Dear Friends
I have been blessed to have the opportunity to have another letter to the LA Times published, expressing in words what many are thinking. I hope it brings a good measure of hope for 2028!
Full letter follows headline, picture and on-line introduction
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Last Friday, Kathleen and I celebrated our
50th wedding anniversary. We are mindful that not
everyone, for a variety of reasons, reaches this milestone. So as we give
thanks for this blessing, we are also thankful that God’s love and blessings come in many different ways and forms, and
enrich all our relationships.
But if someone were to ask me what my
advice would be for a healthy marriage, a few
words and phrases come to mind: friendship, kindness and respect. Communication.
The desire to be with each other no matter what we are doing. Being on the “same
page” about most things including values, but also honoring the fact that we
each have our own pages to live and enjoy. Being able to laugh (see pictures above) and cry together. Knowing we are loved for who we are, quirks and all. Being
able to apologize and forgive.
And perhaps the most important gift we’ve
tried to remember is that we invited God, that we invited Christ to be the
third person in our marriage, something that is made
clear in the wedding liturgy. We repeat vows and make promises not using the
phrase “I do” but “I will”; in other words, I will from this day forward, with
God’s help, with Jesus’ help.
Before the opening procession at our
wedding, we had a friend sing a hymn. It is a poem by George
Herbert set to music by Ralph Vaughn Williams. Its words are for everyone who calls God to be the center of their life. We all need to be reminded
that God, that Christ, is our constant companion who will help and guide us through
the changes and chances and challenges of a marriage, and any relationship we
have.
“The
Call” by George Herbert
Come,
my Way, my Truth, my Life;
Such
a Way that gives us breath,
Such
a Truth as ends all strife.
Such
a Life as killeth death.
Come,
my Light, my Feast my Strength;
Such
a Light as shows a Feast,
Such
a Feast as mends in length,
Such
a Strength as makes his guest.
Come,
my Joy, my Love, my Heart;
Such
a Joy as none can move,
Such
a Love a none can part,
Such
a Heart as joys in love.
John
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy said, "We choose to go to the
moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they
are easy, but because they are hard". In the successful Artemis
II mission, we have witnessed the hard work, using America's
passion and skills to begin our return to the moon in this decade.
Is it asking too much to also put our passion and skills into the hard work of pursuing peace?
One prominent person in the news currently, is fueled by an insatiable thirst for revenge and retribution against individuals and nations. His words are not worth repeating.
Another prominent person had something to say that is worth repeating: "I think as we go into Easter Sunday thinking about all the cultures all around the world---whether you celebrate it or not, whether you believe in God or not---this is an opportunity for us to remember where we are, who we are, and that we are the same thing. And that we got to get through this together."
Thank you, Artemis pilot Victor Glover, for those words, and thanks to many others pleading for peace and unity, including Pope Leo XIV. Let us hope and pray those doing the hard work of peacemaking are listening.
John Saville
Corona, CA.
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The picture above is the headline from the on-line
version of my latest letter published by LA Times this morning. Below is the
content of the letter from the print edition.
John
Pilot's words are worth repeating
Re: "Artemis II crew ends its historic lunar voyage", April 11th
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy said, "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard". In the successful Artemis II mission, we have witnessed the hard work, using America's passion and skills to begin our return to the moon in this decade.
Is it asking too much to also put our passion and skills into the hard work of pursuing peace?
One prominent person in the news currently, is fueled by an insatiable thirst for revenge and retribution against individuals and nations. His words are not worth repeating.
Another prominent person had something to say that is worth repeating: "I think as we go into Easter Sunday thinking about all the cultures all around the world---whether you celebrate it or not, whether you believe in God or not---this is an opportunity for us to remember where we are, who we are, and that we are the same thing. And that we got to get through this together."
Thank you, Artemis pilot Victor Glover, for those words, and thanks to many others pleading for peace and unity, including Pope Leo XIV. Let us hope and pray those doing the hard work of peacemaking are listening.
John Saville
Corona, CA.
Dear Friends
For many years, I joined members of St. John’s in
Corona’s community 5k race called “Run for the Crown”.
Today, instead of running for the crown, I
walked for the medal (above) in the inaugural “Corona 5000 Road Race" (same distance as a 5k).
I had mixed emotions at the starting line. I
was thankful I was healthy enough to participate and complete the course, but
sad that I was not (by choice) going to be running it. And then the official announcer and
starter, among other encouraging words for the hundreds who had gathered said, “BE AT PEACE WITH YOUR PACE”. Those words were so helpful to me at that
moment! They will stay with me for a long time, and I will try to apply them to
other parts of my life.
And then came the singing of the national
anthem. Given the current conflict, I inwardly bristled when
the line about “bombs bursting in air” was sung, saddened that we are still
wondering, as the old song put it, “when will it ever end?” I think singing "Let There be Peace on Earth" would have been better, but no one asked me to pick the hymns!
Some scriptures come to mind about peace including
Romans 12:18---“If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably
with all.” This verse is
surrounded by others, including not
repaying evil for evil.
Finally, on a brighter note,
just a half mile from the finish, two little girls (who reminded me of my two grand-girls)
were seated on the curb with signs that said, “You got this”. Along with
the words about being at peace with your pace, they were encouraging words that
will also stay with me for a long time.
