Posted by Priest on February 28, 2010 under Sermons | 
Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
Do you remember this question. You might even remember asking it yourself. It is right up there with “I need to go to the bathroom” just after you have passed the exit to a rest stop. And it’s annoying, isn’t it? I don’t have kids myself, but, being a proud uncle, I have heard the question over and over. And as a kid, I always wanted to smack my younger brother when he asked the question. I, of course, would never have done anything like this. Yeah, right!
Are we there yet? It is one of those questions that haunts us not just on annual journeys to family vacations. It is a question that seems to pop up every so often. We settle nicely into a new calling, after figuring out what we are supposed to be doing with our lives and –zap- something happens and we are thrown into an altogether different direction. Even in those moments when we think we know what God wants from us and we embrace where God calls us to be, God seems to always be a step ahead of us: pushing and prodding us on.
Are we there yet?
And the answer is quite clear: No, we are not there yet. We are still on the journey, still trying to figure it out, still trying to get to where we need to be – and it never ends. No, we are not there yet.
A few weeks ago, the Labyrinth Guild went on retreat to an Anglican monastery in Santa Barbara. One reason for going was a question that has been hanging over our heads for years: What kinds of groups can use our Labyrinth for their programs?
The Labyrinth Guild is an amazing group of wonderful people, whose spirituality is quite diverse. Consequently, our answers to the questions were quite diverse too, depending on how involved we were in the life of the Christian community that is St. Paul’s. Some said we needed to open the doors to absolutely everyone. I thought we needed to be more careful. And we listened intently to each other for a whole afternoon. Eventually, there was not much more to say. We were stuck, might have even reached an impasse. And so we decided to walk the Labyrinth and sleep over what we had said and heard.
This is when the reality of our setting made itself known. We were in a Benedictine monastery. And the rule of St. Benedict is quite clear: “Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ.” (Regula Sancti Benedicti, LIII) Welcome all! However, this does not mean we just move into the background. We must tell our story too!
This is exactly what the monks at this Benedictine monastery in the Anglican tradition do: They welcome all, but they also tell who they are and what they believe in an introduction session.
It is also what we will do. We will welcome all – whoever they are and wherever they find themselves on the journey and we will tell our story: As members of St. Paul’s Anglican Church and as members of the Labyrinth. After all, we can only introduce people to Jesus. But then we must step out of the way.
This was really a step deeper into the knowledge of God. Because we all were willing to listen to each other we moved forward. We have no idea how that will exactly look and what exactly will mean. And God only knows what other challenges this will bring about, but we have moved forward. Yet: Are we there yet? No, we are not there yet.
I think it was quite an honour and a pleasure to host the Olympic Winter Games over the past 17 days. And I think the people of Southern BC have done a great job in welcoming the world! Born of the quite wonderful idea of bringing people from different nations together to celebrate sports and what unites us in our humanity, the Olympic Games have become a global movement. However, there is a dark side too. The famous German poet Wolfgang Goethe once said: “Where there is a lot of light – there is also a lot shadow.” Don’t get me wrong, I have thoroughly enjoyed the last couple of weeks. It’s been great and if you have any doubts about my loyalties let me disrobe one more time [to show Canada hockey jersey!].
But past stories of doping and overzealous competition don’t really bring people together. And there have been in the past incidents of misguided national outbursts, which can get rather ugly. Furthermore, and, in my view, more importantly the Olympic circus often leaves behind those who are less fortunate. And there are question about how the authorities dealt with the civil liberties of those who disagreed with the Olympics being held in our city.
I am no Olympic critic. I am glad we hosted the world. However, I also believe there as some justified grievances. We have to learn that we do have resources that we can spend on games, but that we must also spend major resources on bread and homes and welfare for all. Panem et circenses. Bread and games, the Romans proclaimed. Not just games alone. Governments also need to provide for bread! So, as we move forward as a society: Are we there yet? No, we are not there yet.
And what goes for the reality of our lives also goes for our spiritual identity. We are far from grasping the depth of the divine mystery. There is so much to learn and understand. So much, that doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. So much even, that brings me close to despair.
