Sharing the Gospel in an Apocalyptic Era

Christians are rightly concerned with sharing their faith in a way that actually
speaks to the culture around us; but, above all, we must share that faith
from our own experience of its transformative power.

Here are words by the estimable priest, poet, and theologian Thomas Traherne (c. 1636-1674; commemorated 10 October) on the theme of what it means to share the Gospel—evangelize—in a society rather like ours: a busy, worldly, and often hardened era that seems to worship money and status alone (later seventeenth century England was surprisingly similar to our own day). Like now, many at the time prophesied the end of religion; atheism was steeply on the rise amongst the “better class” of intellectuals and social elite, and many of the clergy tended towards venial careerism and spiritual decadence. Yet, Traherne could make these trenchant observations about how to share our Christian faith from our own experience of friendship with God...

Our friendship with God ought to be so pure and so clear, that nakedly and simply for His Divine Love, for His glorious works, and blessed laws, the wisdom of His counsels, His ancient ways and attributes towards us, we should ever in public endeavour to honour Him, Always taking care to glorify Him before men: to speak of His goodness, to sanctify His name, to do those things that will stir up others, and occasion others to glorify Him. Doing this so zealously that we would, not forbear the least act wherein we might serve Him for all worlds. It ought to be a firm principle rooted in us, that this life is the most precious season in all Eternity, because all Eternity dependeth on it. Now we may do those actions which hereafter we shall never have occasion to do. And now we are to do them in another manner, which in its place is the most acceptable in all worlds: namely, by faith and hope, in which God infinitely delighteth, with difficulty and danger, which God infinitely commiserates, and greatly esteems. So piecing this life with the life of Heaven, and seeing it as one with all Eternity, a part of it, a life within it: Strangely and stupendously blessed in its place and season.

The problem with a great deal of “evangelism” in such times is that it can assume the culture is able to hear the Gospel message. This is not always true. In our day, the minds and schedules of many are simply closed and full. To bring Christ to others in an authentic and non-coercive way to a modern secular American often means showing forth a converted life ourselves. In other words: practicing what we preach. Nothing very radical here.

Except that it is. To practice the Christian faith outside of Sunday morning is actually rather novel to many in our tradition. After years of noblesse oblige and privileged indolence, it is easier to talk about being an Episcopalian than it is to practice a transformed life in Christ, loving God and neighbor through prayer, acts of compassion, and living a simple and holy life. It means intimacy, friendship with God.

In this passage from the Centuries of Meditation (a book of short meditations on the nature and practice of the spiritual life he wrote for woman seeking instruction in these matters), Traherne is emphasizing “naked and simple” desire to live for God’s wise and life-giving way made known in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are to adapt our way of sharing this message to the person and situation…but never to forget that the years of our life are the most precious in Eternity because all Eternity depends on how we use them. People who evangelize based on their own experience of transformation inherently know what to say—and when—because the saying is really just the application of an already well-practiced life of doing. As St. Francis is quoted as saying: “Preach the Gospel at all times; use words when necessary.”

Traherne’s world and ours share an apocalyptic setting, being times of both decay and renewal. An old order is passing out of existence and a new way of living, sharing, and experiencing is being established. What stays constant for the Christian is a deep communion with the essence of faith and practice. A ready access to God as friend and companion, not intellectual or ideological "concept," will make connections that no amount of "tips," stratagems, or techniques to shore up a human institution could never make. Such openness to God and neighbor is the one kind evangelism that never grows stale or out-of-date.

Praying for Those in Error or Sin

One of the truly solemn privileges of the Christian’s prayer life is to intercede for those corrupted by sin. Every person, age, and place struggles with the temptation to be conformed to the world, and there are always voices and powers that seek to recast even the Gospel itself to the idols of a particular era.

The Liturgy of Baptism in the Book of Common Prayer requires that we must first renounce “Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God,” “the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God,” and “all sinful desires that draw [us] from the love of God” before we may take the name of Christ Jesus upon our lips as Lord and Savior.

We simply cannot make sin a blessing. Any attempt to do so is both betrayal and folly.

The struggle around this issue is firstly a personal one. Each Christian must enter into a lifelong journey of deepening dependence on Christ, confronting all idols and evil within us in the light his love and cleansing grace—so that we (in the words of the Collect) may “purify ourselves as he is pure.”

To this end, the Church offers the Confession of Sin in both the Daily Office and the Eucharist as well as through the Reconciliation of a Penitent (private auricular confession). It also offers the Laying on of Hands and Anointing for healing, fasting, individual Rules of Life emphasizing repentance and humility, education about the nature of sin and God's grace, spiritual direction, and pastoral care by both clergy and lay persons who are also seeking to live the Beatitude that says “blessed are pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Yet, this struggle with error, sin, and corruption also must inform our prayers for others. We cannot remain silent before God when sin—in whatever form—runs roughshod through the Christian Church and the world God fashioned. We must intercede for others, even as we pray for ourselves.

