Days on BCP p. 39 as well which asks God's blessing upon agricultural workers, and also for us - that we would eat our own bread and essentially be happy with what we have. Of course it is customary and especially important during Rogationtide to recite the Litany (BCP p. 54) which, among other things, asks for God to bless the earth.

Any food shortage or famine may perhaps be viewed as God's judgment and curse upon the land. (Jer. 14:1-9) With the way that this world has be wholeheartedly turning its back on God over the last few decades is it is any surprise that there is more famine, death, and natural disaster than ever before? If we do not turn back to God, and "forswear our foolish ways" what will become of us?

"The earth is the Lord's and all that therein is." (Ps. 24) That means us, the earth, everything. Because the earth is the Lord's we can pray that He would bless it, which is what we do in Rogationtide. But will He do so if we do not repent of our sins and turn to the Lord, who is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness?

The Rewards of Being a Priest

One of the most exciting things about being a priest is watching people's faith come alive, and seeing people who come to church with very little in the way of Christian discipleship and discipline begin to grow and bear the fruit of the Spirit. There are people who never owned a bible, and then when we give them one, they begin to study it, and absorb it, and have lots of questions. There are others who though previously didn't have much of a prayer life learn how to pray and what to pray for. There are people who previously compartmentalized there faith who are coming to see that the Lordship of Jesus Christ is over every aspect of life. There are lifelong churchmen who are very faithful and have seemingly seen it all, but yet are filled with wonder and awe when they learn some new aspect of the Holy Eucharist that they had never thought of before. There are people who through the power of Jesus Christ overcome addictions and other destructive behaviors and begin to live a life of godliness and devotion to our risen Lord. It is so exciting to be in the midst of all of this, and to be used of God to help bring some of this about. Being a spiritual father to part of Christ's flock, and helping them grow in knowledge and love of Jesus, praying for them and with them, and teaching them is so unbelievably satisfying and rewarding.

Knowing your product

All of this stuff in the news about the polygamist sect in Texas has increased the general level of interest in Mormon religion and history. As a priest it is important to know something - even if it's very basic - about other religions, as well as other topics (such as philosophy). But with everything else a priest has to stay current with, and know, and do, it is simply impossible to become an expert in everything. There just isn't enough time in the day. One could spend a lifetime studying just one other religion!

It is important to know something about other religions, such as their history and how they began, and some of the basic differences between them and the catholic religion, but ultimately, as I learned in sales, it is better know your own product inside out, and be able to explain it, then to know some other product super well. You don't get "sales" when you bash someone else's product, or attack intricate details of their process (i.e. theology). "Sales" - in this case, convincing people of the truth of the catholic faith - come when you know, believe in, and can explain it well.

The Universe is Expanding

In my Tuesday morning class at church we are looking at 20 arguments for the existence of God. While studying the Kalam argument the question was raised as to how we should understand the word "universe". The questioner mentioned something about the universe expanding, and additional universes physicists have speculated about that he read somewhere, and so on. Quite interesting. I think that despite any new discoveries about new universes, dimensions, and so on, we still have to understand universe in its original sense as meaning all of created reality.

But the main thing the question got me thinking about was this funny clip from the Woody Allen movie "Annie Hall."

More Preaching Reflections

Ministers and other people from Christian traditions that do not use pre-appointed lectionary readings often think that the use of lectionaries greatly limits the topics that can be preached on. This would especially seem to be the case with the 1928 BCP eucharististic lectionary, which runs on a one-year cycle. The modern solution, of course, was to adopt a three-year lectionary, to give the preacher more options and bring more of the bible into the liturgy. Some continuing parishes use the three-year lectionary, but most still use the old one. Either way, if the readings are pre-appointed, it can seem somewhat limiting on the surface. So what do you do? You have to get creative.

I find it very easy to do "topical" sermons based on the lectionary. A few weeks back we had the John 9 as our Gospel, so I chose to preach on the concept of "light" and how Christ is the light of the world. Two weeks ago, when the Gospel was about the doubting St. Thomas I preached on "inner peace". ("Peace be with you.") So I don't know what other priests do, but I will often pull out one word or verse and build off of that. I always try to relate the concept to the liturgy of the Church and the Eucharist, showing, for example, how many times we use "peace" in the liturgy. One thing that sermons should always do is point to redemption in Jesus Christ, and especially in the Holy Eucharist (I learned that from a Dominican sister in seminary). Related to that, I find that one can never mention the Holy Name too much in a sermon. His very name is immeasurably powerful and needs to be spoken aloud. Topical sermons can also be done based on the theme of the Sunday (e.g. "Good Shepherd" Sunday), or where we are in the Church year and what the feast day is. But the point is that with a little bit of creativity it is possible to speak on any number of topics and themes based on pre-appointed lectionary readings. Other times, of course, it is appropriate to try to exegete the entire passage and discuss the broad theme of the entire reading. I do not want to deny the importance of that, but it can become rather limiting after a while.

Clergy Wives

I think there should be a feast day on the kalendar, or a prayer intention on diocesan prayer cycles, for clergy wives. Just as it is a difficult vocation to be a priest, so it is to be married to one. These wonderful women give up a lot for their husbands to become priests. In many cases they give up living near family and friends; they give up certain creature comforts because the salary and benefits of a priest are often lacking (especially in the continuum); and they very often abandon their own career and personal aspirations - all so their husband can be a priest. Then besides all of that, they are expected to take an active role in the life of the parish. I was lucky that my wife knew she was marrying a man who was going to become a priest, because for many men the priesthood is a career change, and not something that the woman planned on dealing with when they first got married. Those women in particular deserve special praise for their patience, understanding, and devotion to God and their husbands. Thank God for clergy wives. Pray for clergy wives.