Conflicted with Scholastica

 

How a fraternal disagreement shows us how to love.

Taring the Church apart

Sermon for the fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Our Lord speaks two parables

in succession.

First He tells us

that the Kingdom of God

is like the sower

sowing seed 

which falls on different types

of soil.

Then He tells us

that the Kingdom of God

is like a man sowing seed

whose field is corrupted

by his enemy sowing tares.

The same question occurs

in both parables:

Where are we?

[PAUSE]

If we are the seed,

then we have no choice

as to which soil we fall in,

nor have we any choice

as to whether

we are wheat or tare.

It doesn't matter

how much we reach out to God,

if we were sown a tare,

then a tare we will always be,

destined for the fire. 

But Our Lord came to us

with a human will and a divine will,

which means our ability

to choose 

and to shape our paths in this world,

is something 

that is part of what it is 

to be human.

We are not sown as wheat or tares.

We are sown as we are,

created by God from the dust of the earth

lovable even in our sinfulness

redeemable by His grace

and sanctifiable by the image of Him

Who creates us

and who gives us a hand 

in our own creation

to become who we are meant to be

in Him,

or,

if we choose, 

apart from Him.

[PAUSE]

The Kingdom of God 

is within us.

Jesus doesn't say

that the Kingdom of God

is within each one of us

as individuals, 

but rather among us 

as His Church.

The ground in which

the Sower sows the seed

of His Gospel 

is His Church.

We, collectively,

as a Church

are the soil.

Even soil 

from the rocky ground

can be transplanted 

into the good soil.

Even the soil

choked by thorns and thistles 

can be weeded

and made good.

Even the hardness of paths

can be broken

to release the good soil underneath

to receive the seed.

[PAUSE]

And, into the Church,

the enemy sows his weeds.

And we only know that they are weeds 

when they come to fruition. 

This is how we have spotted

the great heresies. 

Our Lord tells us

that we shall know

those who distort His message

by the fruit of their words:

words which cause division,

words which cause sin,

words which condone sin,

words which mask

the image of God in other people

which spread hatred,

resentment,

grudgebearing,

greed, gluttony and lust. 

But we will not be able

to root them out,

not without harming 

the good work of the Church. 

And it is God that will root out

the wheat and the tares.

His angels will cut out

all that is sown in hatred

leaving that which is truly Good.

We can be sure of that, 

especially when scandals rock the Church. 

[PAUSE]

We have to remember 

that the Church cannot be

deflected from 

the right teaching of God,

nor the preaching of His true Gospel. 

That's the good seed

sown from the beginning.

When we are rocked

by the failures 

of bishops, priests and deacons 

or the deliberate leading astray

by charismatic individuals,

of failures of pastoral care 

or even,

Lord preserve us,

of the abuse of innocents

by the clergy,

we must cling to the teaching

of Christ

that He has sown good seed

in His Church

and it is growing.

This can be very difficult to see, 

but thes these are the words of Christ

and Christ is always true.

When we commit ourselves 

to a Church that contains tares

we commit ourselves to a Church 

that contains Christ nonetheless. 

He says that,

if we endure to the end, 

then we shall be saved. 

[PAUSE]

When we see nothing 

but tares around us,

perhaps it is we who are being called

to grow the good seed

no matter how daunting the task.

Even in our smallness

our faith can grow

the greatest of all trees.

My tuppence on Fr Calvin Robinson

I have tried to hold my peace on this latest media circus given that my own life is very turbulent at the moment and that everything that needs to be said has been said.

So where do I stand?

Well, to be frank, I don't stand anywhere because it's none of my business. However high a profile this whole affair possesses, it is still a Diocesan affair between a priest and his ordinary.  Were this the Diocese of the United Kingdom, I might have been consulted in my role as secretary to the Board of Ministry and Education. But it isn't.  This is the Diocese of the Midwest who is receiving the pastoral oversight of Bishop Patrick Fodor as Episcopal Visitor. As I am not privy to the details of the situation, I do not have the right to question the actions of Bishop Fodor or Archbishop Haverland. Yes, they might have made a mistake and yes, they might not have made a mistake. My default position as a member of the ACC is to assume that they, as my superiors, have made the correct decision and to question no further: it has nothing to do with me. 

