tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49486338879794743692024-03-18T13:43:39.479-05:00The Ninth Bishop of TexasC. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.comBlogger772125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-13938442522423161722024-03-18T13:43:00.001-05:002024-03-18T13:43:07.263-05:00Great High Priest - Lent 5B<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/30425158/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "Great High Priest - Lent 5B" preached at Resurrection Episcopal Curch, Austin, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/30425158/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-20983434905740478472024-02-27T12:00:00.001-06:002024-02-27T12:00:13.073-06:00Second Sunday of Lent<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/30136523/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "Second Sunday of Lent, We Have Gone Astray" preached at St. Mary's, Lampasas TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/30136523/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-59176335664424613162024-02-22T14:02:00.001-06:002024-02-22T14:02:22.562-06:00First Sunday Lent<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/30069808/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "First Sunday Lent" preached at Holy Family, Houston TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/30069808/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-19704880806625314042024-02-20T16:00:00.001-06:002024-02-20T16:00:12.865-06:00Lenten Meditation<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/30040403/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "Lenten Meditation" preached at St. Mark's, Beaumont, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/30040403/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-30448501013571968672024-02-13T16:18:00.001-06:002024-02-13T16:18:48.396-06:00Campus Mission Christian Community<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/29941988/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "Campus Mission Christian Community" preached at All Saint's, Baylor, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/29941988/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-27968283487096374672024-02-02T12:33:00.001-06:002024-02-02T12:33:12.166-06:00#21 Nicene Creed We Expect the Resurrection<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/29773468/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "#21 Nicene Creed We Expect the Resurrection" preached at St. James the Apostle, Conroe, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/29773468/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-65755792103864661472024-01-29T10:59:00.001-06:002024-01-29T10:59:44.058-06:00#22 Nicene Creed We Expect the World to Come<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/29698938/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "#22 Nicene Creed We Expect the World to Come" preached at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Decatur, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/29698938/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-21838795056107454242024-01-16T12:38:00.001-06:002024-01-16T12:38:48.775-06:00Sylvia Bartz Memorial Service Sermon<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/29512108/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "Sylvia Bartz Memorial Service Sermon".</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/29512108/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-3167790174256000382024-01-10T09:06:00.001-06:002024-01-10T09:06:29.555-06:00#19 Nicene Creed Apostolic Church<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/29407843/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "#19 Nicene Creed Apostolic Church" preached at All Saints Episcopal Church, Fort Worth, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/29407843/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-85031331873850185222024-01-09T10:59:00.001-06:002024-01-09T10:59:27.892-06:00Christmas Eve<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/29406563/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "Christmas Eve" preached at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Wharton, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/29406563/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-14024508330225194072024-01-09T10:10:00.004-06:002024-01-16T09:33:25.793-06:00An Open Letter Regarding The Pseudo-Religious Ideology of Racial Purity: An Episcopal and Theological Exhortation<br /><br />Bishops Are Not Political Pundits<br /><br />An Episcopal and Theological Exhortation<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Bishops are not political pundits. We are equally the pastors to Republicans, Democrats,<br /><br />Independents, and others. We would not presume to instruct people how to vote. Immigration<br /><br />policy is a worry for Americans of various perspectives, and politicians should grapple with the<br /><br />question. However, bishops are teachers of the faith as well shepherds of the souls of our<br /><br />parishioners. We speak specifically as such.