When I heard the news about the earthquake in Chile, I was devastated. And I really do not now what to say and what to offer you. It is heartbreaking and no words will ever explain away the pain and sadness. No words will be able to make sense. I don’t understand why these things have to happen. I don’t know why earthquake have to be part of God’s created order. I just don’t have words. Quite frankly I would rather be silent for a moment to remember the victims…
Silence
Are we there yet? No, we are not there yet.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus isn’t there yet, either. He is on his way, on the journey to Jerusalem. It’s a journey that will bring him to his destiny, will bring him to death on the cross. It is not an easy road, and over the next few weeks we will contemplate and hear more about the passion, death, and resurrection of the One in whom God is revealed.
However, today, we are on the way. We are not there yet. We are still on the way to Jerusalem, where the powers of state and religion will plot to kill of Jesus, who brings about God reign of love and forgiveness, God’s reign of justice and love.
Today’s Gospel story is a story on the way, yet, we have to treat it carefully: It really is a story about theological truth rather than an account of an incident that really happened. We must remember that stories like today’s Gospel account were often composed to bring home a point rather than to report back the reality of an event. CTV, CNN, and BBC would have had a hard time with reporting on the event reported in today’s Gospel story…
The Evangelists, the authors of the Gospel have a theological agenda. Luke is the author of this particular Gospel. And one of Luke’s most prominent theological themes is the upside-down reign of God. Luke proclaims that with the birth of Christ a new reality is born. And this reality is on confrontation course with the way we do things.
It is interesting that Luke uses two quite opposing animal images to describe this reality. On the one hand, we have the fox, an animal that in rather anthropomorphic ways was often considered to be cunning and devouring. As a representative of the powerful who oppress God’s people, Herod is depicted as a fox. The fox in today’s story stands for all attacks on either God’s people or on God’s love for all people. The fox lurks in corners both small and big, ready to pounce, ready to swallow us whole. The fox stands for our fear, our greed, our selfishness, our sin. And I also believe the fox stands as a reminder for the frailness of human life, as it is threatened by natural catastrophes of diseases. Life is fragile, and there are dangers out there to get us, to devour us like a fox.
On the other hand, we are confronted with the image of the mother hen. The Bible turns to mothering images when it wants to illustrate that God is not only a redeeming God but a protecting and nurturing God as well. A mother hen instinctively gathers her young under her wing when danger threatens. Her love is steadfast. We can come to her for safety and protection.
The reality is often a different one, though: The mother hen has to lament, because her young are exposed to danger, yet will not accept her protection. So what more can the hen do but to stand up to the fox? What can Jesus do but go to Jerusalem and embrace his fate – for us and for our protection.
Are we there yet? No we aren’t. But we are on the way. And God is with us like a mothering hen, protecting and nurturing each and every one of us.
[The Reverend Markus Duenzkofer delivered this sermon on January 17, 2010.]
Posted by Webmaster on under Bible Readings, Webmaster Blog |
Some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”
He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Posted by Webmaster on February 27, 2010 under Contributors, Webmaster Blog |
My fellow Anglicans:
I ask you to join me in prayer today for the people of Chile and two of its principal cities – Conception and Santiago – where a devastating earthquake struck early Saturday morning. There is surely loss of life, though we don’t yet have details on that, and, as with the disaster in Haiti only six weeks ago, there is no doubt that a great many people will be homeless and have their lives disrupted.
Events at this time are still unfolding as the damage caused by the very strong earthquake and its aftershocks is compounded by the threat of a tsunami that, we are told, could potentially affect all nations with Pacific shorelines,
I ask you to include this request in your prayers at your Sunday Eucharist and in the coming days.
+Fred Hiltz
Archbishop and Primate
Posted by Priest on February 21, 2010 under Sermons |
Last week I received a mysterious text-message from a fellow parishioner: It read: “What is the value of self-abnegation?” I was a little flabbergasted. In fact, I panicked. I panicked, because I had no clue whatsoever what the word “self-abnegation” means. So, I rushed to the computer to find an online dictionary: Turns out, it is a fancy word for “self-denial.” Which made me panic all over again. What on earth did this parishioner mean? Had he run into some weird cultists? Was he annoyed by the immanence of Lent, with its call for denial? Was even thinking about giving up Lent for Lent? Panic-stricken I called and left a message.
