(As PD is still on vacation, I thought I'd take the liberty of opening the chapel* this Sunday evening. Hope nobody minds.)

As summer draws to a close, let us pray* for all those who will soon be returning to school, and in thanksgiving for the summer blessings we have received.

Are you going to either of the National Conventions this year, or do you know someone who is?

The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice is holding a reception there, and you're invited. Details below the fold.

In which I report on how my program's going, what I did on my summer vacation, and solicit suggestions for a Bible passage on which to write my fall term paper.

C'mon over the fold and have some lemonade with me!

This diary started life as an email response about how power dynamics affect the morality of a given action. Wolfie & I got into a side conversation in another diary that started to get into power dynamics, so I thought I'd post this here & see what y'all think.

My thesis here is that the morality of an action cannot be determined without considering the power disparities that are present among the actors -- the power dynamics.

For Roman Catholics, this sunday was the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.

I didn't get the homily I expected to get based on what I saw in the readings, so I thought I'd roll a short one of my own.

I am sorry, and I ask your forgiveness, my gay brothers and sisters, for not speaking up in my parish against injustice and hurtfulness committed against you.

I'm too afraid.

So I was leafing through an essay at the library tonight, trying to decide whether to take out this book on von Balthasar's theology. The topic of the essay was Mary, Peter, Christ, and the Church. I'm leafing through the section on various ways that Mary typifies the church, and come across this phrase, "Mary's humble Yes."

And it makes me want to throw up.

Am I the only one?

Spinning off some discussion about "correct" or "valid" religions in another diary, and trying to reinforce some stuff I learned in class tonight -- I wanted to write about this  and thought it might make for some interesting discussion.

What is the function of doctrinal statements? (In your opinion, and in your faith tradition.)

First, let me define my terms here. A doctrinal statement is a relatively short statement that encapsulates some element of church teaching. For example, "we are justified by faith alone" is a doctrinal statement.

(For purposes of this discussion, issues of what makes such a statement authoritative, or who gets to make them, or the difference between doctrine and dogma, are entirely irrelevant.)

So how do they work? What are they for? What do they do? What do they signify?

It occurred to me, on the way to church today, that Epiphany is to Christmas what Pentecost is to Easter, and both are (or ought to be) of tremendous significance to Christians who are not of Jewish extraction.

The canticle for Compline says it well:

My own eyes have seen the salvation
that you have prepared for all the world to see:
a light to enlighten the nations,
and the glory of your people, Israel.

Follow the star below the fold to see what I'm talking about.

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As we round the wreath today with the fourth candle, as our Advent season comes to completion, take a moment with me to reflect on your experience of this season of hope and expectation this year.

What was part of your Advent observance?
What did you find there?

Follow me below the fold to hear about my journey, and talk about yours.

For all the saints
Who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith
Before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus,
be forever blessed!
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion,
Fellowship divine:
We feebly struggle,
They in glory shine.
Yet all are one
within Thy great design!
Alleluia, Alleluia!

This is my favorite feastday. Follow me below the fold to find out why, and celebrate with me.

Just a quick brain dump (or rather, notebook dump) of some points from last week's session, before I attend tomorrow night's last one in the ICJS series.

Rabbi Joel Zaiman gave a presentation on revelation, scripture, and authority from a traditional Jewish perspective. He opened with:

God said it? -- More or less
I believe it? -- Absolutely.
That settles it? -- Hardly!