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Donald Trump, our former President, has recently called immigrants ‘vermin,’ and had said<br /><br />that they ‘poison the blood of our country.’ A clearer example of racism, in this case with an<br /><br />eugenic edge, one could not find. When the parallels to Nazi rhetoric were pointed out, Trump<br /><br />claimed he knew no such thing. But then he repeated the very same statements, when he most<br /><br />certainly was aware of the parallels.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The idea of racial purity is an idol, something false and harmful to which people bind<br /><br />themselves. As such it presents a corrupt doctrine of the human person, since it is the human<br /><br />being per se who is ‘in the image of God’ (Genesis 1:26).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here we do well to note a modern doctrinal tradition which can help to inform us. The fight<br /><br />against the racialist German Christians led to the insight that acquiescence amounted to allowing<br /><br />another leader (Fuehrer) over the Church than Christ (see The Barmen Declaration of 1934). Two<br /><br />generations later, the Alliance of Reformed Churches in 1982 declared at Ottawa that ‘apartheid<br /><br />is heresy’, for behind it is a ‘pseudo-religious ideology.’ To be sure these examples involve political<br /><br />movements of greater duration and articulation than we are at present dealing with. But alluding<br /><br />to these precedents, as we call out such a trend of thought early, is warranted. In the case of the<br /><br />former President’s repeated statements, the false teaching implied in his statements is the same.<br /><br />The ancient serpent moves through such words.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And so, in our capacity as bishops, we adjure our flocks to reject this false teaching. We exhort<br /><br />political leaders to speak up in its condemnation. We invite fellow Christian leaders to cleave to<br /><br />the Word of God and to separate themselves explicitly from such a thought. Finally, we express<br /><br />our hope that our nation can, at this juncture, by God’s grace, follow the ‘better angels of our<br /><br />nature.’<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Signed,<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The Rt. Rev. Cathleen Bascom, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas<br /><br />The Rt. Rev. Larry Benfield, Bishop Resigned of the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas<br /><br />The Rt. Rev. Mark Cowell, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas<br /><br />The Rt. Rev. Andy Doyle, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas<br /><br />The Rt. Rev. Jeff Fisher, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas<br /><br />The Rt. Rev. Michael Hunn, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande<br /><br />The Rt. Rev. Fraser Lawton, Assistant Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas<br /><br />The Rt. Rev. Scott Mayer, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas<br /><br />The Rt. Rev. Jacob Owensby, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana<br /><br />The Rt. Rev. Poulson Reed, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma<br /><br />The Rt. Rev. Kathryn Ryan, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas<br /><br />The Rt. Rev. Michael Smith, Assistant Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas<br /><br />The Rt. Rev. George Sumner, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of DallasC. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-7929309103345697902024-01-01T18:19:00.003-06:002024-01-02T12:11:25.063-06:00AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NEW YORK TIMES FROM THE BISHOP OF TEXAS<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjceHj60xYxmRPh7_TNPWn1UwqkNxJcFK1ZueUNX6H7YhEKm3nlGe3E6H4p_oQxkzhwFtl_kJ7842Qe-CQuyWetmXZYAZuTdJe0-Xo0Lye-in7kh6tCcLHVlnGY59M5wo6cdWrx9s2QDJHcqfng_0kLEBF5plHRkbCeU-HjYZAtah-F1GynZpVHjQTvYDq2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="734" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjceHj60xYxmRPh7_TNPWn1UwqkNxJcFK1ZueUNX6H7YhEKm3nlGe3E6H4p_oQxkzhwFtl_kJ7842Qe-CQuyWetmXZYAZuTdJe0-Xo0Lye-in7kh6tCcLHVlnGY59M5wo6cdWrx9s2QDJHcqfng_0kLEBF5plHRkbCeU-HjYZAtah-F1GynZpVHjQTvYDq2" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">AN OPEN LETTER FROM THE BISHOP TO THE NEW YORK TIMES</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">January 1, 2024</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Will Shortz and Robyn Weintraub</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">C/O