Many words have been written and spoken in these last 36 hours about the statement of the Primates and the "sanctioning" of the Episcopal Church. Greater voices than mine have explained what this means technically, how it came to pass, and what it might mean in the future. Our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, recorded a wonderful video response and message to the church. He reminds us that we are part of the Jesus movement, people who try to live faithfully each day - following after Jesus. And Andrew McGowan, Dean of Berkeley Divinity School has written a good analysis of the situation as well. So, for my part, I won't try to add to the analysis or to the explanation.
What's happened in the larger Communion is important - and for many of us, it's deeply hurtful; what will happen next remains to be seen. In the meantime, we, God's people, have quite a lot of work ahead of us. Our role in the mission of God hasn't changed. Our place in God's kingdom hasn't changed. And our vocation, as justice-makers, peace-seekers, and loving neighbors also remains unchanged. Even in the midst of times that are unsure, Jesus beckons us on - to remember the work to which he's called us - and to trust that God will work out what is coming next.
Until then, let us continue to live faithfully - seeking to love and serve our neighbors - trusting in God's redemptive and loving power. Until God reveals the path ahead, let's continue to focus on the people we have around us now who need to be loved, fed, welcomed, and invited to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. May God remind all of us that it is this work that makes us part of the "Jesus Movement" - and this work, along with the sacraments, that bind us up into the Body of Christ through the presence of the Holy Spirit. And remember - nothing and no one is ever able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ:
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
[Romans 8:38-39]
May God continue to bless us in our work.