Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
5 July 2012
Let freedom ring. This we proclaim, and this we celebrated yesterday, on Independence Day. But when we speak of freedom, of what, exactly, are we speaking?
Freedom has itself evolved as a concept. Classically, true freedom was understood as something inseparable from one’s nature. To be truly free was to be at liberty to realize one’s proper “essence”. For Plato or Aristotle, or for Christian thinkers like Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine, Maximus the Confessor, John of Damascus, or Thomas Aquinas, true human freedom is emancipation from whatever constrains us from living the life of rational virtue, or from experiencing the full fruition of our nature; and among the things that constrain us are our own untutored passions, our willful surrender to momentary impulses, our own foolish or wicked choices.
We are free when we achieve the end toward which our inmost nature is oriented, and whatever separates us from this end (even if it comes from our own wills) is a form of bondage. In other words, freedom involves not just choice but choosing well, and to choose well requires that our choices be made with reference to some standard outside our own wills.
In our culture, today, freedom is defined as the unfettered exercise of the will, without reference to the end toward which the will acts and without reference to a standard external to the will. (The “standard” is that the will is exercised.) The net effect of this is to define a person merely in terms of his ability to act, not in terms of his essence as a being and not in terms of how his being relates to other beings in creation, and to creation itself. The culture has succeeded, therefore, in regressing to a worldview in which the definition of a person is functional as opposed to ontological. (Ontology is the philosophical study of the nature of being, essence, and reality.) A finite thing’s (in this case a human’s) essence (what he is) entirely fails to account for its existence (that she is), and however we measure and define what humans do this does not account for what humans are within creation. If there is anything to existence beyond physicality, then certain boundaries exist to how humans are defined, how personhood is defined. On the other hand, if the materialist view of reality is correct, than the exercise of the will is its own measure, and we are free to define others as no more than objects for the exercise of power.
To argue that “freedom” equates with unfettered choice is to oversimplify and cheapen freedom. For example, you may have a musical gift, but unless you practice, and practice, and practice for years, this gift will not lead to a career as a performer. In order to realize this gift you must limit your freedom. There will be other things that you cannot do. Perhaps the best example that freedom involves choosing well is love. Love is the most liberating loss of freedom of all. You have to lose liberty in order to gain greater intimacy. To experience the joy and freedom of love, you must give up personal autonomy (Gen. 2.24; Mtt. 19.5). Far from being liberating true atheism is enslaving.
Let freedom ring, indeed. As our Lord teaches, “If you continue in my word ... you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (Jn. 8.31-32).
Prayer for General Convention (3 to 12 July, Indianapolis, IN): Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP 818)
Being the Body: Please thank Jeremy and Emily Williams for generously providing for the restoration of the lych gate on the north end of the cutting garden. Please also thank Dcn. Michele for her extra work while Fr. Karl was on vacation.
Please take the opportunity to notify the office of any member or friend of the parish to whom we owe thanks, in order that we can publicize this in the weekly newsletter.
Biblical Literacy: The Bible Challenge and bible study will resume this week. The Bible Challenge meets on Tuesdays, following the 5:30 p.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist, and a light supper (pot luck). The 10 July session will review Week 19. Bible study for the Sunday lessons takes place on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist.
All Saints’, Elkhart Lake: Throughout the Summer, please be intentional about two things (whether or not you attend All Saints’): (1) Pray for this ministry, and for those who serve in it, that they may serve our Lord by bringing more to know, love, and serve Him; (2) Engage in mission yourself. You may know or meet people who you can ask to join you in worship, and All Saints’ can serve as a less formal setting that is more user-friendly in outreach. Invite seekers to worship with you.
Music this week:
Prelude Chorale Preludes on “Rockingham” N. Gilbert and H. Parry
Entrance Hymn 372 “Praise to the living God” Leoni
Offertory Hymn 544 “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun” Duke Street
Comm. Hymn 321 “My God, thy table now is spread” Rockingham
Closing Hymn 637 “How firm a foundation” Lyons
Postlude Prelude and Fugue in G Major Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow
Parish Notices
§ Women’s Bible Study: will begin this Wednesday, July 11th and run for 6 weeks. The class will meet at Grace Church on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 until 8:00pm. The class will study Beth Moore’s “Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Assent” a study of Psalms 120 through 134. This is an educational journey tying the Old Testament to the New by relating events of prophetic fulfillment from Jesus’ life with the ancient pilgrims. Two days worth of study is spent on each Psalm, offering a decent and rich overview. The video teaching is by Beth Moore delivering truth that can change lives and accompany the written material beautifully. This is an excellent study to be experienced each day through personal study and through participation in the group discussion each Wednesday evening. Please call the office at 452-9659 to register.
§ Vacation Bible School: St. Peter Lutheran Church, 2104 Geele Avenue, is hosting Slash in God’s World VBS July 15th -18th beginning with gathering at 5:45 and program from 6:00-8:00pm. It is for ages 3 years old through 5th grade with opportunity for older children and adults to help. There is no cost for VBS. Please bring a Bible, in case there is a need there will be Bibles available for purchase. There are registration sheets on the table in the Narthex.
§ The Right Reverend Michael Eric Marshall: As part of a five-part series of sermons and events commemorating the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, Nashotah House Theological Seminary is pleased to welcome the Right Reverend Michael Eric Marshall as the second preacher in the series. Bishop Marshall will preach Thursday, 26 July 2012 at 5:00 p.m. in the historic Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin at Nashotah House. All events are open to the public, free of charge and include displays of original manuscripts of the Book of Common Prayer (1549, 1559 and 1662) and other historic Anglican texts from the Walter S. Underwood Prayer Book Collection, the centerpiece of the Frances Donaldson Library’s rare manuscript collection. There will be a van arranged for transportation. If you are interested in going please contact the office at 452-9659.
§ Register Now for EfM: Two classes are again forming this fall for EfM or Education for Ministry. Through the study of scripture, each individual is encouraged to learn more about who they are so they have a closer vision of what God desires for their lives. Each group gets to know each other, worships together and help each other discern God’s will for their lives and their ministries. It takes time and commitment to change ourselves and consequently our communities, but the rewards are great! Classes start on Tuesday, September 4, 9am at St. Paul’s in Plymouth, and at 6:00 pm. place to be determined. Cost is $350 for this college level class which starts the first year studying the Old Testament. Scholarships are available and clergy have been generous with their discretionary funds, if assistance is needed. Contact Barb Drewry-Zimmerman for registration materials at bzimmy@excel.net or 920-893-5189. Get registered by August 15th, so you can receive your materials in time for the first class. These classes are not just for laity, clergy are always welcome and encouraged to attend so that they, too can be better leaders in their congregations.
No comments:
Post a Comment