Some folks will complain about anything and everything. I am all for critical thinking. I think we need to learn to view ourselves, our institutions, our culture, our country, and our world with a critical eye, but not in the sense of offering criticism for criticism’s sake. I get tired of people offering an opinion, but couching it as some kind of objective critique. And no, before you ask, this isn’t a new insight for me. It’s a recurring theme, just not one I’ve rambled about before. 

This time around, however, I am at a loss to understand it. What I’m reacting to is the complaining and criticism of the Royal Wedding sermon. I said on Sunday that our Presiding Bishop preached a sermon that no one could take offense to, because he captured an essential quality of Christian teaching that is timeless and challenging. The foundational importance of God-given and God-demonstrated love should be unassailable. I was wrong. Yes, people are entitled to their opinions, however, some opinions are more credible and viable than others.

I read one criticism that suggested Bishop Curry should read some Niebuhr to help his all too simplistic understanding of love. First of all, Niebuhr (both Niebuhrs, in fact) has plenty of his own critics. Second, the homily at a wedding, any wedding, is not a theological treatise, it is a pastoral moment of sharing the good news of God in Christ. Third, the promise and the challenge of Jesus’ repetitive commandment to love is found in its simplicity. The command to love is not hard. Following it is. If, as our Presiding Bishop suggested, we live out the love of Jesus, if that was the way of the world, the world would look very different. That’s pretty straightforward. Theologians can debate all kinds of things, but I don’t think the commandments to love God and one another need all that much translating.

I also have read a number of complaints that the Bishop should have avoided “preaching” at a wedding service. In fact, I read one person who posted online about how she instructed the preacher at HER wedding to keep it short and focused on the bride and groom because it was their day. Well, I don’t know what church she was married in, but I generally cover that in pre-marital conversations. A wedding day is not about the bride and the groom only. A church-centered wedding ceremony is about God and God’s love, and what it means to be married. The liturgy in our tradition specifically calls for a couple to be outwardly focused. In a culture that tries its best to assure brides and grooms (brides in particular) that it’s all about them, the Church’s role is to point back to Jesus and God, always, always, always. Doing that is called preaching. Personalize the message, for sure, but preach the Gospel. Otherwise, the couple might as well stand before a Justice of the Peace or a rent-a-celebrant. Marriage is a sacramental rite, which, in and of itself points beyond the marriage itself to something greater and transcendent. 

And then there are the detractors who think that an audience of two billion (I heard an earlier estimate of one billion) needed to hear more about judgment and salvation. Heaven forbid we lead with grace and love. That just won’t do, apparently, and the leader of our denomination, according to some, left too many souls on the table. Frankly, as Episcopalians, this one doesn’t worry us too much because we have a different view of judgment and salvation than some. Saving souls is not the big show. It’s in the lineup, but it’s not the main event. God is in the saving souls business, we are in the gospel business. There is a difference. I think the world needs inspiring, grace-full messages – as many as it can get. 

Some of the other critiques are more funny than anything. The idea that Bishop Curry preached too long (I understand he was under his maximum limit). That man can preach. Anything under fifteen minutes is brief! The wonder that he was putting on a show doesn’t fit either. Bishop Curry has preached with a certain style his entire ministry, a style he learned in his formative years. It is who he is, just as it represents a traditional model of preaching in some churches.  And to those who make cracks about his morning and daytime television blitz? Sour grapes. Each interview I’ve seen so far (and I’ve seen GMA, the Today Show, CNN, The View, and one I can’t remember) allowed the bishop to reiterate the message of love and the power of God.  There aren’t many preachers that are given that platform.

At the end of the day I am extremely proud that the head of the Episcopal Church was chosen, but more importantly that he captured the attention of the world with a message of love and grace and the transformative reality of life in Christ. When Bishop Curry was elected, many realized that his preaching style, his ability to excite people’s faith, and his unwavering message would be good for our Church. We hoped and prayed that our nation would take notice of something going on in the Episcopal Church at the top, something that we hoped, and still hope will begin to transform the hearts of our people and our congregations as we re-center our faith lives on following in the way of Jesus. Little did we know at the time how the Holy Spirit would move. I can only pray that God’s Kingdom does come a little closer after this one homily, and that those who need to have something to complain about it will stop complaining long enough to truly hear the message that was offered.

Tom+ 

God of love,

send your blessing upon Harry and Meghan,

and all who are joined in marriage,

that, rejoicing in your will

and continuing under your protection,

they may both live and grow in your love

all their days,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

(Church of England Prayer for this weekend’s Royal Wedding)