Today we Episcopalians remember and give thanks for Richard Hooker.

O God of truth and peace, who raised up your servant Richard Hooker in a day of bitter controversy to defend with sound reasoning and great charity the catholic and reformed religion: Grant that we may maintain that middle way, not as a compromise for the sake of peace, but as a comprehension for the sake of truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

See http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/RHooker.htm for more info on this priest and theologian. The Rev. Tobias Haller, vicar of a multicultural parish in the Beautiful Bronx, has a delightful sermon posted on his blog about the Rev. Mr. Hooker. http://jintoku.blogspot.com/2006/11/for-sake-of-truth.html

The news story that caught my attention last night was regarding the conservative evangelist Ted Haggard. I've never been able to watch the man, not because I disagree with his messages so much, but because he always has this cheesy grin on his face that appears, at best, to be fake. If it is the result of a stroke or Bell's Palsy or some sort of involuntary tic, I apologize, but I just couldn't get past it. I do disagree with his stance on gay rights and his undue influence on Bush and his advisors.

At the same time, he is human and I'm sure he means well most of the time. If the allegations against him are proven, (and he has admitted to some "indiscretions") then I hope all those who follow his teaching regarding homosexuality are forced to re-examine their beliefs. It's the only way that American voters are going to move back toward the via media, as Richard Hooker called it, and start cooperating in a bi-partisan manner.

Maybe this story will knock the Kerry gaffe off the radar, poor man just cannot keep his foot out of his mouth. I don't think any serious-minded person believed he was taking a jab at American soldiers with his botched joke, but Republicans couldn't resist making as much hay of it as possible. Democrats would have done the same, no doubt.