Category: Episcopal Diocese of Ft. Worth

The Sacrament of Failure

Once when I was out jogging, I noticed that someone had taken chalk and written on the pavement in large letters,

The Race Goes Not Always to The Swift. . .But to Those Who Keep On Running.

Encouragement! Someone put those words there to encourage people who were running the race. Don’t give up! Keep on keeping on! There is value in the running of the race. There is victory in completing it.

Last Sunday's gospel reading reminded me of this. When Jesus sent the twelve apostles out on their mission, he let them know that not everyone would welcome them. "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town" (Matthew 9:14).

Encouragement! Jesus told them that to encourage them to continue in their mission even when they were not welcomed. A friend of mine once called this "the sacrament of failure." Jesus gave his apostles permission to fail and an outward sign that would help them leave that failure behind and continue in their mission.

The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews also knew there is value in running the race to its completion. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Keep us faithful always to You
Whatever the path we trod
That we might run with patience, Lord,
The race that is set before us.

And through it all may we praise Your Name,
For it is only by Your power,
That we can run with patience, Lord,
The race that is set before us.

A missionary people need encouragement to persevere in the work of Christ, especially in a time such as this. He’s in it with us. Every age and mission outpost has its challenges. If we will continue to faithfully put one foot in front of the other, Jesus will provide what is needed to endure and to transcend the challenges. When we fail while trying, he will keep us from settling into that failure and help us move on toward completion.

As my wife, Gay, once said, “Life is not about falling down. . .it’s about getting up and trying again.” Let us encourage one another to continue in the life and work of Christ.

Blessings,

The Very Rev'd Ron Pogue
Interim Rector
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
Keller, Texas

June 18, 2020
Does My Faith Work?
Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness’, and he was called the friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone…For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.

(James 2:23-24, 26)

For almost all of my 48 years of ordained ministry, I have advocated openly for the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our society. In light of that, no one who knows me is more surprised than I am at my reticence in addressing the issues of our day. I have been confused by various versions of the facts. I have struggled with many emotions such as shock, despair, grief, disappointment, failure, and anger, perhaps made more pronounced by the long period of isolation due to the Coronavirus. I have not used my voice because I simply could not get to the place where I thought I might be able to find words that would help rather than make matters worse. I’m going to try today to state what I believe and what I believe our response can be.

Unity – I believe that it is the responsibility of leaders to speak and behave in ways that draw people together rather than drive them apart. So, I want what I have to say to cast a vision of a better future and call forth the best in people to work together for good. The work that lies before represents our role in the answer to our prayer, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Divisive partisan rhetoric is damaging the unity that is necessary in order for our nation to pursue the noble vision of the Founders. In addition to that, the Christian faith is being used in ways that encourage disunity. Remember that our Savior prayed for his followers, “That they may be one.” Let’s tell our favorite politicians to stop the divisive rhetoric. Differences are inevitable, but politics is supposed to be about finding ways to resolve differences.

Systemic Racism – I believe that we must heal the systemic racism that continues to oppress people of color. We don’t live our lives in isolation from others. We belong to families, companies, schools, churches, political parties, communities, and many other groups. Each of those groups is a “system.” So, to say that racism is systemic is to acknowledge that the systems in which we function with others, long ago infected with the disease of racism, continue to manifest the symptoms of racism. The policies of retail systems continue to discriminate against people of color, such as locking up products intended for African Americans. The methods of restraint and degree of force used by police continue to be applied more severely with people of color. Our legal system continues to mete out more and harsher penalties to people of color, especially if they are poor and can’t hire a prestigious law firm to represent them. People of color who can’t afford private schools often continue to find themselves in segregated classrooms.

Systems don’t heal themselves. The people who live in them have to take intentional actions to transform them and heal them. Junior Warden Christopher Mullaney has a quote from Mahatma Gandhi at the bottom of his emails that sums it up: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” I must address the infection in the systems of which I am a part as well as the infection in my own soul. We as Christians, especially privileged white Christians, need to get to work to heal the systemic racism that is oppressing and killing our neighbors.

