I grew up in an agnostic household, but found my way to church eventually, led there along a very long and meandering path. But it’s felt like coming home…
16 years of NYC Catholic schools here. Now lapsed. Church brings a great sense of community. And its spirit is best expressed in the words “verily I say unto you, what you do for the least of my brethren, you do for me.” But when it’s used as a tool of convenience by politicians, as is so often the case now, you can be certain the devil is somewhere close by.
Amen. Your words are so right on. I treasure my Sunday morning at mass to reflect on how I can following words of Jesus and make this world a bit better.
Thank you for this: "I join my voice to the voices around me in the hymns and prayers and the creed. We praise our Creator and acknowledge His love and give thanks for His gifts, His endless goodness. All week I’ve been walking around inside myself and this hour on Sunday morning is when I disappear and feel joined to the world around me." I grew up in a conservative Mennonite home, and your stories of growing up Sanctified Brethren always resonated. Finding a path back to the kernel of Truth in all of that feels like coming home.
Thrilled to know your roots are in tiny Rhode Island. Along with New York, it’s the liveliest and loveliest place in this divided country. And it looks like Denmark.
Read your Bible Garrison. I know you are an Episcopalian and they've long since cast that book to the basement to prop up that "church". It talks at great length about what society needs to know on all things - Here's a quote for you by Alexander Pope.
“Vice (sin) is a monster of so frightful mien
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.”
No matter what the world says - it will never be normal. Multiple marriages will never be normal. Transgenderism will never be normal. Stealing from one who works to give to one who won't, that will never be normal. Hating Jews never will be normal. I could go on. But I sense now you must be mighty uncomfortable.
Stop with the belligerence. You just might learn something. The only "case" that matters to you is yours. Not mine. Read your Bible. Get right with God. Not Mary. Not me. We don't know how long we have. Eternity is all that matters and you don't get to make up the rules. All the best to you.
You're the belligerent one here. Let go of your hate. You will never be able to force your "religious" (religious in your mind only) views on the rest of us.
Jesus taught us to give to the needy. Do you believe there are people truly in need, or is it just a matter of laziness as you allude to?
I was brought up believing being gay was a choice and a sin. I've since come to realize there is a certain small percentage of the population that is born that way. Transgenderism appears to be similar, it's biological. Although it may be adopted by some as a trend.
And what is your “sin?” Best to judge one’s self rather judging another. I think it was Jesus who said judging rather than loving is at the top of the sin list.
Wow! So judgmental. Perhaps you should return to Bishop Budde’s sermon at the time of the inauguration. She had a very biblical understanding of what Jesus leads us to do. And she is Episcopal. Or perhaps there are parts of Scripture u have not taken to heart. Come into the true heart of God. Grace, forgiveness, and mercy. The Lord be with you!
the Bible very clearly talks about who can hold office. Unless Bishop Budde is the husband of one wife....ok I'll stop right there. She is a pretender to the office of bishop. So go write your own Bible. Make it up as you go along.
So, let me understand. YOU have the way, the truth, and the life. Only YOUR interpretation is correct. I’m truly sorry you so deeply misunderstand Scripture and have not taken the Gospel to heart. Live by the Law and you shall also be condemned by the Law.
Because I find many parts of your Bible tiresome, cruel and without merit, I don't follow it. But you do, and because you are obviously more enlightened and worthy than I, please pray for me while I rot, gnash teeth and have a generally graceless life, won't you? And then there's that eternal damnation; what's a poor God-as-Lovist to do?
Leviticus says it is unclean to touch the skin of a pig, yet the shrine of football draws millions right after church each week.
Every word of the Bible is God’s literal truth? God’s will is infallible? Then why is the Pope not elected unanimously?
Your certainty that life is plainly organized, with such a clear Biblical manual that any who don’t succeed must either be evil or lazy, might be risible if weren’t being used to exonerate unchristian ends. It does seem to have hardened your heart against those that Jesus—who did put the Christ in Christmas—told his followers to serve?
The Bible was written hundreds of years, and even more years after the death of Jesus. Mark, the earliest gospel was used as a source for the others and even as some of Paul’s messages.
How do you propose that each word should be taken literally hundreds of words and several translations later.
Instead, try reading the gospels for their intent..to love and honor Jesus and what he taught.
I’m glad you find a path to joy in your parrish. I find it disturbing that, once again, hatred is marching under a banner of righteousness.
There is distressing evidence in even this thread of the latest red hat “talking point” below, towit, that, “the problem with Christianity is too much empathy.” WWJD is morphing, again, into the Inquisition.
And that’s my problem with religion: each sect declares itself the only “true” path, often with the tenet: “submit to our version a loving god or burn in hell for all eternity.”
Give to those in need. Alleviate suffering. Be in community as a light in the darkness. Amen.
Very nice, Brother Keillor. Of course, in the Hispanic church you would be Hermano Garrison. So whatever we call you, be blessed. There may be some who want to steal your blessing, but don’t let them. Share it
Yes! This is me in London, too! Exactly this.
I grew up in an agnostic household, but found my way to church eventually, led there along a very long and meandering path. But it’s felt like coming home…
Greetings from your London neighbor. Really love this one: the very essence of WWJD.
Hi neighbour! Where are you based? My church is St Matthews Bayswater...
Simply and eloquently you put us in your place, for some of the rest of us, our place/pew. Thank you...
He did open a delightful can of gourmet-level worms easy to chew but difficult for many to swallow…
16 years of NYC Catholic schools here. Now lapsed. Church brings a great sense of community. And its spirit is best expressed in the words “verily I say unto you, what you do for the least of my brethren, you do for me.” But when it’s used as a tool of convenience by politicians, as is so often the case now, you can be certain the devil is somewhere close by.
