From "Sachel" (Common Sense) a current document of the covenant Essenes......not saying you or I agree or have to...etc..etc..
"Introit In recent years, scholars and investigators have put forth revelations regarding the history and use of the minor sacraments ("entheogens" in the nomenclature of post modern acadamia...) in the Church and among the faithful. The faithful and faithless alike peer deeply into the origens, practices and history of our faith, and we must make every effort to ensure that in response the Church does not seek to control this information and inspection, but rather to aid it in every way; for the Lord has said that the truth shall make us free, and we in the faith must abide in the Word. Before we begin we can have confidence of our outcome; we shall be free, not because we have "escaped" or hidden ourselves from the discussion of such sacred things - but because we have searched them; because we will have demonstrated to ourselves again the might and power and liberty of God, and because we will have demonstrated faith and hope before the congregations. We will have established in more modern terms those distinctions which modern enquirers can utilize, and broadened our own foundations by the more confident knowledge that comes from personal investigation. Modern scholars whom we adore for their labors, skill and courage may discover in their journeys what the faithful already know. The faithful can only be enriched by their adventures, for the knowledge of Elohim is healing to the faithful.
No mind can readily accept a concept that states we might find our creator in a sacrament - yet all faiths intuit that the sacrament is more than the substance. The Word teaches us that the seed of the eternal lies within mankind, therefor the Church must logically and scientifically presume that the sacraments serve to uplift mankind towards the divine by moving them spiritually and giving inner voice to their living spirit. Though we know the presence of God's spirit overcomes and reconciles all things, we must not detract in the slightest from the sacraments God has given us, and through which so many millions have come to the light of faith in the memory of mankind. Further, the Church as repository should adequately meet the needs of the faithful in all matters of worship and the sacraments, through it's education ministries and in the training of it's priests. The Church has a primary concern of serving as a well from which all may freely drink, and it's response to any aspect of the divine worship and formation must be interpretable in the degree and level any might feel comforted and enlightened by.
The Church must respond; for ultimately, a secular interpretation of the sacraments ends before the sacred one. That is to say, all arguments return to Holy mystery and the knowledge of Elohim, and even that which we do here is only to comfort ourselves (in that we have served) and others whom we pray may find paths to reconciliation, wherein all things are in the hand of God. For the secular world, these things can only serve as a means of apologetics from the faithful, and perhaps a basis for consideration in the conducting of secular affairs which frequently adjusts, and historically has sought the council of scholars both within and without the Church on matters which may have impact on the people. There are those whose efforts seem to attempt to reassure governors that only spiritual people for holy reasons may partake of the sacraments, especially the minor sacraments. Yet do we not know that it is those seeking the light of faith who know it least and need it most? Is it not written "For we know what we woship..."? Therefor the Church and the faithful may err, in hoping to reassure where reassurance has already been given by the Lord. We must not be tempted to a premature effort to gain partial influence, amnesty or acceptance, and deny the Word and wisdom of God. Therefor we must endure further than this, we must remain in the word and through it give those answers religious, social and scientific which the congregation or the world may require of us. We must not only give those answers impartially, we must show that these too are reconciled in his Word, wisdom and love, because it is only this that can give anyone true peace and understanding. Even the late Gordon Wasson, a most highly respected scholar, confessed that he had elitist feelings, and resented persons he thought too spiritually ignorant and dirty, feeling that they pulled the whole matter, and everyone he felt was sincere and a blessing in our race, down into a realm of mindless and base hedonism. While we can not know how founded these fears are, we must consider whether any person truly prefers to hear a "placatory diatribe" of politically correct sounding arguments specifically attuned to their preconcieved notions and current preferences, or whether they would be the better aided in body, mind and spirit by making our primary concern clarity and information. We must have faith in others as we have faith in God and believe that persons will in the end agree to be reasonable, kind and just with each other as God would have us be. If my brother is to respect me spiritually and intelectually, and perchance because of that to consider my words, then I cannot having been granted audience, insult his spirit and intelligence through my own lack of courage or forthrightness. By dissolving the barriers of understanding we increase the pathways of Shalom (peace).
Understanding the Sacraments themselves Mankind has no memory or written record that was present when union with the divine became fixed in the sacraments. No one can say with certainty which of the sacraments preceded which, and indeed even in known sacramental history mankind's degree of reverance and approach to them has been varied. In the simplest terms, a sacrament reminds us of the love and power of our creator. Every other attachment which may be made to any of the sacraments is ultimately secondary to this. The sacraments heal; and participation in sacramental life is quietly, though vitally, important to the members of the clergy and congregations of the whole world. Traditions associated with the sacraments are extreme by nature, and a good example from our own house is shown in the ancient Essene brother's fear of being excluded from the sacred meal. His willingness to face possible starvation rather than to partake of that which might diminish him in the eyes of the Lord and the Yachad (unity/congrgation) emphasizes the priority placed on the sacraments and sacred life by the faithful both in history and today......"
-------------------- Yours in the Natural State Land of Enchantment!
"Sometimes the only way for a man to find true happiness is to take drugs in a group" - Cochise
No makin funna my pomes!
|