October - A Month in the Life of a Seminarian

Greetings from quickly cooling Massachusetts. This past weekend was one of tempestuous winds and driving rains, otherwise known to the good folks in New England as a Nor’easter. You should have seen the look on Melissa's face when the wind mangled into a creation of modern art the umbrella she had purchased within the last hour. It was a sorrowful experience.

This month has been an array of ancient language exams, sermons and papers, but somehow I am still alive. I preached at Christ Church a couple of times, the first of which was on proper 22, Jesus teaching on divorce (Mark 10:2-9). I thought the gospel reading looked challenging and was a subject toward which I feel strongly and an issue which touches the lives of so many, both those who are directly involved as well as family members and friends. However, as I further prepared the sermon I began to feel somewhat fearful with the thought of preaching the conviction of biblical truth yet communicating love to those in the pews who have been or are currently in the midst of divorce. When the day arrived, I sat in the pew as the service drew closer to the sermon and felt terrified—not nervous but terrified. Like the time when I was on a mission trip to the country of Panama and we went swimming with naked Indian kids who were jumping off of thirty, forty and fifty foot cliffs into the water. I remember thinking to myself, if these seven and eight year old kids can do this surely I who am triple their age can take this challenge. I remember feeling a rush of terror as I looked over the cliff and backed away and then suddenly, in a surge wild foolishness ran over the edge and was sucked down through the air and swallowed by the water below. So it was with this preaching engagement. Though I had preached multiple times in the past, never before had I preached on a subject that could seemingly be this controversial or even hurtful. After all, who am I, this young kid who has been married not even two years, to speak on such a great and ancient truth as the sacrament of marriage? However I made it through (go hear to read the sermon: http://philipmayer.blogspot.com/2006/10/divorce.html) and Father Jürgen actually said I did well. Two weeks later I preached again, but this time with no notes whatsoever. In the days before I had written out my sermon and practiced multiple times until I felt I could complete the talk without notes. I felt much better when I stood to preach this time and by the second service I was even able to think on my feet and was beginning to feel a hint of confidence in my speaking ability. After the service I felt that I had conquered. The road to note-less speaking was no longer wobbling like a rope bridge on a child’s playground, but has begun to steady as I progress to the other side.

Youth ministry has been moving steadily forward. Our fall retreat took place without any problems and this past Sunday we went to St. Peters Episcopal Church in Beverly to assist with their weekly soup kitchen and it was a great time with the students.

One of the biggest things that I miss at the seminary is being in a tight-knit group of men who challenge one another and are there for one another during difficult times. I spoke with an acquaintance about this longing and he agreed and then went on to tell of a group that he was involved with at his undergraduate college. Each week they would meet for lunch and then go off and climb up into this old abandoned tunnel. There they would sit in silence until everyone arrived at which point they would pray for one another and through this bonding they became very close. I thought it sounded like an excellent idea and said that we should go for it. We prayed together for God’s leading and then agreed to meet every Tuesday for lunch and prayer. I began talking to some of my other friends on campus and on Tuesday six of us got together for lunch and then we went outside and using the form for Noonday Prayer, prayed for one another. It was great! I am very excited about continuing this group.

Life at the “Mill Street House” is also going well. For those of you who did not know, a few months ago Melissa and I moved into a neo monastic community a few months ago. Mother Beth, one of our former priests at Christ Church and her husband spent a year traveling the globe and visiting intentional Christian communities, both para-church organizations and monasteries here in the states, in Europe and Africa. In following God’s leading they returned to the states and purchased a triple decker house in the worst neighborhood in the city with the intention of building relationships and reaching out to the many poor and rejected people living in the neighborhood. Melissa and I were completely sold on the vision for the house and after much prayer and seeking counsel, we moved into the third floor of the house. Now every morning at seven we gather together in the chapel with the other folks that life here for Morning Prayer and then again then night at ten for Compline. Once a week we have a meal together as a house. We are thoroughly enjoying the experience.