Of course, some might accuse me of being a coward and a wimp for not standing up for what is right. If I have no knowledge of the facts then I can have no knowledge of the truth: that stands to reason. I applaud Fr Robinson's courage in asking the difficult questions that do require an answer. As one who believes firmly in the sanctity of human life and the sanctity of the family, I am glad for loud voices thar will identify the need for the preservation of that sanctity. But, as a Benedictine, the virtue of obedience to one's superiors is necessary in maintaining the good order and strength of the Church.

But, as I say, I have no real opinion about this.

What I do have an opinion about is the furore this has caused with a lot of unpleasant and hateful comments being made from the same position of ignorance as my own - though I have to say I do know the difference between defrocking (which Fr Robinson has not reveived) and the revocation of a licence (which he has). It is possible that he may receive his licence back again and my hope is that conversations with the relevant bodies will prove fruitful and godly for everyone.

However, my Diocese has been on the receiving end of many unpleasant comments even though we have had absolutely no irons in this fire. The venom, sneering, sarcasm, and the hopes for our demise in flames and anguish have been very draining. While he was in this country, Fr Robinson chose not to approach us, nor to contact us, nor visit us. One can speculate on why our little Diocese did not appeal to him. He left the Nordic Catholic Church for the ACC in the Diocese of the Midwest. Why we in the Diocese of the United Kingdom are being punished for the revocation of a priest's licence who has never engaged with us seems hardly fair.

We are under no illusion that we are a small presence in this country. Our work is small-scale to reflect our size but we do our best to serve our parishes and to bring the love of Christ to our communities, preaching the Gospel in word and sacrament. We know the divisive nature of politics and, while there are different political views among the clergy, we know that unity is far more important and preserving the good order of our church. We are all non-stipendiary and our work lives impact on what we can offer. Our focus must be on our parishes, on pastoral support and Christian education.

I will not be publishing comments about Fr Robinson on our website, either affirmative or critical. This is not because we have something to hide, but to reflect the fact that this is not an issue of this Diocese but that we are merely reporting official statements. I hope that people will be more considerate in their comments in future. We Benedictines are often reminded that "in much speaking, thou canst not avoid sin." It is better to keep silence about matters in which one has no involvement. I should take my own advice.

Healthcare and St Blaisius

 

Why Christians should invest in medical science.

Patient Purity

Sermon for the feast of the Purification of Our Lady

What good is she doing

lurking around the temple

all that time.

For eighty-four years

since she lost 

her husband of seven years,

Anna has spent her life

just serving the temple.

Why did she not marry again?

Why did she not have kids?

Why has she not been 

more productive 

serving the community

rather than shutting herself away

for eighty-four years

waiting for the Messiah?

[PAUSE]

This is a criticism

often levelled against

the enclosed monastic orders

who shut themselves from the world.

Surely,

a life dedicated

to helping the poor,

the infirm and elderly,

teaching children in the Faith,

surely these are better

than pottering around 

a monastery,

praying all the time

and clearing up spent candles.

Eighty-four years wasted!

[PAUSE]

And then Our Lady 

enters the temple

with St Joseph and,

in her arms,

a little boy.

A little boy

to be presented to the Lord

as holy

in accordance with the Jewish law.

And a mother 

to be purified

from the hardship 

of labour

and ready to return

to Society.

But it's all the wrong way round!

It's all backwards.

[PAUSE]

What is purer

than a virgin mother?

What is holier

than God Incarnate?

The world around 

doesn't see this.

They do not recognise the child.

They do not recognise the mother.

But Anna and Simeon do.

All their lives,

they have waited for God.

They have immersed themselves completely 

in the presence and worship 

of God.

