If I know one thing, I know we should imitate Christ. Most of the time I don't know how I should do that, let alone how others should.

Of what I understand about the AOANA controversy, I also don't know what to do with it. I only know that God dwells within the Church, I know the presence of the seraphim and the cherubim. I see our Holy Mother gazing down over us. The saints, many martyrs, who not only protested but died for the kingdom of heaven also look solemnly out.  My priest comes and sits with us and teaches us. He tells my children he loves them, and blesses them. I often stand beside my godmother and sing ancient prayers.Then I know that I should be there.

We sing the Beatitudes at Divine Liturgy. These words are one of the most beautiful things we sing.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,


For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


Blessed are those who mourn,


For they shall be comforted.


Blessed are the meek,


For they shall inherit the earth.


Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,


For they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,


For they shall obtain mercy.


Blessed are the pure in heart,


For they shall see God.


Blessed are the peacemakers,


For they shall be called sons of God.


Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,


For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.






Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The bolded section we do not go on to sing, but look at what it says. We're persecuted. From within the Church it seems unbelieveable and stinks. But it's happening-and has happened, not only in the current AOANA controversy.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.


You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
 
"And it gives light to all who are in the house." I wish that those who have a stronger understanding would guide those who don't. There are times when dissent is understandable and necessary, but those who are good lay people are left without stronger understanding. It's much harder to find your way to the house when it's dark inside and dark all around, when there is no light around. Christ saw the multitude, and he called them to himself and taught them. He didn't leave them to their own devices. Love in Christ extends to more people than those who are familiar and those who are like us, to those who make no sense to us and certainly to those in which we see a lack or a stumbling.  
 
If we are to love our enemies, pray for them, sacrifice every comfort and personal gain to stand and be named righteous, even so far as to die willingly at the hand of persecuters, then what good is it to strike for the greener plain or the desert in times of trouble? What sort of sacrifice is required? Is it one of withdrawal, or one of suffering?
 
Then I have children. I'm not taking them out of the Church. The eccelesial politics are beyond them (partially beyond me!) and so there is no good in removing them.
 
So I don't know.
 
My mother in law talks all the time about the horrors of situational ethics. It's one of the things I agree with that she refers to alot.
 
Lord, have mercy upon the AOANA.
 
Here's a maybe unrelated quote I recently read that might be relevant or I just like it...or something: You do not have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body. -C.S. Lewis