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Seattle's Most Dangerous Sunday School
Seattle's Most Dangerous Sunday School (SMDSS) is an educational activity of Saint Ignatius Catholic Community (ECC) and Ravenna United Methodist Church.

SMDSS is a discussion and learning forum for thinking Christians who wish to explore their faith in an ecumenical context.  You are welcome to join us!  We meet every Sunday at 8:30 AM.

 

Seattle's Most Dangerous Sunday School   

 

Our discussion is focused on spirituality. We might think of spirituality as a way to live in a relationship with God. Regardless of their origins, all Christian spiritualities have that focus: how to be in union with God, to love, to practice charity and to belief in Jesus. There are many different traditions, accenting different methods or features. We will touch on several of these and consider how we practice spirituality as communities and as members within those communities. Pastor Hal from Ravenna United Methodist Church is facilitating the discussion from 8:30-9:30 AM each Sunday morning. WARNING: THIS ACTIVITY IS SO DANGEROUS THAT IT MAY BE LIFE CHANGING. 

 

  

 

 

 

From the Baltimore Catechism, As We Consider the Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry

 

 

Q: Why has the Catholic Church* alone the right to make laws regulating the marriages of baptized persons?

 

A: The Catholic Church alone has the right to make laws regarding the marriage of baptized persons because the Church alone has the authority over the sacraments and over sacred matters regarding baptized persons.

(* please remember this is a reference to the Roman Catholic Church)
 
We recently read an account of the prophet Samuel hearing God's call for the first time and we read that when he heard it, it was during a time when the revelation of God was seldom heard or seen. In other words, a time like our own. Who bears witness to God revealing God in creation?  Revelation is a part of each moment. Everyone is capable of receiving it and yet, it is seldom seen or heard. We need, like Samuel, to be taught how to listen and recognize the voice. We learn this through reading scripture, praying, listening to others, looking for God in all things. Gradually we learn to turn our dial to radio KGICM where we hear those first faint signals that God is calling me.

  

In Washington State, the debate is engaged over gay marriage. The Roman Catholic bishops have taken a staunch stand in opposition, basing their argument on natural law and theological points. It is easy -- and I say this without meaning to be critical or uncharitable -- to be a Pharisee, to quote chapter and verse, quite independent of the lives at stake. In a less charitable vein, I can understand a noisy display of rule adherence when one's own house is rife with scandal that degrades the beauty and worth of those who are victims of the scandal. In this pressing human rights issue, the revelation of God is seldom seen or heard. God made all, and called it all beautiful. He did not call most of it beautiful and some portion of it "intrinsically disordered." The reason we can't see, or hear God in all things, including in same sex people who profess their love and commitment to others, is that we are not listening with God-given ears and God-given eyes. That's how Jesus did it. And that is precisely the secret to his ability to love with condition. That's what we are called to imitate, period. No exceptions, period. God's law is not fuzzy or grey, or nuanced, or filled with exceptions and conditions. It is clear and blunt. Love all. Treat others with the same regard that you treat yourself. Period.

 

Let's resolve to make 2012 the year when we decide that we talk to much, listen too little, and too frequently miss God revealed in all things. Let's practice active contemplation in our every day lives: looking and listening for God in all things. It will make a difference. (Fr. Philip, January 21, 2012)