A Day in the Park

 

Hiking in New York

During labor day weekend we were able to go hiking in this park in the state of New York. Is not it beautiful? 

Bishop Thomas Shaw of the diocese of Massachusetts

Here I am along with the bishop of Massachusetts, Thomas Shaw. He is a wonderful man with a very humble spirit. His true heart's desire is to see the church come together in love and unity. Theologically we have some strong disagreements, such as our view of Scripture and more specifically, homosexuality-one of the difficulties of the church here in the west.

Here is Melissa and I, along with our priest, Father Jürgen Liias. He as a wonderful Christian and mentor and has helped me tremendously as I attempt to follow God's leading toward holy orders. He is also one of the best preachers here in the northeast. I admire him greatly. 

Here is Melissa and I at Russel Orchards. We visited the farm over the weekend to enjoy the fall weather, a hay-ride and of course, hot cider and donuts.

Divorce

Divorce is a difficult subject. The word probably brings strong feelings into each of our lives. My aunt, right now is going through divorce and it is emotionally very difficult for me to watch. In preparing to speak to you today I have spoken with a variety of different people concerning divorce and was quickly reminded how opinionated the subject can be.Circumstances were not much different during Jesus day. It was nearing the time for Passover and there would have been great crowds around Jesus when the Pharisees decided that they would attempt to discredit and further than that, destroy Jesus by asking him about divorce. You see despite the prophet Malichi’s proclamation that God hated divorce, like in our culture, divorce was quite common. There were two influential teachers, according to the Mishnah, over the word, “davar aroth,” which Moses wrote in the law as reason for divorce. One teacher taught that the word meant adultery. You could only divorce your wife because of adultery. However, the other, much more popular teacher taught that you could divorce your wife for any reason—if she burnt your supper or if you found another more beautiful than her.

From the framing of this passage, it seems that Pharisees had thought long and hard about this question and they knew exactly where Jesus stood on the matter for he had spoken of these things before. They also knew that Jesus cousin, John the Baptist had recently been thrown into prison and eventually beheaded for preaching about matters surrounding divorce in this same region—surely their hopes were that through their question Jesus would find himself in the same situation.

When Jesus was asked this question about divorce, instead of becoming involved in an argument over the interpretation of the Mosaic law, he took them back to the very beginning when the sacrament of marriage was instituted by God to show to them God’s purpose for marriage and he said:

“From the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

No Option

Tertullian, one of the early Church fathers taught from this passage that when God created the first male and female, he created them in relationship without option. God did not have to create just two people so? He could have created six or seven or eight. He could have created Adam and Eve, and Jill, and Sally, and Patty, and said, “Well Adam if it doesn’t work out with Eve, here are these other ladies from which to choose.” No! There was no one else on the planet to which Adam could go. Eve was his only option! Adam was Eve’s only option. It is clear from creation, from the very beginning that God intended marriage to be a non-optional, non-dissolvable union.

One Flesh

Jesus also taught from Holy Scripture that two would come together and become one flesh, “no longer two, but one flesh.” When two people physically come together in the consummate act of marriage there is some type of mystical connection that takes place—a sacramental act of God, whether Christian or non-Christian. The Apostle Paul cited this same verse and wrote, “He who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her.” Even when non-believers get divorced they are ripping apart something that God had put together. Perhaps this is what Jesus was saying: “what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

An Un-encouraged Exception

However, as you know in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus says that God allows adultery as reason for divorce. Yet, I would urge that we follow the biblical example of marriage by going to the utmost lengths possible to show forgiveness and make every attempt possible to heal broken relationships no matter what the trouble. God himself remained in his marriage relationship with the adulterous Israel for seven hundred years, according to the prophet Jeremiah before issuing her a divorce. And yet even when Israel had turned completely away do you think God gave up? Never. He still urged, “Return, faithless Israel, I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful.” He was willing to go the distance and do whatever it took to win back his people even though they failed him again and again.

