Yesterday afternoon, in glorious weather, I sat on our "sun deck", that is our sun
terrace with a great view across the neighboring gardens as well.
I enjoyed East Frisian tea and to the singing of the birds and the articles to be
read in a magazine of our archdiocese (Cologne) I could let my thoughts flow.
One statement I found so encouraging was that as baptized lay members of the
Church, we are both parishioners, priests, saints and prophets who do not have
to be given an office by (official) priests first, but have already been "empowered"
by the Holy Spirit.
At this point I would like to remark once again that there are quite a few differences
in the structure of European and American church organizations. Are you (Americans)
already a bit ahead of us ? :-)
What is important for us Christians is that we have equal rights in shaping the church
as an institution.
However, if we tend to want to be independent from such an institution, this is also
possible (from God's point of view), because HE accepts us as we are - we have
freedoms and do not have to bow to worldly powers.
What should always be maintained from my point of view, however, is an exchange
with like-minded AND different-minded people, so that we do not disregard true life,
and do not lose sight of the whole.
In this sense I wish us all a good week with thoughts that bring us all further.
Best Regards
and see you soon
Peter