Law Enforcement Reform – I believe that we must insist on law enforcement reform. I grieve the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Like so many who have fallen before them, they are victims of an unhealthy system. The involvement of law enforcement personnel in their deaths is a slap in the face of their colleagues as well as all those they are sworn to protect and to serve. So is the fear of retribution, inherent in many police systems, making other officers reluctant to intervene. I believe that most law enforcement officers serve with honor and integrity. But the consequences for those who tarnish their badge are not working. Greater accountability needs to be put in place. Some assignments given to police should be assigned to others. Painful or deadly procedures that are allowed must be reviewed and modified. The purpose of policing should be reviewed. Officers who intervene and report violations have to be protected. As we think about these issues, let us be mindful of the abuse Jesus suffered at the hands of his captors.

Protests – I believe that we need to listen to the voices of those who have taken to the streets because other methods of getting our attention have not worked. I support peaceful protests and condemn the actions of those who took advantage of the protests to destroy property, steal, and hurt others. Their actions actually interfered with the protesters’ legitimate right to assemble and speak freely. The actions of those who have used force and chemical agents against peaceful protesters, including clergy, likewise interfered with those legitimate rights. We can follow the example of Bishop Mariann Budde and sit down with protesters so we can listen and, hopefully, hear what they are trying to say. We will probably learn something and find ways to do something.

Inequality – I believe we must address wealth and income inequality in our society. The unequal distribution of resources exacerbates so many social problems and people of color are affected most of all. Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler is a reminder to Christians that we must not be possessed by our possessions. He also pointed out that “The love of money is the root of all evil.” The observation that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer is no longer an adage; it is a fact. Laws, policies, corporate governance that ignores this fact are doing great harm to our common life. Let’s work to understand and to change this.

God's Creation – I believe that human beings have to stop damaging God’s creation. We are called to be stewards of creation and to use its resources wisely. When people are allowed to do harm to creation, we all suffer and those who come after us will suffer even more. Let’s make sure those who make environmental laws and those who must abide by them take this seriously.

To Sum it Up – On the Day of Pentecost, the Sunday after George Floyd was killed, we reaffirmed our Baptismal vows.
- Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
- Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
- Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
- Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
- Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
To each of these questions, we answered, “I will, with God's help.”

These vows are disciplines that define us as disciples of Jesus Christ, the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls. In our response to the unrest, division, injustice, and outrage that is becoming a part of our daily experience, can we hold these vows in our hearts and minds and practice them as disciplines? Can we ask for God’s help to understand the implications of our Baptism for our words and actions? Can we ask ourselves, “How am I living these vows in relation to everything God has given me, the neighbors with whom I disagree and can’t understand, and my own spiritual health?"

My personal mission begins with fostering hope. I want this message to foster hope in this community of Christ’s disciples and beyond. In Paula Jefferson’s sermon on Trinity Sunday, she encouraged us to let God open our eyes. In the Eucharistic Prayer, we ask God to “open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world around us.” I’ve been praying that prayer as I’ve watched all of the horrible things I have listed above and God has responded by showing me signs of many good things as well:

I am heartened by the youth and diversity of those who are calling for change.

I am impressed by the restraint of so many law enforcement officers in the face of provocation.

I am touched by the clergy and volunteers at churches on protest routes around the country who are providing water, snacks, band aids, and listening ears to those in the streets.

I am moved by the calls for peace, justice, and reform from religious and civic leaders.

I am inspired by the examples of police chiefs walking hand in hand with protesters.

I am amazed by the people who came out to line the route of George Floyd’s funeral procession.

I am encouraged by actions already taken to begin reforms in policing.

I am motivated by the words of Dr. Shafi, Councilman in the City of Southlake, Texas: "Please join me in building strong, inclusive communities, where every person, every family, and every child is loved, respected, and cherished."

I am cheered by the children in the scenes I’ve seen in attendance at protests and other gatherings, including some of our own children from St. Martin’s whose parents are teaching them what this is all about.