Application/Conclusion

Divorce is a very difficult thing. I do not claim to have all of the answers. As I mentioned before my aunt right now is going through a divorce. She and her husband were married before I was born and I watched them together my entire life. I loved both of them and spent many days at their house playing with my cousins as a child. I have many great memories of holiday celebrations, birthdays and camping together. I never gave a second thought to their marriage. To me as a kid and on into my adult years it was something that always was and always would be. When I received news that my aunt had moved out of the house into an apartment because of hurtful difficulties within the relationship I was shocked and I did not know what to think. I felt as though my heart were ripping apart and I was not even the one getting the divorce. It is a very difficult and complicated situation. Had I been a pastor involved in the situation I too would have counseled her to separate until these dire problems in the relationship were taken care of. Today, even as the marriage seems to be hurderling closer than ever to divorce I still pray that healing would take place.

All of us are affected by divorce whether it is in the relationship of someone that we know or maybe in our own lives. May we be reminded that God is a loving and merciful God—one who understands the pain of broken relationships in a far more severe way than you or I ever will. We serve a God who loves those who have been through this horrible experience.

Perhaps you have an excellent marriage or maybe you are having difficulty in your relationship. I would urge you to go the distance, giving the relationship all that you have—following the example that Christ gave, “Husbands, love you wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Go the distance and be willing to give up your life.

In our marriages may we for better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, worship Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the one almighty God. To him belongs all glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.

The Laughable Gospel of Judas

After hearing all of the hype on the Gospel of Judas and how this new information was going to change what was thought to be the truth of Christianity I decided to go to the website of the Discovery Channels, who is promoting the document, download it and read it for myself (the pdf file is only eight pages long and I would encourage you to check it out). It's rather funny to read. It begins by saying "The secret account of the revelation that Jesus spoke in conversation with Judas Iscariot." That's an awfully odd start to a book. If this was the truth, why would it need to be secret?

The author then goes on to say that Jesus "began to speak with them about the mysteries beyond the world and what would take place at the end. Often he did not appear to his disciples as himself, but he was found among them as a child." What does he mean by that? Did Jesus morph into a child and then back into an adult again? Was he some sort of image changer? It sounds like an X-Men spoof or something.

The author of this gospel then goes on to describe a conversation between Jesus and his disciples in which Jesus laughs at the disciples prayer and then they become infuriated with Jesus. Everyone is afraid to speak to him except Judas (apparently the great hero of the story) who turns to him and says "I know who you are and where you have come from. You are from the immortal realm of Barbelo." I almost laughed when I read that. It sounds like some kind of sci-fi talk doesn't it?

Later in the book Jesus goes on to explain to Judas about Cosmology in which he describes Self-Generating Angels which came into being and who go on to create other angels. I quote: "He said, ‘[Let] an enlightened aeon come into being,’ and he came into being. He created the second luminary [to] reign over him, together with myriads of angels without number, to offer service. That is how he created the rest of the enlightened aeons." From there he describes the creation of man with these words "Then Saklas said to his angels, ‘Let us create a human being after the likeness and after the image.’ They fashioned Adam and his wife Eve, who is called, in the cloud, Zoe."

The book ends with Jesus talking with Judas about his betrayal by saying "Truly [I] say to you, Judas, [those who] offer sacrifices to Saklas [here the document is missing some lines] . . . But you will exceed all of them." And so it ends with Judas somehow being the hero. Interesting how the one dark character becomes the great one at the end.

I completely understand why the Gospel of Judas was condemned by Bishop Irenaeus during the second century as heresy. This gospel is very difficult to take seriously. I laughed while reading it. All of the hype is just a great marketing tactic that the Discovery channel has successfully used as free advertising to promote its special on Judas’ Gospel. That's all. There are lots of books like this out there: The Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Peter and a bunch of other gibberish that wasn't included in the Bible for obvious reasons.

