Farewell to the Blogosphere

Due to the scarcity of my posts recently, I imagine that there are few, if any, who countenance this blog anymore. But to the few who might stop by I must leave with this farewell message (at least in terms of blogging).

You see, I came to a realization. Originally this blog was meant to be a forum for my "musings," hence the title of the blog. But I realize now that, at least for me, any musing that is worth recording is worth recording in a personal journal or perhaps in personal correspondence with other people. This is to say nothing against those who have found blogging a meaningful and productive way to share their thoughts and insights and analyses of current trends in any number of disciplines. Indeed there are many who have "mastered" the art of blogging and have made quite a name for themselves in the process. But for me personally, I have found that the old-fashioned disciplines of journal keeping and personal letters are the best way to record the "musings" that pass through this sometimes thick skull.

So, while I hope to remain an active reader and participant in the realm of blogs, I must sign off as the author of this one. Many thanks to those who have read and commented. May the Lord bless you and keep you always.

RED+

The Great Justification

Well folks, here it is. The Windsor Report asked for it, and the ACC got it. "To Set our Hope on Christ" is the theological response to the Windsor Report's invitation that ECUSA submit a theological rationale for its insistence in engaging in communion-breaking activities. It can be found (among other places, I'm sure) here for download as a PDF document. I will try to read it in the next few days, but I can already tell that I'm in for a frustrating read as I was already fuming at the end of +Frank's introduction in which he commends the Spirit of Truth for guiding us into new truths out the riches of "Christ who is our Truth." Our Truth? I believe Jesus said that he was the Truth. But there lies the rub, right? I suppose I should have expected nothing less from a committed pluralist/relativist.

On a more joyful, and I suppose quite appropriate note, a blessed St. Alban's day to all. St. Alban, for those who are not familiar, is venerated as the first martyr (protomartyr) of Britain. He was a pagan Roman soldier living in the Roman city of Verulamium, to the northeast of London. He was converted by a Christian priest who sought and gained shelter from Alban during a widespread persecution by the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. When the authorities discovered the priest's whereabouts, Alban insisted on taking the priest's cloak and turning himself in. He was tortured and beheaded in the year 304. The Venerable Bede tells a moving tale of the man whose duty it was to execute Alban. He was overcome with "terror from God" and cast away his sword, "desiring rather to die with the Martyr or for the Martyr." The executioner was beheaded there with Alban on this date in 304.

Holy Alban, pray for us.

True Romance

Mr. and Mrs. Percy Arrowsmith

This English couple just celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary on June 1. 80 years!! Now that's a great love story. You can have the torrid affairs of TV and movies and the 1-5 year "marriages" of Hollywood, I don't want them. I'll take the story of a man and woman who said "til death do us part" and meant it...for 80 years.

Truly this couple meant it because today, two weeks after their 80-year anniversary, Mr. Arrowsmith died at home with his beloved wife by his side. He was 105 and she is 100.

You can read about it here, along with some rather flat and uninspiring words from the Anglican Bishop of Hereford.

Now, of course, I didn't know them, and have no idea of how their 80 years together panned out. But I do know that "romance" doesn't keep two people together for 80 years, love does. Love that stands by vows and committments made. Love that dies to self so that the other can grow. Love that says "til death do us part," and then sticks around until death.

May this couple be an inspiration to all married persons in their vocation of being one in the Lord. Please pray for the repose of Mr. Arrowsmith's soul and for his grieving wife and family.

May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. And may light perpetual shine them. Amen.

It's a small world

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Remember that line near the beginning of Last Crusade. Professor Jones is teaching a class in the lecture hall and he says this:

"Archaeology is the search for fact. Not truth. If it's truth you're interested in, Doctor Tyree's Philosophy class is right down the hall."

Well, I met Dr. Tyree yesterday. He lives in Macomb, IL, and attends St. George's Episcopal Church, where I was the supply priest. He is a very kindly and distinguished old gentleman who is small of stature and always wears his rather eccentric scarf around. The Deacon of the parish pointed him out to me and said that he was the man on whom that particular line in the movie was based.

And being a huge Indiana Jones fan, I thought that was the coolest thing in the world. I wanted to get a picture with him to put on the blog, but I didn't have a camera with me, so you'll just have to trust me on this one. He, of course, doesn't actually appear in the film, they simply used his name.

"Cranking 'em out"

Whew! It's been quite a weekend in the Diocese of Quincy! Two new priests ordained and instituted as Rectors in two days.

Fr. Michael Brooks and Fr. David Wagner are two recent grads of Nashotah House. Fr. Michael was ordained yesterday on the feast of St. Barnabas and Fr. David was ordained this evening.

Fr. Brooks is the Rector of St. Peter's Church in Canton, IL, and Fr. Wagner is the Rector of St. John's, Kewanee, IL, and its parochial mission, the Church of the Transfiguration in Princeton.

You can find info on these parishes at our Diocesan website: www.dioceseofquincy.org

The ordinations/institutions were glorious. There is something pretty incredible about the fullness of the Body of Christ gathered together when all orders are present to offer the Holy Sacrifice with their Bishop. Bishop Ackerman's sermons were powerful and inspiring, and renewed all the priests (well, at least my) desire to serve our Lord with fervency and sacrificial love. What an amazing feeling it is to know that as we gathered around the ordinands to sing the Veni Creator Spiritus and join the Bishop in laying on hands we were entering into an act that has been done by the Church for ages and ages.

It's good to be the Church.

Please pray for these two men as they enter into exciting and challenging parish ministries.

Pax Vobiscum

RED+

St. Barnabas the Apostle

St. Barnabas the Apostle


Please pray for my friend Michael Brooks, who, God willing, will be ordained a priest in Christ's One, Holy, Cathlolic, and Apostolic Church today at 2:00pm

St. Ephrem of Edessa

St Ephrem of Edessa


THE PRAYER OF SAINT EPHREM THE SYRIAN

O Lord and Master of my life,take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency,lust of power, and idle talk; But grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.