I wish I understood.......

One of the readers of this blog, in responding to the MANY comments concerning my post on the Senate Bill codifying marriage equality in Connecticut, wrote that he/she found the discussion, in my paraphrased understanding, to be an unfortunate expenditure of energy.....

Here's my take.....

For SOME REASON, the posts that get the MOST reaction are the ones having to do with homosexuality. On this page, I have posts offering reflections on EASTER, SPIRITUAL PRACTICES, and FAVORITE HYMNS...hymns which are spiritually meaningful......and these posts have drawn ZERO responses..........

Mention homosexuality.........and the WALLS come tumbling down....

A couple of responders offer insights regarding why this is so.......

Within a few minutes of posting this, I will put something else on this blog which responds specifically and thoroughly----

PB

' In things certain, unity; In things uncertain, liberty; In all things, charity'

This week, I have received a few ANONYMOUS comments on this blog which have called into question my ministry as a Pastor because of my perceived positions on certain issues.

Apart from the license that the use of ANONYMITY provides those who wish to attack fellow Christians, I'm troubled that there are some within the Christian community who believe that unless you see the world EXACTLY as they do, that you are somehow underserving of the name Christian, much less the ministry of Pastor.

Accept this entry as a plea to return to the spirit expressed in this quotation from St. Augustine, quoted at the start of Vatican II by John XXIII...

May the sarcastic takeoff on the famous hymn, a takeoff coined by Robert McAfee Brown, prove NOT to be real within the Christian world:

WE ARE ALL DIVIDED, NOT ONE BODY WE
SOME LACK FAITH AND OTHERS HOPE AND ALL LACK CHARITY
ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS.......

PB

SENATE BILL 899

In my view, in light of the Connecticut State Supreme Court decision, it is important that Bill # 899 pass. I find it sad that so many religious groups are spending such time lobbying against this bill. There is NO THREAT to religious freedom involved here at all. If a priest or minister or his/her church does NOT allow same sex marriage, there is NO REQUIREMENT that he/she perform the ceremony.
The matter of justices of the peace and private businesses is a different one. A JP is required to carry out the laws of the state and a private business may NOT discriminate in its business practices e.g. a catering service cannot decide to reject business from interracial couples or from certain ethnic groups. Bill 899 codifies the Supreme Court decision and implements that which has been established by law.

The attempt to circumvent the law, so unsuccessful in the referendum for a constitutional convention, is a sad misuse of time by religious groups. Unfortunately, it also conveys the impression that these groups are quite comfortable with discriminatory policies in the name of religious doctrine. Sad....

ANOTHER GREAT COLUMN BY SUSAN CAMPBELL

Readers of this blog are well aware that I'm a big fan of Susan Campbell, columnist for the Hartford Courant and author of the wonderful book DATING JESUS. Ms. Campbell is a voice of conscience who places before us issues that we really need to confront. Her impassioned pleas for action on behalf of the homeless and hungry have been both necessary and thought provoking!

If you still have access to yesterday's Courant, check out her column on the Boy Scouts of America and their policy regarding homosexuals in positions of leadership. What is most noteworthy about this column is that Ms. Campbell speaks so positively and from personal experience about the good work the Boy Scouts have done. In my view, this wonderful work makes this policy of discrimination all the more troubling!

In my ministry at church, I have been pleased and proud to be present as members of my congregation have received their Eagle Scout awards. I just wish that this organization which does such good work would seriously reexamine a questionable policy, one that detracts terribly from the good work they do. Actually, I wish they would learn a lesson from the Girl Scouts and promote a more enlightened and just approach to human sexuality in this place and time.

Once again, thanks to Susan Campbell!

PB

HAPPY EASTER!

Wishing all readers a HAPPY EASTER! As you celebrate this day and reflect on the life and death and ETERNAL LIFE of Jesus, may you find HOPE for each day and confidence in the future! May we be ever more motivated to live lives based on the teachings of Jesus, even when those teachings run so contrary to the powers and principalities of this world!

HAPPY EASTER!

Pastor Bob

Grateful for Notre Dame

The renowned Catholic university, The University of Notre Dame, recently invited President Obama to deliver the commencement address. This invitation triggered an onslaught of opposition from more 'traditional' Catholics, claiming that in tendering this invitation, Notre Dame was acting contrary to the 'pro life' teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. The local Bishop made known his intention to boycott the graduation because of ND's action.

As for me, I am heartened that Notre Dame has held firm in its commitment to the values of intellectual inquiry, academic freedom and engagement with those with whom one might disagree in some areas. The Catholic church has a proud collegiate intellectual tradition exemplied by such schools as Notre Dame, Georgetown and my alma mater, Holy Cross. In acting as they did, the leaders of this great university exemplified the finest in a wonderful tradition.....

