At the heart of all heresy lies the refusal to deal with paradox–Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple

As part of my devotional practice I subscribe to Fr. Richard Rohr’s, OFM, daily meditation from The Center for Action and Contemplation.  Over the past couple of days his postings have been haunting, poignant and timely words for The Episcopal Church and the important, complex and often painful workings of our General Convention in Anaheim.

I post the one from today for your reflection and comment. I believe what follows is a word to all of us whether the actions of General Convention are cause for rejoicing, lament, consternation, dismay or ambivalence.  I pray we can all step back from whatever precipice we are heading toward (on both sides) and recognize that folks of good faith and a desire for truth can arrive at apparently diametrically opposing conclusions.

This time and issue, as I see it, for the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion is that we are mired in a Holy Paradox and the real heresy will be the refusal to deal with it completely.

Now is the time for the Grace that Fr. Rohr describes below…..In my humble opinion.

Grace is always a humiliation for the ego. Salvation is always a defeat for the ego; because I want to feel, “I’ve done something to accomplish this, haven’t I?” That’s the only way the ego feels satisfied and competent.

At some point, we must realize that salvation is absolutely, objectively, metaphysically, universally a FREE GIFT, and all we can do is RECEIVE IT. It’s free for the taking, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with being worthy of it.

We are all unworthy. If receiving the Eucharist depends on worthiness, no one would be in line, including the presiding clergy, Archbishops and Popes. Why do we waste time trying to prove that I’m better than you, I’m higher than you, I’m holier than you, I understand better than you, I’m purer than you? Don’t even go there! Just surrender to grace, which will feel like a kind of death. And it is!

Adapted from The Cosmic Christ (CD#1)