It is they who have spend decades

purifying themselves

by being in the presence 

of the Most High 

in acts of service

and dedication 

and in their purity

they see God.

And that Holy Child,

God Incarnate,

honours their service

and holds them up 

as examples when He preaches,

"Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they shall see God."

To the world 

Anna seems to have wasted her life.

But she sees God.

To the world,

the hermits

and the enclosed monks and nuns

have performed nothing useful 

for this world.

But they strive to see God.

And in striving to see God,

they shine with His light

into the dark world.

Their example and prayer

encourages those

whose calling is to go out

into the world,

feeding the poor,

clothing the naked

and liberating the captive.

And when those who go out

are wearied by the hardship 

of toiling in the world,

they seek those who see God

and from whom the light of God shines,

so that they may return to their calling

bearing that light again

and being purified themselves.

[PAUSE]

The holiness of the Child

consecrates the old priest.

The purity of the Virgin

purifies the temple.

It's all backwards,

but in Christ

the Law is fulfilled

and the Temple sanctified

so that Salvation 

can be seen by all who desire it.

[PAUSE]

Purity requires patience

even in the face of a world

that seeks to destroy that purity

with the business of day-to-day demands,

requirements,

duties and directives.

As long as we are willing

to immerse ourselves 

in the prayer life of the Church 

and support our monastic orders,

we will find that purity 

is the fruit of our patience,

and that waiting for God

is time well spent indeed.

Anglican Catholic Branch Theory

 

What is Branch theory? Is it true?

The Vanishing Centurion

Sermon for the third Sunday after Epiphany

We say the words

of the Centurion

at every Mass.

"Lord, I am not worthy

that thou shouldst enter 

under my roof

but only say the word

and I shall be healed."

Of course,

the Centurion was

appealing that

his servant should be healed.

But did the Centurion 

actually meet Jesus?

It would seen that

St Matthew says, "yes"

but St Luke says, "no".

From what St Matthew tells us

it sounds like 

the Centurion is physically present

and talking with Jesus.

But St Luke tells us

that the Centurion sent friends

to communicate with Jesus

and stayed at home.

So was the Centurion there 

or not?

[PAUSE]

St Augustine explains

that while the Centurion 

Isn't physically present

he is still actually communicating

with Jesus

through his Jewish friends

and those whom

he has helped.

Because this Centurion 

respects the Jews,

he accepts that he should

maintain a polite distance

for political reasons.

What is clear, though,

is that this Centurion 

believes that Jesus

is exactly who He says He is

and can heal his servant

whether Jesus is present

or not.

And it is this faith

that Our Lord praises highly:

faith that Jesus can heal,

faith that Jesus wants to heal,

faith that Jesus is exactly Who

He says He is.

It is this faith 

that the Centurion shows

by working with it,

using it to make his decisions,

and by taking a chance on it.

[PAUSE]

This is what Faith is:

trusting that Jesus is

Who He says He Is.

It is Faith that gives strength

to our will

so that we can do 

what pleases God.

But Faith can't be alone:

it must be accompanied 

with our will to do good,

with our will to seek

the joy of other people.

And the will for the joy

of others

is the heart of what it means

to love.

[PAUSE]

St Luke tells us

that the Centurion

has sought the good

of the Jewish people.

It is this Centurion

who has built their synagogue!

Already, the Centurion 

is showing Love,

even for his servant.

And now He is showing Faith,

and the two together

bring healing of

the Centurion's servant.

In Jesus,

Faith and Love

bring healing.

And the Centurion

is justified by his faith

working with love..

[PAUSE]

This is true of us, too.

We are not justified 

by faith alone,

but by faith working in love.

Faith comes as a gift

at the beginning,

but we have to feed it

with Love 

so that it can grow and,

in growing,

bring us closer to the One

in Whom our Faith is placed.

It is result of this 

faith working in love

that the Centurion

does not vanish into history

whether he meets Jesus

or not.

