Sick Slogan

Dear Friends

I can’t help thinking about how I would have used the two illustrations above if I had been preaching somewhere last Sunday. While the Department of Homeland Security is describing the ICE operation in Maine as “Catch of the Day”, Jesus said in yesterday’s gospel to Peter and Andrew, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people”. 

Describing immigration enforcement in Maine as “Catch of the Day” is neither cute nor clever. It is demeaning and disgusting. Even the “worst of the worst” (a phrase I also detest) are human beings. And as we know, Trump’s wide net has been catching many who are the furthest from this description.

The use of this phrase is just another example of where this administration’s mean mind and heart is, and it flies in the face of everything we proclaim in our baptismal covenant.

Were Christians who are all in for Trump and were aware of the Maine slogan, feeling any discomfort if they were sitting in church and hearing Sunday's gospel call?

John

 

 

Disgusting Slogan

 

Dear Friends

I can’t help thinking about how I would have used the two illustrations above if I had been preaching somewhere yesterday. While the Department of Homeland Security is describing the ICE operation in Maine as “Catch of the Day”, Jesus said in yesterday’s gospel to Peter and Andrew, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people”. 

Describing immigration enforcement in Maine as “Catch of the Day” is neither cute nor clever. It is demeaning and disgusting. Even the “worst of the worst” (a phrase I also detest) are human beings. And as we know, Trump’s wide net has been catching many who are the furthest from this description.

The use of this phrase in this context is just another example of where this administration’s mean mind and heart is, and it flies in the face of everything we proclaim in our baptismal covenant.

Were Christians who are all in for Trump and aware of the Maine slogan, feeling any discomfort if they were sitting in church and hearing yesterday’s gospel?

John

 

 

 

Dear Friends

I can’t help thinking about how I would have used the two illustrations above if I had been preaching somewhere yesterday. While the Department of Homeland Security is describing the ICE operation in Maine as “Catch of the Day”,  Jesus said in yesterday’s gospel to Peter and Andrew, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people. 

Describing immigration enforcement in Maine as “Catch of the Day” is neither cute nor clever. It is demeaning and disgusting. Even the “worst of the worst” (a phrase I also detest) are human beings. And as we know, Trump’s wide net has been catching many who are the furthest from this description.

The use of this phrase is just another example of where this administration’s mean mind and heart is, and it flies in the face of everything we proclaim in our baptismal covenant.

Were Christians who are all in for Trump and aware of the Maine slogan, feeling any discomfort if they were sitting in church and hearing yesterday’s gospel?

John

 

 

 

 

Lord, have mercy

 

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Dear Friends

I’m at a loss for words. It’s not only because of what is and has been happening in Minneapolis, but what has been happening ever since the future Divider in Chief came down that escalator 10 years ago.

I do have one question for those who have voted for him three times and especially those in Congress who voted for him and have continued to enable him to remain in office by their votes not to impeach him (in the House) or convict him (in the Senate). I must add those on the Supreme Court who voted that he should be immune from any action he takes while in office.

Here is the question: IS THIS WHAT YOU VOTED FOR?

If it is, then it’s a shame on you. If it’s not (and I know Trump voters who didn’t vote for this) then speak up now and tell your representatives. Congress: There are three branches of government, but too many of you are acting like there is only one. And the executive branch is currently ruled by one person, surrounded by people who are afraid of him or are just as mean and corrupt as he is.

How sad that he has no one in his life that cares for him enough to challenge all the lies and hate he spews, all the division and chaos he creates.

Lord, have mercy on us.

John

P.S As I am publishing this on January 25^th, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, it is worth adding this petition from the Great Litany. It is for all of us and I would like to say to our president, as he likes to say to us, “THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS PRAYER!”

That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances; and to endue us with the grace of the Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy Word.

                               We beseech thee to hear us good Lord.

 

 

 

Three Sisters

 

Dear Friends

A few years ago during a road trip which included Oregon, Kathleen and I stopped in a town called Sisters. It was named after the nearby "Three Sisters" peaks.  Early settlers sometimes referred to the trio of volcanic peaks as “Faith, Hope, and Charity”.

Last Sunday, it was a joy to be with my three sisters at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in San Juan Capistrano---(from left to right in picture are Susan, Debbie and Mary Bek.) The occasion was the church’s 50^th anniversary. Susan continues as Director of Music. She also taught at St. Margaret’s school from its founding and directed an annual Christmas Lessons and Carols service involving children and youth of all ages.  For this anniversary, she and her friend Diane put together a wonderful concert before the service, in addition to the service hymns, anthems and solos. At 81 years old, she moved gracefully between the piano and organ, all the while keeping an eye on her friend who was directing the choir and a small ensemble of musicians. I was recruited to join the bass section.

