July 29
Friends,
In this week’s Gospel we hear of the encounters Jesus has with the crowd the day after he had fed them. We would have heard the Gospel according to John’s account of the feeding of the five thousand last week, but we celebrated our patronal feast on the Feast of St James instead. So this week, we catch up with Jesus and the disciples on the other side of the sea after they departed where the crowd has spent the night. I wanted to set the scene because it helps understand the interactions Jesus is having with the crowd that figured out where he went after the miraculous feeding.
Basically, Jesus has performed a miracle, yes a miracle, and has departed that place. The folks who were the recipients of the miracle have tracked him down the very next day and are demanding that he perform yet another miracle. I don’t know about all of y’all but that sure does sound familiar to me if I think about how I talk to God. As I am the recipient of God’s miracles on a daily basis, I sure do demand God give me some more on a more than daily basis. Why is that?
I think it has to do with our very humanity. We are scared and insecure beings. We are fragile. And so, wet being so insecure, we have a hard time realizing and accepting the true nature of God’s relationship with us. God just fed us, and here we are the very next day demanding more. Not because we loved it so, but because we're afraid we'll never get it again, because we are afraid we never deserved it.
But God gave us the answer right here in this bit of Gospel, good news. All we have to do is believe. No, I am not being over simplistic. I very much understand how hard it is to believe. And yet, what I hear God saying to us is that He is feeding us, now we should go out and expect that miracle again. God is calling us to live into our hope not our fears. God’s miracle of feeding the thousands is a sign of God’s abundant love for us all. No exceptions. And so when we forget that we’ve been fed, we are to remember when it has happened and step into the hope of believing it will happen again.
Mac+
the Very Rev. Mac Brown
rector@stjamestaos.org
In this week’s Gospel we hear of the encounters Jesus has with the crowd the day after he had fed them. We would have heard the Gospel according to John’s account of the feeding of the five thousand last week, but we celebrated our patronal feast on the Feast of St James instead. So this week, we catch up with Jesus and the disciples on the other side of the sea after they departed where the crowd has spent the night. I wanted to set the scene because it helps understand the interactions Jesus is having with the crowd that figured out where he went after the miraculous feeding.
Basically, Jesus has performed a miracle, yes a miracle, and has departed that place. The folks who were the recipients of the miracle have tracked him down the very next day and are demanding that he perform yet another miracle. I don’t know about all of y’all but that sure does sound familiar to me if I think about how I talk to God. As I am the recipient of God’s miracles on a daily basis, I sure do demand God give me some more on a more than daily basis. Why is that?
I think it has to do with our very humanity. We are scared and insecure beings. We are fragile. And so, wet being so insecure, we have a hard time realizing and accepting the true nature of God’s relationship with us. God just fed us, and here we are the very next day demanding more. Not because we loved it so, but because we're afraid we'll never get it again, because we are afraid we never deserved it.
But God gave us the answer right here in this bit of Gospel, good news. All we have to do is believe. No, I am not being over simplistic. I very much understand how hard it is to believe. And yet, what I hear God saying to us is that He is feeding us, now we should go out and expect that miracle again. God is calling us to live into our hope not our fears. God’s miracle of feeding the thousands is a sign of God’s abundant love for us all. No exceptions. And so when we forget that we’ve been fed, we are to remember when it has happened and step into the hope of believing it will happen again.
Mac+
the Very Rev. Mac Brown
rector@stjamestaos.org
July 22
Friends,
This week we celebrate the Feast of St James, our patronal feast. And in this Gospel reading, which the gospel is always Good News, we hear of the reality of the truth of our call to be faithful disciples. That we are able to drink from the cup that Christ drinks from. Of course this has a metaphorical meaning and for us, centuries on, a liturgical meaning too.
Metaphorically, and theologically, it is saying that we disciples are called to the very same work to which Christ himself has been called. We are able to drink from the same cup, because we are called to live lives of sacrificial love just like Christ. As we know, all of the divine work has been about getting us back into full relationship with the One who loved us first. And so, here we are again being invited into the Divine life, as full participants, who are able to exemplify the love that God has for all by being willing to allow our lives to be or service. This parent’s desire to elevate her two sons to be along aside the Christ, reveals that God has always been by our side not as one to be served but as the servant.
I am of course struck by the liturgical discord this strikes as well. During this pandemic, we have not shared the common cup, as is our tradition. As a liturgical representation of this scripture, we have for centuries passed the cup among disciples. And yet, as a precaution and sacrificial loving action for our neighbors, we have abstained from the tradition of sharing the Cup in our worship. And as I have preached before and will preach again, just because we aren’t doing it the way we did, doesn’t mean God isn’t calling us to do it in a new way. In our sacrifice of our beloved tradition for the plastic prepackaged communion cups, we are witnessing to our love for each other by being willing to give up something so life-giving. In this action of abstaining from the liturgical cup, we are sharing in the Spiritual Cup that God has promised us. It is the continually perplexing paradox that in death we find new life. In our willingness to sacrifice we are witnessing to those around us that they are worthy, they are loved, and they matter, no matter what.