So, let us daily ask God to open our eyes to see the hurt and anger and need that requires our attention and action. Let's put our faith into works of mercy, peace, and justice. May God also open our eyes to see places where God is already at work bringing faith, hope, and love in ways that heal and transform lives so that we can join God in that mission. Let us watch for those places where God’s people “walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.”

Blessings,

The Very Rev'd Ron Pogue
Interim Rector
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
Keller, Texas
June 12, 2020
When Something Really Matters, We Discipline Ourselves
Public health experts have asked us to protect one another from the Coronavirus by wearing a face mask when we are out in public. Some of our fellow citizens see this as an example of some enemy trying to take away our civil liberties. They are up in arms about it. Literally. Although the data says that 84% of the population are willing to wear masks, all the sound and fury makes it appear that is the other way around.

This is an opportunity to take notice of and commend the 84% who are willing to wear masks. It is evidence that when something really matters, most of us will discipline ourselves to take care of it. For example:
- In relationships that matter, we make time for others, stay in touch, remember birthdays, give gifts.
- In work that matters, we arrive on time, do our best, take pride in the product or service, maintain loyalty.
- In regard to the environment, we conserve natural resources, refrain from polluting, use recycled materials.
- In regard to family, we show up for meals, we contribute, we encourage each other, we protect, we provide, we help each other grow physically, spiritually, and intellectually.
- In athletic competition, we wear team logos and apparel, attend games, tune in for broadcasts, cheer without restraint, and, if we're on the team, we show up for practice, train, and do our part for the team.
- In regard to our health, we maintain an exercise routine, get plenty of rest, avoid foods and other substances that are harmful, have regular checkups.
Why are we willing to discipline ourselves? Because these things matter and we are human beings. Humans have this amazing ability to take care of what's important. Christians call it "stewardship." We believe we were given this ability by our Creator in the very beginning.

It is often easy to discipline ourselves. But sometimes it is difficult. When we experience the difficulty, it is an opportunity to fully engage the gift of stewardship that other creatures do not have. Other creatures are limited mostly by instinct and conditioning. Humans are not. Humans have the ability to create something new, to act with purpose, to agree or disagree, to decide how to respond, to have complex two-way communication with each other and with the Creator. To be "only human" is to be the crowning glory of God's creation! To be "only human" is to be a member of the only race that has the vocation and privilege of stewardship.

I officiated at the funeral of a gentleman at a church I was serving as an interim. He was a top-flight accountant, churchman, family man, and community leader throughout his long life. On the way home from the cemetery, his family shared a photocopy of a card they found in his wallet. The card contained this prayer:

O Heavenly Father, who by Thy Son Jesus Christ hast taught us that all our possessions are a trust from Thee: Help me to be a faithful steward of my time, my talents, and my wealth, and gladly consecrate to Thy service all that Thou hast given me; and may I have grace to give myself to Thee. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

By this prayer, this man disciplined himself to be not just a steward, but a faithful one.

Let us take inventory of all that has been entrusted to us, especially those things that matter most. Then, let us ask God to help us be disciplined in how generously and faithfully we take care of this sacred trust. When it comes to the precautions we have been asked to take during this pandemic, my discipline protects you and your discipline protects me. It's a way to love one another and we all agree that love for one another really matters.

Blessings,

The Very Rev'd Ron Pogue
Interim Rector
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
Keller, Texas
May 28, 2020
Rogationtide – As we pray, so let us live.

Rogation Days are traditionally the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day. They originated in Vienne, France, in the fifth century when Bishop Mamertus introduced days of fasting and prayer to ward off a threatened disaster. In England they were associated with the blessing of the fields at planting. The vicar "beat the bounds" of the parish, processing around the fields reciting psalms and the litany. In the United States they have been associated with rural life and with agriculture and fishing and, more recently, their scope has been widened to include commerce and industry and the stewardship of creation. The term is from the Latin rogatio, "asking."

We are especially mindful that something is wrong with our world right now during the Coronavirus Pandemic. So, in the coming week, let us offer special prayers for the healing of the world that sustains our lives. As we pray, so let us live, that we may be good stewards of creation. The following prayers are from The Book of Common Prayer.

