"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Courtesy resolution present on the Council theme at the 106th Diocesan Council of West Texas.

Right Reverend Sirs, Friends in Christ of this 106th Diocesan Council:

WHEREAS, the Committee on Reconciliation has helpfully called to this Council’s attention guidelines and methods for the development of mutual understanding and careful listening; and

WHEREAS, the bishops of this diocese have commended to this Council’s practice said methods of mutual understanding and listening;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Council affirm those good things which we by careful listening have heard and received from one another, including and most centrally the Scriptural admonition, so often here cited, to relieve the burdens of bears, in this and every land: grizzly bears; polar bears; black bears; koala bears; teddy bears; and particularly those bears in the state of Hawaii; and

(the bartender said, bear, why the big pause?)

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the careful listening of this Diocese affirm the bishops’ commendations to empty the pews and shoot our horses in conjunction with the recently unveiled one hundred and nineteen year mission development plan advanced by strategic officer John Rayls and the Diocese, and modeled in the parish of Trinity, Junction, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that even the least careful listening hears and recognizes the constant laughter of the Spirit so present in this People, who, sharing in God’s joy, affirm here their delight in their joy as God’s Church for the life of the world --

Oh, I almost forgot. I can see God’s House from here.

Right Reverend Sirs, we so move.

members of a body made possible by forgiveness

(From the February edition of the St. C's newsletter.)

“Fasting bears no fruit unless it is watered by mercy.”
Peter Chrysologus, Bishop of Ravenna [450]

The priest holds up bread, says, “This is my Body, given for you.” Moments later, a cup, another promise, and gift: “This is my Blood of the new Covenant, shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Slightest silence, holy reverence, and the prayer swiftly moves on.

Quickly spoken, quickly gone, this moment is nevertheless the defining moment for this and every community of faith, indeed for the whole Church: Jesus‘ words recalled, spoken by the community of faith, at the very same time creating the community of faith. Or how else do we stand before God, with one another, as one Body? We eat the bread of the Body; drink the cup of forgiveness. We are members of a body made possible by forgiveness.

“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they do.”

The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus made Peter his “Rock” on which the Church was built so that the Church would never forget her need of forgiveness. After all, the reasoning goes, whatever your sin -- whatever your need of forgiveness -- you are surely not worse off than Peter: “Look here,” he told her, “I don’t know that man!”

Of course, few of us would openly claim to be better off than poor Peter, either. I know firsthand the depths of what it must mean for Christ to include me in his People. Forgiveness, for me, is not idle, but is instead the daily basis and foundation for my offering my prayers and my life as your priest. Forgiveness is the means by which I absolve your sins and at the same time say, “Pray for me, too -- a sinner.”

Forgiveness is the life of the Body.

One of you asked me recently if I’d figured out yet what a broken place St. Christopher’s is. I vaguely recall offering some polite answer, but I vividly recall the voice in my heart, as if shouting, “Of course! So I’d prayed!” What else would we offer? What else might be healed? What need would we have for forgiveness?

You and I can experience the insecurity born of illusions of self-sufficiency just about anywhere. That’s not new. That’s not novel -- that’s the norm. And it’s more than boring -- it’s despairing. But to find a people living with the courage to be broken and so to be truthful, to be in need of the Savior who has spoken forgiveness, now that excites me.

So now you and I, the people called Church, we wander into Lent. Most of us have been here before. A necessary evil, we think: like the dentist beseeching us every six months to floss well. “Close your eyes, don’t look directly at it, nod a little, and it will pass. Easter’s coming.” And of course it is. But listen now: be careful that you do not miss this moment, the very thing that will be your life. For make no mistake, Easter will not erase your need for forgiveness so much as cement God’s declaration of it. The grace of Easter morning begins in the mourning darkness: the truthfulness to speak into the silence the things that keep us from growing closer to God.

Be not afraid! Forgiveness is the hope of God’s People; forgiveness is the joy of God’s People. This Lent, may we who seek Christ find his words meant for us: “You are forgiven.”

And may we keep a Holy Lent.