A concept totally stolen from MadPriest and "The Wind in the Willows" - one of a series of books by Kenneth Grahame (and one of my kids' favorite authors).Read the whole, sad story (of Bishop Schofield and the (now formerly) Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin (and presently Anglican Diocese of the Southern Cone) here.
(Wait! Does this mean that John-David Schofield is now Bishop of 'The SouthernConeHeads'? Never mind. Here's the wee bit from "The Wind(bag) in the Willows":)
"Ho, ho! I am The Toad, the handsome, the popular, the successful Toad!'
He got so puffed up with conceit that he made up a song as he walked in praise of himself, and sang it at the top of his voice, though there was no one to hear it but him.
It was perhaps the most conceited song that any animal ever composed."
A Post Script.
Initially, I found myself deeply grieved over the decision of the Bishop of San Joaquin to lead the The Episcopal in that diocese to leave the fold of the faithful. "It is finished," I heard myself sigh.
Then, I got angry at the hubris of this bishop - a most unattractive picture of him in his 'raspberry' shirt is prominently displayed on an AOL news flash with the headline: "Diocese Splits From Church" - and I posted the above. "I hope he's happy," I heard myself grumble.
But now, a few hours after prayer and contemplation, I find myself strangely hopeful. "Life is changed, not ended," our Eucharistic liturgy reminds us (Preface of Commemoration of the Dead, BCP, p. 382).
I find myself singing Hymn # 333 (1982) for those who have left, and those who have stayed.
Now the silence. Now the peace. Now the empty hands uplifted.
Now the kneeling. Now the plea. Now the Fathers arms in welcome.
Now the hearing. Now the power. Now the vessel brimmed for pouring.
Now the Body. Now the Blood. Now the joyful celebration.
Now the wedding. Now the feast. Now the songs.
Now the hearts forgiven leaping.
Now the Spirit's visitation.
Now the Son's epiphany.
Now the Father's blessing.
Now. Now. Now.
3 comments:
Life is 'change' not changed as the liturgy says.
I've always disliked that wording. It remains stuck in cause and effect thinking, that one thing neccesarily leads to another as a consequence. Reality is much more chaotic and living with the chaos makes these things much easier to deal with.
I guess you have to consider the wording in context - it is the Preface for the Eucharist at a Burial of the Dead. These words have always given me hope and comfort in its context.
I love the use of the hymn. It is one of my favorites and, as such, will remind me to love the people who think differently than I do.
thanks.
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