For Fruitful Seasons

Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth: We humbly pray
that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our
use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper
all who labor to gather them, that we, who are constantly
receiving good things from your hand, may always give you
thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

For Stewardship of Creation

O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the
needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for
your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the
account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards
of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with
you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.

For Knowledge of God’s Creation

Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with
all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and
the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we
probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know
you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your
eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Conservation of Natural Resources

Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth,
you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom
and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one
may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet
to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Harvest of Lands and Waters

O gracious Father, who openest thine hand and fillest all
things living with plenteousness: Bless the lands and waters,
and multiply the harvests of the world; let thy Spirit go
forth, that it may renew the face of the earth; show thy
loving kindness, that our land may give her increase; and
save us from selfish use of what thou givest, that men and
women everywhere may give thee thanks; through Christ
our Lord. Amen.

For the Future of the Human Race

O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us
dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before
the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes
for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in
making provision for its future in accordance with your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our prayers continue for all those impacted by the Coronavirus, for healthcare professionals, first responders, and scientists who are working so hard to protect others. Remember that my precautions protect you and your precautions protect me. This is an important way we can our neighbors as ourselves.

Blessings,

The Very Rev'd Ron Pogue
Interim Rector
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
Keller, Texas

May 15, 2020
Four Practices for Covidtide

The word “ecclesiastical” refers to the Church. It is derived from the Greek word ekklesia (ἐκκλησία). Ekklesia, which is translated Church, occurs 114 times in the New Testament. There seems to be strong consensus that its original secular meaning was a gathering of citizens called out by the herald from their homes into some public place; an assembly.

The Church, therefore, is a public gathering of Christ’s followers. For me, that is the hardest thing to reconcile during this time when we are counseled to stay at home, apart from one another. While I can’t quite solve the theological problem, I have discerned four practices that we as Christians can do for each other and the world at our doorsteps during this season I'm calling Covidtide. I offer them for your consideration.

We can stop thinking everything will soon be back to normal.

This pandemic is far from over. The number of new cases nationally continues to rise. People continue to die because of the virus. The search for and production of a treatment will take months. It may take more than a year to develop a vaccine. Those who are working in laboratories and hospitals are moving as fast as they can and are working incredible hours. My worrying and complaining is not going to help them. I can use my emotional and spiritual energies in better ways.

Even when we take a long view of how this will play out, we hear ourselves and others speak of a “new normal.” I heard a lot of that in 2008 after Hurricane Ike slammed into Galveston Island. What we discovered was that some things were permanently changed. What emerged as the months dragged on was not a new normal but a new reality.

After this pandemic has passed, what kind of persons do we want to be as we live into the new reality we are bound to experience? How can we look to the uncertain future with hope and purpose? What can we contribute to the new reality? What kind of church are we becoming? How will the lessons we learn in this crisis impact the mission to which God calls us?

“And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new’” (Revelation 21:5).

We can plan how to continue.

“Everyone wants to know when this will end,” said Devi Sridhar, a public-health expert at the University of Edinburgh. “That’s not the right question. The right question is: How do we continue?" That just about sums up the kind of work we need to be doing right now.

At St. Martin’s, we are engaging in that work. We have recruited a diverse group of people within the parish to help us develop a plan that will define how to continue. Yesterday evening, St. Martin’s Regathering Team had its first video conference. Fourteen of us reviewed the science, the philosophy, the morality, and the theology of how we ought to proceed. We discussed some extremely helpful work that has been shared by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas describing a phase approach that we think we can adapt for our use. We’ll meet again next week. Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, we'll be ready to take the plan to the Vestry and then to the parish. In each phase, church protocols will be determined by health characteristics that apply to our context. We will decide what the health characteristics will be, based on the best scientific and public health guidelines.

We plan to continue! So, understanding how we continue is paramount.

We can view our precautions as something we do for the sake of others.

Charles Kurkul, a physician who is a member of our St. Martin’s Regathering Team, was asked about how effective precautions such as masks and distancing are. He responded by saying, “Seat belts help save lives. So do brakes. Both are more effective when we use them together.”

