
What’s in a Bible?
The word “beautiful,” which occurs a couple of dozen times, carries the weight of the Gospel embodied.
The word “beautiful,” which occurs a couple of dozen times, carries the weight of the Gospel embodied.
“Using precious objects of our faith as props in a display to uphold white dominance and violence is a blatant display of evil.
The words of our Bible are the lifeblood of our prayers. They teach us about peace, love and justice, and sustain us when we need hope. The words of the Bible connect us to the life and teachings of Jesus. Through him we have learned to love our neighbor and build beloved community.” – Bishop MacVean-Brown of Vermont
“With every sunrise and sunset
may my body be a prayer
my life given in love
for the sake of my neighbor
for the sake of the world”
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s Response to the President
The President just used a Bible and one of the churches of my diocese as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that our church stands for. To do so, he sanctioned the use of tear gas by police officers in riot gear to clear the church yard.
I am outraged.
“In my 67 years, I have seen our country change a great deal. But what happened to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra Bland, Paul Castaway, Melissa Ventura, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin and countless others has been a sad constant.”
“Today’s Eucharistic Gospel (Lk 1:39-49) tells of two women, one young and one old, both pregnant for the first time. Danger to both their lives in a world where losing a baby was as common as the death of a mother after a successful live birth. And social shame overhanging both women. Mary, hardly married, although they had found a nice solid devout local craftsman for her. Who didn’t know what he was getting himself into, but had faith in his dreams. Because sometimes dealing with God is like that. And Elizabeth, her shameful barrenness finally overcome, but with a priestly husband struck dumb at the altar of the Holy One of Israel. “And what was that all about?” her neighbors whispered amongst themselves.”
We promise to keep you up to date on any developments over the coming days. When it is possible, we will repair the physical damage to our church. Please pray that our country can heal the wounds laid bare by the tragic and unnecessary death of George Floyd.
“We create our ecstasy and we create our peace. And when we choose anesthetizing addictions we dull the light as well as the darkness.”
“Jesus breathed on them and said, “receive Holy Spirit.” Breath quickens blood, quickens soul, moves our spirits in exaltation and our bodies in dance. Wind moves the clouds in patterns across the sky: Ruach, Creator’s companion — breath of God, Word of God.”
Whether magnificent or minuscule; each of us has something to contribute to the building of God’s kingdom.