I rarely edit comments made on TTLS and I've only removed two comments in the past year. Monday, I removed a third comment. It was from one who found the way to this blog via a schismatic blog. I haven't figured out just how the connection to TTLS was made.
The commenter said, and this is a paraphrase, "Well, you've thrown B033 under the buss [sic] and moved on...." The commenter then went into the usual hate speak.
The comment did make me wonder, though: Does the passage of D025 really mean we've moved on? Does it mean we have repealed B033? I'm not so sure we have, at least yet. I expect the house of deputies to pass the revised D025, but there is more to "it" than just that.
Yes, by word we've stated our position of reality: Any qualified person will be considered for any office in this church, episcopate included. That is the reality we live with, today and in honesty, we have lived with it for quite a while.
However, what does that really mean. Absolutely nothing. It will mean nothing until a qualified person in a same-gender marriage, or who is simply honest about her/his sexual orientation, is elected to the episcopate. Then we will see just what D025 means in light of it being a centrist document. And, it really is, folks. It doesn't go far enough to be "liberal" nor is it conservative enough to qualify for that moniker.
Will the bishops, who seem to have listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit working in The Episcopal Church, withhold their consent merely because of the same-gender issue? Or will they add their actions to their words and thereby repudiate B033.
I must admit that at this moment, I have no guess; God is still working his purpose out. But, I believe that it will be quite a while before the test case presents itself.
In all of this, we need to remember that not all those in TEC are rejoicing over the votes the events of the past two days. Many of our fellow Episcopalians see this as another hurt. And, the hurt is real and we must acknowledge that hurt. Feelings are always absolutely valid can cannot be summarily dismissed "forthwith."
I think it is a very good sign that I have seen no gloating over recent events. Shock, yes; but gloating, no.
Let us pause, as do the Jewish people at Pesach, to remember the hurt felt by others. None of us is above a moment of confession.
The commenter said, and this is a paraphrase, "Well, you've thrown B033 under the buss [sic] and moved on...." The commenter then went into the usual hate speak.
The comment did make me wonder, though: Does the passage of D025 really mean we've moved on? Does it mean we have repealed B033? I'm not so sure we have, at least yet. I expect the house of deputies to pass the revised D025, but there is more to "it" than just that.
Yes, by word we've stated our position of reality: Any qualified person will be considered for any office in this church, episcopate included. That is the reality we live with, today and in honesty, we have lived with it for quite a while.
However, what does that really mean. Absolutely nothing. It will mean nothing until a qualified person in a same-gender marriage, or who is simply honest about her/his sexual orientation, is elected to the episcopate. Then we will see just what D025 means in light of it being a centrist document. And, it really is, folks. It doesn't go far enough to be "liberal" nor is it conservative enough to qualify for that moniker.
Will the bishops, who seem to have listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit working in The Episcopal Church, withhold their consent merely because of the same-gender issue? Or will they add their actions to their words and thereby repudiate B033.
I must admit that at this moment, I have no guess; God is still working his purpose out. But, I believe that it will be quite a while before the test case presents itself.
In all of this, we need to remember that not all those in TEC are rejoicing over the votes the events of the past two days. Many of our fellow Episcopalians see this as another hurt. And, the hurt is real and we must acknowledge that hurt. Feelings are always absolutely valid can cannot be summarily dismissed "forthwith."
I think it is a very good sign that I have seen no gloating over recent events. Shock, yes; but gloating, no.
Let us pause, as do the Jewish people at Pesach, to remember the hurt felt by others. None of us is above a moment of confession.
- Everliving God, whose will it is that all
should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ:
Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the
power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection;
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
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