We expect that regathering will happen in phases and that numbers of people following precautions will start small and gradually increase as long as the health characteristics are met. Practicing wearing masks and physical distancing while we are apart will make it easier and safer when we gather again.

When I’ve encountered people complaining about wearing masks and practicing physical distancing, my response has been, “My precautions protect you. Your precautions protect me.” That’s another way of saying, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). It’s also a way of loving God. “Those who say, ‘I love God’, and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen” (I John 4:20). Love for God and love for our neighbor are defining characteristics of the Christian community and each of its members.

We can uphold one another.

Paula Jefferson shared this reflection by Brother Curtis Almquist of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist: “We cannot do it alone. This isn’t private religion. We regularly need to be with other followers of Jesus with whom to pray and praise and worship, to listen and speak, and to sit at table and eat.”

We long for the time when we are able to gather around the Table at the Eucharistic Banquet. For now, let us uphold one another in ways that are appropriate. Pray for one another daily. Call, send an email or text message, have a video visit, tune in to our online worship services and virtual coffee hour, tell your story and listen to the stories of your sisters and brothers in Christ. There also have been and will be some safe opportunities for outreach to those in need.

We, who are all in this together during Covidtide, were all together before it started. Limiting contact does not mean limiting care. Let’s care for one another as we continue into the future God will set before us. The Holy Spirit is already preparing the way!

I close with this beautiful prayer for the Church.

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

– The Book of Common Prayer

Blessings,

The Very Rev'd Ron Pogue
Interim Rector
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
Keller, Texas

May 7, 2020
Reflections For This Strange Time

This is a strange time, isn’t it? Our routines, our diets, our outings, our socializing, our church-going, our screen time, our school, our work, our ways of caring, and so many other aspects of our ordinary, day-to-day lives are anything but normal. It is as if we’ve been uprooted and transported to a strange land and some days we wonder what the "new normal" will be like.

Maybe our feelings about this time are similar to the feelings of the Jews when they were herded off into captivity in Babylon. When they arrived, the Psalmist recalls:

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? (Psalm 137:1-4 KJV)

At first, the Jews resisted and complained about their captive state. Then, the Prophet Jeremiah brought them a message from God, telling them to adjust and seek the welfare of the strange city in which they were forced to live. He promised to eventually bring them back to their homeland. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV). We know that promise was fulfilled. We also know that, when they did return, what had been familiar a generation or two before was now strange and would never be the same again. They faced a new reality. And God gave them the wisdom and strength they needed to build again – not for the past, but for the future.

The Babylonian Captivity might be a metaphor for our life today in this strange situation. Like our ancient ancestors in faith, we can look forward to the strange new time ahead of us with confidence that God will be there too, showing us how to live in a new reality.

A colleague posted a comment the other day about something that occurred to him during his morning Bible study. He said that he came across a reference to the "new reality" of life in Christ and it occurred to him that term is preferable to the "new normal" we often hear about as we think what it will be like after the COVID-19 era is behind us. I, too, prefer that way of speaking and thinking about what lies ahead. After all, we are "new creatures."

W.H. Auden expressed it this way:

He is the Way.
Follow Him through the Land of Unlikeness;
You will see rare beasts, and have unique adventures.

He is the Truth.
Seek Him in the Kingdom of Anxiety;
You will come to a great city that has expected your return for years.

He is the Life.
Love Him in the World of the Flesh;
And at your marriage all its occasions shall dance for joy.

(W.H. Auden, For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio.)

Actually, for the last several weeks of life in the strange land of COVID-19, we haven’t sung the Lord’s song at St. Martin’s, have we? It’s strange for me to worship on a Sunday without either instrumental or vocal music. I’ve been trying to compensate by posting music on Facebook each afternoon. So, I’m glad to be able to announce that our new Organist/Choirmaster, Dr. Joseph Henry, has joined the staff and will be taking up the challenge of offering music in our online services in the days ahead. To begin with, we’ll have the organ. Later, we’ll add some hymns sung by a soloist. Maybe we’ll occasionally sing the Psalm. It is still not going to be the same. There will be an element of strangeness to it. But it will help us to move into the new reality that lies ahead, as God’s people have done so many times before, with faith, hope, and love.