And in our lively faith,

we to will not vanish into history

but transcend it 

into the arms of the One

Whose Word we believe.

Anglican Catholicism and Church Unity

 

How can the Church be one?

Waiting for wine

Sermon for the second Sunday after the Epiphany

""What lovely wine!" 

says the steward,

"most people

give the good wine first 

and then give out

lesser quality wine

when everyone has 

had enough.

You've saved the best wine

for later."

Why does Jesus

go to the effort

of making a better wine

when most of the guests 

have drunk enough?

In fact,

why perform the miracle at all

if everyone has had enough

or has had too much

that they are dancing

to the Birdie Song.

Surely, 

His miracle 

isn't going to be 

appreciated?

[PAUSE]

Our Lord produces good wine.

We don't know the vintage.

We don't know 

which side of the vineyard

it comes from.

We don't know 

whether it has a nutty bouquet 

or a smoky aftertaste.

If Our Lord

Is trying to influence

a wine connoisseur,

we would know.

It's not the type of wine

that matters.

All we know 

is that it is good wine.

Wine that will

cause those

who have had enough

to be pleasantly surprised.

Wine that

gladdens the heart of men.

We know that

Our Lord does not perform miracles

for Himself.

Miracles are not for

showing off

or trying to convince 

the World of His identity

through acts of power.

Our Lord performs miracles privately 

and out of compassion

for the circumstances of others

and to show people

the goodness of His Kingdom.

He wants people

to rejoice at the wedding.

He wants to show 

God's approval for the marriage

by giving good things

that will enhance the wedding

and not be an ego-trip for Himself.

All the guests know

is that there is good wine

and the happiness grows, 

and the Bride and Groom

rejoice in a successful wedding

with a divine blessing 

upon their union

secretly bestowed.

[PAUSE]

Ultimately

we see God giving His children 

good things to enjoy.

There is nothing wrong

with rejoicing

as long as we make it possible

for everyone to share our joy.

God wants our happiness

and this is central

to what it means 

to love someone. 

We respond to God

by being grateful 

and by seeking 

the happiness of others.

Love always multiplies 

and never divides.

Anglican Catholicism and Orthodoxy

 

Why aren't Anglican Catholics Orthodox?

Finding yourself in the Mall

Sermon for the Sunday in the octave of Epiphany

Your relief is visible

when you hear the tannoy say:

"Please come to the reception desk;

your child has been found."

The panic of the last hour

frantically searching

for your child is over,

and all you need to do

is come to the reception desk

and pick them up.

Oh the relief!

But not every parent

in this situation 

finds this relief:

all too often,

there is bad news

and grief.

It's because of this 

distinct possibility that

your child is lost

that causes the panic,

the fear,

the cascade of 

a million unpleasant scenarios.

Having hope

almost makes the pain worse.

[PAUSE]

Even after twelve years,

Herod's wicked murder

of all those babies

rings in the memories

of Mary and Joseph

hunting frantically for Jesus.

He is not among

the crowds of unfamiliar faces

leaving Jerusalem for Nazareth.

He is not among the crowds

milling about in the streets of Jerusalem

nor the dark alleys,

nor in the places of buying and selling.

But then they hear the tannoy.

Voices declaring amazement

at some occurrence

in the midst of the temple.

Can He be where they left Him?

Indeed,

that's where Mary and Joseph

find Him.

Their relief is visible.

[PAUSE]

Children do this to you.

Even the Son of God

worries the life out of those

who are blessed by caring for Him.

To them

He is the most precious thing in the world.

To Him,

He is trying to become Himself.

This is the great challenge 

of parenting:

your precious child

isn't really yours.

They are their own people

and the greatest wrench

for the parent

is that their precious child

is not theirs to possess

but rather to get them to the place

where they can go

and live their own lives

away from their parents.

Jesus makes it clear that,

although He loves His Mother,

although He loves St Joseph,

He also loves His Father 

and must become 

the human being that He is

independently of those

who take care of Him.