Arrival in Massachusetts

We've made it safely to Massachusetts. As you know we'll be here for the next three years studying at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. It's an academically rigorous school, but we're excited about beginning our studies this September. The twenty four hour trip from Florida was tiring, but we're happy to have arrived in this beautiful state without any mishaps. Bob and Myrna, the older couple from whom we're renting, are very kind. We trooped up the steps and opened the door of our one bedroom apartment and upon the counter was a basket full of snacks and small gifts: a chocolate lobster, coffee and tea. That along with the food we discovered in the fridge made us feel very welcome. Bob and Myrna are a blessing from God.

Over the past few weeks we've been busy meeting new friends and settling into our apartment. During the previous Saturday, Melissa and I found a couch for five dollars while visiting garage sales. The lady said that it sat down in her basement and was never really used, but it had some stains and a few small tears so we went off to Wal-Mart and spent Sunday pinning new fabric to the loveseat. The now earthy green sofa looks great sitting in our living room and it's much better to relax in a well stuffed couch then our "other" living room furniture (folding chairs).

We also have jobs! After creating many resumes, making phone calls, searching and filling out applications, Melissa and I will begin training for our new jobs on Monday. We'll be working for a photography studio, going into schools and photographing children for their year books and student I.D. pictures. It's only a seasonal job, but it will last into December. It will also allow us to own only one car, instead of two, creating one less insurance payment.

Surrounded by their families, David Miller takes my sister, Alayna Mayer, to be his bride on the afternoon of June 10, 2005

A moment of prayer.

Alayna's mother and father love her very much.

The wedding party.

Now that is a kiss.

Wedding

The wedding is coming soon and the "to do's" are climbing upon one another and forming what looks like an impenetrable wall. Honeymoon planning, suit fitting, travel, family and future are all coming together. Come and check out our wedding website and do not forget to read about our vision found in the future section of the website.

http://www.philipandmelissamayer.com

Sermon

I stood silently before the sea of white haired listeners before beginning my sermon. Deadly still, they sat as if capsulated in time. I carefully arranged my notes and begin my sermon for the 204 listeners at Southern Charm Retirement Community. They laughed at my story at the beginning of my talk. Everyone was very friendly and relaxed. Did they know what was about to challenge their thinking?

I spoke on judging and love. Jesus teaching on judging is misunderstood and taken out of context by most, used instead as a shield against harsh comments by critics. Contrary to popular belief, Jesus taught in Matthew seven that we should be good judges, I explained. The main thrust of my sermon was taken from Paul’s teaching in Romans 14. There he writes that Christians should love and focus on the weightier teachings of scripture instead of focusing on disputable matters of which the Bible does not focus. The talk went well, though it reminded me of my need to drastically improve my public speaking ability.

Memories of Christmas with the Family

I miss my family. I miss running around through snow covered fields and rows of trees while we pick out the perfect evergreen. I miss feeling the snow fall down the back of my shirt as I saw away at the base of a shaking tree. I miss dodging snowballs thrown by kids dodging in and out of the trees while we drag our living room centerpiece back to the trailer.

I miss diving into the sled and yelling for that little kid to get out of the way, lest he is launched into the air by a piece of racing plastic supporting too many bodies. I miss feeling the air slice by my head, turning my ears and nose bright red as I race my brother down the hill and then quickly tumble out of the sled just in time to avoid the creek at the bottom of the hill. I miss coming home and stripping off layers of coats, sweaters, shirts and socks and then sipping eggnog and hot chocolate and talking to other rosy cheeked smiling faces.

I miss the Christmas carols and long rides through the country side eyeing glittering houses and standing face to face with giant nut-crackers, Santa Clauses and snow men. I miss trying to remember the words that form each of the twelve days of Christmas with my brothers and sisters. I miss the beautifully decorated table, the food and the four candles of advent that now stand at staggered heights while we eat and laugh and open the one little present that sits beside each of our plates.

I miss the soft glow of the Christmas tree decorated with a hodgepodge of ornaments and multi-colored lights. I miss early Christmas mornings when it seems that dad is taking a very, very long time to read the Christmas story. I miss the kids and presents and piles of wrapping paper spread all over the living room, making it nearly impossible to navigate without tripping.

I miss my family at Christmas.

