You know, it is very hard to put your money where your mouth is.
As a Christian, and one who is going to be a Priest for "you know who's" sake, I should forgive and not judge. We'll it became totally clear today that walking the walk must sometimes be done in a wheel chair. One of my top five materialistic possessions was stolen today. My sturdy ipod has gone away................
I was at my job teaching, and I was completing a unit on Mozart. I know I teach art, but I wanted the kids to know that that the art of the Rococo period had some redeeming accomplishment associated with it. So anyway, I took my kids to break and someone did not close the door behind them.
We'll lets just say the open door was taken advantage of and the ipod was stolen. It wasn't a great ipod, only 20 GB in a world of terabytes. It would be easily replaceable if I wasn't preparing to go to Seminary. But, how do you go about replacing a material object that you dont have to have, when you usually rale against our need for materialistic "things".
Seems to be a bit hypocritical doesnt it?
It is and I readily admit it. It is just a bit maddening to be a guy in which music is such an integral part of their life. It is my tool for contemplative prayer, I can't work out without tunes either. Im the geek who lovingly arranges his playlist by genre and sub categories within genres. I'm the guy who bought a new car stereo for the ipod. I make roadtrip playlists for my wife.....
I think I'm going to be a mess for a while, a pissed off mess.
But, I guess it will be alright to be a pissed off mess for a while even if your going to be a Priest. A Priest that I known gave a homily that said that when he is asked "Are you a Christian?", he always replies "I hope to be". In other words, he's still working on it. So, this will pass. I'll get a new ipod, albeit with less GB and so small that Tapis restaurants serve sides of meat larger than it, so small that I will need a necklace around my neck so not to lose it like a latch key kids first key in seventh grade.
But, for now I'll be messed up and pissed off, for a little while.....just a bit maybe.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
How to say "I F**ked Up"
WARNING- This blog is a bit of a rant, so if you want reconciliatory tones
this is not the blog you want to read. When we find ourselves on the ragged edge of the parabolic curve of truth- why not exorcise the anger by constructively, logically working through it with words. If we used words, maybe many messes could be avoided. Sometimes, we all get a bit angry about the state of the world and expectations that are put upon people. Sometimes, I get a little perturbed with the seemingly ever increasing oxymoronic turns this world can give us. For example, pro -life and pro-death penalty. Keep em alive until they piss us off...... (That felt good, see words work!)
But, that's enough for now I'll blog on that one later..................
Here goes -
I was reading the journal meditation for today. It was about the fear of failure. In my life the fear of failure was not about fearing imperfection, but being so insecure that I could not admit failure. It was not like I was a coward who knew I made a mistake. I was actually convinced that it was always someone besides myself who was to blame for all of the Earth's, as well as my problems. I finally figured out it was my esteem that did not allow me to own mistakes. It was the lack of self respect I had for myself that forced me to maintain a perfect self image. In other words, I could not own up to mistakes because that would make me (gasp) human...........
In other words, "Unable to accept ourselves as we really are, we wear ourselves out in an effort to become unimpeachable"
I guess this means one of the greatest gifts is be able to say with hearty bravado "I fecked up"* and mean it with all of your heart. *(I'm using feck instead of "the other", due to the popularity of feck vs "the other" with Irish clergy)
Go on, you'll enjoy it so much.
So let's examine "I fecked up" in it's proper place in our society. Let us ponder the good times to use this most useful of all F bombs and when to not.
How does this fit in with our lives on a regular and global basis. We see our leaders "f up" all of the time. As an Anglican, I was painfully aware of blunders being made when the Archbishop of Canterbury made some comments that were not really ready for "prime time soundbyte land" about sharia law in the UK. The speech he gave was dense. Perhaps, to his own detrament he failed to realize he now has a global audience. He failed to realize that all of those guys with microphones and cameras were going to transmit all that he said to all of the whole world. Not only that, but they were going to transmit only what they wanted the world to hear to the world. This would logically mean, in our free market were media is the king of all commodities, that the most entertaining would be published.
It is fair to say that the Archbishop speaks in dense prose, a prose that is not easily transferable to the quick sound byte. To his defense, the Archbishop did speak on the "gaff of intellligence" at the Church of Englands Synod where he explained his position very thoroughly. He also published a "What I really said" article on his website. the controversy is no longer on the top of world news on my Google News, so I sigh with relief.
So, how does this pertain to the "I fecked up" rule?