Blessings,

The Very Rev'd Ron Pogue
Interim Rector
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
Keller, Texas

P.S. Here is a recording of the lines above by W.H. Auden. These are the verses of hymn 463 & 464 in the 1982 Hymnal of The Episcopal Church. It is sung by the The Choir of Royal Holloway in a setting by Carson Cooman.

April 30, 2020
Not When But How

Earlier this week, I was involved in a conversation with clergy colleagues about our current predicament during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Most of us have been asked when will we return to gathering physically for worship in our churches? We’ve also been asked when will we return to normal. A wise person reminded us that the important question is not “when” but “how.” Each worshiping community is set in its own unique context, has its own challenges, and must sort through its own resources to determine how we will move through this time into a brighter future.

The Wardens and I are working on the appointment of a “reentry team” to help us formulate a plan. As we do that, we are mindful that whenever we emerge on the other side of this crisis some things will be different. There will be changes. We recognize that everyone has some degree of difficulty with change, regardless of how beneficial or unavoidable it may be. At the same time, we know that human beings are endowed by our Creator with a remarkable capacity for change. In fact, the pages of sacred scripture are filled with examples of how the exercise of that capacity has impacted the story of God’s people. Also, in the New Testament, change is central to the message of Jesus Christ. “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14, 15). The Greek imperative metanoiete, which we translate “repent”, is a call to change one’s life.

Some biblical stories are about those who were able to make the changes necessary to be faithful to God, such as Abraham, Moses, David, and the Holy Apostles. Other stories tell us about those who were unable to make such changes, such as the people who were destroyed by the Great Flood, the generation of Hebrews who had been slaves in Egypt, several generations of Israelites whose apostasy resulted in defeat and captivity, the rich young man who came to Jesus, and, of course, Judas Iscariot.

There’s good change and there’s bad change and, quite often, there’s just change. Not all change is equal. But life, as God gives it, is one change after another. The struggle with change is bound up with the struggle with faith in God. Those who thrive are those who adopt a hopeful attitude toward our God-given potential, draw upon the uniquely human capacity for adaptation, and bring about purposeful refreshment, recreation, and renewal among the communities where they live and worship.

Simply put, our faith provides us with insight into how to draw upon that capacity for creative living and the advancement of God's redemptive purposes. People of faith have lived through crises and catastrophes before and this time will not be the last time. But this is our time! We want to be faithful stewards of that time. How we live use this time and how we journey through this transition as a community of faith is ours to discern, with God’s help.

One of my favorite prayers from the Book of Common Prayer came to mind as I was thinking about the relationship between change and faith. When I turned to it, I realized that it is a prayer that is primarily used in liturgies for times of significant transition in the Church’s life and liturgical cycle – such as Ordinations, the Celebration of a New Ministry, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter. It is a wonderful prayer for any time in the life of the Church, but especially when we are asked to make some sort of change as we progress in the journey of faith. I commend it to you today:

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look
favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred
mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry
out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world
see and know that things which were cast down are being
raised up, and things which had grown old are being made
new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection
by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus
Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Blessings to you and yours,

The Very Rev'd Ron Pogue
Interim Rector
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
Keller, Texas

P.S. Here's a hymn that explores the world of change God has made.

April 22, 2020
A New Commandment

Today is Maundy Thursday among Western Christians. It is the day we recall the experience of Jesus Christ with his Apostles in the Upper Room on the evening before his death. Because they were gathered there to celebrate the Passover Seder together, we mainly associate the day with the institution of the Holy Eucharist.

But the name for this day is derived from something else that happened in that Upper Room. The English word Maundy in the name for this day of Holy Week is derived from the Latin word mandatum, the first word of the phrase Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos ("I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another."), the statement by Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John 13:34 by which Jesus explained the significance of his action of washing the feet of the Apostles.