The prayers that follow are derived from ancient sources and are deeply aware that error in faith and practice corrupts us, damaging the work and presence of God in our life and exposing us to great danger. (I think here of those whom I have served who have told me of their recovery from lives of carnality, darkness, and participation in evil, and of the great costliness to all dimensions of their being and relationships.)

But these prayers are also full of hope and trust in the strength of God to deliver not only individuals but whole groups from the grip of delusion and error (the lives of the saints--known and unknown to the wider Church--are full of such stories of recovery and healing). We must never forget this: though powerless in the world’s eyes, we bear a message and a medicine greater than all the armies, lawsuits, or advertising campaigns the world over: the mercy, grace, and love of God in Christ. It is this we plead when we pray for others in their need—not our own supposed righteousness or even our just outrage.

So, it is with a personal humility grounded in a practice of repentance, and with an earnest love for those trapped in sin, that we offer these prayers. In so doing, we place whatever grief or sorrow we have in our hearts on Christ’s altar, that our motivation may remain the victory of Truth over all lies, and the worship of the Triune God over all the false idols of this and every epoch.

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That you would bring back the erring into the way of salvation, we beseech you, hear us.

O God of heavenly powers, fulfill your promised mercy; that the hearts of the rebellious may be subdued to the truth of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

That you would bring back the erring into the way of salvation, we beseech you, hear us.

Almighty and everlasting God, who saves all peoples, and does not will that any should perish; look upon the souls which have been deceived by the fraud of the devil; that all heretical perversion may be driven away, and the hearts of the erring may repent and return to your unshaken truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

That you would bring back the erring into the way of salvation, we beseech you, hear us.

Dissolve, O Christ, the schisms of heresy, which seek to subvert the faith and which strive to corrupt the truth; that as you are acknowledged in heaven and earth as one and the same Lord, so your people, gathered from all nations, may serve you in the unity of faith. Amen.

That you would bring back the erring into the way of salvation, we beseech you, hear us.

Grant forgiveness, O Lord, to those who have turned from the grace of the Font, that they may again be adorned with the gifts of faithful repentance; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

That you would bring back the erring into the way of salvation, we beseech you, hear us.

O God most merciful, who recalls the erring and does not despise sinners, we rely on your own promise that you will give pardon to the penitent. May all who seek you find you. Grant this, O Lord. Amen.

That you would bring back the erring into the way of salvation, we beseech you, hear us.

Have mercy, O Lord, upon your servants, that all their wickedness may be put away; grant that they may be so protected by the defense of your compassion that, shunning all misdeeds, they may go on to perfection in the keeping of your commandments and at the last day come before the presence of your glory without shame or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

That you would bring back the erring into the way of salvation, we beseech you, hear us.

O God, you delight in the devotion of the faithful; make your people to be devoted to your holy things; that they who depart from their sacred vows by ungodly depravity of mind may be converted by your grace and return from the snares of the devil wherein they have been held captive; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

That you would bring back the erring into the way of salvation, we beseech you, hear us.

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior.  Amen.

That you would bring back the erring into the way of salvation, we beseech you, hear us.

Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ:  Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

A Litany for the Philippines

Below is a litany for use at times of natural disaster. In the midst of our practical work to relieve such immense suffering, it is essential for us to pray to God for the victims, the suffering, those who are aiding directly in relief, and for the grace and courage to remain faithful to the task at hand for the long term.

A Litany in Response to a Natural Disaster

O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth,

Have mercy upon us.

O God the Son, redeemer of the world,

Have mercy upon us.

O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful,

Have mercy upon us.

Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, One God

Have mercy upon us.

Remember not, Lord Christ our offenses, neither reward us according to our sins.  Spare us, good Lord, spare your people, whom you have redeemed by your cross and passion, and by your mercy preserve us forever.

Spare us, good Lord.

From all natural disasters, from hurricanes, fires, tornados, earthquakes, tsunamis, blizzards and floods,

Good Lord, deliver us.

From all disease and sickness, from famine and violence,

Good Lord, deliver us.

In all times of sorrow, in all times of joy; in the hour of death and at the day of judgment,

Good Lord, deliver us.

Hear our prayers, O Christ our God,

O Christ, hear us.

For the + repose of the souls of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have died in this disaster, that your holy angels may welcome them into Paradise,

O Christ, hear us.

