Dear Friends,
I have been asked where Governor Cox found the words of Charlie Kirk that he quoted in his recent speech that I repeated in my sermon on Holy Cross Day and in my weekly message of last week; I reached out to his office and have received a response, but not yet the source. I have also reached out to the foundation that Charlie Kirk was CEO of, and when I get an answer, I will let you know. Whether or not the words originated with Charlie, or with someone else, what matters is that we continue to live as a beloved community and put into practice those words of forgiveness, welcome, and love. They are ways that we live out our mission statement. The Wardens are very grateful to those of you who have sent messages of support and encouragement since our recent announcement; there is so much that is positive at the moment, and we continue to hold firmly to our mission statement to worship, love, and serve Our Lord Jesus Christ.
You can read an update on the first three weeks of the Choir School in its collaboration with Professional Children’s School by clicking here; the boys are in very good heart, and we have received so many comments about the amazing sound of the choir under the direction of Richard Tanner. Thank you, Richard, for the remarkable repertoire that has begun the singing term, and for the spectacular sound of the choir. The Noble Singers are also back singing under the direction of Jennifer Lane, and the 9am Mass has seen an increase in families and children attending. The Adult Education Program is in full swing with an increased offering, including a new Thursday book reading group. Saint Thomas will be hosting the annual Hobart Lecture again and we are expecting a very large attendance to hear The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, Bishop of Washington, and Poet-Theologian Pàdraig Ò Tuama.
It was G.K. Chesterton who once said: ‘Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly’ and, perhaps, that is a good sentiment for us to reflect on in this present age when human self-aggrandizement is so commonplace. The angels experience the glory of God, but they also know their place in the order of created things. I love the collect from our prayer book which talks about the cooperation between angels and humankind:
O everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the ministries of angels and men in a wonderful order: Mercifully grant that, as thy holy angels always serve and worship thee in heaven, so by thy appointment they may help and defend us on earth.
The word angel means messenger, and that reminds us that our shared ministry with the angels is not simply to worship but also to be messengers of good news. Good News, of course, is the translation of the word ‘gospel’ – so we are called to be messengers of the gospel or good news of Jesus Christ. That good news is, therefore, not simply about the beloved community that we are all fostering at Saint Thomas, but about sharing that good news of Jesus through worshipping, loving, and serving him. We do this in our daily lives as well as a Christian community.
In the Priests’ Sacristy, we keep the icon of the Trinity given to us by the late Fr. Jack Smith, that is a copy of the famous icon painted by Rublev in the early 1400’s. That icon, which explores the mystery of the Trinity, is based on a story from the Book of Genesis (see Genesis 18:1-15) and is also known as The Hospitality of Abraham. Abraham received three mysterious visitors, and he offered them a meal instead of ignoring them; we believe the visitors to have been angels and, indeed, Rublev depicts the three messengers as winged beings. There is much symbolism in the icon – from the geometry, the clothing, the use of various colors (especially blue – the color of God’s glory), and the various articles associated with each of the angels. Their position around the central altar also forms the shape of a chalice! The message of the angels to Abraham was that he would finally have a son with his wife, Sara, thus fulfilling the covenant the God had made with him.
When I reflect on that story, I am reminded that the people I meet day by day may also have a message from God, just as I should be exhibiting God’s glory in my words and actions. The guests who attend Neighbor to Neighbor every Saturday come to receive a message of hope and love, as we attempt to put our mission statement into action. However, the story of the hospitality of Abraham also teaches us that those same guests may have a message for us! As the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews reminded the infant church, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2)
Affectionately,
Your Priest and Pastor,
Carl
Michaelmas by Malcolm Guite
Michaelmas gales assail the waning year,
And Michael’s scale is true, his blade is bright.
He strips dead leaves; and leaves the living clear
To flourish in the touch and reach of light.
Archangel bring your balance, help me turn
Upon this turning world with you and dance
In the Great Dance. Draw near, help me discern,
And trace the hidden grace in change and chance.
Angel of fire, Love’s fierce radiance,
Drive through the deep until the steep waves part,
Undo the dragon’s sinuous influence
And pierce the clotted darkness in my heart.
Unchain the child you find there, break the spell
And overthrow the tyrannies of Hell.
