Reconciliation

May 28, 2008

In the same Journal of Anglican Studies that I mentioned on May 26 there is an article by Philip Sheldrake, a professor of theology from Durham University in England and Roman Catholic writer on Christian spirituality. He argues for “keeping faith with the vital importance of reconciliation at a time when siren voices suggest that a quick divorce in the Anglican Communion would now be less painful, more honest and less distracting.” (p.108) In his quest for reconciliation which he sees as central to the inner life of the Church and the ministry of Christ he looks at the words we use, fear and loathing, spaces for change, catholicity, the spirituality of St. Benedict, hospitality and much else besides. In one section for example he identifies ways in which we deal with ‘otherness’ by different forms of exclusion.

He says we demonize, colonize, generalize, trivialize, homogenize and we ignore. We colonize “when we think of others as inferior and to be pitied. They become objects of our charity or our bullying.” We homogenize when “we say that ther is no real difference at all. In a well meaning way, we make premature pleas for tolerance and closure.” (p.110) here is much wisdom here and I am reminded of the work of Ron Heifetz of the Kennedy School on leadership and the work of Valerie Batts of Visions-Inc, both of which I have written about before.

This summer we are going to try offering a single major morning service at 10 a.m. for six weeks. Each of these services will be followed by a brief ‘summer GIFT class’ in Ellis Hall with a parallel offering for children. Our hope is that there will be a different kind of energy than we experience during the school year, more attuned to summer rhythms but still life giving for those who come for worship and stay until noon. I will plan to offer one of these brief talks on this essay by Philip Sheldrake. I hope I will see you there.