On Sunday we at St. Thomas's met for Word and Sacrament, around the words of Scripture and the Word Incarnate. We heard about Joshua's calling the peopleof Israel to renew the covenant, about St. Paul's speculation about what the return of jesus might look like, and Matthew's hard words about bridesmaids who don't think ahead.
What was most on my mind this weekend was an incident that happened on Thursday. A cross was burned on the front lawn of a family who supported Barack Obama. Hardwick is in Warren County, just next door to us in Sussex County. It appalled and disturbed me that still, in 2008, there are people who pervert the symbol of my faith, a symbol of love, into a symbol of hatred and racism. My homily addressed this by noting that, as Christians, the Parable of the Over and Undercaffeinated Bridesmaids says that we have the obligation to never simply acquiesce to evil in our midst but to confront it and stand against it. We simply can't ignore it or just stand idly by while it happens.
Praya for the family who were the victims of this incident. Pray for those who perpetrated it. And pray for the Church, that we might always be alert and be ready to confront evil wherever it occurs.
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
RFSJ
What was most on my mind this weekend was an incident that happened on Thursday. A cross was burned on the front lawn of a family who supported Barack Obama. Hardwick is in Warren County, just next door to us in Sussex County. It appalled and disturbed me that still, in 2008, there are people who pervert the symbol of my faith, a symbol of love, into a symbol of hatred and racism. My homily addressed this by noting that, as Christians, the Parable of the Over and Undercaffeinated Bridesmaids says that we have the obligation to never simply acquiesce to evil in our midst but to confront it and stand against it. We simply can't ignore it or just stand idly by while it happens.
Praya for the family who were the victims of this incident. Pray for those who perpetrated it. And pray for the Church, that we might always be alert and be ready to confront evil wherever it occurs.
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
RFSJ
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