My Commencement Ceremony

Our speaker was terrible. Just when we thought he was going to return to his subject and address to us as students, he would turn to our college president and make a joke about giving his granddaughter a sports scholarship so that she could attend the school or he would start speaking about the destructiveness of homosexual marriage. I remember the Canadian speaker saying, “But you Americans didn’t help the ordinance of marriage any when your Episcopal Church began ordaining homosexuals.” When he continued to speaking for nearly an hour I considered standing up and throwing my graduation cap at him, but I assumed that I would probably miss, so I amused myself with the fun little tassels at the end of the honor cords hanging around my neck. I have been to many Southeastern graduations and heard many speakers, but this one was the worst.

Finally he finished and the degree candidates began to walk across the stage. “Would the candidates for the department of religion please stand and approach the platform,” Dr. Herron, the dean of students, said. I rose and followed the black gown and cap in front of me. The line of students between me and the stage dwindled as I drew near the top of the steps. It was now my turn to take the walk that I had so excitedly watched hundreds of former students complete. What happened next seemed to take a very long time. Dr. Herron began speaking. “Philip Mayer,” pause, “summa cum laude,” pause and then finally “four point-o.” As he finished speaking I began walking. Out I looked over the sea of faces. I do not remember any sounds or feelings or walking across the stage, but suddenly, I had reached our president, Dr. Mark Rutland, grasped his hand and held onto the diploma he had just handed me while trying to smile for the flashing camera. That was it. I walked back to my seat and moved my tassel from the right side of my hat to the left. Then, out of the speakers came, “Ladies and gentleman, I present to you the baccalaureate class of 2004.” Someone was grabbing my hand and congratulating me. All of the graduates were patting backs, smiling and were full of happiness. We had finished.

Working at the Sheriff's Office

There I sit each working day, in my navy green pants and pristinely ironed white shirt, a badge on each shoulder and a silver star on my chest. Two computer screens stare, steadily back at me and like those awful ear muffs we wore as kids, a headset sits aloft my hair.

“Polk County Sheriff's Office, this is Philip speaking” –words I hear myself say many times each day.

The hurried voice of a female caller says, “Hello, is this the Sheriff’s Office? I’ve been raped.”

“You’ve been raped?” I ask, wanting to make sure that I have heard her correctly.

“Yes” she says. You can hear fear in her voice.

“Where are you at?”

“I’m calling from a payphone. I was going to the grocery store when these three Mexicans grabbed me and dragged me back to a trailer. . .”

“Is it safe there? Can you go back into the grocery store?” I ask.

“Into the grocery store! That’s where they got me. Listen, I’m hurting and I think that they’re coming back I gotta go.”

“Click”

There was nothing we could do. We had no idea where she was calling from.

Most of the calls are not so startling: “My neighbors won’t turn their music down and my baby can’t sleep.” A couple of weeks ago a man called in and said, “There’s a guy across the street from me who’s working on a car and he’s only wearing a thong. Could you send a deputy over here?” So is life working in the telecommunications center at the Sheriff’s Office.

A Home for Melissa

Thanks so much for all of your prayers for my fiancée. Melissa will not be homeless after all. Melissa had explained to a friend of hers at work, the awkward position in which she and Meagan had found themselves and after going home and talking with her husband about the situation, they generously offered to rent to Melissa and Meagan the upstairs half of their home for the next four months. Melissa says that “I am amazed and blessed over and over again for the goodness and faithfulness of God in my life . . . God Bless and have a wonderful holiday season!”

The Final Undergraduate Struggle

The clench of Southeastern College is beginning to grip tighter around me as the school work that I must finish before Wednesday becomes ever the more prominent in my life. I was able to persuade one of my professors to cancel a ten to twelve page research paper; which, as I am sure you can imagine, took some amount of premeditated convincing. That lightened the weight slightly and I now have only two exams, a sermon to write and a couple of lengthy papers to complete before I slip on the hat and gown and join the processional on Saturday, December 11. Over the next few days I will be plugging away at the books as I attempt to complete the final leg of my race here at Southeastern College.