Is this not the Feast that we should celebrate? Let us join in prayer and worship as we celebrate the Feast of St James and the sharing of the banquet, even to the cross, for all the world to witness Love.
Mac+
the Very Rev. Mac Brown
rector@stjamestaos.org
This week we celebrate the Feast of St James, our patronal feast. And in this Gospel reading, which the gospel is always Good News, we hear of the reality of the truth of our call to be faithful disciples. That we are able to drink from the cup that Christ drinks from. Of course this has a metaphorical meaning and for us, centuries on, a liturgical meaning too.
Metaphorically, and theologically, it is saying that we disciples are called to the very same work to which Christ himself has been called. We are able to drink from the same cup, because we are called to live lives of sacrificial love just like Christ. As we know, all of the divine work has been about getting us back into full relationship with the One who loved us first. And so, here we are again being invited into the Divine life, as full participants, who are able to exemplify the love that God has for all by being willing to allow our lives to be or service. This parent’s desire to elevate her two sons to be along aside the Christ, reveals that God has always been by our side not as one to be served but as the servant.
I am of course struck by the liturgical discord this strikes as well. During this pandemic, we have not shared the common cup, as is our tradition. As a liturgical representation of this scripture, we have for centuries passed the cup among disciples. And yet, as a precaution and sacrificial loving action for our neighbors, we have abstained from the tradition of sharing the Cup in our worship. And as I have preached before and will preach again, just because we aren’t doing it the way we did, doesn’t mean God isn’t calling us to do it in a new way. In our sacrifice of our beloved tradition for the plastic prepackaged communion cups, we are witnessing to our love for each other by being willing to give up something so life-giving. In this action of abstaining from the liturgical cup, we are sharing in the Spiritual Cup that God has promised us. It is the continually perplexing paradox that in death we find new life. In our willingness to sacrifice we are witnessing to those around us that they are worthy, they are loved, and they matter, no matter what.
Is this not the Feast that we should celebrate? Let us join in prayer and worship as we celebrate the Feast of St James and the sharing of the banquet, even to the cross, for all the world to witness Love.
Mac+
the Very Rev. Mac Brown
rector@stjamestaos.org
July 1
Friends,
These past two weeks have been some of the best weeks as your rector. This week, Aloyse and I closed on a house in Taos. For the past two years we have been renting a house in Ranchos. The owners are moving back, and so we needed to find a house. So this week, we have closed on a house on Upper Ranchitos that went under contract back in March. You may recall me discussing it during our Lenten Wednesday evenings. So over the next two weeks we will be moving house. I will maintain my office hours but will reduce my other appointments so that we can move. We are so very excited to be setting roots deeper in Taos.
As big as buying a house is, this past Sunday at St. James was a glorious sight that has made these weeks so much more special. As you know, Fr. Mike Olsen has returned to the altar and pulpit at St James as an official assisting priest. We also, for just a few more weeks, have Deacon Jill Cline serving at the altar and preaching. This cadre of clergy is a blessing for us all. And so I want to write a bit to talk about the orders of ministry in the Episcopal Church.
There are four orders of ministry, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and Laity. The most important order is most certainly the Laity, that is the baptized, that is, you. Exponetially, the baptized are the largest order of ministry. The laity are bound by their baptismal vows, (pg 292 Book of Common Prayer) and are guided by the Holy Spirit to carry Christ’s work of reconciliation into the world. This is the most important order and these are the most important ministers. Deacons, as Jill Cline was recently ordained, are to translate the needs of the world back to the Church by being servants to the most in need. Deacons are directly directed by their bishop and have liturgical responsibilities to read the Gospel, set the Altar, and to dismiss the people into the world. Priests are to serve the Church by serving the sacraments, serving as a pastor, and to share with their bishop the administration and oversight of the Church. Priests are called to teach, bless, and declare pardon in God’s name. Then we get to bishops. Bishops are signs of unity both within a diocese and between dioceses. They are called to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the whole Church, and serve as chief priest and pastor of a diocese. The Episcopal Church practices a tradition called sequential ordination, that is, all priests were ordained deacons first, and all bishops were priests first. We are witnesses to this as Jill Cline is called to be a priest, but has to spend six months to a year as a deacon prior to being ordained a priest.
All of these definitions can be found in your prayerbook on pg 855 in the Catechism. I have even plagiarized direct parts for this blog because it says it well, and I am vowed to uphold the prayerbook.
But what does this all mean? It means that each of us has a place that we have been called to serve God. We have each been blessed with gifts to be utilized to the service of God and the Church. It means that you baptized folk are the most important ministers. And it also means that none of us has been given the same gifts or given the same call. If you are finding yourself wondering where you are being called, go read the baptismal vows, pg 292, that you have made. And if you are finding a sense of call to another order of ministry, give me a call and let’s talk.
Mac+
The Very Rev. Mac Brown
rector@stjamestaos.org
These past two weeks have been some of the best weeks as your rector. This week, Aloyse and I closed on a house in Taos. For the past two years we have been renting a house in Ranchos. The owners are moving back, and so we needed to find a house. So this week, we have closed on a house on Upper Ranchitos that went under contract back in March. You may recall me discussing it during our Lenten Wednesday evenings. So over the next two weeks we will be moving house. I will maintain my office hours but will reduce my other appointments so that we can move. We are so very excited to be setting roots deeper in Taos.