Console all who grieve: those whose loved ones have died, whose families are torn; whose homes have been destroyed, whose possessions have been ruined, who are now unemployed.

O Christ, hear us.

Heal those who suffer from injury and illness, emotional and spiritual distress. Give them hope and encouragement to meet the days ahead.

O Christ, hear us.

Give food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty.

O Christ, hear us.

Give rest to weary and peace to the restless.

O Christ, hear us.

Give strength to the governments of affected regions and all others in authority and leadership; grant them wisdom and power to act in accordance with your will.

O Christ, hear us.

Bless the clergy and people in areas of danger and destruction who strive to do your service in the midst of their own grief and pain.  Give them fortitude to serve as you would serve.

O Christ, hear us.

  

Grant your people grace to witness to your word, to open their hearts in love, and to give generously from their abundance, that they may bring forth the fruits of your Spirit.

O Christ, hear us.

Forgive us Lord, for all negligence and hardheartedness, for an over-reliance on technology and a lack of preparedness that result in bitterness and strife, in injury and death.

O Christ, hear us.

In the midst of loss, grant us eyes that see, ears that hear and hands that work so that we may discern how you would have us respond.

O Christ, hear us.

We give you thanks, Lord God for all agencies and individuals who assist in relief efforts; continue in them the good work you have begun, through them your presence is made known.

We thank you O, Lord

You are our refuge and strength

Our very present help in trouble

In you Lord is our Hope

And we shall never hope in vain

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.

Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever.

O merciful Father, you have taught us in your holy Word that you do not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men: Look with pity upon the sorrows of your people [especially _______, for whom our prayers are offered]. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their souls with patience, comfort them with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Martinmas & Veterans Day: The "Church Militant" Then and Now

A Prayer for Veterans Day:

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad.  Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The eleventh of November has, for Anglican Christians in the United States and elsewhere, a double meaning. It is a secular day of great solemnity (known formerly as Armistice Day and since the Eisenhower presidency as Veterans Day). It originally marked the day when the First World War ended. That war, perhaps more than any other single thing, gave birth the world we still live in. Veteran's Day is also a recognition of the many forms of cost borne by those who serve in the armed forces, as well as their families and loved-ones.

But November eleventh has another meaning for us: it is the commemoration of St. Martin of Tours (AD 316-397): Roman soldier, Christian convert, monk, and finally bishop. His life was a fascinating story of living on the borderland between the pagan and Christian worlds, as well as taking seriously the implications of the Gospel in day-to-day living—most famously in the legend of the still-unbaptized Martin cutting his cloak in two in order to share with a nearly-naked beggar, who turned out to be Christ in disguise.

Part of Martin’s story was the difficulty of being a soldier and a faithful disciple of Christ. It has never been easy to hold these two things together. For early Christians this was particularly an issue, as the normal practice was to renounce the shedding of blood once one became a follower of Jesus. Tried for cowardice, he volunteered to go to the front unarmed, to die there. The war ended before this could be brought to pass, and Martin left the army to become a monk and eventually a bishop. Interestingly, in the battle with the great heresies of the time, the staunchly-orthodox Martin was a victim (being flogged by the pro-Arian authorities in one city), but refused as bishop to enact any policy of violence against heretics himself. He was truly a man of faith and integrity, seeing the folly of hypocrisy wherever it occurred and holding a consistent faith and practice for himself (something we are all called to do, of course; he shows that this is entirely possible for us).

Veterans Day is, for Christians, a day to recognize the tremendous cost of war, the ministry of Christ as the Prince of Peace, and to pray for all those in the military—whose lives are often in danger or hardship, and frequently involved with temptations to commit acts of brutality and carnality. So many bear the scars (physical and emotional) from war and its apparatus; yet, we do want truly good people to be involved in the waging of war, rather than only the most bestial and carnal in the population. On top of this, of course, we pray for peace.

St. Martin’s Day (also known as Martinmas) is a day to recall a saint of great faithfulness and compassion who labored under circumstances similar to our own: conflicting claims for loyalty, demands for conformity to earthly power, and the temptation to use violence in the Name of God. His witness for a consistent ethic of orthodox faith and personal practice of the Gospel is the essential mark of a true Christian. There can be no authentic Christianity without both—something that our branch of the Christian tree seems to struggle with a great deal now.

May we who share with Holy Martin the name of Christian, take courage from his witness, and share with him life eternal in his Lord and ours!

The Collect for the Feast of St. Martin of Tours:

 Lord God of hosts, you clothed your servant Martin the soldier with the spirit of sacrifice, and set him as a bishop in your Church to be a defender of the catholic faith: Give us grace to follow in his holy steps, that at the last we may be found clothed with righteousness in the dwellings of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen