When one door closes...

 

Dear Friends

We have all heard the expression “when one door closes, another one will open” and have probably found that to be true, eventually. But have you ever had a new door open before the other door closed?

I just had that experience big time! Exactly two days before I confirmed that another retirement ministry opportunity I had been exploring was not going to happen, a friend who knew nothing about that possible call, called to invite me to cover for her sabbatical!

While I was excited about the possibility of serving in the Diocese of Maine, I am now equally, if not more excited about serving again in the Diocese of El Camino Real!

“And exactly where will that be?”, you may be asking. Well, if you have heard of Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick, you know where and you know the way.

Yes, I will be serving at the Episcopal Church in Almaden, just south of San Jose, for the months of January and February. Kathleen and I couldn’t be happier to return to a part of California we were just beginning to explore freely before the pandemic restricted movements for everyone.

Needless to say, I will take the expression “when one door closes, another one will open” more seriously from now on. It’s not just encouraging advice. It is a reminder that God will keep surprising us with good things, when we keep an open and patient heart and mind.

John

 

9/10

 Dear Friends

I have just begun reading a book by Garrett M. Graff --- “The Only Plane in the Sky---An Oral history of 9/11”. A 2019 New York Times Bestseller, it was critically acclaimed by many, including familiar television personalities Katie Couric and Anderson Cooper, and historians Michael Beschloss and fellow Episcopalian Jon Meacham who said “this is history at its most immediate and moving”.

The book is simply and powerfully a collection of many first person accounts and memories. But one is set apart because it was words spoken the day before 9/11, words from a meditation delivered on September 10^th, 2001, by FDNY chaplain Fr. Mychal Judge, who died the next day. (You have likely seen the picture above of his body being removed by fellow firemen at the World Trade Center).

At the 9/10 rededication of a Bronx firehouse, home to Engine 73 and Ladder 42, he said,

Good days. And bad days. Up days. Down days. Sad days. Happy days. But never a boring day on this job. You do what God has called you to do. You show up. You put one foot in front of another. You get on the rig and go out and do the job. Which is a mystery. And a surprise. You have no idea when you get on that rig. No matter how big the call. No matter how small. You have no idea what God is calling you to. But he needs you. He needs me. He needs all of us.

I have no idea what I did or said the day before 9/11. But Fr. Judge’s words remind me of the slogan, “Tomorrow Starts Today”. Tomorrow may be only a day away and that other song tells us “don’t stop thinking about tomorrow”. But today is the only day we are guaranteed. And even when we don’t think we are needed (anymore) we are. Today and tomorrow and every day, God needs us and will use us in ways we may not even know.

John

Had a prayer after all

 Dear Friends

With Labor Day weekend upon us, I thought it might be helpful to lighten things up---for just a moment---even as we continue to pray for those facing great grief and challenges after a week of heart wrenching news.

Growing up with great self-awareness, I considered many careers including:

Being a doctor, but I realized I didn’t have enough patience.

Being a physical therapist, but I knew that would be a stretch for me.

Being an auto mechanic, but I didn’t really have the drive.

Being an accountant, but I was concerned it would be too taxing.

Being a drummer, but I was beat after my first gig.

In the end, even though people said I didn’t have a prayer, I became a priest.

Thank God there are people who have the interest and the skills and the passion to do jobs that I have no desire or skills for, but I depend on them. Thank God there are people right now, working night and day to restore basic services we take for granted, to those who have lost them in the aftermath of Ida.

And thank God for labors of love, those things we do which bring us so much joy that we forget time, whether they are done off or on the clock.

As the hymn* I always chose for the Sunday closest to Labor Day each year concludes

Every task, however simple, sets the soul that does it free

Every deed of human kindness, done in love is done to thee

Jesus thou our divine Companion, help us all to work our best

Bless us in our daily labor, lead us to our Sabbath rest.

John

*Pleading Savior, Hymn 586, Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933)