praxistheologia.com

Pastor,
I have tried to reconcile the events of last Sunday with the Eucharist we celebrated and I am, as yet, unable to. That we, as a congregation, have become so fearful of those ‘in the heart of the city’ surrounding us that we ask others to cary weapons into our midst has left me quite sad. I do not know fact from fiction regarding the reasons Durham’s finest were called to the scene but I do know the theological implications of weapons in the Church - that we, as a people, have forgotten that no more weapons are required, that we live as a people of abundance in an economy of gifts from God who provides more than we need; even to the point where what we steward is taken from us.

Be it fact or fiction, Trinity’s collective breath speaks of homeless men bathing in the sinks, eaten cakes and missing purses. As people of God’s gracious economy of abundance we who are privileged according to the world’s economics must realize what a blessing we can and must be to those around us. It is our privilege, as God’s People, to have our lives interrupted by the unclean, the tax collectors and the smelly fisherman - the homeless and the thieves. It is our privilege, to have that which we steward taken from us - to have ‘our’ belongings stolen.

I realize that I am speaking to the choir as it were, but I do not know who else to direct my concerns (and to be honest, indignation) at this situation. Whatever gifts I may or may not have one thing I am certain I can do: tell stories. While I do not know what prompted the arrival of the officer the rumors flying indicate it had something to do with thievery. Because of this, I am reminded of another story of a thief in church:

Valjean Arrested, Valjean Forgiven
(Having been offered a place to sleep in the cathedral, ex-felon Valjean flits off into the night having stolen the altar’s silver from the church that gave him a place to sleep)

Constables
1. Tell his reverence your story
2. Let us see if he’s impressed
1. You were lodging here last night
2. You were the honest Bishop’s guest.
And then, out of Christian goodness
When he learned about your plight
1. You maintain he made a present of this silver.

Bishop:
That is right.
But my friend you left so early
Surely something slipped your mind

The bishop gives Valjean two silver candlesticks.

You forgot I gave these also
Would you leave the best behind?
So, Messieurs, you may release him
For this man has spoken true
I commend you for your duty
And God’s blessing go with you.

Constables leave. The bishop addresses Valjean.

But remember this, my brother
See in this some higher plan
You must use this precious silver
To become an honest man
By the witness of the martyrs
By the Passion and the Blood
God has raised you out of darkness
I have bought your soul for God!

~Les Miserables, Hugo.

How can I help share this story, or perhaps one more biting closer to home, at Trinity? A song, a steeple article, direct confrontation and conversation?

Frustrated and choking on the hand that feeds.

~Kevin.