Respect for the Body of Christ

Earlier this year, I was in Maine and visited an histories Episcopal Church where I came across a pastoral letter from the Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Maine. He wrote “that on the near horizon are two events that will affect all of our churches. The first is the upcoming General Convention in Indianapolis and likely votes on the Anglican Covenant and on a liturgy for the blessing of same gender couples. the second is Maine’s November ballot initiative on marriage equality.


“As we enter into this season of dialogue and undoubtedly intense emotion, I want to remind us all that the gay and lesbian persons who are referred to and talked about in our conversations are members of our congregations. They are households and families. They are children of God and members of the Body of Christ – not issues or statistics. Our conversation must reflect our deep awareness of this fact and remain respectful and gracious at all times. I ask your particular awareness of children whose parents may be referred to in our conversations…


“The votes that are held this summer and this fall will not resolve or close the issues related to faith and sexuality. We will continue to address these issues for the foreseeable future. And we will all still be together in the Church. In invite you to enter into the coming conversations in such awareness and to address one another as persons in whom Christ resides – as indeed he does.

“God grant us the grace and skill to engage in deep conversation, to differ in love, and to join at God’s table for nurture, renewal and forgiveness.”

The emphasis is added. One of the great sadnesses in my ministry has been the letter that I received that were lacking in this fundamental awareness, that we are together members of the Body of Christ.

Saints

“I am not advocating world-movements or public meetings... my appeal is rather to the individual conscience than to the public ear; my hope is rather to see the emergence of a Saint, than that of an organization...
    “There is no harm in besieging heaven for the canonization of such and such holy persons now dead. But should we not do well to vary these petitions of ours by asking for more Saints to canonize?”

Ronald Knox, in "God and the Atom"