Liturgical Pop-Up: what does Christ as our "mediator" really imply?

Dear Trinity Church,

We are finally figuring out how to do Pilgrimage (Drive-Thru) Church! The lines have been much shorter (thanks to two communion lines) and we even had live music! Thank you for your patience and faithfulness. And for those who have not been able to come, just know you are in our hearts. And that brings me to this meditation ...

Those of you who came to church received, from Fathers Matt/Carson, a gift for you to remember this time of separation and quarantine for years to come. In addition to forging the crosses from which hang all of our Stations of the Cross, Jim Moore has forged smaller Trinity crosses for each family - to use in any way you would like. We thought about coasters, and some have spoken of affixing these to their front door. The Koempels have decided that the forged cross will help them say "Here I am" to their daily dishes! (Go Koempels!)

The cross is a physical reminder that, despite physical separation, we are constantly connected to one another in Christ. 

We are not often given the opportunity to lean into this doctrine. But with the virus, we have the rare chance to understand that

Jesus' mediation isn't simply about the atonement, but about everything. 

As Bonhoeffer writes, "He is the mediator, not only between God and manbut between man and man, between man and reality." 

Jesus' mediation didn't begin with our sin (though it has taken on a very urgent form since the Fall), but with the very way the world was created: through him and in him. Jesus' mediation isn't reserved for emergencies. It covers every aspect of our lives. And this - during the time of the virus - is amazing news. It takes (what feels like) a restricting and narrowing of our lives, and tells us that this is an illusion! 

Bonhoeffer says it best:

"All the time we thought we had enjoyed a direct relation with men and things. This is actually what had hindered us from faith and obedience. Now we learn that in the most intimate relationships of life, in our kinship with father and mother, brothers and sisters, in married love, and in our duty to the community, direct relationships are impossible... We cannot establish direct contact outside ourselves except through Him, through His word, and through our following of Him. To think otherwise is to deceive ourselves. However loving and sympathetic we try to be, however sound our psychology, however frank and open our behavior, we cannot penetrate the incognito of the other man, for there are no direct relationships, not even between soul and soul. Christ stands between us, and we can only get into touch with our neighbors through Him." (from The Cost of Discipleship)

So if you have received the metal cross, or when you do (and contact us for one if you are unable to come!), let it remind you that our reality is in Christ. Our relationships are in Christ. Everything is connected in Him.

We are facing disconnection of an unprecedented sort, but let it drive us to the truth which is under it all. That we are in the Mediator. And so are your loved ones! And the rest of us in Trinity! 

We miss you. 

We are deeply connected.

Julie

PS - I’m hosting a book group around The Theology of the Ordinary tomorrow (Wednesday) evening, 7:30-8:30pm. We’ll open up the “zoom room” at 7:15 in case people want to log on early and chat. We’ll start at 7:30pm sharp with some teaching, then a focused break-out group, and more teaching. It will end at 8:30 sharp.

Christ's body + Our bodies + The body

Dear Trinity,

Philosophers will tell you that we have been on a headlong flight into dis-embodiment since the Enlightenment. As our values become more privatized, as our identity is centered on "I think, therefore I am," it is easy in this modern world to think that we are mere "islands" - rushing around with our agendas, not really facing our intrinsic need for physical contact, our need for others, or our basic loneliness.  

But Covid-19 has changed all that. 

As we are forced to meet online, as we cannot see or touch other people, our embodiment is something we must reckon with again. And isn't it wonderful (mysterious! crazy!) that God has already reckoned with our embodiment - and celebrates it? His blessing on our bodies, our need for connection, is all held in that mysterious gift/phrase he left us called the "Body of Christ." 

Think about it: what first came to your mind with the phrase "body of Christ": did you first think about communion (the "body of Christ")? or did you first think about being part of the local and worldwide church (also called his body!)

There is a wonderful and intentional ambiguity about this phrase - does this refer to us? to him? or is that precisely the point? 