When you cause a commotion because of words, you are clear. No need to drop the glorious redeming penitital "f" bomb. I am glad the Archbishop did not apologize for thinking and speaking deeply. In fact, I trust that most of us want a leader smarter than ourselves.
Now, with your permission, I move to a totally different application of the ethical use of "I fecked up". Some of you may have guessed that I am an Anglican. While this is true, I am also an American and I live with one of the most outrageous failures to obey the "I fecked up" rule.
I am speaking, of course, of the "opsa daisy" that has been our foreign policy for the last 8 years.When this country has tortured, bombed, killed and maimed thousands (inclusively- not for each previous category, but I guess that depends on your definition of torture), due to an intelligence mistake. I would say "I fecked up" is most apt. It is apt to say it to the Iraqi people, the American troops and their families and especially the Iraqi, American, and Coalition orphans. It is apt to say this to the victims of sectarian violence.
I do know that the possibility of a better nation exist for the Iraqis. I also know Saddam Hussein was probably not a misunderstood freedom fighter, neither is Castro, but there is no shock and awe over Havanna or Darfur, for that matter. So, I am a little concerned about the logical applications of our "Regime Change Policy" and the criteria for picking out the next suitable regime to be changed.
What is done is done and we have a mess on our hands, and unfortunately theirs. But, I still would love for someone to stand up and say "I'm sorry, We fecked up". Hopefully,and I pray this will happen soon, this will be done at a venue that the "F bomb" will be inapppropriate- after all children will be present.
So, for the penitental season of Lent let's apologize, not only to God, but our neighbor- all of our neighbors.
this is not the blog you want to read. When we find ourselves on the ragged edge of the parabolic curve of truth- why not exorcise the anger by constructively, logically working through it with words. If we used words, maybe many messes could be avoided. Sometimes, we all get a bit angry about the state of the world and expectations that are put upon people. Sometimes, I get a little perturbed with the seemingly ever increasing oxymoronic turns this world can give us. For example, pro -life and pro-death penalty. Keep em alive until they piss us off...... (That felt good, see words work!)
But, that's enough for now I'll blog on that one later..................
Here goes -
I was reading the journal meditation for today. It was about the fear of failure. In my life the fear of failure was not about fearing imperfection, but being so insecure that I could not admit failure. It was not like I was a coward who knew I made a mistake. I was actually convinced that it was always someone besides myself who was to blame for all of the Earth's, as well as my problems. I finally figured out it was my esteem that did not allow me to own mistakes. It was the lack of self respect I had for myself that forced me to maintain a perfect self image. In other words, I could not own up to mistakes because that would make me (gasp) human...........
In other words, "Unable to accept ourselves as we really are, we wear ourselves out in an effort to become unimpeachable"
I guess this means one of the greatest gifts is be able to say with hearty bravado "I fecked up"* and mean it with all of your heart. *(I'm using feck instead of "the other", due to the popularity of feck vs "the other" with Irish clergy)
Go on, you'll enjoy it so much.
So let's examine "I fecked up" in it's proper place in our society. Let us ponder the good times to use this most useful of all F bombs and when to not.
How does this fit in with our lives on a regular and global basis. We see our leaders "f up" all of the time. As an Anglican, I was painfully aware of blunders being made when the Archbishop of Canterbury made some comments that were not really ready for "prime time soundbyte land" about sharia law in the UK. The speech he gave was dense. Perhaps, to his own detrament he failed to realize he now has a global audience. He failed to realize that all of those guys with microphones and cameras were going to transmit all that he said to all of the whole world. Not only that, but they were going to transmit only what they wanted the world to hear to the world. This would logically mean, in our free market were media is the king of all commodities, that the most entertaining would be published.
It is fair to say that the Archbishop speaks in dense prose, a prose that is not easily transferable to the quick sound byte. To his defense, the Archbishop did speak on the "gaff of intellligence" at the Church of Englands Synod where he explained his position very thoroughly. He also published a "What I really said" article on his website. the controversy is no longer on the top of world news on my Google News, so I sigh with relief.
So, how does this pertain to the "I fecked up" rule?
When you cause a commotion because of words, you are clear. No need to drop the glorious redeming penitital "f" bomb. I am glad the Archbishop did not apologize for thinking and speaking deeply. In fact, I trust that most of us want a leader smarter than ourselves.
Now, with your permission, I move to a totally different application of the ethical use of "I fecked up". Some of you may have guessed that I am an Anglican. While this is true, I am also an American and I live with one of the most outrageous failures to obey the "I fecked up" rule.