PB

With thanks for my Catholic childhood

Though many years back, I made a decision in my heart and soul to leave the Roman Catholic Church, I remain deeply grateful for the life I lived within it. Perhaps at no time do I feel it more deeply than when we enter into HOLY WEEK each year. In my Catholic boyhood, there was a sense of SACRED TIME about HOLY WEEK, a sense i have never lost and one which I have learned that Protestant Christians so deeply value and claim.

I'll talk about that a little bit in church this Sunday, but for now, I will just say that the sense of sacred time and space is so vital to the religious experience and most assuredly to our life expressions as followers of Jesus.

My Catholic childhood drew me closer to what Jesus did for me and God's world during that first holy Week~~and for that, I feel I shall be eternally grateful...

I'd be happy to explain more...

PB

HYMNS THAT EXPRESS WHAT WE BELIEVE

At Lenten worship on March 29, we will ask ourr music leader to play some hymns of our choice for us to sing and for me to comment upon. Would you mind sharing what some of your favorite hymns are and why......

My personal favorite is Luther's A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD......Someday, I will go on about it in more detail.....

I've based several sermons on parts of the hymn...My first sermon in Union was based on a line from the hymn...OUR STRIVING WOULD BE LOSING...

I'd love to read your comments...

PB

RELIGIOUS MIXED SIGNALS

Last week, many of the state's Roman Catholics came to Hartford in protest of a possible change in the law which would, in essence, deny their church the right to govern according to their own theology and church polity. The change in law was a well intentioned matter,as many Catholic parishioners were rightly concerned with the way a priest in the Bridgeport diocese totally misused their parish finances. Nonetheless, the fundamental point here IS one of religious freedom.

What is troubling though is that there is clear evidence that many of the protesters used this occasion to get back at two state legislators, both of whom are gay, who have been strong advocates of human and civil rights for all, including homosexuals, and who were willing to conduct hearings on this law. The HARTFORD ADVOCATE does an excellent job documenting this in their recent FREE issue. From this article, it seems obvious that for many, the religious freedom protest was deeply intertwined with an anti gay rights protest. Ironically, the position espoused by those denying homosexuals the right to marry seems inconsistent with a sensible religious freedom position.

What is also troubling is the way some awful virulent attacks on these legislators, including a death threat, were unleashed in a protest defending ' religious rights'.

Bottom line: Religious freedom means religious freedom FOR ALL.

PB

So, what do you make of this number??

How do you evaluate this number? Traditional mainline Protestantism has dwindled to about 12 % of the population. Many mainline churches, including Congregational, UCC, Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist.....have had to close or merge. What do you see as the future of the 'mainline' church?

I have my opinions...but I'd love to hear or read yours...

PB

Religion by the numbers.....

In the post below, I comment on today's story on www.courant.com In it, several numbers are tossed around: reduction of Catholics and 'mainline' Protestants in Connecticut, increase in religiously unaffiliated, slight increase in nondenominational Christians.....etc........

The reality IS that the religious landscape of America has changed radically over the course of many of our lifetimes. We middle agers and above live in an entirely different religious world from taht in which we grew up. At least that's what I think....

Realizing that memories are often colored by time......I'd be interested in your impressions of religious life today compared to back in your yesterday...however far back that might go....

I'd be interested too in your evaluation of this change.....or if in fact, it really is the change it might be cracked up to be...

What do you think?

PB

The Courant on Connecticut Catholics...

On today's http://www.courant.com/, I came across an article about the dropoff in the number of Catholics in Connecticut. While that was the headline, the article was REALLY about the many changes in religious practices among people of different faiths. Some interesting numbers were presented concerning the number of people declaring themselves as unaffiliated AND preferring NOT to have a religious funeral. If you have time, consider reading the article. I'd love to hear/read your comments.....

I'll chime in with some later...

Pastor Bob

THE BIBLE

Reading the Bible is an activity that is highly recommended for Christian believers, wouldn't you say? HOWEVER, if one wants to read the Bible, where does one begin? In our church, we are offering an Adult Education program on that very topic on March 15 before worship.....But I am wondering......how would YOU answer the question? What insights do you have about reading the Bible? What do you find useful?

I could write a lot about this, but I will use this space to make one suggestion.....READ A BIBLE WITH GOOD FOOTNOTES and read the footnotes carefully......I'll highly recommend the NRSV and if you can, the Harper Collins Study Bible.....but a good NRSV with footnotes would be great!

