The Holy Spirit

It is Sunday, July 12, and I have a moment to reflect just before going into our legislative session for the fifth day. My two most vivid impressions are of visits by the Holy Spirit.

The first visit was the address to us by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury. He told us not to lie to ourselves, to the world or to others. In doing so he expressed both passion and reason. I have felt conflicted between my passions and reason. Experiencing him demonstrated that one can integrate both passion and reason: each must be strong and health to reinforce the other.

The second was the action of the Canons committee in working through the proposed revision of Title IV, which concerns clergy discipline. At the beginning of the week there was great contention as only lawyers and clergy demonstrate. Then those present commenced to listen to one another, and by the final session on the matter passed out a unanimous recommendation supporting a cleaned up package. There wasn/t a dry eye among the fifty people present in the room.

I am now on my way to the session where we consider relations with the Anglican Communion and the Windsor Report. The recommended action makes no change in Resolution B033 of 2006 which counsels restraint in participation by gays and lesbians in the life of The Episcopal Church. The recommended action declares a clear commitment to full participation and also a clear commitment to full participation in the Anglican Communion including financial support, and a clear declaration that the matter is contentious both within the TEC and the Communion. It is an authentic declaration of who and where we are, I believe a majority in support of full participation, and a substantial body of those who disagree. I believe that sets the stage for the serious conversation about what, prayerfully, comes next.

If some form of this resolution should pass, we then face the next challenge, that of affirming our love for those who disagree. As a liberal who has felt marginalized during most of the last generation, I feel it is of utmost importance that we do not marginalize those who disagree with us. The love of God is far greater than our divisions. Our shared commitment to Christ is far more important than the human issues that divide us.

Charles Mack