Turns out, this fellow parishioner had just tried to rile me – and obviously I had fallen for it. I am so gullible.
However, this exchange got me thinking. It got me thinking, because last Wednesday, we did indeed start the season of Lent. And despite the fact that in the church’s official liturgical invitation to observe a holy Lent, it nowhere mentions the word self-denial, even though we very often equate Lent with just that: self-denial and self-abnegation.
So, then, what is the value of self-abnegation?
Some 800 years ago, a young man entered a cathedral church and in front of the gathered worshipping community, he stripped butt-naked. He took off one layer of clothing after the other, until, to the utter shock and horror of the community, he stood in front of them in his birthday suit. In the midst of the congregation, in the presence of God, he stood just as God had created him to be.
[Take off some layers of clothing. Stop after taking off the collar.]
I will stop here. No nakedness here today. I do desire to come back to you here at St. Paul’s and to this job as your priest when I return from my sabbatical. And, even here in the Diocese of New Westminster, not everything goes. Furthermore, the point has already been made. I would be copying the young man, whose name was Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone, but who is known to us as Francis of Assisi. But I want you to just stop for a moment and consider what you were feeling and thinking when I started to undress. I suspect there was a bit of shock and a bit of embarrassment. Maybe even a bit of curiosity – but trust me, I don’t have the body to make you even the least bit curious. But I bet most of you were nervous.
And, no wonder we get nervous. No wonder, because besides the obvious issue of nudity, we just aren’t comfortable with this kind of intimacy. And it is not just the British or the puritan American, right? Unfortunately, we always equate nudity with sexuality, however. I don’t think Francis of Assisi tried to be overtly sexual when he disrobed. He tried to make a point about the things we put on: both literally and figuratively.
Usually we put on all kinds of layers to protect our most intimate self, both literally and figuratively. We cover ourselves with things, very often material things, to avoid exposing our true, real self. And let me say this here in the West End: Sometimes these layers can include a perfectly styled body. We do everything to avoid connecting. And, yes, very often that is not a bad thing at all. After all, in a world that is selfish and ego-centric, that promotes winners and advocates an economic system that sees too many left behind both globally and on our own front steps, in a world where we cannot be safe, we must keep some layers, must keep some healthy boundaries in order not to be exploited and in order to not exploit in return.
However, in our world, we often overdo it and adorn ourselves too often with too much. And it is hard to crack those shells, not just for outsiders, but also, and more importantly for the love of God. And far too often, we lose ourselves in the process.
In the end, self-denial, self-abnegation really isn’t about all the horrible things the church has promoted in ages past and that still hang over our head. It is not about making ourselves small and puny and unworthy. I think one of the most problematic issues for the church in this day and age is our reputation of being a bunch of sombre and overly-pious people who despise life. And far too often, it is still true for many of our coreligionists: If it is fun it can’t be right!
What a distortion of the biblical truth!
Interestingly enough, monastic and religious orders have long recognized this. Paul Wessinger, who died just last year and who had served as the superior of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, an Anglican order for men, once responded to the question “What is needed to be a monk in the 21st century?” with a chuckle. “A sense of humour,” he answered. And Francis who by disrobing in the cathedral of Assisi not only revealed the senseless and destructive reality of the materialism and consumerism that was even present in the 12th century and who revealed more than just his body, more than just how much God yearns to be intimately connected with us, showed also a great sense of humour back then. I mean, for crying out loud. He stripped naked inside a cathedral! Furthermore, Francis also welcomed with open arms into his order Juniper, a jester, who enjoyed life with gusto and whose sense of humour connected him intimately with God, with those around him, and with his true self.
This is why even today, people, in the midst of the 21st century, the monastic movement refuses to die: It is a way of connecting intimately with God, with others, and with our true selves. And it holds a mirror in front of us showing us how much we have indeed surrounded ourselves with all kinds of irrelevant layers. In this way, being a monk or a nun, being a friar or a sister, being a tertiary or an associate, like our own David Ryniker, is a commitment to live a life committed to the season of Lent.
