Fr Robert Hendrickson
Dear Friends,
Recently, the Episcopal Church concluded our 79th General Convention. General Convention is the triennial gathering of clergy and lay delegates from across the Church where we work to discern the call of the Holy Spirit in our common life. I am pleased to say that several bishops have told me, in recent conversations, that it was among the most productive, least rancorous, and most generous in which they have taken part. I heard similarly encouraging things from other delegates as well.
I attribute much of this to the leadership of our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s relentlessly optimistic focus on the basics of being the Church. Those who saw his sermon at the Royal Wedding wmust surely have been struck by his joyful vision of a Church that proclaims Jesus as our model - as the Way of Love. This has become something Bishop Curry has called the members of the Church (you, me, and our fellow parishioners) to take on as a rule of life.
A rule of life is simply the set of practices, the shape of our lives Christian life, to which we commit to so as to be ready for the Spirit to shape us. It means intentionally engaging in time-honored ways of honoring our time. Time is a gift from God and perhaps the most profound hurt and pain in our culture is wasted time. Time is too often spent in ways that honor no one, enliven no one, encourage no one, bless no one, forgive no one. What we so often find is that the time we spend in prayer, service, loving-kindness, generous conversation, forgiveness, sharing hope - that time comes back to us in true and holy ways.
So a rule of life creates the framework for deeper Christian living - for holiness.
I’m going to share the simple rule of life Bishop Curry offers and a link to resources the Episcopal Church is sharing about the Way of Love: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest.
TURN: Pause, listen and choose to follow Jesus
As Jesus was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. – Mark 2:14
“Do you turn to Jesus Christ ...?” – Book of Common Prayer, 302
Like the disciples, we are called by Jesus to follow the Way of Love. With God’s help, we can turn from the powers of sin, hatred, fear, injustice, and oppression toward the way of truth, love, hope, justice, and freedom. In turning, we reorient our lives to Jesus Christ, falling in love again, again, and again.
For Reflection and Discernment
- What practices help you to turn again and again to Jesus Christ and the Way of Love?
- How will (or do) you incorporate these practices into your rhythm of life?
- Who will be your companion as you turn toward Jesus Christ?
LEARN: Reflect on Scripture each day, especially on Jesus’ life and teachings.
“Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” – John 14:23
Grant us so to hear [the Holy Scriptures], read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them. – Book of Common Prayer, 236
By reading and reflecting on Scripture, especially the life and teachings of Jesus, we draw near to God and God’s word dwells in us. When we open our minds and hearts to Scripture, we learn to see God’s story and God’s activity in everyday life.
For Reflection and Discernment
- What ways of reflecting on Scripture are most life-giving for you?
- When will (or do) you set aside time to read and reflect on Scripture in your day?
- With whom will you share in the commitment to read and reflect on Scripture?
PRAY: Dwell intentionally with God daily
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him,
“Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” – Luke 11:1
“Lord, hear our prayer.” - Book of Common Prayer
Jesus teaches us to come before God with humble hearts, boldly offering our thanksgivings and concerns to God or simply listening for God’s voice in our lives and in the world. Whether in thought, word or deed, individually or corporately, when we pray we invite and dwell in God’s loving presence.
For Reflection and Discernment
- What intentional prayer practices center you in God’s presence, so you can hear, speak, or simply dwell with God?
- How will (or do) you incorporate intentional prayer into your daily life?
- With whom will you share in the commitment to pray?
WORSHIP: Gather in community weekly to thank, praise, and dwell with God
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. – Luke 24:30-31
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord. – Book of Common Prayer, 361
When we worship, we gather with others before God. We hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, give thanks, confess, and offer the brokenness of the world to God. As we break bread, our eyes are opened to the presence of Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are made one body, the body of Christ sent forth to live the Way of Love.
For Discernment and Reflection
- What communal worship practices move you to encounter God and knit you into the body of Christ?
- How will (or do) you commit to regularly worship?
- With whom will you share the commitment to worship this week?
BLESS: Share faith and unselfishly give and serve
“Freely you have received; freely give.” – Matthew 10:8
Celebrant: Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People: We will, with God’s help. – Book of Common Prayer, 305
Jesus called his disciples to give, forgive, teach, and heal in his name. We are empowered by the Spirit to bless everyone we meet, practicing generosity and compassion and proclaiming the Good News of God in Christ with hopeful words and selfless actions. We can share our stories of blessing and invite others to the Way of Love.
For Discernment and Reflection
- What are the ways the Spirit is calling you to bless others?
- How will (or does) blessing others – through sharing your resources, faith, and story – become part of your daily life?
- Who will join you in committing to the practice of blessing others?
GO: Cross boundaries, listen deeply and live like Jesus
Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” – John 20:21
Send them into the world in witness to your love. – Book of Common Prayer, 306
As Jesus went to the highways and byways, he sends us beyond our circles and comfort, to witness to the love, justice, and truth of God with our lips and with our lives. We go to listen with humility and to join God in healing a hurting world. We go to become Beloved Community, a people reconciled in love with God and one another.
For Discernment and Reflection
- To what new places or communities is the Spirit sending you to witness to the love, justice, and truth of God?
- How will you build into your life a commitment to cross boundaries, listen carefully, and take part in healing and reconciling what is broken in this world?
- With whom will you share in the commitment to go forth as a reconciler and healer?
REST: Receive the gift of God’s grace, peace, and restoration
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. – John 14:27
Blessed are you, O Lord … giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent. – Book of Common Prayer, 113
From the beginning of creation, God has established the sacred pattern of going and returning, labor and rest. Especially today, God invites us to dedicate time for restoration and wholeness - within our bodies, minds, and souls, and within our communities and institutions. By resting we place our trust in God, the primary actor who brings all things to their fullness.
For Discernment and Reflection
- What practices restore your body, mind, and soul?
- How will you observe rest and renewal on a regular basis?
- With whom will you commit to create and maintain a regular practice of rest?
More about this Way of Love, making a rule of life, and more can be found at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/way-of-love
If you would like to work on creating a rule of life with fellow parishioners and me, I’m going to begin using my 9:00am time on Tuesdays to talk with folks about making a rule of life and to check in with people in shared conversation about how we’re doing with our rule and how we can adjust it, recommit to it, or go deeper into it. I’d love to share in this work of lifelong pilgrimage in the Way of Love.
Yours in Christ,
Robert