It's safe to speak truth to power, but only when that power lies at more than arm's length from out lives. Many Americans have spoken out against Robert Mugabe's reign of terror in Zimbabwe, and more than a few Episcopal leaders have rightly condemned the former Bishop of Harare's public support of Mugabe's atrocities. Some of us have expressed indignation at leaders in the Solomon Islands, which allowed six Anglican religious brothers to be murdered by a mob.
We rail against terrorists and we rant against dictators, and it costs us absolutely nothing. But at least we're faithful to the scriptures: "Whether they hear or refuse to hear, they shall know that there has been a prophet among them" (Ezek. 2:3b-4). And so we've done our part.
For prophets who speak truth to power a little closer to home, it can be quite a different story. Regardless of what the law might say, workers engaged in trying to organize labor unions are usually fired. Clergy who speak out at conventions against dysfunctional diocesan policies can find their future job prospects limited. And parishioners who challenge the priorities of a parish are easily stigmatized as "troublemakers," and even invited to "move on." Our Lord's observation often rings true: "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house" (Mk. 6:4).
Fr. Gehlsen
Friday, July 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Open to Receiving Help
Pentecost 4, Proper 8
When Jesus came to the house where the young girl died, he denied her death and the people laughed at him. Sometimes it can be that way for us, too. Even in the face of the help that we need - when the offer is placed squarely before us - we laugh and turn away in scorn instead of welcoming the relief that is available.
Jesus asks the people, "Why do you make a commotion?" That question could just as easily be posed to any of us. Instead of being still to receive, and listening to learn, we make a commotion. We fill the situation with our own static and turmoil because we cannot imagine how any solution beyond our abilities is possible. How could anything happen that we haven't controlled, and understood?
Sometimes the commotion is just a cover-up for our anxiety. Anxiety can mean wringing our hands over things that cannot be changed, or worrying about things that haven't happened and may never happen. Anxiety can mean getting lost in the negative possibilities and worst-case scenarios. Anxiety can waste a lot of energy and time. It's not good for our spirit or our body. And it can be a great distraction from the work of ministry!
Fr. Gehlsen
When Jesus came to the house where the young girl died, he denied her death and the people laughed at him. Sometimes it can be that way for us, too. Even in the face of the help that we need - when the offer is placed squarely before us - we laugh and turn away in scorn instead of welcoming the relief that is available.
Jesus asks the people, "Why do you make a commotion?" That question could just as easily be posed to any of us. Instead of being still to receive, and listening to learn, we make a commotion. We fill the situation with our own static and turmoil because we cannot imagine how any solution beyond our abilities is possible. How could anything happen that we haven't controlled, and understood?
Sometimes the commotion is just a cover-up for our anxiety. Anxiety can mean wringing our hands over things that cannot be changed, or worrying about things that haven't happened and may never happen. Anxiety can mean getting lost in the negative possibilities and worst-case scenarios. Anxiety can waste a lot of energy and time. It's not good for our spirit or our body. And it can be a great distraction from the work of ministry!
Fr. Gehlsen
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Storms in our lives
Have you ever been in a storm? It can be scary, especially if it blows up fast and you're outside in a vulnerable place. We tell our kids to avoid getting caught outside in a storm, but it can happen to any of us.
Some storms don't come with lightning and thunder. We can also encounter scary weather in our lives. Bad things in our work, our family, our friendships, or our parish may blow up suddenly and leave us wondering what comes next. We may feel vulnerable and unsafe in the middle of the storm, especially when we realize our own strength is no match for the threat we're facing. The storm is beyond our control, and we don't know what to do.
The fishermen in the boat with Jesus that evening were frightened and confused. The windstorm blew up, the waves beat into the boat, and it was being swamped. The evening probably didn't start out that way. A crowd had gathered around Jesus, and he set out to cross to the other side of the sea. Then he went to sleep. It seemed peaceful. But the disciples panicked when the windstorm arose, and you can hear their fear in the urgency of what they say to Jesus: "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
Jesus pointed them away from fear to faith, and he does the same for us when we face the storms that have blown up in our own lives. We're not alone in the face of any threat. If the threats we face seem more powerful that any resistance we can offer, we can still trust in the power of our Lord, who is with us and available!