Amen. Your words are so right on. I treasure my Sunday morning at mass to reflect on how I can following words of Jesus and make this world a bit better.
On church going by Phillip Larkin. A good poem
Thank you! Found it here:
https://thepoetryhour.com/poems/church-going/
Thank you for this: "I join my voice to the voices around me in the hymns and prayers and the creed. We praise our Creator and acknowledge His love and give thanks for His gifts, His endless goodness. All week I’ve been walking around inside myself and this hour on Sunday morning is when I disappear and feel joined to the world around me." I grew up in a conservative Mennonite home, and your stories of growing up Sanctified Brethren always resonated. Finding a path back to the kernel of Truth in all of that feels like coming home.
Thrilled to know your roots are in tiny Rhode Island. Along with New York, it’s the liveliest and loveliest place in this divided country. And it looks like Denmark.
Thank you.
Well said, thanks
Reading between the lines of this piece it sounds as though you may have made some progress with that pesky golden rule. At least for today.
Read your Bible Garrison. I know you are an Episcopalian and they've long since cast that book to the basement to prop up that "church". It talks at great length about what society needs to know on all things - Here's a quote for you by Alexander Pope.
“Vice (sin) is a monster of so frightful mien
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.”
No matter what the world says - it will never be normal. Multiple marriages will never be normal. Transgenderism will never be normal. Stealing from one who works to give to one who won't, that will never be normal. Hating Jews never will be normal. I could go on. But I sense now you must be mighty uncomfortable.
You remind me of the Pharisee in Luke 18 9-14.
Your purpose is apparently showing the world what self-righteousness looks like.
Not self- the un-righteousness of all. You missed the point as hard as I tried to make it easy for you.
I rest my case.
Stop with the belligerence. You just might learn something. The only "case" that matters to you is yours. Not mine. Read your Bible. Get right with God. Not Mary. Not me. We don't know how long we have. Eternity is all that matters and you don't get to make up the rules. All the best to you.
I have never claimed my slate to be clean-it is you who are throwing stones.
You're the belligerent one here. Let go of your hate. You will never be able to force your "religious" (religious in your mind only) views on the rest of us.
Speaking of the Bible:
The wisest man in it had hundreds of lovers.
Jesus taught us to give to the needy. Do you believe there are people truly in need, or is it just a matter of laziness as you allude to?
I was brought up believing being gay was a choice and a sin. I've since come to realize there is a certain small percentage of the population that is born that way. Transgenderism appears to be similar, it's biological. Although it may be adopted by some as a trend.
Everyone is born to sin. Doesn't make it right because we want OUR sin to be right.
And what is your “sin?” Best to judge one’s self rather judging another. I think it was Jesus who said judging rather than loving is at the top of the sin list.
Wow! So judgmental. Perhaps you should return to Bishop Budde’s sermon at the time of the inauguration. She had a very biblical understanding of what Jesus leads us to do. And she is Episcopal. Or perhaps there are parts of Scripture u have not taken to heart. Come into the true heart of God. Grace, forgiveness, and mercy. The Lord be with you!
the Bible very clearly talks about who can hold office. Unless Bishop Budde is the husband of one wife....ok I'll stop right there. She is a pretender to the office of bishop. So go write your own Bible. Make it up as you go along.
The world would be a much better place if hateful bigots would stay far, far away from religion.
So, let me understand. YOU have the way, the truth, and the life. Only YOUR interpretation is correct. I’m truly sorry you so deeply misunderstand Scripture and have not taken the Gospel to heart. Live by the Law and you shall also be condemned by the Law.
Because I find many parts of your Bible tiresome, cruel and without merit, I don't follow it. But you do, and because you are obviously more enlightened and worthy than I, please pray for me while I rot, gnash teeth and have a generally graceless life, won't you? And then there's that eternal damnation; what's a poor God-as-Lovist to do?
Who are you kidding??
Leviticus says it is unclean to touch the skin of a pig, yet the shrine of football draws millions right after church each week.
Every word of the Bible is God’s literal truth? God’s will is infallible? Then why is the Pope not elected unanimously?
Your certainty that life is plainly organized, with such a clear Biblical manual that any who don’t succeed must either be evil or lazy, might be risible if weren’t being used to exonerate unchristian ends. It does seem to have hardened your heart against those that Jesus—who did put the Christ in Christmas—told his followers to serve?
The Bible was written hundreds of years, and even more years after the death of Jesus. Mark, the earliest gospel was used as a source for the others and even as some of Paul’s messages.
How do you propose that each word should be taken literally hundreds of words and several translations later.
Instead, try reading the gospels for their intent..to love and honor Jesus and what he taught.
Thank you!
I’m glad you find a path to joy in your parrish. I find it disturbing that, once again, hatred is marching under a banner of righteousness.
There is distressing evidence in even this thread of the latest red hat “talking point” below, towit, that, “the problem with Christianity is too much empathy.” WWJD is morphing, again, into the Inquisition.
And that’s my problem with religion: each sect declares itself the only “true” path, often with the tenet: “submit to our version a loving god or burn in hell for all eternity.”
Give to those in need. Alleviate suffering. Be in community as a light in the darkness. Amen.
If only more Christian faiths were moderate like the Episcopals. There might be a tad more bona fide diversity, equity and inclusion in the world.
For real!
Me too.
Very nice, Brother Keillor. Of course, in the Hispanic church you would be Hermano Garrison. So whatever we call you, be blessed. There may be some who want to steal your blessing, but don’t let them. Share it