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From the Vicar...
Loving Yourself
I recently was asked by a friend to share my thoughts on self-love. "Love your neighbor as yourself", the Bible says. But it doesn't say much about how to love yourself. How do we avoid being self-centered without becoming a total vicitm? Here is my answer to her question - some initial musings.
We now tend to look at issues of self from a therapeutic point of view - a viewpoint alien to the writers of Scripture. So there's is not much in the Bible about the nature of proper self-love. Love your neighbor as yourself (Jesus quoting from the Torah) I think would come from a perspective that assumes that everyone acts from self-interest. Self-love then might be equated with self-protection. Scrolling through the Psalms, you can quickly see that the Old Testament writers clearly understand the failures of the individual soul: greed, fearfulness, violence, etc. A narcissistic focus on self is clearly seen as unhealthy. My understanding then would be that we are called on to place the interests and well-being of our neighbors on an even par with our own. This would not be based on an emotional feeling of attachment, but on a communal understanding of well-being that cannot revel in personal success while ignoring the suffering of those around us.
You mention the example of Jesus. We see in Jesus integrity of being. Jesus is a whole person, oriented towards God, and open to all whom he encounters. This wholeness might in Biblical terms be call righteousness: to be pointed in the right direction. (In both the Hebrew and Greek of the Bible the words used for "repentence" literally mean "turning around and going back the right way".) Jesus's wholeness is expressed in care for those he encounters. He offers to each what he believes best suited to meet the needs of that individual: for some healing; for some calling; for some forgiveness; for some challenge; for some chastisement. Jesus is not a self-doubting patsy who meets any demand made on him. Rather he seems to me to try to help others to move towards the wholeness that he exemplifies.
During the time of Roman persecutions, the Church taught that it was wrong to seek out martyrdom. I think this was intended to protect the self-abasing (and probably the egotistical as well). At times, the Christian idea of self-sacrifice has been misused to encourage women and others to endure abusive relationships and to accept perpetual victimhood. The Gospels show Jesus instead very much in control of his circumstances; for example, when being questioned by Pilate. It is his wholeness that gives him great power and enables him to lay down his life - not out of guilt or self-doubt or to prove himself - but totally out of love.
Inadequate things that we are, there will always be questions of how to balance legitimate self-interest against the legitimate needs of others. One of our primary jobs in life is to struggle, with God's help, towards greater wholeness which enables greater love. Fortunately for me, I believe that this work continues on beyond this life and that God has all eternity to shape me into what I should be.
Peace,
Chuck
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Thinking of Joining?
Most of you know that there are very few requirements to be met in order to get involved in almost every aspect of our common life at St. Alexis: interest in an activity or need and a willingness to show up. I always like, for instance, when a first-time visitor volunteers to read one of the lessons at the Eucharist. We keep our doors as wide open as possible.
We do, however, invite you to deepen your commitment to our church community by becoming a formal member of St. Alexis. This enables you to do a couple of things that Episcopal Church rules limit to formal members: vote at the annual meeting and serve as wardens or members of the Mission Committee. More importantly, becoming a formal member of the church is a public statement of your committed participation in our common life and of your new or renewed commitment to follow, with God's help, the way of Christ.
How do you do this? The answer depends on your present status. If you were a confirmed member of another Episcopal parish, you can join St. Alexis by what we call "transfer of letter". We write your former church home and get them to transfer your membership here. If you were a baptized and confirmed member of certain other denominations (for example, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran), then we "receive" you. This is formally done when the Bishop next visits. If you have been baptized in any tradition, then you join by being "confirmed". The confirmation service is based around your affirmation of the promises made by or for you in baptism followed by the blessing of the Bishop. The Bishop lays his hands on your head and says a prayer of blessing. Finally, if you have never been baptized, then you would both be baptized and confirmed, usually in one service with the Bishop presiding.
Although a date has not yet been set, I hope that the Bishop will come to St. Alexis one night this fall. If you are considering making a formal commitment to St. Alexis, please contact me at church or otherwise, and we'll talk it over. On our website (stalexisjackson.org), we have a self-study guide helping you to use the Book of Common Prayer to learn more about and reflect on the Christian life and its particular expression in the Episcopal Church. Check it out if you're interested.
Prayerfully consider making this commitment.
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The Latest News
*Trying To Choose a Career?
One of the hardest things in life is trying to figure out what kind of work to do. We spend the better part of our waking lives at our jobs, but so many people just go through the motions. The Christian understanding is that God calls each of us into particular vocations. But how to find what that is? This fall we are going to offer an opportunity to discern God's call in community. Our program will be based on the Listening Hearts program and will be a small group experience. We don't offer pat answers, but instead a group of supportive people who will listen together for God's call. Interested? Let Chuck know. We will determine dates and times based on the schedules of the group.
Soul Food
Soul Food has been on a mid-summer break. Soul Food has been a book or Bible study group with a share meal a great discussion. We're ready to start back in August or September. We have been meeting on Wednesday nights at 6:00. What time, place, format would be most interesting and convenient for you? Let us know your ideas on meeting times and books or other things you would like to discuss.
Next Potluck Night August 5
We will have our next Wednesday night potluck supper on the first Wednesday of August which is next week (August 5). The theme will be "Keeping It Cool", with an emphasis on cool dishes for the hottest month of the year. Supper begins at 6:00. Bring a cool dish to share if you can, but come eat regardless. No program - just fellowship and fun.
St. Alexis' publicity wave continues. There was a great article about us in The Mississippi Epsicopalian, the newsletter of the Diocese of Mississippi. There's a copy at the church for you to look over. And speaking of information, be sure to check out our website (stalexisjackson.org) for recordings of sermons, regular updates, and other new features.
In the Sports News
Some sports ops available. We will be fielding a softball team in the City of Jackson's men's league, beginning in September. If you are interested in playing talk to the Ole Professor Robbie Luckett, our coach and general manager. Also we will be arranging a St. Alexis outing to attend a M-Braves game at Trustmark Park in Pearl one Thursday night in August. Look for more details soon. Finally, would you be interested in forming at St. Alexis fantasy football league? Let Chuck know if you're interested.
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How to Join St. Alexis'
St. Alexis' is an open Christian community, welcoming all who want to join us in worship, fellowship, and acts of Christian love in the world. We respect the dignity of all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, national origin, race, gender, or age and encourage all to participate fully in all areas of our common life. You may do all of those things without a formal commitment.
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Learn more about St. Alexis':
www.stalexisjackson.org
Have questions or a pastoral need? Email Chuck Culpepper at chuck@stalexisjackson.org
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