Yet, remember, it is not about feeling puny or horrible about ourselves. It is about breaking through the layers that we have erected around ourselves. It is about letting God’s immeasurable, overflowing, and abundant love into the midst of our being. It is about stripping naked with God and being intimate with the One who created us and who loves us beyond our understanding.
Yes, it is about self-denial. It is about self-abnegation. But not really. It is about denying and abnegating the faux and false selves we have erected around us. It is about discovering our true selves, the beautiful identity gifted to us and intended for us by our Creator. And in the process of discovering this awesome beauty of our true selves, we must with God’s help deny the sins that enslave us, we must burn away the darkness that swallows us, we must abnegate the deceiving images we have built for ourselves, and we must die to ourselves, so that we can live in the love and light of God.
And this is what Jesus’ desert experience is all about. For forty days and forty nights, Jesus put aside all that hindered him from celebrating the intimate bond with the one he called “abba,” daddy, loving father. Don’t read today’s Gospel just as an account of how our God in Jesus Christ overcomes evil in whatever manifestation. But read it also as an invitation to be intentional about removing all that separates us from God, all those layers of things. For that is what Lent is all about.
[The Reverend Markus Duenzkofer delivered this sermon on February 21, 2010.]
Posted by Webmaster on under Bible Readings, Webmaster Blog |
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.”’
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’
Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Posted by Webmaster on under Contributors, Webmaster Blog |
Lent is the season that prepares us for the annual celebration of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The church invites us “to observe a holy Lent, by self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and by reading and meditating on the word of God.” (p. 282, BAS) It is a sombre season, filled with inward and outward reflection and renewal. As Christians belonging to a liturgical tradition, our Sunday liturgy will incorporate elements reflecting the sombre and solemn mood during Lent, such as silence and simplicity.
On the first Sunday of Lent (21 February), we will celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 11:00 a.m. according to the Book of Common Prayer. Starting on 28 February, our 11:00 a.m. service will take on a slightly different format: We will still gather as usual on Sunday mornings. But our opening hymn and our hymn of praise (the Gloria) will be replaced with a recitation of the deeply penitential Psalm 51. This will be followed by the singing of the Trisagion (cf. p. 186/7, BAS). Mindful of our sins and transgressions, we will next move to the confession and absolution, and thus give this part of the service more prominence (cf. p. 216f, BAS). “Alleluias” fall silent during Lent and the Gospel acclamation is replaced accordingly. The prayers of the people will be simple, almost simplistic, leaving space for our own reflections and for our own offerings of prayer and thanksgiving.
These might seem like radical alterations, yet, they are very much within the scope of our tradition, both as Christians and as Anglicans. All are welcome and all are invited to celebrate Lent as a way of deepening our relationship with our triune God and as a way of opening ourselves to surprisingly new encounters with the God who became one of us, died on a cross, and rose again. If you have any concerns, questions, or inputs please feel free to call the office.
Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the LORD, your God,
for God is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. (Joel 2:12f)
Posted by Webmaster on February 17, 2010 under Contributors, Webmaster Blog |
[Reprinted from Diocese of New Westminster with permission from Randy Murray, diocesan communications officer.]
Our House celebrates 34th Anniversary at St. Paul’s in the West End.
There was a lot of love in and around St. Paul’s located in Vancouver’s West End on Valentine’s Day, 2010.
The rector, Rev. Markus Duenzkofer, parish leaders and the community welcomed their ministry partners “Our House!” Our House is a group of people living together to follow a simple program aimed at freeing themselves from their addictions to alcohol and drugs.
They share the cost and labour of maintaining their communal life, while undertaking to help each other live clean and drug-free lives. The program is based on self-help and employs no professional staff.
Founder Norman Sharkey himself a recovering addict began the program 34 years ago and lives with the current group at the Our House Union Street location in Vancouver.
Four years ago Norman and board members approached the leadership of St. Paul’s about how the two organizations could work together in shared ministry and both sides agreed to give it a go. As part of their outreach to street people, members of Our House meet at 2:00pm every Thursday afternoon at St Paul’s Church Hall, 1140 Jervis Street in Vancouver’s West End.