What kind of love has to be commanded? Obviously, the kind of love Jesus expects us to show for one another, which is a reflection of the kind of love Jesus shows for us. We sometimes call it "Love Divine" because it is the kind of love that is natural for God. It is not so natural for humans, so we have to be made conscious of the importance of it. We have to be commanded.

I once heard a sermon in which the preacher, in speaking about the Great Commandment, referred to Jesus as "the Commander." It is intriguing to think of Jesus Christ as "the Commander."

An analogy formed in my mind from my experience sailing on Elissa, the official Tall Ship of Texas. Elissa is a three-masted, iron-hulled sailing ship built in 1877 in Aberdeen, Scotland by Alexander Hall & Company. She carries nineteen sails covering over one-quarter of an acre in surface area. Her home port is Galveston, Texas and from there she sails from time to time during the year, usually on day sails, with a crew of dedicated and sturdy volunteers.

Originally, her crew consisted of about five or six. These days, the ship's crew is made up of about twenty-five. Twenty-four crew members sail her and one crew member is the cook. The Captain of the ship is usually brought in from some other part of the country to command the crew. He stands above the deck in a place where he can see where the ship is headed, where the crew members are deployed, and the position of all the sails. From that vantage point, he shouts commands such as "on the main," "on the fore," "batten down the hatches," and "come about." After the command is given, the crew members responsible for carrying it out shout it back to the commander, indicating that they not only heard the command but are carrying it out. This amazing litany of command and response onboard a massive sailing vessel makes it possible for the ship to sail on course and safely reach her destination.

Jesus Christ, our Commander, gives the command to love one another just as he has loved us. The response he awaits is for us not only to let him know we have heard the command, but to carry it out. "If you know these things," he promises, "you are blessed if you do them" (John 13:17).

Although it is a very long way from the image of Jesus bending down to wash the feet of his crew to the image of a naval commander shouting instructions to his, I believe there are many similarities when it comes to fulfilling a mission. Jesus issued the Great Commandment with a clear vision from a unique vantage point. The cooperation and welfare of his crew on their journey and safe arrival at a particular destination were his primary concerns. His own obedience to the mission was an inspiration to those from he sought obedience. Teamwork, cooperation, and oneness are necessary to complete the mission of a sailing vessel as well as the mission of Jesus Christ. His Great Commandment is still essential in carrying out his Great Commission.

If we want the world to believe in our Savior, we have to learn to fulfill his command. The way his love is lived out among his followers in word and action is our most authentic and believable witness. If doing for one another what he has done for us were so simple, he would never have put it into the form of a command.

Now that we know these things…

Blessings,

The Very Rev'd Ron Pogue
Interim Rector
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
Keller, Texas

April 9, 2020
Holy Week: A Time to Remember Who and Whose We Are

In Baptism, we are incorporated into the Paschal Mystery. That is, we are incorporated into the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His life is our life. His death is our death. His resurrection is our resurrection. It is for this reason that Christians observe Holy Week every year. It is a commemoration intended to put us in touch with that life which the world can neither give nor take away. It is a time to look at the Paschal Mystery and to recover our true identity, our authentic self, in him.

Five hundred years before Jesus rode into Jerusalem, Zechariah prophesied that the Messiah would be a king. Since the time of the Exile, no Jewish ruler had borne the title of king. “Look, your king is coming to you. Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion” (Zech. 9:9). The time was just right and the people were happy on that first Palm Sunday to acknowledge it.

They wished to crown him their king. In their enthusiasm, they missed the paradox. They saw the glory but overlooked the shadow. But Jesus was conscious of both.

He knew who he was, so the acclamations of the crowd did not impress him. He saw that their palm branches cast the shadow of a cross. He sensed that the kingly crown they were offering to him that day would become a crown of thorns by the end of the week. Jesus knew that the identity the world offered was not a secure identity, not a legitimate identity, and certainly not a dependable identity. No, for Jesus, the only true identity is consciousness of who we are in the eyes of our Creator.

