and those who commit

This to me seems like we're missing the whole point. Like the rest of modern Christianity, it is no longer about Christ and how we follow Him. It's all about seeing How He fits into our existing world. And rather than seasons of remembrance that supersede secular holidays, we have seasons of exceptions to secular holidays.

Christ doesn't call you to lead so He can follow. He walks and says "Come and you will see." You've got the leader all wrong, buster. Modern Christianity seems to think that carrying your own cross means carrying it sometimes, and then leaving the cross on the ground when we feel like it.

That cross is priceless. And when the Willow Creeks and American bishops think they are just putting that cross down for awhile, they are actually grinding it into His flayed shoulder. Don't avoid the image, church. It is the truth. Face the truth and change.