"The gospel of Jesus Christ comes as news within a larger story. It points to a wonderful future. And it introduces a new period of waiting that changes our expectations."
~ N. T Wright, from Simply Good News
11 December 2014
Changing our expectations
"The gospel of Jesus Christ comes as news within a larger story. It points to a wonderful future. And it introduces a new period of waiting that changes our expectations."
~ N. T Wright, from Simply Good News
Wonderful news for the Diocese of Virginia: Bishop Johnston will not seek to be Presiding Bishop!
This is wonderful news for the Diocese of Virginia: Bishop Johnston will not seek to be Presiding Bishop, which means he will remain as the Bishop of Virginia!
Over the past few months, there have been various news reports, both in print and online, that have named me as a possible candidate for nomination as our next Presiding Bishop. Since those reports have circulated, I and my diocesan staff have understandably received numerous questions and comments about my possible candidacy. Since these questions have persisted up until this time, I am writing to you to set the record straight and end any speculation or concerns.
XIII Bishop of Virginia
A Letter from the Bishop: Speculation on Presiding Bishop Nomination
12/10/2014
Dear Diocesan Family,
Over the past few months, there have been various news reports, both in print and online, that have named me as a possible candidate for nomination as our next Presiding Bishop. Since those reports have circulated, I and my diocesan staff have understandably received numerous questions and comments about my possible candidacy. Since these questions have persisted up until this time, I am writing to you to set the record straight and end any speculation or concerns.
XIII Bishop of Virginia
While it is true that some of my colleagues in the House of Bishops encouraged me to allow my name to go forward in the search process, and my name was submitted to the Committee, I am very clear and comfortable in my decision not to participate in this discernment. Therefore, I will not be considered as a possible nominee.
Given that the colleagues who encouraged me in this are people whose confidence in me and friendship I value so greatly, I approached this decision very deliberately and prayerfully over a period of time. In the end, the answer was clear; I am convinced that I was called and ordained to be Bishop of Virginia, and I intend to fulfill this great trust, privilege and responsibility for many years to come.
There is no question that the search process for our next Presiding Bishop will be well served, not only by the very fine Committee that is conducting it, but also by a number of exceptionally strong potential nominees. That Committee and all who are in this discernment will be in my daily prayers, and I ask you to include them in your own as well.
I could not ask for anything more than I already am blessed with in being bishop of this great diocese. Serving the Gospel through the ministry of bishop in this iconic place with you is the greatest honor and joy that I could ever know.
Faithfully yours,
The Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston
04 December 2014
Day 4 of Advent - "open my eyes"
Psalm 119:1-24
Old Testament Lesson
1 Thess. 2:13-20
Luke 20:19-26
When we enter a season such as Advent, and I hear admonitions to be more holy, I sometimes get frozen with the sense that this is just above my power. There are those people who we have met who embody holiness, who seem to listen to the "better angels of their natures" at all times, and who seem to walk in the ways of the Lord without any stumbling at all. If you are one of those people, blessings! I, for one, am not. I strive to do good, but fail as often as not, and the entering of Advent can remind me just how much work is still to be done.
The Psalmist reflects on the "blameless" ones in psalm 119, saying:
| 1 | Happy are they whose way is blameless, * who walk in the law of the LORD! |
| 2 | Happy are they who observe his decrees * and seek him with all their hearts! |
| 3 | Who never do any wrong, * but always walk in his ways. |
| 4 | You laid down your commandments, * that we should fully keep them. |
This vision of the ones whose way is blameless is a vision that the Psalmist is also praying to one day live out in his own life. You see, God is with us, even if we stumble. Actually, God is with us especially when we stumble and strive to do the good, to live a blameless way. Look to the scripture, King David is by no means a blameless figure, yet continues to return to the Lord. And what of these figures such as Zacchaeus, hated tax collector, and then there is Jesus staying at his house, and enacting Zacchaeus's tranformation and conversion. So too for us, we strive to be good, to walk in the law of the Lord, but God is with us even when we stumble, and is there to help us along the way.
| 5 | Oh, that my ways were made so direct * that I might keep your statutes! |
| 6 | Then I should not be put to shame, * when I regard all your commandments. |
| 7 | I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, * when I have learned your righteous judgments. |
| 8 | I will keep your statutes; * do not utterly forsake me. |
And the Lord does not forsake us, but is carrying us all along, and loves us though we stumble and trip along the journey of Christ.
May your ways be blameless today, and, if not, know that God will deal bountifully with us!
| 17 | Deal bountifully with your servant, * that I may live and keep your word. |
| 18 | Open my eyes, that I may see * the wonders of your law. |
Blessings and Peace,
~The Rev. Peter M. Carey
03 December 2014
Day 3 of Advent "give ear to my words"
Readings for Day 3 of Advent
"give ear to my words"
From Psalm 5
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD; *consider my meditation.2 Hearken to my cry for help, my King and my God, *for I make my prayer to you.
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD; *
consider my meditation.
2 Hearken to my cry for help, my King and my God, *
for I make my prayer to you.
The psalmist calls out a rather modern prayer, "give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation," and prays that God might listen to his prayers. Praying about praying. As we move into the season of Advent, we might turn to God in prayer and prayer can take many forms. There are the prayers that we issue in the form of words, such as the Psalmist often does. "God give me grace!" "God give me patience!" "God help me!" "God, I am thankful for all that I have and all that I have." Words are important, and when we can vocalize our prayers in words, our words become a part of us, and also can become praise and also hope for others. Prayers of grace and thanksgiving before meals, prayers before a potentially difficult meeting, prayers for safety and a good effort before an athletic competition. Do we have the courage to offer words of prayer? Do we have the courage to offer prayers in a variety of contexts? Do we have the courage to give word to our faith? Do we have the courage to live out our faith in this way? St. Francis is reported to have said, "Preach the gospel always, when necessary, use words." Absolutely, I agree. It can be rather more difficult to live out a theology or a spirituality than it is to write or say a creed. However, there are also times to speak words of prayer.
Advent and Christmas can be opportunities for us to give voice to our faith, to actually speak up for "the reason for the season," and to remind people that Christmas is "Christ's Mass" and that it is a recognition of the Incarnation of God becoming Human in the person of Jesus, and also the way this Incarnation lives on today.
Do we have the courage to give voice to prayers that might offer thanksgiving and praise for the "reason for the season"? I hope and pray that we do.
May Advent continue to offer you blessings,
~The Rev. Peter M. Carey
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