Take, eat...

it surprises me that taking Eucharist affects me at all. I didn’t expect that Mystery could be found in a mainstream Protestant church. Nor that I would be so open to finding it in such an old rite, so familiar from my childhood.

Yet each time I’ve attended a service in the past month, the simple ritual of shared bread and wine affects me in a quietly profound way. I suppose the catechetic explanation is that it’s God’s Grace I’m feeling. That’s as good an explanation as any.

Several things about my foray back into the catholic Christian church strike me as very different from the related recollections of my previously more youthful self. For example, I’ve very different ideas of sin, guilt and shame this time around. Perhaps I’ll explore the new conceptions in more depth some other time.

Right now, I just want to chill for a bit. Happy New year!

reconciling

So what’s up with the Xtian fascination?

I’m not completely sure. It feels odd, but good at the same time. Frequently I feel embarrassed; after all, I’ve been a dedicated ethical Neopagan hedonist my entire adult life thus far.

Some of the draw is based in pragmatism. The influence of the Xtian denominations is real. Most pertinent to me is that the church has for decades played a significant role in the spiritual, psychological and physical violence that is directed at glbt people. It continues to do so today. I have chosen for 25 years to turn away from this, but no longer.

i’ve re-read the Scriptures upon which the Church’s historic bias against gay people is supported, and found the feet made of clay. I find myself convicted in the idea that any position less than full inclusion of glbt Christians in the life of the Church, subject to a standard equitable and comparable to that applied to non-gay members, is contrary to the message of the Christ.

I’m also intrigued by the liturgical style and theological position of the Episcopal Church in the United States. The way they’re handling the ecclesiastical politics surrounding the rebel Bishops is catching my attention as well.

That’s the most explanation I can give today.

daily office

Some interesting reading today on Madpriest, Father Jake and other Episcopalian blogs. Reasonable reactions to the Nigerian Archbishsop's involvement with the renegade TEC congregations.


While i find the issues occupying TEC to be interesting, they aren't the focus of my Xtian fascination. That would be my daily devotions, replete with Scripture readings, the Nicene creed, TLP, and other collects (prayers) from the daily office lectionary. While i'm embarassed by it, stifling the impulse to hide my bible when anyone walks near, i still am finding it satisfying as well.