Let's talk about this more...

Pastor Bob

JFK AND THE UNSPEAKABLE

I just finished an absolutely haunting and frightening book entitled JFK AND THE UNSPEAKABLE by James Douglass. There are those who would say that it is a waste of time to spin conspiracy theories about events that happened long ago or to become preoccupied with the specifics of the assassination of JFK. They would argue that we should just let it be.

Sadly, this book documents that what appeared to be the truth for those of us who lived through those horrible days was really fabrication and not only fabrication and lies, but even more......evidence of something downright UNSPEAKABLE, in Thomas Merton's phrase. Jesus alerted us to be 'gentle as doves', but also' wise as serpents'. Books like this remind us that we need to have the ability to be reflective and critical, not merely buying the story and the myth others want us to believe.

Please consider reading this book...

PB

MULTIPLE CHOICES

In our Lenten sermon series MULTIPLE CHOICES, we look at the different ways we can all look at the same question/issue of faith. We also consider how we interpret the Bible and our faith in relationship to the question/issue...

Today, we will begin with a multiple choice which we will explore on March 8....
* Think about it
* Feel free to post a response EXPLAINING YOUR CHOICE and citing Biblical/theological reasons...

Ready?..............

Question: Which of the following statements BEST EXPLAINS the nature of human beings?

a. At core, we are made in God's image and are INCLINED TOWARD THE GOOD
b. At core, we are INCLINED TOWARD SIN
c. At core, we are NEITHER inclined toward sin nor inclined toward good
d. At core, we are inclined BOTH toward sin and toward good

If you are answering, please remember to cite reasons...

Pastor Bob

'GIVING UP' FOR LENT

I'm not sure if there is a Lenten practice more misunderstood than that old 'I'm giving up'.......one, to which one fills in the blank with something like chocolate, candy, alcohol, tobacco, dessert, or whatever.....

This is NOT to say that there is no value to 'giving up________for Lent', but rather that any religious practice which becomes customary or habitual runs the risk of simply not being thought through. This is NOT limited to Lenten devotions of any one church. This tendency is there well beyond Lent in all denominations, in all religions.....

BEWARE OF IT!.............

Yet, I WILL suggest that 'giving up' properly understood can serve many useful spiritual functions...

Do you think so? If so, would you mind explaining? Same thing, if not....

I'll develop this more as we go through Lent....

PB

A LENTEN PRIMER

LENT begins tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. Growing up Roman Catholic in the 60's and having the experience of being an altar boy,Lent has left an indelible impression upon me. In fact, though I freely chose to express my Christian faith by affiliating with a Protestant denomination and congregation many years ago, I continue to maintain that one of Catholicism's great gifts is the spirituality associated with the seasons....and that includes the season of Lent. The recognition of this has led many Protestant congregations to highlight devotional practices that long ago were seen as possessed solely by their Catholic friends and colleagues....

I thought it would be helpful to start off with a simple LENTEN PRIMER in which I attempt to highlight the heart and essence of thios season. I encourage YOU to write about what Lent HAS MEANT or MIGHT MEAN to you....here in the 21st century.

Let's begin with this.....WHAT IS LENT? Well, it's a 40 day season of PREPARING for Easter. In the earliest days of Christianity, that meant the church preparing adult candidates to be baptized and in so doing to renew their own identity as baptized Christians. It really remains so today.

Over the years, Lent evolved into a living remembrance of the suffering and death of Jesus and the notion of coming to terms with and sharing in this suffering. Certain devotional emphases became identified with Lent, ALL of which are valuable parts of our Christian life 365 days per year. Generally speaking, therefore, Lenten devotion is associated with:
PRAYER
FASTING~ the value of which is often misunderstood..
ALMSGIVING~giving to those in need, caring for the poor, etc

In our contemporary lives, it's important to ask how Lenten devotional practices can help us get to the heart of what it means to be a believer, in particular, a disciple of Jesus.
We will try to get at that in different ways, recognizing that properly understood, adapting certain prayer emphases, fasting or abstaining, and setting money and time aside for the needy can be important spiritual practices. Improperly understood, they can become silly superstitions, a concern that has always been present in the Protestant approach to Lent.

Hope this is a good start...

PB

Another great column by Susan Campbell

Those of us who have regular access to the Hartford Courant are most fortunate as we have the opportunity to read columnist Susan Campbell on a regular basis. Ms. Campbell, author of the recent and superb DATING JESUS( see my archived entry!), has a wonderful way of putting before us those topics that really matter and challenging our consciences. Today's column reminds us of the serious reality that HUNGER, basic hunger, both exists and dominates so many lives right here in Connecticut. If you get a chance, go to today's Courant. You may also be able to find it at http://www.courant.com/

If you want to read it and can't find it, please let me know.

