October ’07 Trumpeter

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

            Republican Senator and ordained Episcopal priest John Danforth has said that, “Reconciliation is the basic ministry of Christianity.” Reconciliation in every area, of human being to human being, false self to true self, and heaven to earth. It’s a lifelong, ongoing undertaking and that is why we have the church. It is also why we take communion. Communion is a sacrament, which means it is to be taken reverently and considered prayerfully, with an eye toward heaven. To take communion as a believer is to surrender “unconditionally” to God’s way, thereby giving up our own way, our opinions, our judgments, our grudges and even our perceptions. To take communion is to reconcile ourselves: to one another, to the possibility of reunion with Christ and to God the Source of all life.

            If you or anyone you know has ever had a blood transfusion, you know that it is truly lifesaving. It results in a burst of energy and health, not only keeping the patient alive, but also transforming the quality of that life. For us as Christians, taking communion is the acknowledgment of ourselves as sinners, or “those who miss the mark,” having as our only antidote (“cure”) our confession and God’s grace and forgiveness. In ancient times, everyone had to confess, fast, and perform cleansing rituals in order to receive communion. I wonder if this is not a great loss to our faith community.

            October 7^th is Worldwide Communion Sunday. It is a chance to connect with Christians all over the world, as well as believers in both past and future generations. It is also an opportunity to engage in the practice of reconciliation. Without reconciliation we are stuck in the patterns of the past. Without reconciliation we are destined to repeat and repeat the same old defeating cycles of blame and resentment, that may leave us feeling angry, persecuted, or “right,” but never happy, joyous and free. That is what Christ came for. And that is our mission as well.

            Do you have resentment, a fixed way of seeing a brother or sister, a hurt or an “issue” with someone inside or outside the church? Bring it to that person in humility, with a true desire for peace. Pray with one another and for one another. Resolve in your mind and heart to see that person newly, freeing them from the past and opening the door to new and surprising possibilities. Is there a blot on your ability to love, to serve and to feel “God smile?” Is there any mistake or wrongdoing that shuts out the light of Christ, your sense of joy, connection, peace and freedom? Is there any need at all for healing, physically, spiritually or emotionally? They’re all connected, you know. Come to church on October 7^th and receive the blood of Christ that heals and renews. That way, for Halloween, you can be something totally new and different: your true self as created by God.

Peace and God’s holy light to each and every one of you this approaching fall season.

Yours in Christ always,

Your Pastor