What Are You Hearing?

The Word of God expressed is meant to be a dialogue between the one who proclaims and the hearer, and for the health of the Body it is always important to know if what is spoken is being properly heard.

The questions before any worshiping assembly are the following: Am I hearing what the preacher is intending to say? Did he mean to stir up the feelings that I experienced during the sermon? Did the personality of the preacher get expressed in the sermon? Where and how could the sermon be improved?

Such honest assessment between priest and people enables the preacher to strengthen his or her preaching skills; and provides an opportunity for the congregation to listen more deeply.

The Dignity of Every Human Being

When do social issues transcend party differences?

With the recent vote by the House of Representatives to extend "hate crime" protection to those who are victimized because of their sexual orientation, the ethical issues have become central even though congress has placed this issue on the table. The willingness to protect homosexuals must be embraced by all those who are followers of Christ. The issue is beyond debate and it would be a terrible thing for our country if such a new law would be vetoed along party lines!

Dr. James C. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, was quoted in the New York Times, stating that such a law would "muzzle people of faith who dare to express their moral and biblical concerns about homosexuality." Such a comment from this radical Christian conservative raises questions about what constitutes the freedom of expression. All of us have a right to express our personal faith regarding what 'ought to be' within our culture and society; but none of us have the right to express ourselves in degrading, hostile, and violent acts. If we are truly people of faith, we will find a way to make sure that all the citizens of our country, and members of our churches, share in the same rights that all of us are entitled.

Let us pray that we will uphold the dignity of every human being.

An Anniversary of Infamy

Only days before my graduation from seminary the Ohio National Guard was ordered to disperse an anti-war demonstration on the campus of Kent State University. The soldiers suddenly open fire killing four students and wounding nine. To this day, the reason for the shooting is unknown.

The mid-sixties bore the pain of the assassination of the president and civil rights leader. The country was ablaze with racial bitterness and discord, and the Vietnam War was dividing the nation. The church found herself torn by the hostile response of her people as they turned against one another over the political and social issues of the time.

In what ways did these events change your life? What memories of this era remain with you? How did you experience God during these turbulent days in our history?

The Feast of Monnica, Mother of Augustine of Hippo

O Lord, through spiritual discipline you strengthened your servant Monnica to perservere in offering her love and prayers and tears for the conversion of her husband and of Augustine their son: Deepen our devotion, we pray, and use us in accordance with your will to bring others, even our own kindred, to acknowledge Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord, who will you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Rule of Saint Benedict

Prologue

And the Lord, seeking his laborer
in the multitude to whom He thus cries out,
says again,
"Who is the one who will have life,
and desires to see good days" (Ps. 33:13)?
And if, hearing Him, you answer,
"I am the one,"
God says to you,
"If you will have true and everlasting life,
keep your tongue from evil
and your lips that they speak no guile.
Turn away from evil and do good;
seek after peace and pursue it" (Ps. 33:14-15).
And when you have done these things,
My eyes shall be upon you
and My ears open to your prayers;
and before you call upon Me,
I will say to you,
'Behold, here I am'" (Ps. 33:16; Is. 65:24; 58:9).