For those seeking to enter the spirit of Lent, it is important spiritual reading. You can bet I will refer to this topic this Sunday as suggested-

PB

LENTEN REFLECTIONS

Watch this blog for Lenten reflections beginning tonight February 24-

PB

ASH WEDNESDAY- FEBRUARY 25

Since I have been on the road much of this week, this BLOG's been quiet! But I'm back...and ready to write!

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday this Wednesday February 25.....On this BLOG, watch for:

* Some commentary/ thoughts on LENT
* A message about the Feast of the Transfiguraion which we celebrate on the Sunday BEFORE LENT BEGINS!
* Some ramblings generated by reflecting upon miles on the road this week!

All the best...

PB

THE LEAST OF THESE

These are tough economic times.....and everyone is cutting budgets: companies, families and churches. As we saw in Connecticut this past week, state governments are being forced to make significant budget adjustments and local governments will have to as well.

In today's Hartford Courant, Susan Campbell reminds us of the continuing needs of our most vulnerable people, including the homeless and those with AIDS. Even as we face economic hardship, we must do our best not to forget those who very well might suffer most from this difficult time.

Churches who face budget difficulties, and, in varying degrees, most churches do, must find ways to keep front and center in peoples' minds, the needs of those who suffer.

In our little church, our Deacons felt it important to lift up the needs of those in our area in need of food and fuel this winter even as we had to make necessary cuts in our own budgets.

May followers of Jesus continue to remember the clear injunction of our Teacher and Lord:

' Whatever you do TO THE LEAST OF THESE.....you do to me' ( Mt 25)

If you have today's Courant, read Ms. Campbell's article...

PB

ALL ARE WELCOME

These words are important in our church community. It is unfortunate that all too often people do not associate the words 'church' and 'welcoming', often feeling uncomfortable around and threatened by 'religious' people who strike a posture of self righteousness.

Marty Haugen's song ALL ARE WELCOME puts it all on the line......I hope you sing it wherever you worship......If you don't know it, check it out here:

http://www.kandle.ie/2009/01/08/portlaoise-concert-with-marty-haugen-and-tony-alonso/

In my view, it is important that those who experience guilt because of past sins find forgiveness in the Christian community, that those who feel like 'outcasts and strangers' feel at home when they come to church. It's important that those who have been explicitly discriminated against, often in the name of religion, including homosexual Christians, find a place in the local church where they can pray, work and experience the incrdible presence of God.

In the Christian lectionary next week, there is a story of Jesus encountering a leper. May His church in this age reach out to those who have been cast aside, even in religion's name, with the hospitable welcome He did, a welcome born of an amazing LOVE-

PB

RELIGIOUS TERMINOLOGY

In preparing this weekend's sermon, I was reminded once again of how religious terms are so often used to divide believers from one another-

In Christian usage, such is the case with the terms EVANGELICAL, REFORMED, and CATHOLIC...

I want to propose that in reality, ALL Christian churches are called to be ALL THREE and that these words should not be 'battle' terms...

We who follow Jesus should all be:

EVANGELICAL...committed to telling the 'good news'

REFORMED......open to change within the institution......willing to be open to the Spirit...aware that human knowledge is limited and so too are human made rules

catholic- Universal, part of a larger body than the local church.....united with other Christians in spirit and working together with them in visible unity wherever possible....actually striving to make it possible...

These terms need not be religious weapons, as they so often are!!

PB

Talking to others about your faith.....

I find myself always encouraging people to 'invite someone to church' with them. It's struck me quite a bit that we 'mainline' Christians tend to be far more hesitant about talking up our faith or what we believe than those who are quite active in more 'evangelical' churches, including the megachurches that have sprung up all over the place. I suppose there are a lot of reasons for this ranging from the fact that for many, religious choice is seen as a 'private' thing to a concern that in speaking about one's religion too fervently, one can come across as intolerant of those whose beliefs are different...

So, even as I encourage people to 'invite' others, I find myself wondering how comfortable they REALLY FEEL in doing so.

What's all of this getting at?

Well, if you have found life and hope and vitality in your religious faith, it seems to me that would be a good thing to pass along to people whom you love. If you like your church, it would be good to invite people to that community where you have found something meaningful.