As big as buying a house is, this past Sunday at St. James was a glorious sight that has made these weeks so much more special. As you know, Fr. Mike Olsen has returned to the altar and pulpit at St James as an official assisting priest. We also, for just a few more weeks, have Deacon Jill Cline serving at the altar and preaching. This cadre of clergy is a blessing for us all. And so I want to write a bit to talk about the orders of ministry in the Episcopal Church.
There are four orders of ministry, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and Laity. The most important order is most certainly the Laity, that is the baptized, that is, you. Exponetially, the baptized are the largest order of ministry. The laity are bound by their baptismal vows, (pg 292 Book of Common Prayer) and are guided by the Holy Spirit to carry Christ’s work of reconciliation into the world. This is the most important order and these are the most important ministers. Deacons, as Jill Cline was recently ordained, are to translate the needs of the world back to the Church by being servants to the most in need. Deacons are directly directed by their bishop and have liturgical responsibilities to read the Gospel, set the Altar, and to dismiss the people into the world. Priests are to serve the Church by serving the sacraments, serving as a pastor, and to share with their bishop the administration and oversight of the Church. Priests are called to teach, bless, and declare pardon in God’s name. Then we get to bishops. Bishops are signs of unity both within a diocese and between dioceses. They are called to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the whole Church, and serve as chief priest and pastor of a diocese. The Episcopal Church practices a tradition called sequential ordination, that is, all priests were ordained deacons first, and all bishops were priests first. We are witnesses to this as Jill Cline is called to be a priest, but has to spend six months to a year as a deacon prior to being ordained a priest.
All of these definitions can be found in your prayerbook on pg 855 in the Catechism. I have even plagiarized direct parts for this blog because it says it well, and I am vowed to uphold the prayerbook.
But what does this all mean? It means that each of us has a place that we have been called to serve God. We have each been blessed with gifts to be utilized to the service of God and the Church. It means that you baptized folk are the most important ministers. And it also means that none of us has been given the same gifts or given the same call. If you are finding yourself wondering where you are being called, go read the baptismal vows, pg 292, that you have made. And if you are finding a sense of call to another order of ministry, give me a call and let’s talk.
Mac+
The Very Rev. Mac Brown
rector@stjamestaos.org
June 24
I have some very exciting news. As you are aware, it is both tradition and diocesan policy that when a cleric leaves a call, that that cleric cease any pastoral relationships with the congregation. It is tough. On Lookout Mtn, we made many close friendships that have been hard to watch shift into another form as we departed. And we know this pain too as clergy have transitioned to new calls.
As time passes, that policy and tradition lighten. And you all are aware that my first action as Rector was to invite Fr. Mike and Sandy Olsen back into our worshiping community. Even though that invitation violated our tradition and policy. As you may be aware, my favorite rule is that all rules can be broken for pastoral consideration. And so, I decided that it was more important to the care of Mike and Sandy as well as all of us, to invite them to participate freely in our worship and ministries.
Over the past two years, Mike has returned to the altar at times when I needed to be away. His presence has been a blessing to me. And so, I am extremely happy to announce that starting this Sunday, Fr. Mike will return to St James altar and pulpit as an official Assisting Priest of St. James. This is permissible because of the diligent work Fr. Mike has done during the transition and because of the wonderful relationship we have together. Fr. Mike will assist us each Sunday at the altar and will preach monthly. He will also be the point person for re-establishing our mission in Angel Fire and Red River. All the while aiding in the pastoral care of our community.
Fr. Mike will preach this Sunday, and will be regular in our preaching rotation. Please join me in celebrating the new life in our community and the return of Fr. Mike to our altar and pulpit.
Mac+
The Very Rev. Mac Brown
rector@stjamestaos.org
As time passes, that policy and tradition lighten. And you all are aware that my first action as Rector was to invite Fr. Mike and Sandy Olsen back into our worshiping community. Even though that invitation violated our tradition and policy. As you may be aware, my favorite rule is that all rules can be broken for pastoral consideration. And so, I decided that it was more important to the care of Mike and Sandy as well as all of us, to invite them to participate freely in our worship and ministries.
Over the past two years, Mike has returned to the altar at times when I needed to be away. His presence has been a blessing to me. And so, I am extremely happy to announce that starting this Sunday, Fr. Mike will return to St James altar and pulpit as an official Assisting Priest of St. James. This is permissible because of the diligent work Fr. Mike has done during the transition and because of the wonderful relationship we have together. Fr. Mike will assist us each Sunday at the altar and will preach monthly. He will also be the point person for re-establishing our mission in Angel Fire and Red River. All the while aiding in the pastoral care of our community.
Fr. Mike will preach this Sunday, and will be regular in our preaching rotation. Please join me in celebrating the new life in our community and the return of Fr. Mike to our altar and pulpit.
Mac+
The Very Rev. Mac Brown
rector@stjamestaos.org