The difference between me and you is... (and I perked up my ears) ...you use scripture to determine what love means and I use love to determine what scripture means.

I think this is brilliant. The cartoon was created by a person who has degrees in theology and religion and served a church as a pastor for 20 years before leaving ministry. He also has a website and an online presence for people who "seek spiritual independence" and "a safe alternative to church."

      I do not know his story of why he left ministry or why he chooses to do what he does. Perhaps it is deeply personal; perhaps it is to address and serve those who have been alienated from the church. Or a bit of both.

      The question I have, at least in relation to this particular cartoon is, what is it about the Jesus quote that is inconsistent with the Christian faith? We all know there are various ways of interpreting and understanding the words of scripture. Some read small snippets or specific verses as answers to life's problems, treating the Bible like an instruction manual. Some read it in a similar fashion and then discard all of it because they cannot reconcile discrepancies or because read stories that portray God as angry or violent. Still others demythologize it by analyzing it so closely that there is no space left for the Holy Spirit--for God to continue to speak to humanity in each time and place and circumstance.

      I think the example of this cartoon is brilliant because it uses one of the two Great Commandments and looks at it through two opposite lenses. One lens pages through the various and diverse writings and categorizes "love" and "not love"--picking and choosing what is right and what is wrong. And probably judging others by who they are and what they do. There is room for contempt here. The other, Jesus' way, is to start with love. Love is. We are commanded to love God and neighbor, and if that is the starting place, how does it change how we relate to one another?

      Not that this is easy, mind you. I will be the first to confess how very hard it can be. I am guilty. It is so much easier to set aside or ignore or be snarky to those we find obnoxious or impossible or strange. I hope the cartoonist knows that there are some of us out here who remain with the church strive to stay on the side of Jesus!

 

From Bishop Lee:

 

Dear People of God in the Diocese of Chicago:

 

With thanksgiving, I am writing to tell you that we have reached a settlement with the Diocese of Quincy in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) in our efforts to recover some of the property, assets and records that were part of the former Episcopal Diocese of Quincy.

     The congregations of St. James, Griggsville; St. James, Lewistown; the Episcopal Church of St. George, Macomb; and All Saints, Rock Island will directly benefit from the settlement. In addition, other funds recovered in the settlement will be held in the Bishop's Funds for the benefit of the entire Peoria Deanery and will administered by the bishop's office with the assistance of the Congregations Commission.

Bishop Search Update

The Search and Nomination Committee would like to offer our deepest gratitude to all who have offered themselves as candidates for the Thirteenth Bishop of Chicago. We are thrilled with the quality of the applicant pool, and so thankful for the gifts that God has given these priests and for their willingness to share them with the Diocese of Chicago. All of us have had our hope in the Body of Christ renewed by reading about the deeply prayerful and effective ministry being offered around the country. We are also grateful to all who shared our profile or encouraged a candidate to apply.

     While we will not be sharing information on the names of candidates at this time, nor the number of applications received, we will continue to be as clear as possible about our process. At this point, the Search and Nomination Committee has been in contact with everyone who submitted their materials to thank them and to inform them of the next step for their application. We have begun several rounds of discernment as a committee which will lead us towards a slate that will be presented to the Standing Committee in late April or early May.

READINGS:
Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12): The people complain because God does not seem to notice when they fast and pray, but Isaiah speaks God's word that challenges them on their injustice and exploitation - that they have the appearance of penitence without a true change of heart.

Psalm 112:1-9, (10): Those who live righteously are compassionate, just and generous, and they have confidence that God will care for them.

1 Corinthians 2:1-12, (13-16): God's wisdom is Christ crucified, which cannot be understood without opening our spirits to God's Spirit. But, for we who have received God's Spirit, we are able to know and receive the wonderful blessing God offers us in Christ.

Matthew 5:13-20: Jesus calls his followers to be as salt and light in the world - allowing our good works to be seen in order that others may praise God. Further, Jesus calls his followers to true righteousness, beyond the external legalism of the Pharisees, but embodying the true spirit of the law.

Thumbprints and commentaries from:

sacredise.com

Canapes & Conversation

Al & Cathie Elsbree will host Canapes & Conversation on Friday, February 21st, from 5-7pm, here at the Parish House. We're getting a schedule together for this coming year and are still looking for hosts and hostesses for March and December.  Email Cathie at elsbreecaal@yahoo.com if you're interested.