Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
16 June 2016
Last week I wrote of things that are worth
doing in themselves; things that are uniquely invested with value, that are
ends and not means. Faith is the
preeminent example, but other things in life that we consider very important
(friendship) can also be seen to qualify, as well as those for which the
intrinsic value might not be so apparent (play, for example—that is play not to
learn something but just to have fun).
The example of friendship highlights that the
supposed opposition between faith and reason is a false one. In this false dichotomy, faith is depicted as
irrational. This is a category error in
thinking. Faith is not irrational; it is
nonrational, i.e., it cannot be explained.
But this is not the same thing as irrational thinking. Friendship perhaps offers a good
illustration.
We value friendship highly. We certainly point to advantages in having
friends, but we know that these are effects, not the nature of friendship. We can have close friends (and often express
friendship best) when there is no worldly advantage in knowing the person. If I decide to do an act which I am not
required to do, a perfectly valid reason to act could be expressed by saying,
“I will do this because John is my friend.”
Notice what happens here: I base
a rational decision (to act) on a nonrational construct, friendship as a thing
which has value in itself, which is an end, not a means. Irrational thought is easier to
recognize. If I say “I am the Tsar of
Russia!” you will recognize this be by a statement unfounded in reason, i.e., crazy.
Compare a nonrational construct (e.g., friendship) and an irrational
statement (“I am the Tsar!”) and the contrast shows that comparing a
nonrational construct (faith) with cause-and-effect reasoning is itself a
failure in thinking. The faith: reason
debate is a false one perpetuated not by reasoning but by a combination of lazy
thinking and hostile motive.
Faith is an end, not a means. Recognizing faith to be an end, and
practicing our faith, involves participating in an end, in the ultimate End
(and Beginning), God, who is the source and summation of all those things of
intrinsic value: good, beauty, love, truth,
being. Be blessed in this end! (And if you ever want to refer to me a Velikii Gosudar! I’ll just wink and
nod.)
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Joyce Wessel and Brian Heck for the
Sunday coffee hour.
§ Randie Barrows for
repairing the rectory garage door, and straightening the parish flag pole.
§ Randie and Austin
Barrows for power-washing the columbarium pavement.
§
Bobbie
May and Ben Dobey for gardening.
Call for
Contributions: If you
have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshipers
toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by
Wednesday in the week of publication.
Music
this Week: The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 7C)
Prelude Prayer; Invocation Guilmant
Entrance Hymn 427 “When morning gilds the skies”
Laudes Domini
Offertory Hymn 366 “Holy God, we praise thy Name” Grosser Gott
Communion Hymn 482 “Lord of all hopefulness” Slane
Closing Hymn 561 “Stand
up, stand up for Jesus” Morning
Light
Postlude Grand
Triumphal Chorus Guilmant
Parish
Notices
§ Fr. Karl on Vacation: Fr. Karl will be away June 13 – 17. If you
are in need of pastoral care, please call Deacon Michael Burg at 920-918-9944.
Ellen will be in the office Tuesday – Thursday 9:00am – 3:00pm. There are no
services scheduled this week until Friday when the normal Morning Prayer at
7:00am and Liturgy of the Word with Reserved Sacrament at 7:15am will be
offered.
§ Continuing Education: Deacon Michele will be out of the office June 13 –
17 at a Christian Formation Conference entitled “Take. Bless. Break. Give.
Following Jesus in the 21st Century”. The conference is held at the
Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC.
§ Elkhart Lake Chapel: We are in
need of help for each Sunday. This would include: picking up the box of
bulletins at Grace Church, arriving a little early to open the buildings,
finding readers for the lessons and the prayers of the people, lighting
candles, greeting the visiting priest, various other tasks, locking up at the
end and returning the box to Grace Church. There are instructions printed and
several people who would be able to help if you have questions. Please sign up
for a Sunday or two by calling the office at 452-9659 with dates you are
available. Thank you.
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Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan
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Instagram: @GEC_Sheboygan
§ We Are on Itunes! Check out
the new podcast!!!
