Much is made of the issue of separation of church and state on one hand while on the other pulpits are used for political speech. The Republican administration tried to mobilize voters on single issues like abortion and gay marriage while the Democrats tried to focus on rich vs. poor issues staying away from the mention of a spiritual basis for a moral stand. The one thing that is clear is that our votes are one way to express the working out of faith.
The Bill of Rights addresses freedom of religion by prohibiting the government from establishing a religion. Therefore there is no official religion of the US, regardless of the singing of God Bless America. The government has no power to force anyone to worship in a particular way and must give freedom to religious expression. Some people complain that prayer in public school is prohibited, but I am not willing to have a child taught a prayer that has been formed by the public school system, or even worse a specific teacher.
The founders of the US were generally either Christian or Humanist. And between the Bill of Rights, the faiths of our founders, and the fact that our nation is made up of immigrants and refugees (often seeking freedom for their religious expression), we cannot clearly say that the US is a christian nation. We, as the ultimate source of government authority, need to act based on our faith and principles. That means voting, supporting candidates and informing our elected representatives of our views.
What issues should be important to a person of faith? The answer may come in the ministry of Jesus. Jesus fed the hungry and healed the sick. He blessed the poor, suggested that the wealthy were not giving their fair share, and condemned the profiteers. So maybe we should be looking at programs for the poor, health care, and fair taxation. The ministry of Jesus was an inclusive ministry; a ministry of caring and love.
It is all too easy to try to abdicate our responsibilities in the name of the separation of church and state, but what is really needed is to spread the Gospel in everything we do — including how we vote —, which includes taking positive steps to see the work of the Gospel in the world. This may mean taking action that is uncomfortable, but right.
Preach the Gospel at all times; use words only if necessary.
These words of Saint Francis may say it all. Talking the gospel is not enough; living it is what is really important.
Last Friday, I noticed the sing-along sheet for the tree lighting ceremony on Central Square. I looked at the selections, and noticed that the only reference to Christmas was the use of the word in some of the songs. I recognize that as the societally correct way of approaching the season. I don’t even recommend using the word “holiday” as that refers to Holy Day which of course has nothing to do with the secular seasonal celebration.
My wife and I participate in two different celebrations this time of year, the secular “Krissmuss” with its focus on the mercantile society, and the Christian feast of the Incarnation that celebrates that which is holy to those of the Christian faith. We also recognize other celebrations – the Hebrew Hanukah is celebrated around this time of year – that are celebrated by people of other faiths.
I cannot bring myself to complain about the secular celebration losing sight of its Christian background; it is simply a far different celebration with centuries of accretions from various sources and culture. But I can be true to our faith as it celebrates the coming of God among us as one of us. While the facts of the birth of Christ, as related in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, may be unclear, the truth is in the message that God came to be one of us and live with us.
I wish you glad tidings of whatever celebration you choose to celebrate, secure in my faith that I am celebrating something very meaningful to me.
Will JordanKairos, God's time. In our world, there is a timeless quality to kairos. For me it comes most clear when I share in the communion of the saints, at the altar rail or standing around the table, recieving the body and blood of Christ. For when this happens, I can easily feel the others sharing in the sacrament, not just those in the church, but those in all churches. Not just at the time, but throughout time. For I am with the disciples at the first communion, with the first generation of Christians, celebrating the feast in their homes, and with those others throughout the ages as the communion is shared.
And a similar thing occurs for me a baptism. I see the first converts being baptised along with the people we are welcoming into the family of the church.
But the real problem comes when I move out of the sacramental into the greater life. In the sacraments, it's easy to understand the timelessness of kairos. But when I have to work, do projects around the house, pay bills, eat, sleep, recover, ..., how do I make time to pray; How do I make the time to act?
I try to work prayer in at small increments throughout the day and have used various tools to keep my prayer disciplined. This website is among the tools I use to structure my prayer life. But how do I work for peace? How do I work to do justice for the poor? My efforts here have been a bit intermittent. I've written legislators regarding key issues where I have interest and knowledge. I've sent lettters to the editor of the local paper. I've stood vigil for peace on a few occasions. But I haven't given sacrificialy of my time. I've voted for, but I haven't worked for candidates who support the key moral issues of peace and justice for the poor.
I wish that there were easy answers, but I know that hard work and effort is needed. How do I make time? Martin Luther once said that he had so much to do one day that he couldn't even think about doing it with less than two hours of prayer. Does the prayer put the clock on hold and move us form our time to God's time. It may! I know that the times when my prayer life is best, that I find that other things go better. So join me in trying to do more intentional prayer. God will most likely ensure us that we have enough time. It's the same principal as 2 Corinthians where God said give generously and you will be be given enough for yourself and enough to share with others. It should work with time as well as wealth. Try it, test God's promise. I have in other giving and God passed the test. Now I need to try it with time.
will