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           To the rationalistic spirit of the 19th century, Jesus’ miracles were a provocation, and the most incredible explanations were devised in order to distinguish the “fact”  recorded in the gospel narrative from the “opinion” which ascribed the event to supernatural causes. 
            But a distinguished 20th century critic of the New Testament has stated that if he wished to remain a historian, he had no choice but to accept the tradition of Jesus’ healings.  Even if we personally have never experienced anything which defies explanation, we are all aware of reliable reports of such happenings. 
            For me this church is a miracle.  On September 7, 1997 Bill Linley announced that I would be responsible for the parish until the end of the year.  On February 6, 1998 the Diocese recommended that the Good Shepherd become, in effect, a satellite of St. John’s, Weston.  Almost eleven years later we are still here, even though many other parishes in the diocese have closed. 
            Despite the small size of our congregation, we continue to exercise a ministry here in Mount Dennis.  On the 13th of this month the aboriginal people in the neighborhood will begin a nutritional programme, using our kitchen and auditorium. 
            Last Sunday, at a discussion of “The Spirituality of the Book of Common Prayer,”
we had four unexpected participants.  Tracy, a recent arrival from Jamaica, had been looking unsuccessfully for traditional Anglican worship until she came to us on that very day.  Shirley, an 80-year old woman whom I had met at the Christian Meditation Community of Toronto, had traveled all the way across town by bus.  Glenn, who attends a discussion group which I moderate, was also with us.  Finally, a playwright named Andrew had come in response to a notice of the event which he had seen. 
            Several in the group would like to continue to meet to learn more about our traditional worship.  The day after our discussion here, Shirley and Glenn were at St. Michael’s College for an evening of “Sacred Sounds.” 
            I am not a rebel, and I am quite prepared to work within the structure of our church and to support the efforts of other parishes in the diocese.  But I deeply regret that the old truth that “familiarity breeds contempt” has led our church to cast aside some of its most precious possessions.  If this tack had led to new growth, I would be prepared to admit that I was wrong, but, as we all know, this has not been the case. 
            Some months ago I received an invitation from a colleague to contribute to a collection of essays on “The Healing Power of Religion.”  I accepted immediately, proposing an article entitled “The Healing Power of the Book of Common Prayer,”
which he accepted appreciatively, 
            I am happy to have the inspiration of our worship here in carrying out this commitment. 

November 2, 2008

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