The Magdalene Mystique » 2007 » July

The Author

Betty Conrad Adam, an Episcopal priest, is resident Canon Theologian at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, and spiritual director of the Magdalene Community. She holds a PhD in philosphy from Rice University and was a recipient of a Merrill Fellowship at the Harvard Divinity School.

The Book

The Magdalene Mystique retells the story of Mary Magdalene for our time. As the consummate “other” who is mislabelled and demonized, the Magdalene becomes an ancestor who can help us bridge our cultural and religious divisions. Her lost Gospel tells us how a more deeply connected consciousness can happen to all of us and how we can be lead into a “shared peace.”

The CD

The Magdalene Mystique: Songs From Within by Anita Kruse is a companion to the book, The Magdalene Mystique. The music that accompanies our services can be found on this CD along with voices from other religious traditions. You will find this music helpful for private devotion or for use in your community.

Reconciliation Eucharist at the UBE

posted July 4th, 2007 at 8:45 pm by Betty

Nevermind the rain, people poured into the Cathedral today — the celebration was a Reconciliation Eucharist for the UBE (Union of Black Episcopalians) Convention being held in Houston this week. The preacher was the Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church.

I was glad I had arrived early to help with the preparations. Among other tasks, I cut eight sprigs from the Cathedral garden and rounded up four water bowls, all for the baptismal sprinkling. I also made new friends. One new friend I especially remember: the Reverend Lewis Sitting Panther Power, a Deacon in the Diocese of the Rio Grande in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He had flown in for the smudging.

Smudging is a sacred tradition of Native people across this land. A prayer offering of jasmine, sweetgrass, sage and cedar incense. Smudging promotes healing and unity and prepares for worship.

By the time the drums and the smudging started, the Cathedral was completely packed. Considering it was July 4, that was something.

Then Bishop Schori began to preach. She admitted it seemed an odd day to talk about repentance and reconciliation - July 4 - but ironically, she said, reconciliation and freedom go hand in hand. The word reconciliation means to call back together - to take counsel together - to make friends again - to restore what has been separated. This, the Primate declared, is our vocation: the healing of our separations and divisions - the repairing of the world, as our Jewish brothers and sisters speak of it.

It is a healed world that must be our focus. We must labor for many kinds of reconciliation. We must challenge the injustices of the world - even the ancient injustices. We must ask the hard questions. We must tell our stories, and lament.

The lament needs to be heard. But after the lament, comes the healing. And some sacrament for the healing needs to take place - some outward and visible sign of an inward healing that comes from the grace of God.

It was a prophetic voice we heard today on this day of freedom. It was a great blessing to be there. I wish we all could have been together. Katharine Schori episcopal church Union of Black Episcopalians