a priest's musings on the journey
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Perspective: Behold, I will Do a New Thing, says God!
Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea ; And a path through the mighty waters, Who brings forth the chariot and horse,The army and the power (They shall lie down together, they shall not rise; They are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick): “ Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness , And rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness, And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.
Isaiah 43:16-21
She stands confident and graceful, poised to raise her crosier and knock on the Western Door of the Cathedral Church of SS Peter and Paul. She knocks three times, waiting for the People of God to greet the first female Primate in the Anglican Communion. The doors open and ++ Katharine Jefferts Schori is ushered into the cathedral and welcomed as the new Presiding Bishop and Cheif Pastor of the Episcopal Church. The doors open not only to welcome the new Primate; but everything that she embodies as the sucessor to the Apostle's- compassionate authority to safeguard the teachings of Christ and His Gospel of Love, protective support for the marginalized and those in danger of losing faith, and visionary direction by which the baptized are empowered to live out God's dreams for them. The doors welcome ++ Katharine and with her God's new work in the world. They welcome in a new era, a new beginning, a new work that is springing forth and renewing the world.
God's new work, is in fact not really a new work; in Christ all have been reconciled to God. In Christ there is "no longer male, nor female, rich or poor, slave or free [gay or straight]", we are one in Christ. Christ has already "torn down the dividing wall." The entrance of the first female Primate into an Anglican Cathedral is a new thing for us; but, it is nothing new in the dream of God. It is in fact the incarnation of the very core of Jesus' teachings. Her presence in the Church is a prophetic witness to God's longing to embrace all of humanity. Her presence is a prophetic witness to the inclusion of all people into the Body of Christ. Her presence is a prophetic witness to the brooding of the Holy Spirit, which continues to renew the creation and to transform the Church to be more like Christ.
++ Katharine Jefferts Schori is an icon of God's new work in the Church. Having tasted the springs of salvation in the desert, she leads us who are wandering in the wilderness to the living water from which we may drink and never thirst again. The waters of salvation offered to all; the waters of life given freely to even those of us who have been exiled to the desert because of our gender, race, sexual orientation, or social status. She draws us into Christ's embrace and assures us of our place of dignity in His Body. And, recognizing us all as members of Christ's Body in our Baptisms, she calls us all to remember our promises to serve Christ in all persons: to seek out the poor, the sick, the lonely, the hated, and the persecuted and to lead them out of chaos into God's Shalom. We have been loved and accepted by Christ; we in turn are to love and welcome all who seek God in Christ.
God is doing a new work; look it is springing forth! Can you see it? It's coming.. in fact it's here! And there is great rejoicing in the House of God!
:: posted by Padre Rob+, 2:22 PM
1 Comments:
As usual... I'm the official fan-and-commenter here!
++Kat is a little piece of Kingdom who has come to Earth.
The Eden is being restored on Earth, and it's good to know it.
However, there's much more to do!
++Kat is a little piece of Kingdom who has come to Earth.
The Eden is being restored on Earth, and it's good to know it.
However, there's much more to do!