Some storms don't come with lightning and thunder. We can also encounter scary weather in our lives. Bad things in our work, our family, our friendships, or our parish may blow up suddenly and leave us wondering what comes next. We may feel vulnerable and unsafe in the middle of the storm, especially when we realize our own strength is no match for the threat we're facing. The storm is beyond our control, and we don't know what to do.
The fishermen in the boat with Jesus that evening were frightened and confused. The windstorm blew up, the waves beat into the boat, and it was being swamped. The evening probably didn't start out that way. A crowd had gathered around Jesus, and he set out to cross to the other side of the sea. Then he went to sleep. It seemed peaceful. But the disciples panicked when the windstorm arose, and you can hear their fear in the urgency of what they say to Jesus: "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
Jesus pointed them away from fear to faith, and he does the same for us when we face the storms that have blown up in our own lives. We're not alone in the face of any threat. If the threats we face seem more powerful that any resistance we can offer, we can still trust in the power of our Lord, who is with us and available!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Ordinary Time
A MESSAGE FROM FATHER GEHLSEN:
In the season after the feast of Pentecost I can't help but wonder how we set the workings of the Spirit aside. I don't believe we do it on purpose, but we get so caught up in the days of summer that sometimes religious commitment isn't on the top of our priority list.
The Pentecost event is so powerful and so dynamic that an indelible mark should be within us. The passion of the Spirit should be directing us to share our gifts and talents like the disciples and apostles. We probably won't be able to speak in different languages, but we can be attentive to those around us who manifest fear, worry, sickness, societal troubles, family issues, and personal hardships. It was the apostles who eventually brought the hope of resurrection and healing to all hardships in life.
We are called in the same manner as the apostles to be alert to the needs and spiritual concerns of others. Summer doesn't lighten our loads of Baptismal Covenant Ministry. We are to be vigilant and awake to respond to the needs of those around us.
Have a wonderful Summer!!
Fr. Tom
In the season after the feast of Pentecost I can't help but wonder how we set the workings of the Spirit aside. I don't believe we do it on purpose, but we get so caught up in the days of summer that sometimes religious commitment isn't on the top of our priority list.
The Pentecost event is so powerful and so dynamic that an indelible mark should be within us. The passion of the Spirit should be directing us to share our gifts and talents like the disciples and apostles. We probably won't be able to speak in different languages, but we can be attentive to those around us who manifest fear, worry, sickness, societal troubles, family issues, and personal hardships. It was the apostles who eventually brought the hope of resurrection and healing to all hardships in life.
We are called in the same manner as the apostles to be alert to the needs and spiritual concerns of others. Summer doesn't lighten our loads of Baptismal Covenant Ministry. We are to be vigilant and awake to respond to the needs of those around us.
Have a wonderful Summer!!
Fr. Tom
A Little Thing
Little things can really be big things! A small stream can eventually wear away a might rock. A small favor can sometimes reconcile an enemy, or make a friend. A small encouragement can brighten another person's day, or make a daunting task seem much less difficult. A small detail can sometimes be the difference that makes an outstanding performance. A simple expensive gift in significance. A life-changing event can happen in a moment.
Nothing is small or insignificant when it come to faith. Jesus likens the kingdom of God to a small mustard seed. The seed may seem insignificant, but it can grow into the greatest of shrubs. The significance of the seed is not in its initial identity, but in its magnificent potential. If we see only the seed, and ignore what it can become, we seriously misunderstand. It can become much more than a small, individual seed.
Our imperfect love is the seed of faith. God perfects our imperfection, and will draw the seed of our faith into the fullness of glory.
Father Tom Gehlsen
Monday, May 11, 2009
Who are the theologians?
I have come to realize over the past several years why I am Anglican. By its nature Anglicanism is Catholic (as in Roman Catholic) and Protestant. It is a faith describes and uncertain and ambiguous by its detractors and as willing to live with uncertainty and ambiguity by its proponents. One thing was always stressed to me as I learned about the faith: no one claimed to have all the answers and all the Truth. I also learned that I needed to be a theologian. Fredrica Harris Thompsett wrote We are Theologians in 1994 to address the need for the laity to have and be theologians and to nourish their own spirituality.
I will quote segments from her book, now in reprint, over the next weeks.
Chapter 1. Gods Work and Ours.
