One of my friends has the delightful habit of sending me New Yorker cartoons. Certainly one of the best features a man behind a bookstore counter on top of which is prominently featured Allen Bloom’s The Closing of the American Mind. He has a big smile on his face and says to the customer “I haven’t read it, but it’s a great book!”
Alas, that is too often a true reflection of how many Episcopalians actually relate to Holy Scripture.
It is such a fabulous book, but we only experience it when we learn to be Scripture students and spiritually attentive Bible readers.
Consider the story of when Simon the Pharisee has the preacher over for dinner (Luke 7:36-50). As for many a good Episcopalian, having the rector over is a big deal for Simon. Etiquette must be properly followed. Invitations must be carefully issued. Everything must be done in correct Anglican fashion, decently and in order.
Then a woman from the wrong side of the tracks crashes the party….
Read it all from 2007 (brought to mind by the Bible readings this morning).