New York Times Crossword Puzzle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">620 Eighth Avenue</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">New York, NY 10018</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dear Shortz and Weintraub:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My name is C. Andrew “Andy” Doyle, and I am the 9th Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Texas. As an Episcopal Bishop in Texas and a New York Times subscriber, it is not often that I may speak on behalf of all Texans. However, in this matter, I raise a loud shout from Texas on behalf of our people and from whence the term Tex-Mex finds its locus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some will assume that Tex-Mex is a mere combination of Texas and Mexico applied to food. They would be mistaken, as the phrase describing our dear state food wasn't originally used to describe food. It first came into use related to the Texas-Mexican Railway, which ran from Southern Texas in the 1870s. The Mexican government purchased the railroad in 1900 and controlled it until 1982. I even rode on the railroad myself at the young age of 8 – but I digress. Over time, the term Tex-Mex was used to describe our Tejano siblings, Texans of Mexican descent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I refer you to an article in “The New York Times” dated August 11, 1963, when legendary food critic Craig Claiborne discovered the term and wrote, "In the Mexican border district, a dish of chili knows no season." Though not inventing the word, it is here that the Times first recognized its use to describe what we had been eating since the 1800's. Later, Diana Kennedy published the first Mexican cookbook in which the term Tex-Mex gained even more notoriety. Our own Lisa Fain from my diocese and author of <i>The Homesick Texan</i>, reviewed by the Times in 2011, brings life to Tex-Mex for many across the country - even Texans living abroad. I point all of this out because the term “Tex-Mex” was not discovered by the New York Times but is instead lifted from its original country – Texas. In our state, an unlikely clash of Mexican and Texas cuisines rooted in a mestizaje of people brought forth the miraculous gift of Tex-Mex. From this cultural mestizo, we have tasted Barbacoa, nachos, tortillas, and burritos, which rose in popularity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Tex-Mex food group does indeed include tacos. Tacos al carbon was simple ranch food eaten by rancheros for many years, handmade tortillas and beef or chicken. This soft taco was eventually brought to widespread consumption by many, including our own Texas queen of Tex-Mex, Mama Maria Ninfa Rodriguez Laurenzo. She became beloved in the hearts of Texans by teaching us how to eat tacos from the early days of her taco stand – a precursor to today's food trucks. May her memory be a blessing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I bring all of this to your attention because in the “New York Times” Friday Crossword Puzzle (12/29/2023), the hint provided was "Tex-Mex condiment." The answer was: "Taco Sauce." Let me point out the difficulty with your clue and answer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">First, "Taco sauce" in Ireland is called "burger sauce" everywhere else. "Taco sauce" is a mixture of ketchup, Mayo and sometimes mustard, with a few spices. In America, it's like what they put on In-N-Out Burger. It's never put on Tacos. In Ireland, it has no relationship to Tex-Mex. Furthermore, I discovered that "Taco Sauce" was first made in Longford, Ireland, by a company founded by Albert Reynolds's grandfather and originally called <u>T</u>his <u>A</u>wesome <u>C</u>ondiment <u>O</u>rganization. They changed its name to TACO during the dot com bubble, and it has nothing to do with tacos. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Second, the American version of the term "taco sauce" may find its etymology within the savory original recipes of Emilio Carlos Ortega, the eleventh child of Emigdio and Aria Conception Jacinta, who became the founder of the Ortega Chili Company. He was the first person in California to make “Spanish Chili Sauce” and made it right there in his mother's kitchen at the Ortega family adobe home. That happened in 1897, thus creating the Ortega family's legendary “taco sauce”, which B&G Foods has since purchased. I point out that this is not originally Tex-Mex, for it is from California.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Condiments for Tex-Mex tacos may include guacamole, sour cream, and grilled vegetables, lettuce, onion, tomatoes, chiles and SALSA. There is indeed an enchilada sauce or gravy in Tex-Mex dishes, but that is different. