Kathleen the Hero plus another tragedy

Below is what I sent in today for my weekly article for the St. Andrew's, Fullerton newsletter. It ended up being two articles as you will see. I hope more churches and denominations will join together with even louder voices to decry the unique epidemic of gun violence that grips America.
 

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry"  

Psalm 40:1

Dear Friends

Have you ever been stuck? Literally?

Last Saturday morning, Kathleen and I saw this squirrel in our backyard. We have often watched as he contorts himself in all kinds of positions to try and grab a snack at the birdfeeders. But after a few moments, we realized this time he was stuck.

While I was thinking about calling Animal Control, my smart and brave wife just picked up a broom, cautiously approached the feeder, extended her arm and with one, quick, strong upward jerk, set the squirrel free! The squirrel scampered to a nearby tree, climbed to the first branch and began licking a slightly bloody paw.

Although more than one squirrel ventures into our yard, Kathleen and I are confident that our unstuck friend is okay and is the one shown in the second photo, staying on the ground, having learned a lesson. (We have put tape on the spot where he was stuck in case he forgets!)

In any case, psalm 40 continues with these words in verses two and three:

He lifted me out of the desolate pit, set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure…He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God…”

Psalm 118, verse 5, provides further good news;

“I called to the Lord in my distress; the Lord answered by setting me free.”

Thank God for first responders like Kathleen, who saved the squirrel. Thank God for the times we have been set free from whatever has had a strong grip on us, whatever has held us back, whatever has left us stuck.

See you on Sunday.

Fr. John

P.S. Shortly after finishing this blog, the news broke about this week’s mass shooting at a church school in Nashville. I cannot ignore that. America needs to be freed from gun violence. By the time you read this, we will know more than is known now. One of the parents I saw being interviewed, overwhelmed with emotion, said “there are no words.” The first lady, Jill Biden, also said, "I truly have no words." I have no words right now either, except the ones I have had to say over and over in the past: “Lord have mercy upon us.”

After the Passion Gospel this Sunday, we will be singing hymn #458. Because it may not be familiar to some, I am attaching this link so you can take time now to become familiar with the tune. On Sunday, you will find how appropriate the words are as we begin Holy Week, and now, after this shooting.

My Song Is Love Unknown - King's College, Cambridge

My Song Is Love Unknown - King's College, Cambridge

We will also be singing the more familiar “Passion Chorale” #168. That tune is also used for Hymn #669. Considering the horrible news from Nashville, hymn #669's words are also timely:

It begins “Commit thou all that grieves thee and fills thy heart with care…”

It ends with a verse calling us to hope:

Hope on, then, broken spirit, hope on, be not afraid

Fear not the griefs that plague thee, and keep thy heart dismayed

Thy God in his great mercy, will save thee, hold thee fast

And in his own time grant thee, the sun of joy at last.

 

Our hearts are dismayed again. But while working together to reduce gun violence, we must, even with trembling hands, hold onto hope.

 

 

 

Good surprises

 

Dear Friends

Occasionally, at the end of the day, Kathleen and I have fun taking turns naming specific, notable things that happened during the day, things which we were not expecting to happen on that day.

When we woke up two days ago, we didn’t know that we would go to bed imagining what it would be like to be grandparents, (although we’ve had a nice preview with our grand pups). But a few hours earlier, our son and daughter-in law came straight from a doctor’s appointment and shared with us a blurry sonagram picture and a tape recording of a healthy heartbeat. We knew this might happen someday. We didn’t know it would happen on this day. And so now we wait and pray for a new chapter in our lives to begin.

Some surprises that happen on any given day are not good. But when they are good, they can bring a special joy. One of the words I have latched on to in retirement is "surprise". Am I alert and aware and ready and willing to be surprised, on any given day, with good news?

Think back at the end of any day and have fun reviewing the good things that happened that you didn’t expect. Big or small, they are gifts from God.

John