Mary and Joseph 

must be prepared 

to let Him go.

Just as the Father 

has let us go.

[PAUSE]

Love never insists

on its own way.

It always respects the choices 

of the beloved.

In a few years' time

the precocious twelve year old

teaching the teachers

asking awkward questions 

while learning the Law

will speak of the Prodigal Son.

Just as the father

of the Prodigal Son

lets Him go and live his own life

independently from his family

so does God let us go

to live our own lives

independently of Him

in the hope 

that we may learn for ourselves

who we are and how God fits in with that.

He lets us go,

to His pain as the Cross proves.

But that Cross calls us,

like the tannoy,

back to God.

[PAUSE]

Good parents

are willing to bear the great pain

of letting their child go

despite the pain it causes.

But they work

to make sure that

their children are in the best position

to become who they are meant to be.

The loss of a child 

is perhaps one of the greatest pains

that a human being can endure

and it is a pain that God bears for us,

that God bears with us,

so that joy may come at

 Eternity's sunrise

when Heaven's morning breaks

upon us.

It is this loss that parents fear the most

and will do anything to prevent,

yet it is God's love to us

that gives us strength

to endure what we must endure

so that our children grow in love

as themselves,

and so that we grow in God's love

as ourselves.

The Ikon of Epiphany

 

What lies behind the Epiphany?

Bedazzled?

Sermon for the Vigil of the Epiphany 

When was the last time

you stayed up all night?

Did you see the sun rise?

There comes a point

when you look out 

across the night sky

that there is a definite 

change of colour.

The first glimmers of light

that come across the Horizon 

bring with them

a real sense that the night 

is nearly over.

These days,

because of the number

of street lights

there is always 

a perpetual glow 

on the Horizon. 

Near the cities,

we lose that gradual 

change from darkness

to light.

We also get a false sense 

of the dawn that's about

to rise upon our day.

Light pollution

is deceptive 

and robs us

of our awareness 

of the beauty of firstlight.

[PAUSE]

Here we are,

awaiting the Epiphany 

ready to see the dawn 

of the awareness

that God is made man

so that we can become

like Him.

But the world around us

is aglow with all kinds of light

making it difficult 

for us to see 

the dayspring from on high

dawning upon us.

Just as the world around us

fills our ears with chatter

and the Internet produces 

so much noise of competing ideas,

and vitriolic disagreement, 

so are the eyes of our souls

dazzled with the world's claim

on our attention

with false light.

Indeed,

it is the light that dazzles

precisely so that we 

are prevented from seeing the truth.

A dazzling light

is useless

because it stops us from seeing,

and that defeats its purpose.

As we gaze at a dawn

surrounded by the light

of streetlights

which focus us on the street below, 

we miss the emergence

of the greater day.

If we truly want to see the dawn

then we have to find somewhere remote

away from dazzling lights.

It means that 

we have to switch off

the light of the world.

But if we do that 

we find ourselves plunged into darkness.

And darkness makes us uncomfortable. 

But,

once our eyes have 

got used to the darkness,

then we can watch the true dawn arise.

[PAUSE]

This is why

the Church often makes

the day before major festivals

days of fasting.

This is why we fast before Mass. 

This is why Lent and Advent

are days of fasting and silence.

If we truly want to see

the Light of Christ 

dawn in our lives,

then we must darken

our lives and souls

from all that dazzles us,

distracts us

distorts us,

discombobulates us.

We can turn off the television 

unplug the router,

close the curtains, 

and pray in silence. 

[PAUSE]

And there in the silence

of our prayer

we see the dawn

as the Magi approach Bethlehem

as St John Baptist prepares

for a day baptising

and as a bride and groom

start to prepare for their wedding.

In the silence of our prayer

we watch the glow of God's revelation

of Himself 

to each one of us,

showing us

that He lives

that He loves us

and that He wants us

to know Him

and enter His Kingdom

where there is no darkness

nor dazzling but one equal light.