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I know that Taco Bell does indeed pass out "taco sauce" packets which are labeled as such. Taco Bell, I remind you, was founded by Glenn Bell in California. (It is important to note it is fake history to believe Glenn Bell also created hard-shell tacos. These were first created in Mexico and made their way to Texas and California.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Therefore, I suggest the appropriate hint for the puzzle for Friday should be: "Cali-Mex (or Mexicali) condiment." If the desired answer is to be: "Taco Sauce." If the answer you want is "salsa", then the hint needs to be Tex-Mex condiment. For neither is salsa created by Taco Bell or from California.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You both are much wiser than I am. Full disclosure requires that I confess that doing one of your puzzles takes me 30 to 40 minutes. You may indeed point out that salsa is translated into English as sauce. However, by doing so, you have removed the mix of cultural expression that makes Tex-Mex a unique food group. Furthermore, you blend it with a confusing California history of mestizo food, which deserves etymological respect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Faithfully yours,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia8a3wElBsbsK1UUlk1_7gDvvTE5WqHdXsyfBK1j7h5rANw7rqrh0U6Rw1-tMd6XRj1ARkj0A2L9sEuK9VOVbx5RTUvL0hpGshK8h-3psmvrasnlmJvrmIN1ifZkVBgQs4oM_2makLr3hHs5VN36PKXiHI7RHMnp0Xw5v4beC9dpTRph6bNPSslnts9GWk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="360" height="52" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia8a3wElBsbsK1UUlk1_7gDvvTE5WqHdXsyfBK1j7h5rANw7rqrh0U6Rw1-tMd6XRj1ARkj0A2L9sEuK9VOVbx5RTUvL0hpGshK8h-3psmvrasnlmJvrmIN1ifZkVBgQs4oM_2makLr3hHs5VN36PKXiHI7RHMnp0Xw5v4beC9dpTRph6bNPSslnts9GWk" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">C. Andrew Doyle, D.D.,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">IX Bishop of Texas</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br style="text-align: center;" /><br style="text-align: center;" /></div></div><br /><br /><p></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-87463702913198974562023-12-24T21:30:00.001-06:002023-12-24T22:07:37.452-06:00Christmas Eve Sermon, St. Thomas Wharton, 2023<br /><b><br /> <br />Sermon<br />Christmas Eve 2023<br />St. Thomas, Wharton<br />By C. Andrew Doyle<br /></b><br /><br />Lena<div>His wife called him<br />A mad scientist<br />Most people knew him<br />As Leo Auffman<br /><br />One day<br />A whimsical notion <br />Came to Leo<br />An inventor<br />He would </div><div>build a machine</div><div><br />He built <br />An 8ft square<br />Orange<br />Box<br /><br />It was <br />A happiness machine<br /><br />He and his machine<br />Were located in <br />Green Town<br />(Itself a place<br />Imagined by <br />The creative mind<br />Of author <br />Ray Bradbury)<br /><br /><br />Once inside<br />The machine <br />Sitting in a chair<br />Enclosed by<br />Its orangeness<br />Knobs and whistles<br />Thing ama-bobs<br />And buttons<br />The machine<br />Would show<br />You <br />Lovely things<br />Happy things<br />All the best things<br /><br />Lena got in it</div><div>To see what it was all about<br /><br /><br />It showed her<br />Sunsets<br />Her in her youth<br />Her and Leo </div><div>Dancing in Paris</div><div>(despite the fact they had not</div><div>been to Paris)</div><div><br /></div><div>It showed her<br />Whatever<br />Happiness<br />she <br />Imagined<br /><br /><br />[pause]<br />We stand <br />Upon the eve<br />Of <br />boxes too<br /><br />an eve <br />Of happiness<br />And hopes<br />The gift<br />That will make<br />Life just right<br /> Boxes to be unwrapped<br /> And opened<br /><br />The only<br />Thing we <br />Really wanted<br /><br />It all awaits us<br /> Magically so<br /><br />We look into <br />Boxes every day too</div><div>phones</div><div>computers<br />Boxes we carry <br />In our pocket<br />Sit on our lap<br /><br />We can<br />work and play on them<br /><br />they <br />show us<br />Endless streams<br />Of the things <br />That make us happy<br /><br />They record<br />All our favourite<br />Things<br />Even <br />Fix our blemishes<br />For the perfect picture<br />To share<br /><br />These boxes<br />Help us curate<br />Our lives<br />Displaying<br />To others<br />Everything<br />Neatly tied <br />with a bow <br />Festooned for <br />Public consumption<br /><br />[Pause]<br /><br />I have been<br />On several pilgrimages<br />To Israel<br />With some dear friends<br /><br />Every time we go<br />We start one of our days<br />At a site near<br />The prophet Amos’ <br />Hometown<br /><br />There we <br />Climb<br />And scuttle <br />Down into a cave<br />And there <br />We see<br />It is actually an<br />Old manger<br />Where animals<br />Were kept<br />Over a <br />Thousand of<br />Years ago<br /><br />We are told<br />About caves<br />And their use<br />Years ago<br /><br />And <br />how<br />It is possible<br />That just such <br />A site <br />Is<br />Similar to the <br />Birthplace<br />Of Jesus<br /><br />And <br />in that<br />Little cave<br />I remember<br />Standing there<br />With the walls<br />partly caved<br />In <br />Damp<br />dusty<br />And<br />Yet feeling<br />As though<br />Perhaps <br />I was experiencing<br />Something <br />Quite close<br />To holy<br /><br />And there<br />Is a stone<br />manger<br /><br />a Carved out<br />stone box<br />rough hewed<br /><br />A manger<br />For feeding<br />The livestock<br /><br />Something<br />Perhaps like<br />What Jesus<br />Might have<br />Been laid <br />Within <br /><br />[Pause]</div><div><br />I imagine the <br />Hopes laid<br />Upon him<br />By parents<br /><br />But others too<br /><br />People<br />With whom<br />In that moment<br />The child<br />Had not met<br />And could not<br />Fathom<br /><br />Yes<br />The hopes<br />And fears<br />Are met<br />In thee…we sing<br /><br />I wonder<br />If you might<br />Ponder with <br />Me tonight<br />This very <br />Curious thing<br /><br />Christmas<br />Isn’t about <br />The boxes we open<br />Or even <br />Our celebration <br /><br />Christmas<br />Is not about a <br />New beginning<br />Another attempt<br />At the best-curated life<br />Or the most toys<br /><br />It isn’t about something<br />That might happen<br /><br />I hope you see with me<br />Christmas <br />Is about the <br />Child<br />That was laid<br />Within that <br />Stone box <br />That manger<br />Those many years ago<br /><br />a present<br />Already opened<br />The gift already received<br /><br />Consider what<br />The reformer<br />Martin Luther <br />Wrote:<br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">I would not have you contemplate the deity of Christ, the majesty of Christ, but rather his flesh. Look upon the baby Jesus. Divinity may terrify a person. Inexpressible majesty could crush one. That is why Christ took on our humanity, save for our sin, that he should not terrify us by rather that with love and favor he should console and confirm us.</blockquote><br /><br />Tonight<br />Is about<br />Remembering<br />That gift<br />That birth<br /><br />Yes,<br />We know the rest<br />Of the story<br /><br />Our prayers<br />Hymns and carols<br />Will tip our hand<br />And seek to <br />Draw the end<br />Of the story <br />To the beginning<br />A reverse chronology<br />an inverted narrative<br />- And some folks love that<br /><br />But tonight<br />Perhaps<br />Tonight<br />We let the <br />Beginning<br />Be <br /><br />Well<br /><br />The beginning<br /><br />And we ponder<br />That this person<br />Jesus was<br />So close<br />So deeply connected<br />So filled with love<br />So godly<br />That <br />Those<br />Who gathered<br />Around him<br />Saw<br />Something…<br />Someone<br />They had been waiting for<br /><br />[Pause]</div><div><br />Lena <br />(Leo Auffman<br />The inventor’s<br />Wife)<br />Arose <br />Out of the <br />Happiness box<br />That great<br />Orange thing<br />In their basement <br />In Greentown<br />And said<br /><br />When <br />The box is opened<br />And we <br />Climb out<br />We must face<br />The fact that <br />We grow old<br />There is life,<br />Dirty dishes,<br />Children to be fed<br />…she says<br /><br />She suggests<br />Happiness Machines <br />- That box of yours Leo –<br />Lies<br />And promises Things <br />it can’t deliver upon<br /><br />perhaps <br />from Lena<br />we can learn something too<br /><br />all the boxes<br />that promise <br />happiness <br />can’t deliver<br /><br />and what we need<br />as people<br />as family<br />and friends<br />brothers, sisters, siblings<br />coworkers<br />and churchgoers<br />and all the rest<br /><br />what we need<br />is actually <br />to marvel<br />at Jesus<br />Saviour<br />messiah<br />wonderful counsellor<br />prince of peace<br />Emmanuel – God with us<br /><br />who was born<br />such a long time<br />ago<br />in a little town<br />called Bethlehem<br />and <br />who <br />was laid<br />in a stone box<br />open for the world<br />to receive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p></p></div>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-49416318479916252742023-12-22T18:46:00.001-06:002023-12-22T18:46:01.916-06:00#18 Nicene Creed One Holy Catholic<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/29208688/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "#18 Nicene Creed One Holy Catholic" preached at St. George, Augustine, TX. More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/29208688/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-90994403552911439622023-12-12T11:35:00.003-06:002023-12-12T11:35:33.701-06:00#17 Nicene Creed The Holy Spirit and Prophets<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/29027473/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "#17 Nicene Creed The Holy Spirit and Prophets" preached at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/29027473/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-76142990602455749432023-12-12T11:35:00.001-06:002023-12-12T11:35:33.008-06:00#17 Credo Niceno El Espíritu Santo y los Profetas - En Español<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/29027528/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Escuche el sermón del Obispo Doyle, "#17 Credo Niceno El Espíritu Santo y los Profetas" predicado en la Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, TX.