On Sunday, February 14th during both the 9:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Celebrations of Eucharist, Our House participants/residents were encouraged to speak and share with the congregation their feelings about how Our House and particularly Norman Sharkey’s ministry has impacted their lives. The recurring thread in every testimonial was the word love. Each speaker said that they were shown love and given love and through that experience had learned to love others and themselves.
Half a dozen people spoke, one sang an original song and after these testimonials, Rev. Markus Duenzkofer asked that any parishioners who wished to respond to the testimony please do so, but good-naturedly asked that they keep it brief. During this segment of the service, members of the St. Paul’s community shared (some with tears in their eyes) their feelings about how this shared ministry has changed the way they see people on the street with drug and alcohol dependency. One parishioner said “I see the face of God in the faces of the Our House people and that has changed how I see everyone on the street.”
If you would like more information about Our House and to learn about opportunities to support this organization please click OUR HOUSE.
Posted by stpauls on February 14, 2010 under Bible Readings, Webmaster Blog |
Luke 9:28-36 ~ Reading for February 14, 2010
About eight days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ of God, Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”–not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
Posted by stpauls on February 13, 2010 under Staff Blog, Webmaster Blog |
16 February 2010, Shrove Tuesday, 7pm: Mardi Gras avec Crêpes
17 February 2010, Ash Wednesday, 7am, 12noon, 7pm: Holy Eucharist
28 March 2010, Palm Sunday, 8am & 10am (please note changed service times): Holy Eucharist (at 10am with our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Michael Ingham)
29 March 2010, Monday in Holy Week, 7pm: Holy Eucharist
30 March 2010, Tuesday in Holy Week, 7pm: Holy Eucharist
31 March 2010, Wednesday in Holy Week, 7pm: Holy Eucharist
1 April 2010, Maundy Thursday, 7pm: Liturgy of Maundy Thursday (Foot Washing, Holy Eucharist, Stripping of Altar)
2 April 2010, Good Friday, 12noon: Liturgy of Good Friday (Veneration of the Cross, Communion from the Reserved Sacrament)
3 April 2010, Holy Saturday, 9am: Liturgy for Holy Saturday
3 April 2010, Easter Eve, 9pm: The Great Vigil of Easter & First Eucharist of Easter
4 April 2010, Easter Day, 8am, 9.15am, 11am (please note changed service times): Holy Eucharist
Posted by stpauls on under Contributors, Webmaster Blog |
Lent is the season that prepares us for the annual celebration of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The church invites us “to observe a holy Lent, by self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and by reading and meditating on the word of God.” (p. 282, BAS)
It is a sombre season, filled with inward and outward reflection and renewal. As Christians belonging to a liturgical tradition, our Sunday liturgy will incorporate elements reflecting the sombre and solemn mood during Lent, such as silence and simplicity. On the first Sunday of Lent (21 February), we will celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 11:00 a.m. according to the Book of Common Prayer. Starting on 28 February, our 11:00 a.m. service will take on a slightly different format: We will still gather as usual on Sunday mornings. But our opening hymn and our hymn of praise (the Gloria) will be replaced with a recitation of the deeply penitential Psalm 51. This will be followed by the singing of the Trisagion (cf. p. 186/7, BAS). Mindful of our sins and transgressions, we will next move to the confession and absolution, and thus give this part of the service more prominence (cf. p. 216f, BAS). “Alleluias” fall silent during Lent and the Gospel acclamation is replaced accordingly. The prayers of the people will be simple, almost simplistic, leaving space for our own reflections and for our own offerings of prayer and thanksgiving.
These might seem like radical alterations, yet, they are very much within the scope of our tradition, both as Christians and as Anglicans. All are welcome and all are invited to celebrate Lent as a way of deepening our relationship with our triune God and as a way of opening ourselves to surprisingly new encounters with the God who became one of us, died on a cross, and rose again. If you have any concerns, questions, or inputs please feel free to call the office.
Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the LORD, your God,
for God is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. (Joel 2:12f)
