Hymns for Right Now

 

Dear Friends

As a known lover of hymns---tunes and texts---it may not surprise you that there are several hymns that came to mind and heart yesterday. When Pennsylvania was projected for Biden, I was filled with relief and joy. It made me think of “Now Thank We All Our God” and “Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks to the Risen Lord”.

But what is far more important right now than how I or anyone is feeling about the results, and I recognize that many I love and respect are disappointed or devastated, is to do my part to help heal the nation we all love. While I think we have elected someone who can set a better tone in order to do that, in contrast to what we have been experiencing for the past four years, nothing can happen without my intentional, active participation.

And so hear are some other hymns that I would offer which everyone can claim:

“Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, forgive (all of us, for all) our foolish ways” but also, thank God, “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy (for all of us”).

Finally, the opening hymn at today’s service at out nation’s (and proudly also the Episcopal Church’s) Washington National Cathedral, is worth sharing in its entirety:

Judge eternal, throned in splendor, Lord of lords and King of kings,

With thy living fire of judgement, purge this land of bitter things,

Solace all its wide dominion with the healing of thy wings.

 

Still the weary folk are pining for the hour that brings release,

And the city’s crowded clangor cries aloud for sin to cease,

And the homesteads and the woodlands plead in silence for their peace.

 

Crown, O God, thine own endeavor, cleave our darkness with thy sword,

Feed all those who do not know thee with the richness of thy word,

Cleanse the body of this nation through the glory of the Lord.

By its nature, politics divides. But by and with God’s help, we can continue to pray and work and act and enjoy living in “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” and build not a perfect but a more “perfect union”.

John

P.S There are a lot of other hymns I could quote but don’t forget the scriptures. Now that we’ve elected “46”, check out Psalm 46 (and the hymn it inspired “A Mighty Fortress is our God”). I think it is quite timely. And don’t forget Ephesians 4:1-16, which is all about unity.

 

Let us Pray

Dear Friends

Here is a prayer to pray and share on this day before election day.

Look closely at the picture. May the love and peace of Christ prevail!

A Prayer for Leadership by Joan Chittister

Give us, O God,

leaders whose hearts are large enough

to match the breadth of our own souls

and give us souls strong enough

to follow leaders of vision and wisdom.

 

In seeking a leader, let us seek

more than development of ourselves—

though development we hope for,

more than security for our own land—

though security we need,

more than satisfaction for our wants—

though many things we desire.

 

Give us the hearts to choose the leader

who will work with other leaders

to bring safety to the whole world.

 

Give us leaders

who lead this nation to virtue

without seeking to impose

our kind of virtue on the virtue of others.

 

Give us a government that provides for

the advancement of this country

without taking resources from others to achieve it.

 

Give us insight enough ourselves

to choose as leaders those who can tell

strength from power, growth from greed, leadership from dominancy,

and real greatness from the trappings of grandiosity.

 

We trust you, Great God,

to open our hearts to learn from those

to whom you speak in different tongues

and to respect the life and words

of those to whom you entrusted

the good of other parts of this globe.

 

We beg you, Great God,

give us the vision as a people

to know where global leadership truly lies

to pursue it diligently,

to require it to protect human rights

for everyone everywhere.

 

We ask these things, Great God,

with minds open to your word

and hearts that trust in your eternal care.

    

      
 

All Saints Day

Dear Fellow Saints

What a glorious All Saints Day this has been!

Early this morning, Kathleen and I took our walk in the park and were greeted with the most magnificent sun/cloud rise one can imagine (and a glimpse of the setting full moon). Looking at the sky and mindful that we are two days from the end of a contentious election season beyond imagining, the words from “For all the Saints” filled my heart with confidence and joy, including these:

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,

Steals on the ear the distant triumph song

And hearts are brave again and arms are strong, Alleluia, alleluia!

But lo! There breaks a yet more glorious day;

The saints triumphant rise in bright array,

The King of glory passes on his way, Alleluia, alleluia!

Then we went to St. John’s outdoor service (I was instituted as rector there 35 years ago today) and enjoyed seeing old friends and a good message from Mother Patricia including an illustration about the Episcopal parish featured in the movie “All Saints” a few years ago. We announced Emily’s and Christopher’s birthdays (Nov. 2nd and 9th) and remembered our loved ones who have gone home.

Then we went (virtually) to the National Cathedral in Washington DC for their All Saints service (taped earlier) and heard the most powerful and compelling sermon from our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry. It is a must see and share. I’m sure Kathleen will be posting it soon or go to their website.

Then we “crashed” the St. Dunstan’s, Carmel Valley, zoom coffee hour, on this one year anniversary of starting my interim ministry there last November 1^st. The real reason, however, was to force former parishioners to congratulate me on the Dodgers winning the World Series. (Did I mention many of them are San Francisco Giant fans?) I wore my blue Dodger cap to rub it in for fun.

Finally, we watched “Holding on to Hope”, an afternoon Ecumenical Service at the Washington National Cathedral, a wonderful smorgasbord of scriptures and prayers and music. Once again, our Presiding Bishop preached a powerful sermon. I am very proud to be an Episcopalian today!

All these experiences were urgent reminders that no matter what happens this Tuesday, we have already been elected to be the light and the love to shine through any chaos to come, to be the calming peace that will help still and heal anxious souls.

As 2 Peter 1:10 tells us, 

"Therefore brothers and sisters, be all the more eager 

to confirm your call and election, 

for if you do this, you will never stumble."

John