To the disciples, on the next weekend, it must have looked like the world’s biggest failure, a cruel joke. Imagine being sucked in to a group like “the Twelve.” To them “the Way” must have appeared more like a primrose path. Because they were still so dependent upon the things of the world for their sense of identity, they had to be the most embarrassed people around Jerusalem.

Then came Easter. Out of the tomb came the Risen Messiah with his identity still intact. “He is risen!” is shorthand for Jesus’ message of resurrection:

Behold, I have overcome the world. Behold, I died and I am alive. Behold, who you are need never again depend upon who you know, what you wear, where you live, what you do, how much you possess, or even what people say about you. Because I live, you will live also. You will experience new life in me and you will be able to face the popularity contest the world is running with confidence that you don’t really have to enter it in order to find out who you are. Here is my crown. It is yours! Take it! And believe me when I tell you that this crown of glory, which is both mine and yours, will never fade away.

Who and whose we truly are – that’s what Holy Week and Easter are all about. This Holy Week will be quite different for Christians around the world because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. We will miss our gatherings, palm waving, foot washing, darkness and light, and all of the other tokens of his passion, death, and resurrection. Instead, we will gather virtually in front of our computer and television screens. This extraordinary time will teach us new things and, perhaps, help us see ourselves in a new light. When we emerge on the other side of this pandemic, we will never be the same. But we will still have our identity intact as children of God and heirs of God's amazing grace through faith in Jesus Christ – the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Guard your health, stay out of harm's way, and remember who and whose you are.

Blessings,

The Very Rev'd Ron Pogue
Interim Rector
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
Keller, Texas

April 2, 2020
What Does Love Require of Us?

Yesterday, after taking counsel with the Office of the Bishop, other clergy, our staff, our Wardens, and our Vestry, I made the decision to suspend in-person worship and meetings at St. Martin’s for the next two weeks in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic. This was a complicated and difficult decision on so many levels. The question that led me at last to the decision is, “What does love require of us?”

Maybe the reason that question came to mind is because during Lent, at the beginning of our Eucharistic celebrations, we are following the long-standing practice of reciting Jesus’ summary of the Law:

Jesus said, “The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord your God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31

How will this decision express Love Divine in our parish and to our neighbors in the wider community?

The answer came clearly into focus as I read and listened to comments from those whose counsel I sought. Loving one another, and especially the most vulnerable among us, requires us to do what we can to at least slow the spread of the Coronavirus so that our healthcare system is not overloaded. It is one response we can make to nationwide calls for social distancing. Taking such steps doesn’t mean that fewer people will be infected; it means that when hospitalization and medical attention are needed there will be capacity in the system. We have only to look at the situation in Italy to see what happens when the healthcare system is overloaded.

The media are referring to this objective as “flattening the curve.” Here’s a chart that helps explain it:

We will miss seeing one another. Worship is central to our life together. But our worship includes what goes on in our lives beyond the building. For example, on Ash Wednesday, we began our Lenten fast with the reading of Isaiah 58:6-12, which reminds us that our fasts must take into consideration our care for others. The Prophet Amos reminds us that our feasts must also involve justice and righteousness (Amos 5:21-24). So, whether fasting or feasting, our worship of God leads us to loving actions for the sake of others.

I made the decision to suspend in-person worship and meetings for two weeks in light of the many vulnerable people who are members of our parish and their friends and families. Such steps may not be best for other worshiping communities. There are many ways to spread Love Divine. We’re just doing what we can in the hope that it will contribute to the well-being of those who are vulnerable.

We will be broadcasting worship on the internet and details about how to access the video link are being sent out today. We have made arrangements for our ministries to hold virtual meetings using the ZOOM video platform. We will be communicating in a variety of ways, including the use of our existing mass email program, mass text messages to those whose mobile phone numbers we have, and recorded phone messages. The parish office is not closing and will be accessible under the normal schedule.

I’ll close with some advice from Bishop Scott Mayer: “Pray for one another. Stay calm. And wash your hands.”

A Prayer for Quiet Confidence

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, p. 832

Blessings and Health to you and yours,

The Very Rev'd Ron Pogue
Interim Rector
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
Keller, Texas

March 13, 2020