I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, yet God’s calling has me worshiping, growing, and sharing here at Messiah Lutheran Church in Yorba Linda. Since my parents and siblings are all still Catholics, I found myself in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Placentia on Saturday celebrating the Confirmation of my youngest niece, Gabriella.
I must confess that I am always surprised at how Catholic and Lutheran worship are almost exactly the same. More surprising than that however, was who the presiding celebrant was; not only for the celebration of Confirmation, but for the worship, as well. The celebrant was not the local Catholic Bishop, but a visiting bishop. And not just a visiting bishop, but the Most Reverend Nicholas Samra… a bishop of the Eastern Byzantine Catholic Church!
Bishop Samra was delightful. Although he is certainly a practiced speaker, and sprinkled in just the right balance of humor, it was his spiritual fire that kept the people in the packed church riveted during his homily in the middle of a 3-hour celebration and service. I loved how he answered one young man who had written him to say that he was sorry that his Confirmation instruction was coming to a close. He answered that Confirmation was not an end at all, but just the beginning of a life of learning, and growing, and sharing, and walking… in Christ.
It was a wonderful day.
But it got me thinking… how are we doing at becoming one body in Christ? Would we welcome in a Catholic Bishop to confirm our young people? Would we allow an Eastern Byzantine Bishop to preside over our worship? Would we feel comfortable with him speaking the words of institution, and serving Communion? We are called to be one body in Christ. More often than not, the world views us, not just as isolated parts, but feuding isolated parts.
My question is: What are we doing to work closer to being one body in Christ? Perhaps there are ways in which we are already moving in that direction. Are there examples of us (at Messiah) striving to be one body in our community… in our country… in our world?
I must confess that I am always surprised at how Catholic and Lutheran worship are almost exactly the same. More surprising than that however, was who the presiding celebrant was; not only for the celebration of Confirmation, but for the worship, as well. The celebrant was not the local Catholic Bishop, but a visiting bishop. And not just a visiting bishop, but the Most Reverend Nicholas Samra… a bishop of the Eastern Byzantine Catholic Church!
Bishop Samra was delightful. Although he is certainly a practiced speaker, and sprinkled in just the right balance of humor, it was his spiritual fire that kept the people in the packed church riveted during his homily in the middle of a 3-hour celebration and service. I loved how he answered one young man who had written him to say that he was sorry that his Confirmation instruction was coming to a close. He answered that Confirmation was not an end at all, but just the beginning of a life of learning, and growing, and sharing, and walking… in Christ.
It was a wonderful day.
But it got me thinking… how are we doing at becoming one body in Christ? Would we welcome in a Catholic Bishop to confirm our young people? Would we allow an Eastern Byzantine Bishop to preside over our worship? Would we feel comfortable with him speaking the words of institution, and serving Communion? We are called to be one body in Christ. More often than not, the world views us, not just as isolated parts, but feuding isolated parts.
My question is: What are we doing to work closer to being one body in Christ? Perhaps there are ways in which we are already moving in that direction. Are there examples of us (at Messiah) striving to be one body in our community… in our country… in our world?
YBIC, Dave
That is a great and an important question. Here in North Orange County, surrounded by churches large and small, we so often get caught up in the business of keeping our own 'institution' going that we have little energy or interest left over for connecting with our sister churches. And truth be told, usually the members of congregations expect that leadership will 'tend' them first before they try to build bridges to other congregations. That doesn't excuse leadership but it does help understand why things are the way they are. Thanks for the good question. Ron
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