</p> <p>Más información en www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/29027528/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-63026018282964043312023-12-11T12:18:00.001-06:002023-12-11T12:18:32.964-06:00#16 Holy Ghost<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/29023913/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "#16 Holy Ghost" preached at Tinity Episcopal Church, Jacksonville, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/29023913/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-70522685526278892732023-11-29T13:41:00.001-06:002023-11-29T13:41:24.614-06:00#15 Nicene Creed Christ Will Come Again to Judge the Quick and the Dead<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/28847228/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "#15 Nicene Creed Christ Will Come Again to Judge the Quick and the Dead" preached at Christ Episcopal Church, Mexia, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/28847228/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-70477376441799026702023-11-27T13:09:00.001-06:002023-11-27T13:09:27.572-06:00#14 Nicene Creed He Ascended<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/28809913/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "#14 Nicene Creed He Ascended" preached at The Church of St. Divine, Houston, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/28809913/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-59098423209106872932023-11-14T12:52:00.001-06:002023-11-14T12:52:02.574-06:00#13 Nicene Creed On the Third Day<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/28639143/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "#13 Nicene Creed On the Third Day " preached at Christ Church South Episcopal Church in Tyler, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/28639143/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-2825461195330878232023-11-07T15:06:00.001-06:002023-11-07T15:06:50.125-06:0011 Nicene Creed For Us and For Our Salvation<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/28548389/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "#11 Nicene Creed For Us and For Our Salvation " preached at St. Clare's Episcopal Church in Tyler, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/28548389/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-55875464064706659532023-10-30T15:42:00.001-05:002023-10-30T15:42:12.174-05:00#10 Nicene Creed Born of Mary<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/28467092/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "#10 Nicene Creed Born of Mary " preached at San Mateo Episcopal Church in Bellaire, TX preached in English and in Spanish.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/28467092/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-53633359954172759122023-10-23T11:49:00.001-05:002023-10-23T11:49:13.075-05:00Down from Heaven for Us and Our Salvation<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/28397069/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "Down from Heaven for Us and Our Salvation " preached at the 175th Anniversary of St. David Episcopal Church in Austin, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/28397069/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-39162387788532099892023-10-17T12:10:00.001-05:002023-10-17T12:10:40.412-05:00#8 Through Whom All Things Were Made<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/28345442/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "#8 Through Whom All Things Were Made " preached at Trinity Episcopal Church in Marshall, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/28345442/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948633887979474369.post-91390826502623013932023-10-10T12:12:00.001-05:002023-10-10T12:12:38.771-05:00We Believe in the Only Begotten Son Light from Light #7<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/28268099/height/100/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/menu//direction/forward/tdest_id/112562/" height="100" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><br /><p>Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "We Believe in the Only Begotten Son Light from Light #7 " preached at St John’s Episcopal Church in Columbus, TX.</p> <p>More at www.texasbishop.com</p> <br /><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/28268099/tdest_id/112562">Check out this episode!</a></p>C. Andrew Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936996272454055160noreply@blogger.com0