If you have been blissfully unaware, there was a breakthrough of sorts at Lambeth yesterday. You can hear Presiding Bishop Michael Curry talk about it here:
So, in short, the Very Big thing that happened was just that the bishops, archbishops, and primates actually acknowledge reality. And, that reality? Well, they acknowledged that they don't agree on matters of human sexuality and human dignity.
I know, right? It would be hilarious if it weren't so sad. And yet, there is cause for at least a modicum of rejoicing. I mean, that is a far cry from 1998 and Lambeth 1.10.
Here's my reflection on what happened yesterday at Lambeth.
A story of the definition of "Yud"
As a young pupil, the Chassidic master, Reb Yisrael of Ruzhin, was instructed by his teacher that whenever he saw two dots next to each other he was to pronounce G‑d’s name.
Now, at the end of a verse in the Torah, there are also two dots: one above the other. That evening at home, the young Reb Yisrael began to read. And every time he reached the end of a verse he uttered G‑d’s name.
His father reprimanded him: “What’s going on here?! Who taught you that?!” The boy responded, “My teacher did. He taught me that whenever I see two dots together, I should pronounce G‑d’s name. So that’s what I’m doing.”
Reb Yisrael’s father explained to his son: “The dot, the yud, represents a Jew. When one Jew is beside another, when one Jew respects the other, then G‑d dwells in their presence. Their alliance becomes G‑d’s name.
But when one Jew is on top of the other, when one Jew thinks he’s better or smarter than the next or disrespects his neighbor, then that’s the end of the passage. It creates a separation in the relationship between a Jew and G‑d."
And, here's a picture of Blessed Louie Crew Clay and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry which, to me, is not only something that happened in the past but is hope for the future.
"Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Psalm 85:10
Let's hope that the bishops can now move from studying and talking about scripture to actually living it out.
Oh, as Louie would say, "Joy Anyway!"
So, in short, the Very Big thing that happened was just that the bishops, archbishops, and primates actually acknowledge reality. And, that reality? Well, they acknowledged that they don't agree on matters of human sexuality and human dignity.
I know, right? It would be hilarious if it weren't so sad. And yet, there is cause for at least a modicum of rejoicing. I mean, that is a far cry from 1998 and Lambeth 1.10.
Here's my reflection on what happened yesterday at Lambeth.
A story of the definition of "Yud"
As a young pupil, the Chassidic master, Reb Yisrael of Ruzhin, was instructed by his teacher that whenever he saw two dots next to each other he was to pronounce G‑d’s name.
Now, at the end of a verse in the Torah, there are also two dots: one above the other. That evening at home, the young Reb Yisrael began to read. And every time he reached the end of a verse he uttered G‑d’s name.
His father reprimanded him: “What’s going on here?! Who taught you that?!” The boy responded, “My teacher did. He taught me that whenever I see two dots together, I should pronounce G‑d’s name. So that’s what I’m doing.”
Reb Yisrael’s father explained to his son: “The dot, the yud, represents a Jew. When one Jew is beside another, when one Jew respects the other, then G‑d dwells in their presence. Their alliance becomes G‑d’s name.
But when one Jew is on top of the other, when one Jew thinks he’s better or smarter than the next or disrespects his neighbor, then that’s the end of the passage. It creates a separation in the relationship between a Jew and G‑d."
And, here's a picture of Blessed Louie Crew Clay and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry which, to me, is not only something that happened in the past but is hope for the future.
"Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Psalm 85:10
Let's hope that the bishops can now move from studying and talking about scripture to actually living it out.
Oh, as Louie would say, "Joy Anyway!"
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