24 October 2010

Shepherds or Butchers?

Fr. Alexander Schmemann

Clericalism suffocates; it makes part of itself into the whole sacred character of the Church; it makes its power a sacred power to control, to lead, to administer; a power to perform sacraments, and, in general, it makes any power a power given to me! Clericalism separates all “sacredness” from the lay people: the iconostasis, communion (only by permission), theology. In short, clericalism is de facto denial of the Church as the body of Christ, for in the body, all organs are related and different only in their functions, but not in their essence. And the more clericalism clericalizes (the traditional image of the bishop or the priest emphasized by his clothes, hair, e.g., the bishop in full regalia!) the more the Church itself becomes more worldly; spiritually submits itself to this world. In the New Testament, the priest is presented as the ideal layman. But almost immediately there begins his increasingly radical separation from the lay people; and not only separation, but opposition to lay people, contrast to them. The tragedy of theological education lies in the fact that young people who seek priesthood are consciously or unconsciously seeking this separation, power, this rising above the laity. Their thirst is strengthened and generated by the whole system of theological education, of clericalism. ~Fr. Alexander Schmemann [Journals, pp. 310 & 311]

Fr. Alexander had a way of cutting to the core of things that I have always found refreshing. Having read, and enjoyed, many of his books, I found his journals (published posthumously) to be the one of the most honest and refreshing things I have ever read from an Orthodox clergyman. In the section above, as on other occasions, he reflects on clericalism, specifically from the vantage point of the Dean of a seminary, having seen scores of young men pass through the doors of his institution, many times I’m sure after the wrong things.
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12 October 2010

The Seduction of Being Right

photo courtesy of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Ottawa

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It never was between you and them anyway. ~Mother Teresa

There are many ways that the Enemy seduces men into falling away from God. One of the more sinister and silent is the seduction of being “right” and placing oneself above others. Basically, it’s the sin of vainglory and nothing more than the original sin of pride. That’s not to say that there is no truth and no right or wrong. It’s simply to say that mankind can often follow a sad preoccupation with being “right” about things, and finding comfort in being part of the “right” group, rather than solace in God. I am an Orthodox Christian, in the classical and canonical sense, and I’m grateful and happy to be so. There is sanity to be found in Orthodoxy, especially with more and more Christians apostasizing from the ancient faith than ever before. However, I’m sitting here thinking about Orthodoxy, and about growing up Evangelical Orthodox, and then joining the OCA and about where I’m at right now. I keep thinking about the danger of being preoccupied with being “right”. I don’t mean searching for the Truth, but more the need to be right and have a “security” in feeling a part of THE Church and an adherent to the “right” way. I’m all for orthodoxy and the Truth, but it seems to me that a large portion of time is spent on debating and defining that truth. Jesus is the answer and the Church is His body, and ultimately the Gospel and the commandments are very simple – Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. And, also, as St. James says, “…pure religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering, and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world.”
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8 October 2010

Robert Nesta Marley & Thank You Lord

Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. ~1 Thess. 5:16-18

Let me start off by saying I’m a Bob Marley fan. Do with that what you will. No, I’m not Rastafarian. No, I’m not a white guy trying to be cool. No, I don’t sit around and smoke a lot of herb. I like music and I like Bob. I like his message and I like what he stood for. I like that he tried to fulfill the greatest commandment to “love God with your whole heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s tough to find any celebrity that strives for that, especially after fame and fortune hits them.

I’m a musician, and as such, I listen to a lot of different kinds of music. There have always been certain artists however that hold a more prominent place in my listening catalog and to whom I have listened more profusely than others. Among those would certainly be Bill Mallonee, Rich Mullins, Phil Keaggy, and of course, Bob Marley. Strange mix? Perhaps, but these are artists who have always impressed me, either lyrically, instrumentally, or both, and have said something to me with their music. Music is interesting in that nearly every culture and every type of people on earth understand it. It’s the universal language. I think that most likely, while I aspire to be able to speak several different languages, I put all my effort instead into writing and playing music. A good artist, like those above, can paint a picture and give you a glimpse into something that words alone can be hard pressed to define, but with music, those words come alive. Music can set moods, change tones, and can transport you to another place and time. It can send a message, reflect on an issue or a person, or calm a weary soul. Bob’s music has always been like that to me. His songs are often simple, with no more than a few chords and easy riffs, but along with the words, they are deep. Simple words and simple tunes are what stick with me the most, and I suspect with most people. It doesn’t matter how many times I hear a G-C-D, or E-A-B chord progression, if played in a certain rhythm with the right lyrics, it’s always catching, and it’s easy to remember.

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7 October 2010

Sleep My Little Ones, Sleep

Tessa at 3 Months Old

Songs and simple writing have not come easily these past few years. Not sure if it was writer’s block or just a lack of ability to set them free. I commented to my wife several times that I could feel the songs and pages in the book somewhere in there, but was having difficulty putting them to paper, like a stopper was in place. At any rate, it would seem that it’s been removed and they’re starting to flow. Grief does that I suppose – it leaves you with few options, most of which are not beneficial or compatible with staying out of jail, and besides, it must be faced, again and again – love leaves no other option. Anything less is fear driven self-centeredness and profits nothing, as my friend G. would say. So writing again is good, and liberating, and it’s cheaper than therapy, healthier than drinking sorrows away, and safer than drugs, so…bonus! Grace often comes not by immediate answers to my temper tantrums at God, but rather in the little things He whispers when I’m still and listening. I don’t sleep well as a rule, and so I often sneak out of bed after the wifey is asleep. (She once commented, “I imagine you have this whole other life after I’m asleep…” I do.)
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