In the Episcopal Church (and probably some other denominations), Postulants and Candidates for the diaconate or priesthood are required by canon law to report to their Bishop in writing at each of these seasons. Guidelines for these letters say, “It is not enough to say that you read a book or took a course, but how did it affect you? Did you learn something that you didn’t know before? Was it helpful or challenging? Are you struggling with long held beliefs that no longer seem tenable? If you are like most of us, your spiritual journey has ups and downs. Where are you today? What works? What is hard and why?”
During the sermon on Holy Cross Day, everyone at St. John's was challenged to write an Ember Day letter outlining our ministry or calling and how well we feel we are following it. We were encouraged to look at our lives in terms of that ministry or calling to see what works and what is not so joyful about it. (You can hear the sermon itself here: http://stjohnsabq.org/sermon_archive.php, scroll down to Sept. 13)
So, why is it important to look at our lives in terms of our ministry or calling? Putting your Rule of Life down on paper is a time honored discipline of monastic and lay orders. Most of us don’t live in monasteries and the majority are not members of lay orders, either. As the Ember Day guidelines point out, “It is important for you to know and to explain your own spiritual journey for it is in that way we begin to understand and empathetically respond to another’s journey.”
In taking up the challenge to write an Ember Day letter, I discovered that my own life is rather like a braided rope with three interconnected strands of ministry that use my gifts in different ways. There are at least 3 ways I use the gifts from God to proclaim the Kingdom of God.
One is in my work-a-day world as an administrative assistant, using gifts of organization and administration to keep the behind the scenes tasks of the Cathedral running smoothly.
Then there are the various named ministries I am involved in, such as Daughters of the King. Being chapter president involves similar gifts of administration and teaching as well as a servant’s heart to carry out the Rule of Life of the Order: Prayer and Service and Evangelism to women and girls.
My writing is another strand of the rope of ministry. The process involves being open to the ‘whispers of the Eternal’ and discovering the link between the lives of our spiritual ancestors and our faith journeys today. The gift of teaching is also involved, not only in my books, but in the studies, retreats, and even these blog postings I write.
It was an interesting process to undertake an Ember Day Letter and actually take time to look at the ministry I am involved in and how I feel about each part of that ministry. I would encourage you to take some time over the next week to evaluate your life and ministry in terms of your gifts and calling. A place to start is with the three questions used weekly by men and women who have attended Cursillo. These questions help you look at the important parts of your Christian Walk.
With what spiritual aids have you nourished your vital union with Christ? (piety)
What have you done to understand the gift of God and form your mind after the mind of Christ? (study)
What apostolic success did the Lord accomplish through you? (evangelism/action)
See you next week for another Fall Meditation.