Among the blessings I have as we approach Thanksgiving, is the joy of having three sisters in my life for so many years. I could write several paragraphs describing their special gifts, and, of course, special memories with each one of them. But it is enough to say for now, that each one of them has always shown me a deep faith, hope and charity, beyond measure, by their words and their deeds.

How could I be so lucky?!!

John 

Shoulder Surgery Alert

 Dear Friends

Pardon me if this is TMI, but next Tuesday, August 26^th, I am scheduled for arthroscopic shoulder surgery to repair a tear in my rotator cuff.

Not to be mistaken for “Tommy John” surgery, this will be “Fr. John” surgery (baseball fans will get this). According to my TV Prevagen ad pharmacist David, I will be under general amnesia during this telescopic surgery and then will be wearing a swing for six weeks before starting PE.  (Clearly, David has been forgetting to take his Prevagen!)

Among other reasons, I am motivated to do this for my grandchildren. I want to show them how to sing and do all the motions for “Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes”. I want to hold them and not worry about sharp pains while we are singing “The Wheels on the Bus” at the moment “The People on the Bus go Up and Down, all through the town.”

I am also hoping to qualify for the 2026 Senior Miniature Golf Olympics being held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, (the Miniature Golf Club capital of the world), rather than just putt around the house. After surgery, my doctor said I should be head and shoulders above the competition.

John

P.S. While I will appreciate your prayers for a successful surgery and a full and speedy recovery, also pray for Kathleen. While she is already masterful at multi-tasking while caring for our beautiful 23 and 7 month old granddaughters, this will be a time for an extra measure of strength and patience, with her one-armed assistant as a temporary patient in the house.

  

 

Cruelty v. Compassion

Dear Friends

Timing triggered my latest letter to the editor, published yesterday online by the LA Times. Shortly after I heard his alligator “joke”, I was walking at Santana Park and passed the bench with the message about compassion (pictured just above). I wrote the following letter and e-mailed it to the Times as soon as I got home:

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To the Editor: At my nearby park, there is a “hope and healing meditation path” that includes benches with encouraging messages. One has these words about compassion: “We can never really know what someone else is going through. However, we can listen with our hearts and be open to the depths of others’ pain.”

That message caught my attention during my walk because I had just seen the President of the United States joking about people trying to outrun alligators at his new detention center in Florida (“Trump tours Florida immigration lockup and jokes about escapees having to run from alligators,” July 1). I’ve seen one commentator describe “Alligator Alcatraz” as “performance cruelty.”

Clearly, the president missed a recent Los Angeles Times op-ed with the headline “In an era that celebrates cruelty, embrace subversive kindness.” Clearly, he hasn’t seen the message about compassion on our park bench in Corona. And sadly, his habit of making cruel remarks and his lack of compassion has spread to many in his administration and beyond.

John Saville   Corona

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Blog continues here: 

As we celebrate Independence Day, I don’t know how we measure the soiling of the soul and character of our country that our current president is responsible for, because it keeps seeping from the top down and is spreading all around. 

Issues are always up for debate. But character should not be, because character affects the words we speak and the actions we take. I think we are underestimating the deep and lasting effect of his cruel words and actions, which so many people have come to easily embrace, or ignore because they have normalized it.

There is so much more to reflect upon in response to what is going on right now. In the meantime, a couple of verses from this coming Sunday’s second lesson from Paul's letter to the Galatians, offers hope and advice for us, as we press on amid these challenging days:

“So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up” (6:9)

“So then, whenever we have the opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith” (6:10)

John

Where were you?

 

Dear Friends

Three priests walked into a bar….. Just kidding.

Three priests walked onto Disneyland’s “Rise of the Resistance”. Not kidding!

Kathleen and I were celebrating the 1^st week anniversary (May 8) of our 49^th wedding anniversary (May 1^st). We had seen near the park entrance, two priests with what appeared to be a school group. We didn’t expect to see them again.

But a couple of hours later, we discovered that they were in the same “Star Destroyer” in the row right behind us! How? During the ride, I heard a voice behind me say “May the force be with us” and of course I turned around and said, “And also with you”. There were the two priests! We had seen them in another part of the waiting line but don’t know how we all ended up in the same vehicle!

As we got off the ride, I asked if we could take a picture, because no one would believe this story. I introduced myself as a priest and added quickly, “An Episcopal priest” as Kathleen was with me and we were wearing anniversary buttons.

We shared with each other that we had seen the white smoke from the Vatican chimney on our phone screens while waiting in line. An hour later, just after getting off another ride, we saw Pope Leo XIV being introduced.

And then, as were leaving about 10 hours later, we saw the two priests from Clovis again, sitting near the exit, and so we had the chance to say good-bye!

The “It’s a Small World” ride was closed for renovations. But we had a small world experience of our own in a park full of thousands on our own!

And needless to say, we will not soon forget where we were when the new pope was elected.

John

P.S Another very special part of this day was seeing and spending some time with friends Sarah Jones and Jose Hernandez!