I am speaking, of course, of the "opsa daisy" that has been our foreign policy for the last 8 years.When this country has tortured, bombed, killed and maimed thousands (inclusively- not for each previous category, but I guess that depends on your definition of torture), due to an intelligence mistake. I would say "I fecked up" is most apt. It is apt to say it to the Iraqi people, the American troops and their families and especially the Iraqi, American, and Coalition orphans. It is apt to say this to the victims of sectarian violence.
I do know that the possibility of a better nation exist for the Iraqis. I also know Saddam Hussein was probably not a misunderstood freedom fighter, neither is Castro, but there is no shock and awe over Havanna or Darfur, for that matter. So, I am a little concerned about the logical applications of our "Regime Change Policy" and the criteria for picking out the next suitable regime to be changed.
What is done is done and we have a mess on our hands, and unfortunately theirs. But, I still would love for someone to stand up and say "I'm sorry, We fecked up". Hopefully,and I pray this will happen soon, this will be done at a venue that the "F bomb" will be inapppropriate- after all children will be present.
So, for the penitental season of Lent let's apologize, not only to God, but our neighbor- all of our neighbors.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Ecstatic Vision and Sinful Frenzy
"The step between Ecstatic Vision and Sinful Frenzy is all to brief"- Umberto Eco
This quote reminds me of the problems that our spirituality, whether secular or non secular, that we must confront and come to grips with all of the time. The problem is an inability to bend. Is our spirituality a reed blowing with the winds of our times that rejuvinates with nurturing or a brittle unyielding concrete pillar? When our spirituality (whether beliefs, faith, or the absence of any) becomes unyeilding it breeds intolerence and a type of legalistic dogma that does not reconcile, it seperates. All of the great faith and spiritual traditions expound love over hate, and compassion over intolerance. No matter what tradition one walks in- the view of the higher truth (whether it be mindfulness, God, compassion, or humanities oneness with nature) always shows forth a route laced with compassion.
This is where the quote comes in- While we are all wrapped in the ecstasy of being a part of something larger, something divine, we must watch to make sure that these intense feelings of inclusivness and enlightenment do not put us into a frame of mind that breeds predjudice and condesention. This is the sinfullness of exclusive sects. Sects that condemn one to hell (or at least the secular contention that one is destined to live a life of stupidity) really miss the point of the inclusivness and reconciliation of spirituality.
In November of 2006, I was lucky enough to be able to attend the installation of the Episcopal Churches' new Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Shori at the National Cathedral.While there I was overjoyed to see representatives of all of some of the great faith traditions. Buddhist, Moslem, Hindu, Jewish and many different sects of my own tradition Christainity. This made me feel very much a part of a community which values and respects other faith traditions. According to some theologians, other faith traditions have insights that are different from ours, these insights do not make us any less of an adherent to our own traditions. They can even bolster our own adherence to our respective traditions and add to our own spiritual maturity.This respected voice adds"-"After all, we dont have gods, we have God" and I will add- "if God is love- dont we all have love?" Is love, no matter what tradition or way it shows up, not an ecstatic vision for the world?
This quote reminds me of the problems that our spirituality, whether secular or non secular, that we must confront and come to grips with all of the time. The problem is an inability to bend. Is our spirituality a reed blowing with the winds of our times that rejuvinates with nurturing or a brittle unyielding concrete pillar? When our spirituality (whether beliefs, faith, or the absence of any) becomes unyeilding it breeds intolerence and a type of legalistic dogma that does not reconcile, it seperates. All of the great faith and spiritual traditions expound love over hate, and compassion over intolerance. No matter what tradition one walks in- the view of the higher truth (whether it be mindfulness, God, compassion, or humanities oneness with nature) always shows forth a route laced with compassion.
This is where the quote comes in- While we are all wrapped in the ecstasy of being a part of something larger, something divine, we must watch to make sure that these intense feelings of inclusivness and enlightenment do not put us into a frame of mind that breeds predjudice and condesention. This is the sinfullness of exclusive sects. Sects that condemn one to hell (or at least the secular contention that one is destined to live a life of stupidity) really miss the point of the inclusivness and reconciliation of spirituality.