Perhaps more than any other Church Father, Augustine - in the 4th century AD - loved the interplay of these words. One Sunday, when preaching to his small (and lucky!) congregation, he explained communion to them as: 

This is the Body of Christ: behold what you are; become what you receive.

I imagine him holding up the communion loaf, and reminding them that in some mysterious way they are face to face with Jesus. And also with themselves. And that their journey is not over - that they had a lot of "becoming" yet to do.  Over the past few weeks, Carson and I have been reviewing our liturgy, various Anglican liturgies, and working on coordinating them with the church calendar. We are going to adopt this remarkable phrase from Augustine into one of our seasonal communion liturgies as a reminder of how important Jesus' body is for our spiritual journey. We ARE the body of Christ. And as we become more and more like him, this is a journey for our whole selves - bodies, relationships, addictions, work, family. May we become what we receive, to greater and greater depths. Julie PS I had to add the photo of Matt prepping communion, both to assure you how safely we are preparing this for you - but also the irony of Matt, masked, putting the elements into separate little brown bags. I love how this is not a problem for the God who redeems all things and all circumstances! It reminds me that we are all anxious for the day when we can gather again and partake of one loaf and one cup, reminding us of our true identity as united to Christ, and united in Christ. 

Coronavirus Psalm

Dear Trinity,

On Sunday, we talked about the Psalms and the vital role they have played in the formation of Christians (and Jews) for years. We noted (with the help of a 13th century illuminated page from a musical Psalter) their significance in the prayer life of monks, who sing their way through all 150 Psalms every week, 52 times a year, for years on end. We wondered how that would shape our hearts and minds, if we were to make our way through all 150 Psalms a week! 500 years ago, Calvin called the Psalms the "Anatomy of the Soul" because they have the unique ability to help us articulate what is happening inside of us, in the presence of the Lord. And in this time of "sheltering in place" we have a lot that is happening inside of us!

I love how the Psalms persistently ask God questions - and help us do the same. But I have also noticed how they do not ask "why me?" but "how long?" There are nine "How Long?!" Psalms in the Bible. Psalm 13 is one of them, and it begins with five questions to God:

- how long?

- how long will you forget me?

- how long will you hide your face from me?

- how long must I wrestle with my thoughts?

- how long will my enemy triumph over me?

Embedded in the honest question "how long" is the belief that God will yet be faithful. The "why me" question does not orient us outside of ourselves to hope (even if it is long in coming), but causes us to spiral downward - focusing on ourselves and our misfortune. The patristic fathers called this being "incurvatus in se" - curved in upon ourselves. This was their main definition of sin! So let us together learn from the language of the Psalms and turn "excurvatus" (outwards) toward God and others, even as we wrestle honestly with our questions and hurt.

To this end, I'd like to introduce you to this folksy Psalm 13 - a Psalm of Lament for our unfamiliar times. I had slotted us to learn it during Lent, but since we have not been meeting together, we haven't had the opportunity to learn it. Let it be your (and your family's) prayer!

https://bifrostartsmusic.bandcamp.com/track/how-long

And finally, here is the opening portion of the "Coronavirus Psalm" (as we are calling Psalm 2) that Matt read at his liturgical station:

Why all the hubbub? Why all the plotting, people? Why all the conniving and complaining? Celebrities and politicians are parrots and parodies, Repeating the same talking points,  Rejecting God and his chosen King.

We wanted to introduce you to its translator: our friend Pete Santucci. He has made the Psalms very fresh in this new version, published as "Everyday Psalms" earlier this year. He is offering his book for $1 (electronic) to Friends & Family during this coronavirus season. We highly recommend it! Learn the anatomy of your own soul, and God's as well, through this unique translation as we wait and ask the Lord "how long?"

Julie

P.S. - Here is a wonderful message on WAITING from Bishop Ken (click the video below). It is so encouraging! Bishop Ken will be coming at some point this year to lead our youth confirmations. Spend some time getting to know this wonderful shepherd! (The word bishop in Greek means "shepherd of the shepherds").