Biblical Theology 2005

Well, I think it's pretty darn related. It's different in that it's planned, it happens regularly (and therefore you have the opportunity to make changes in response to feedback), and it comes from members of the community (who are themselves available to continue dialogue). But I think they're at least similar enough that they can inform each other. If nothing else, given the class's general reaction on Tuesday, I think it's worth us asking ourselves why one is ok with us and the other isn't. If it's because they're "done right" at Seabury, then we need to be able to articulate what entails "done right" and who gets to decide that. I don't think "done right" is an entirely worthless reason - I have similar standards for liturgy in general, where I don't care nearly as much about high/low/whatever as I do about "done well" - but we have to be very careful that "right/well" isn't just "what I like" but has more reasoning behind it. And we need to be able and willing to share that with each other.

For me, Ryan, the biggest difference between our POP format and Mr. Smith's announcement is that his was a decidedly partisan plug, where our prayers could be construed as such but are not overtly so. I generally feel comfortable interjecting issues into the liturgy (via POP, the sermon, etc). I don't think directly advocating for candidates is appropriate (or legal, for that matter).

Of course, to be perfectly honest, I'd be a whole lot more comfortable if the issues that were addressed were ones that I favored. I'm not so sure that, as rector, I'd appreciate a parishioner using the liturgy to voice a contrary opinion to my own or to the mind of the majority of the congregation. I know that that's a stinker to deal with, and speaks to the issue of control that we touched briefly on in class; the issue of who "controls" the liturgy - the rector, the congregation, the Holy Spirit. I guess that as the rector/presider, at least the canonical authority rests with me. The question of leadership is how to use that authority to move the congregation without being too far ahead or leaving too many behind.

Good question...thanks for asking.

d.

I have to admit when I arrived at school I was taken aback when I heard the prayers for those about to be executed. In struggling with my own sense of justice, I neglected to hear that we also prayed for the victims of the convicted and their families. I wandered around in wonder for some time and then was reminded of the command given by Jesus in Matthew's Gospel: " 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44 Then they also will answer, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' 45 Then he will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'" I believe it takes great courage to enter into a relationship with someone judged as a murderer, but I have to ask myself how can I ask for compassion if I haven't given it as a gift to another? I think for reconciliation and transformation of the human condition to take place I need to be the one who both offers and receives the gift of forgiveness.