A Voyage of Discovery
"What does it mean to be Christian today? .........Questions proliferate when we set out to discover our mission. What is our mission as members of a local congregation, as participants in a Christian denomination, as part of Christianity worldwide? What do we believe about the nature and purpose of the church? What is our theology, our doctrine about membership in a church? What images of the church inspire us, and what images oppress us? What hopes do we have for the mission, the ethical character, of the church in a new decade, indeed, of all Christians in a new millennium?"
These are hard questions. If we were to go to a seminary the term that would be applied is ecclesiology. This is the formal theological term for understanding the nature of the church. Whether you have thought about it or not, if you are a Christian you have your own ecclesiology. Thompsett goes on to discuss that the above questions are all things that the laity must answer for themselves. We must not identify the church with what the ordained do. She refers to it as a "clerical reservation" that only the ordained can understand.
Thompsett is a historian. At this point she stresses the need to remember: remember our stories, remember the stories in the Bible are the stories of a people, not a few chosen leaders. Our collective memory becomes crucial.
I welcome your comments.
The next segment will be "Standing the Bible on Its Feet"
I will quote segments from her book, now in reprint, over the next weeks.
Chapter 1. Gods Work and Ours.
A Voyage of Discovery
"What does it mean to be Christian today? .........Questions proliferate when we set out to discover our mission. What is our mission as members of a local congregation, as participants in a Christian denomination, as part of Christianity worldwide? What do we believe about the nature and purpose of the church? What is our theology, our doctrine about membership in a church? What images of the church inspire us, and what images oppress us? What hopes do we have for the mission, the ethical character, of the church in a new decade, indeed, of all Christians in a new millennium?"
These are hard questions. If we were to go to a seminary the term that would be applied is ecclesiology. This is the formal theological term for understanding the nature of the church. Whether you have thought about it or not, if you are a Christian you have your own ecclesiology. Thompsett goes on to discuss that the above questions are all things that the laity must answer for themselves. We must not identify the church with what the ordained do. She refers to it as a "clerical reservation" that only the ordained can understand.
Thompsett is a historian. At this point she stresses the need to remember: remember our stories, remember the stories in the Bible are the stories of a people, not a few chosen leaders. Our collective memory becomes crucial.
I welcome your comments.
The next segment will be "Standing the Bible on Its Feet"
Monday, May 4, 2009
We can't run
A MESSAGE FROM FATHER GEHLSEN:
As we journey through the Easter Season, we await the Ascension of Jesus. He is in preparation for leaving the earth and turning his ministry over to his apostles and disciple. For these followers this was a very scary set of circumstances.
They had already experienced Jesus leaving them through his death. They ran as most of us would when someone dear to us is dead. We are sorrowful and sad, so you can imagine what they felt when they saw him after the resurrection. Now they have go through it again, only to have Jesus physically leave and no longer be in their presence
What they had difficulty with was knowing that Jesus wasn't leaving them. He gave them the tools, authority and power to carry on. Their minuscule faith lead them to believe they were again alone.
Doesn't this sound familiar, even to the point of running away from our call to ministry. We may say, "We are to busy;" Let someone else more qualified do it;" "I really don't want any part of it!" We really can't run. We have to face the call and act on it as Jesus is with us in risen form to give us the tools and means to bring his death and resurrection event to all those we come in contact with.
God bless you!
Fr. Tom
As we journey through the Easter Season, we await the Ascension of Jesus. He is in preparation for leaving the earth and turning his ministry over to his apostles and disciple. For these followers this was a very scary set of circumstances.
They had already experienced Jesus leaving them through his death. They ran as most of us would when someone dear to us is dead. We are sorrowful and sad, so you can imagine what they felt when they saw him after the resurrection. Now they have go through it again, only to have Jesus physically leave and no longer be in their presence
What they had difficulty with was knowing that Jesus wasn't leaving them. He gave them the tools, authority and power to carry on. Their minuscule faith lead them to believe they were again alone.
Doesn't this sound familiar, even to the point of running away from our call to ministry. We may say, "We are to busy;" Let someone else more qualified do it;" "I really don't want any part of it!" We really can't run. We have to face the call and act on it as Jesus is with us in risen form to give us the tools and means to bring his death and resurrection event to all those we come in contact with.
God bless you!
Fr. Tom
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