Pastoral Problem

 

Dear Friends

I have a pastoral problem, a dilemma of my own making. 

Mindful of where I am currently living (San Jose), I told the congregation on January 9^th that I would root for the 49ers over the Rams. Why? Because the Rams had already clinched a playoff spot, but the 49ers had to win to make the playoffs. The congregation was pleased by this act of charity.

And my rooting for the 49ers apparently made the difference because they won!

Now the Rams and the 49ers are facing off this Sunday, January 23^rd, for a spot in the Super Bowl. This is not the Dodgers versus the Giants, where I would show no mercy. This is deciding whether to side with the congregation by cheering for the 49ers, or risking their ridicule by rooting for the Rams!

On the local news, a fan said, and I quote: “There is a God, and he loves football, and he loves the 49ers!” “Faithful” and “Faithful to the Bay” are 49er slogans printed on clothing items as seen above.

I try not to mix politics with religion but now I am being forced to mix sports with religion!

I think the best and safest way to proceed is to acknowledge that while against the backdrop of eternity it doesn’t matter who wins this Sunday, we can all rally around Romans 12:15 which says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

To be honest, I’d like to rejoice with the Rams. Just don’t tell the congregation, lest they run me out of town and back to Southern California, halfway into my temporary assignment.

John

P.S. Did the 49er’s get permission from the Angels to add those wings to the shirt?

 

 

What's for Lunch?

 Dear Friends

Few people know how much time I spend in the kitchen! To dispel that myth, I present my latest creation from Chef Juan Sevillia’s Culinary Creations, as not seen on Cable TV.

Easy as Pie One Veggie Three Fruit Delight for Two (With Leftovers)

Ingredients: (Obtain online for speed and freshness):

One bag Chilean Carrots

One Anaheim Angel of California Avocado

One Caribbean Cucumber

One Tony Roma Tomato

Instructions:

Dash to the door when it rings to find food

Carry food to kitchen and find a cutting board and knife

Slice tomato into 3 meter or would that be 3 millimeter strips?

Slice cucumber into 1 millimeter strips?

Slice avocado into four somewhat equal parts

Pick out just enough carrots to separate the cucumber slices

Arrange on plate as pictured above-start with tomatoes

Serve at room temperature with Favorite Compliments* Dip

 

Coming Soon: Leftover Soup Delight

 Juan

 *Some prefer condiments

 

 

Let the sun (light) and Son SHINE!

 Dear Friends

If sunlight is the best disinfectant, President Biden’s speech for the ages this morning, was like shining a high intensity LED flashlight on what happened before and after the 2020 election, January 6^th, and for the past year. Some will say, of course, that his words will divide us further. But if we don’t know how large the wound is, how can we know and feel the urgency to treat it? And trying to heal the soul of our nation without holding the persons responsible, who ripped the wound open wider (which infects and continues to poison the blood stream of our country and civility in general) is irresponsible.

Of course my mind then goes to the fact that today, as it was almost forgotten last year in the shock of what we were watching on television, is the Feast of the Epiphany, a day filled with references to light. “Arise, shine, for your light has come…” are the familiar words of the first lesson from Isaiah at the Eucharist, but these words from Revelation are appointed for Evening Prayer today: “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb”. The nations will walk by its light and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it”.

That leads me to timely words from today’s Forward Day by Day meditation: “When our days are rift with conflict and turmoil, let us remember that God’s light shines on each of us equally. God became incarnate for all of us as we continue to fight for mercy, justice and peace.”

Let me end with a prayer which my father prayed with me and my sisters each night as he put us to bed. I have added one phrase for the current perils and dangers we face:

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee O Lord, and by thy great 

mercy, defend us from all perils and dangers of this night (and for 

those still simmering in our country right now); for the love of thy 

only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

John

P.S Thankful (and proud) to hear our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's powerful prayer at the candlelight vigil on the Capitol steps and hear John Meacham's voice in the president's speech!