What does it mean to be in relationship?

How do we understand the nature of our relationships: with God, with ourself, and with another (or an other)?

We are relational beings. Some can and will say that we cannot exist without others, in support or in companionship. But what does it mean to be in relationship? How are our relationships defined and shaped?

It is simpler (and I believe that is a relative term here) to be in relationship with God. Simple in so far as we can only understand God as a relationship. We cannot imagine God and humans in any other form except in relationship. But how much of that relationship is us and how much of that relationship is God? One could rightly say that the relationship is governed by God and God's providential actions to and for us. But what about us? Where is our free will included in the "equation?"

As I progress in my call to ordination I am troubled by a couple questions:
1. How do I live my relationship with God in and through my relationship with God's people? How are these relationships tempered by the presence or influence of the church (or other Christians)? Is my relationship different when I am in relationship with others in or at Church, in worship? Is my relationship different when I meet the other (Christian or otherwise) outside the confines of the Church?
2. How does my relationship with God impact my worship, both as a participant and a leader? How much do I have to do with the liturgy (the order and practice of worship)?

We (hopefully we all do) often struggle with the nature of our relationship with God and how that relationship shows in our relationships with others. Our nature is the single thing that we can bring to any relationship - but living into and with our nature is a difficult thing for me (and maybe many others).

Grace and peace to you all during this Easter Season!

The Ordination of a Priest - what I must affirm

The Ordination of a priest: What does the Church ask of all who are answering the call to ordination as a Priest in the Episcopal Church?

As a priest, it will be your task to proclaim by word and deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to fashion your life in accordance with its precepts. You are to love and serve the people among whom you work, caring alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor. You are to preach, to declare God’s forgiveness to penitent sinners, to pronounce God’s blessing, to share in the administration of Holy Baptism and in the celebration of the mysteries of Christ’s Body and Blood, and to perform the other ministrations entrusted to you.

In all that you do, you are to nourish Christ’s people from the riches of his grace, and strengthen them to glorify God in this life and in the life to come.

Bishop: My brother, do you believe that you are truly called by God and his Church to this priesthood?
Answer: I believe I am so called.

Bishop: Do you now in the presence of the Church commit yourself to this trust and responsibility?
Answer: I do.

Bishop: Will you respect and be guided by the pastoral direction and leadership of your bishop?
Answer: I will.

Bishop: Will you be diligent in the reading and study of the Holy Scriptures, and in seeking the knowledge of such things as may make you a stronger and more able minister of Christ?
Answer: I will.

Bishop: Will you endeavor so to minister the Word of God and the sacraments of the New Covenant, that the reconciling love of Christ may be known and received?
Answer: I will.

Bishop: Will you undertake to be a faithful pastor to all whom you are called to serve, laboring together with them and with your fellow ministers to build up the family of God?
Answer: I will.

Bishop: Will you do your best to pattern your life [and that of your family, or household, or community] in accordance with the teachings of Christ, so that you may be a wholesome example to your people?
Answer: I will.

Bishop: Will you persevere in prayer, both in public and in private, asking God’s grace, both for yourself and for others, offering all your labors to God, through the mediation of Jesus Christ, and in the sanctification of the Holy Spirit?
Answer: I will.

How am I living into the affirmative answers to these questions? How do I live my life to reflect these things in the world around me?

Taken from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, pages 531-532.

What is our call to ministry?

An interesting reflection for someone who likes concrete things (being a Myers-Briggs ESFJ) and understanding things:

I was asked about how I dealt with not being able to understand God (because there is no way to truly understand God).

My reflection is: in my life, it's less about understanding God but rather, it's about recognizing God and God's presence in the here and now. I know that I'll never understand God, even if I had forever to try, but my "job" is to try to recognize and help others recognize God's presence here, regardless of the situation or condition of the moment.

A second question had to do with my desire to fix things. How is it that I appreciated working in an environment where I couldn't, and knew I couldn't, fix things?

My realization is that when it comes to my real life, fixing is actually finding the presence of God and letting that be enough to fix the issue. Not as much a fait accompli, but the realization that there are many things that can't be fixed by human hands but that the movement of God and the Holy Spirit will make things anew.

A question to ponder: What is it about the Resurrection that makes that event the incarnational event in the lives of Christians and the Christian Church? I believe that the Resurrection (1) defines who we are as a people, and (2) sets the stage for all that has come to be and that will continue to be as God works in and through the world. So how does this reflection impact who we are and how we operate as faithful followers of God through Christ?

Peace dear friends.