In November of 2006, I was lucky enough to be able to attend the installation of the Episcopal Churches' new Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Shori at the National Cathedral.While there I was overjoyed to see representatives of all of some of the great faith traditions. Buddhist, Moslem, Hindu, Jewish and many different sects of my own tradition Christainity. This made me feel very much a part of a community which values and respects other faith traditions. According to some theologians, other faith traditions have insights that are different from ours, these insights do not make us any less of an adherent to our own traditions. They can even bolster our own adherence to our respective traditions and add to our own spiritual maturity.This respected voice adds"-"After all, we dont have gods, we have God" and I will add- "if God is love- dont we all have love?" Is love, no matter what tradition or way it shows up, not an ecstatic vision for the world?
Moral Voting?
We have all been inundated by the claim that moral issues are at the center of our public and political brokenness. We witness atrocities and blame the culture of our nation, and now since globalization, the world. We blame a lack of Faith and piety for all that ails our country and the world. We are electing leaders that promote themselves as the "saviors" of America's "moral high ground". These leaders have focused on issues like choice, same sex marriage, and stem cell research and carried them into the battles of election season. Many people have voted for them in the name of ethics and moral righteousness. I must, also, admit that my beliefs make some of the views I held as a college student hard to justify. But, I must ask what are the real issues that are being voted for and, more importantly, what moral issues are being left out of the discussion? As a follower of Christ and a student of other traditions, I am unfortunately angered by the contentions of some that our morality depends on very narrow issues. These issues are important. No matter how one feels, they help define us as a people; they are a part of our culture. My anger comes from the idea that most of these moral issues are issues of comfort. In other words, same sex marriage, and other "moral issues" make some in our population uncomfortable. If these issues were truly moral, why would we not be addressing the issue that deals with the millions of children without health insurance? Why would we not be addressing poverty in this country, unfair trade practices within the third world perpetrated by American Corporations. Why are we neglecting Darfur? Can a normal person afford to run for public office or have we created a pseudo republic? Will our children be able to simply breathe and survive on our planet?When thinking about the upcoming choices we will make as Americans, I know that I will have some compromises to make. Hopefully the reconciling and compassionate nature of my faith and all of our different traditions will shine forth. I hope morality will become more than an issue of comfort to us all.
Burlap Underwear and Lent
Ever get stuck trying to figure out something to give up for Lent?
I think we all go through it. We ask "What's good enough", and make grand statements like "Chocolate is Whimpy" and "Where in the depths of Poopy Land (trying to give up cursing... is that a Good Lenten fast?) is my Hair Shirt". When I was getting really ridiculous and shopping for patterns to make burlap underwear, I was given some kind advice by my Deacon, who said "Dont give up anything- Take something on!"
What a novel idea....................
I was still figuring out what to take on, (and I did give up itunes and amazon, so stock holders should sell now) when my wife gave me journaling book by Joan Chittister. Sister Joan is a Benedictine Nun who gives the Pope a heck of a time with her views on sin, womens ordination, and human sexuality. (she sounds like an Episcopalian to me. I wonder if anyone has invited her to take a walk on our side..................). Anyway, this book is a very special gift to me. This is due to the fact that my wife is not exactly what you would call overly religious. In other words, my wife's friends are still howling about the fact that she's going to end up married to a Priest. Howling for two years now.
So, back to the journaling. I will be journaling and reflecting on the journay of Lent with a voice that is less than authoritarian. I will speak with the authority of a mouse in the chancel.
I think we all go through it. We ask "What's good enough", and make grand statements like "Chocolate is Whimpy" and "Where in the depths of Poopy Land (trying to give up cursing... is that a Good Lenten fast?) is my Hair Shirt". When I was getting really ridiculous and shopping for patterns to make burlap underwear, I was given some kind advice by my Deacon, who said "Dont give up anything- Take something on!"
What a novel idea....................
I was still figuring out what to take on, (and I did give up itunes and amazon, so stock holders should sell now) when my wife gave me journaling book by Joan Chittister. Sister Joan is a Benedictine Nun who gives the Pope a heck of a time with her views on sin, womens ordination, and human sexuality. (she sounds like an Episcopalian to me. I wonder if anyone has invited her to take a walk on our side..................). Anyway, this book is a very special gift to me. This is due to the fact that my wife is not exactly what you would call overly religious. In other words, my wife's friends are still howling about the fact that she's going to end up married to a Priest. Howling for two years now.
So, back to the journaling. I will be journaling and reflecting on the journay of Lent with a voice that is less than authoritarian. I will speak with the authority of a mouse in the chancel.
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