The Ecumenism of Blood

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I continue to think about the shocking murder of an aged French Catholic priest by ISIS. In particular I am struck by the reminder from the Archbishop of Canterbury that he, like many others in our world, was martyred, not as an Anglican or Catholic or Baptist, but as a Christian.  The bond of suffering becomes a bond of unity.

We become too readily acceptant of the state of disunity in which we live. Hardship sometimes breaks through this state and reminds of a more basic spiritual consanguinity.  In the last centuries Christians in India, marginalized, could no longer afford their divided state.  We now have our eyes opened to something similar.

We already share, with Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans, and Reformed, a single baptism of water.  In the early Church they spoke of a baptism in blood undergone by martyrs as they were being prepared for the font. In a similar way, in a terrible way, may this hard moment in world history as well awaken us to having 'one Lord, one faith, one baptism.' (Ephesians 4:1)

Peace

+GRS

 

Posted by The Rt. Rev. George Sumner with

Complete the Race (II Timothy 4:17)

At the end of our vacation we find ourselves in Chicago for its Marathon weekend (the fastest, I have read this morning, perhaps because it is cool and relatively level). Marathons offer many good things. You can see world-class athletes from places like Ethiopia and Kenya. There is a feel of fiesta with signs by family members, getups by some for-fun runners, and food for sale.

But as I looked out my hotel window at 7:30 a.m., I watched the race of competitors who have lost legs or their use. Wheeling vehicles by arm for 26 miles means serious fitness and determination.

Those competitors were to me, this morning, a symbol of the Church too. For each is wounded. The larger family cheers them on. Each by grace has risen up to run the race. Ahead is the goal, the prize, the welcome home. We find the companionship of Jesus the Lord, there, and along the route too.

Amen.

GRS

 

   

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