I honestly believe that 'mainline' American Protestants and Catholics and Orthodox Christians as well, members of churches that are deeply historical and connected with Christian origins and open to understandings that come from good biblical and scientific research , really need to start getting more comfortable in talking about their faith lest this evangelical ground is yielded to churches in which the continuity of Christianity is downplayed and which, all too often, pit faith unnecessarily against reason, a faculty which we humans have received through the grace of a loving God.

I'm going to try to explore all of this in practical terms in my sermon this week, which i've dubbed ' The E WORD'

PB

JOHN UPDIKE RIP+

One of America's great writers, John Updike, died today at the age of 76. Updike is the author of about 50 books, numerous short stories and reams of superb literary criticism. Having been first exposed to Updike as a student at Marianapolis Prep by an amazing English teacher, I came to discover RABBIT, RUN, which to this day remains my favorite novel. Not far behind is Updike's remarkable IN THE BEAUTY OF THE LILIES, a real classic and unique story which weaves religion, history and culture into a signicant narrative. After 9/11, Updike also wrote TERRORIST, an absolutely gripping work exploring the tensions existing within American culture.

Updike always impressed me with his indepth knowledge of philosophy, theology, language and culture. In my view, much of his work is worth studying if one wants to look at American religion through a literary lens. First and foremost, though, Updike could just write a very good story!

On a side note, Updike's essay on Ted Williams' last at bat is a classic in American sports literature. The baseball fan reading this owes it to her/himself to read 'Hub fans bid Kid adieu'.

I write this in gratitude to John Updike for what he has contributed and with thanks to Mr. DiNocenza, my English teacher, for letting me know there was such a man.

May he rest in peace. +

The annual January abortion discussion...

As you will see from the comments after the post below, the issue of abortion continues to be a rather intense one politically and among people of religious faith. I'll be happy to elaborate on this more and already have in some responses, but I'd like to echo Colin McEnroe of the Hartford Courant in suggesting an approach to abortion that renders it SAFE, LEGAL ,and RARE. In so doing, I believe we can find consensus among 'pro choice' and 'pro life' people, the kind of consensus that has eluded us since January 22, 1973, the day Roe v Wade was decided!

I'd also like to add the moral perspective that, even in defending the law of this country, human life can never be viewed cheaply and taken anything but seriously. The law acknowledges a range of understandings in a religiously pluralistic culture and takes into account what we might call the 'primacy of conscience'. It should not be used to celebrate abortion, an act which has SERIOUS moral implications.

PB

THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT OBAMA

Tomorrow our country witnesses and experiences the inauguration of our new President. Many words are being offered these days about this incredible event, one that appears to be bringing our nation together, with a sense of common purpose.

Let us join our prayers to those of millions for our new President: for his wisdom, health and well being. Let us pray also for our country. Be we Republican, Democrat or Independent, there is something special having that word UNITED as part of our identity, part of our country's name.

With best wishes to our new President and with continued HOPE for the land we love---

PB

A REMARKABLE EVENT......

One day after that remarkable event in which a disabled plane landed in the Hudson River and EVERYONE survived, the enormity of what happened has been settling in and the realization of the disaster that COULD HAVE BEEN has become more apparent.

It is right that we give thanks to God BOTH that no one died and that somehow we have planted within us the possibility of empathy and the sense of the commonality of all of us who go by the name human.

Governor Patterson of New York has dubbed this event the 'Miracle on the Hudson', evidence again of how the language of spirituality is so naturally used to describe that which is so indescribable. At some other point, it will be worth our while to delve into the nature of the miraculous, but, for now, let's pause and give thanks.....

If you can ever find it, and i will do my own internet search, I commend to you James Carroll's poem THE CAPTIVE SPEAKING as material for reflection on this event( It's found in his collection FORBIDDEN DISSAPOINTMENTS)......In the meantime, I end with the words of Carroll's poem about the crash landing the poem's character survived:

Thank you, God...Is that really you, God?
I don't know, but how do I thank a wheel?

Pastor Bob

REMEMBERING MARTIN LUTHER KING

Next weekend, our nation ( and our church community) remembers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During this week, I will post some commentary about Dr. King on this BLOG. I have just completed reading David Garrow's amazing book on MLK entitled BEARING THE CROSS and I will allude to it as the week goes on.

For today, let's begin with the final words of his final public address in Memphis, Tenn in 1968:

www.metacafe.com/watch/1107318/martin_luther_king_jr_s_last_speech/



Pastor Bob

A SPECIAL INAUGURAL FEATURE.....

See the link below for an explanation of a project in which i will be involved....

A fascinating historical remembrance of this Inauguration....

www.loc.gov./folklife/inaugural


The sermon will be on January 18 at 10:45

PB