John
P.S Speaking of walking, last Tuesday, our new
archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, began an 87 mile walk from St. Paul’s
Cathedral in London, to Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury where she will be
officially installed this Wednesday. She took the “Becket Camino” route, with family members and others. She is using a "cane"; I didn’t. She gets a fancy
new hat; I got a medal. 😊
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
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
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 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 25th,
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.
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 50th 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
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Pardon me if this is TMI, but next Tuesday, August 26th,
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.
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
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
1st week anniversary (May 8) of our 49th wedding
anniversary (May 1st). 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!
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President’s Day this year falls
smack in the middle of the time between Lincoln’s Feb. 12th birthday
and Washington’s Feb. 22nd birthday. While history connects them
both to important prayers, let me share one which is known as Lincoln’s Prayer
for our Nation. (I’m proud that it is included in the Episcopal Church’s Book
of Common Prayer). Though offered so many years ago, it speaks clearly and
urgently to us today:
Almighty God, who hast given us this good
land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove
ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will.
Bless our land with honorable industry, sound
learning and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord and confusion; from
pride and arrogance and from every evil way.
Defend our liberties and fashion into one
untied people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues.
Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to
whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be
justice and peace at home and that through obedience to thy law, we may show
forth thy praise among the nations of the earth.
In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts
with thankfulness and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to
fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
So on this President’s Day, I would suggest we pray
with and listen to Lincoln! May this
prayer be lived and come alive by all we think and say and do to help
this nation heal.
John
I have submitted the following as a letter to the editor.
Since it may or may not be published, I am sharing it with you now.
With respect, I would like to ask our President a couple of questions and add a comment.
Did you listen to her whole sermon about the three pillars of unity---respecting the dignity of every human being, telling the truth and living with humility?
Did you hear and feel her heartfelt final words, spoken gently to you? They were a simple, sincere ask for mercy on those who are afraid right now. The bible tells us to “speak the truth with love” and that’s exactly what she did.
Most people feel the need to apologize occasionally. You should try it sometime. But in this case, as a member “her church”, I cannot apologize. Your disrespectful, tone-deaf tweet to her does nothing to help build the unity you claim to want for the country we all love.
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Dear Friends
The headline on the front page of the LA
Times on the morning of January 10th was
stunning. Above a devastating picture were these words:
“EVERYTHING IS BURNED DOWN”
Just three hours after I saw that picture and read that headline, I received a text including a picture; our second grandchild had arrived! A beautiful flower named Camellia had joined her sister, named after a beautiful bird called Rosella (an Australian parrot). (This picture was after she came home).
The name Camellia has several meanings
including “love”, “devotion”, “a spirit of depth”, “self-reflection”, “inner
strength”, “loyalty” and “humility”. In Latin, camelia (one l) is a feminine
name meaning “helper to the priest” and a form of camellia, the evergreen shrub
with gorgeous flowers that bloom in winter. I hope Camellia will experience and
carry forward some of these meanings in her life.
“A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” is described as “a tale of perseverance and vulnerability about a young girl as she grows up in the slums of Brooklyn, New York, and faces an unforgiving world and learns to thrive in it” But for now, with a thankful heart, I will be watching A Camellia Growing in Corona.
I cannot imagine the heavy burden and deep grief that so many are carrying after the fires, not to mention the wondering, "What now?" I pray they will find and be surprised by signs of new life and new hope, and thrive once again.
John
P.S. We were notified by a cousin in Florida that a
Camellia Festival opened the day after Camellia was born. It's hard to see but it included this prize winner named Camille!
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ChARacTER counts!
Dear Friends
One of the highlights, if not the highlight of our road trip to the east coast a couple of years ago, was a visit to Plains, Georgia. The pictures above include the first signs we saw; Kathleen in the presidential suite, among several rooms above an antique store where we spent the night (as president and Mrs. Carter had); and me standing at the train station where “Mr. Jimmy” as he known by the locals, was welcomed back on his return to Plains.
Grace and goodness. Decency and dignity.
Those were among the many adjectives I heard over and over while watching the
breaking news of President Jimmy Carter’s death this afternoon. As I have said
previously, character counts, character matters, especially
among leaders with large platforms. Why? Because character affects one’s
decisions and actions, and character affects those who listen and watch what
one says and does. We should expect the best for the country we all
love.
Sadly, President Carter’s
death represents the end of an era in terms of what we now
expect and accept from politicians and politics. The last election certainly would suggest
that character has been ignored or put even further to the side when
choosing a leader. But a quote from President Carter reminds us of the Great Commandment
we’ve had all along and can be our guide going forward if we choose to follow
it.
“You
only have to have two loves in your life:
for
God, and for the person in front of you at any particular time.”
Every day we
have chances to live those words. We are all far from perfect in doing that,
but we hope, with God’s help, that we can do our best.
Let’s hope this moment will help remind us that ChARacTER counts.
Make character count again.
As someone has said, “Keep hope alive in 2025”.
John
Dear Friends I have been blessed to have the opportunity to have another letter to the LA Times published, expressing in words what many a...
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