Stayin' at home

 

                            “Stay, Stay, Stay, Stay, Stayin’ at home”

Dear Friends

The plaque above was a gift which has hung in our house for many years. While the words still ring true, things are different right now. We and family and friends are not coming and going, and certainly not gathering the way we used to.

Anticipating a new stay at home order, this morning’s LA Times headline was “Staying home may be the only option”, noting experts that say “the time for subtle responses has passed.” 

And now it has been announced that the order will take effect at 11:59 pm tomorrow.

All cannot or will not follow this "order", of course. But it will be fairly easy for Kathleen and I because we have already chosen to stay in the extra cautious lane since all this began last spring. It is easier because we are retired, we have a home with a yard, and, most importantly, we have each other. 

But we also have decided this is one way we can be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Barring unforeseen circumstances and some exceptions, we will try to be leaving the house only to get groceries, walk at the park (and yes, it will be hard to resist a drive through Miguel’s from time to time.)

Different people in different situations will be part of the solution by doing different things, including things we cannot or choose not to do. But all our choices should be on behalf of others, for the common good, including helping to keep hospital beds and medical staff available for those who will need them. 

If there was ever a time to ask ourselves, “Is this particular action helpful or potentially hurtful?” when it comes to fighting this war with the virus, this is it. 

Thankfully, 46 days from today, “46” will be moving into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. We will be hearing more of his voice and watching his example and appreciating a new tone that, I believe, will make a big difference.  

For now, whatever sacrifices we choose to make are the least we can do. And hopefully they will lead to more coming and going and gathering next year. 

John

P.S. Speaking of 46, consider these helpful reminders from Psalm 46 for our current situation:

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble..."

"The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold..."

"Be still then, and know that I am God..."

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

 

Holding my breath

Dear Friends

I have been holding my breath for a week, hoping the Dodgers would win the World Series. I happily exhaled and celebrated last night when they did. Now I will be holding my breath for another week, hoping that we will elect a new president on Nov. 3^rd. But I also must be prepared that the current one (Lord have mercy) could be re-elected!

So while I am holding my breath, I have to also focus on the fact (and Good News) that God is holding me and will continue to hold me no matter the results. Love is the winning strategy now and love will continue to be, no matter what.

A contemporary paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13 (from The Message by Eugene Peterson) includes these phrases:

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than self.

Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head.

Isn’t always “me first”.

Doesn’t fly off the handle or keep score of the sins of others.

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth.

Always looks for the best.

Never looks back but keeps going to the end.

But for right now, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation:

Trust steadily in God

Hope unswervingly

Love extravagantly

 

And the best of the three is love.

 

Lord, help me keep these words in heart and mind while holding my breath.

But I’d really like to be able to exhale and celebrate next Tuesday night!

John

 

 

 

A Matter of Life and Death

 

Dear Friends

I was going to refrain from speaking out again on the election, but I cannot remain silent in light of some remarks made today at a rally in North Carolina.

One of the things people say to those in uniform is“Thank you for your service.” Now, we all have an opportunity to say something to those who are choosing to wear another uniform. The uniform I am referring to is the mask. We can say, “Thank you for respecting my health and life.”  But, contrary to that decent thing to say, the current resident of the White House, as of today, continues to question the efficacy of masks and mock those who freely choose to wear them.

I’ve always seen this election as a chance to begin to heal the soul of our nation which has been poisoned by our current president. I now agree with those who have been saying that it is also a matter of life and death.

Truth telling is on the ballot.

Decency and dignity is on the ballot.

Competency and compassion is on the ballot.

And now I choose to join the chorus of those saying, without exaggeration, that when it comes to leadership in the time of this pandemic, life and death is on the ballot.

Today I cast my ballot. I have never felt in my life how clear the choice was. I have never felt in my life how urgent and important my choice was. I am now praying that the results will reflect that we, as a country, have figured out that we can do far better, than what we have endured for almost four years.

Pray. Vote. And then continue to live the values you voted for, knowing that in the end, thank God, love wins.

John

P.S. I am writing a positive, forward looking prayer for November 4^th (or whenever the results are complete).

 

 

Some words about birds (and more)

 Dear Friends

As our national soap opera/reality show/political theater rolls on (and disrespect for debate, CDC and hospital rules continues---not to mention the health of others), I am glad to just focus for now on my friendly finch friends (Lesser Goldfinch---spinus psaltria---to be exact) who showed up today for the Feast of St. Francis! (I suspect it helped that I filled the feeder with thistle this morning!)

Francis’ radical life and ministry was about far more than love of animals. But to focus on that is a way to bring people together and be reminded about all the wonders and glories of nature. And of course our pets, past or present, bring us special joys and gifts, with unconditional love and loyalty at the top of the list. Kathleen and I have an empty nest now, including pets, but our backyard has creatures, including birds, who make their own nests.

Of all the several scriptures that speak of animals, one of my favorites is this one from the Book of Job: (12:7-11)

“Even birds and animals have much they could teach you; ask the creatures of the earth and sea for their wisdom”

A contemporary translation continues:

Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics. Listen---the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories. Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand---every living soul, yes, every breathing creature?

And then there is the prayer attributed to Francis which begins “Lord make me an instrument of thy peace”. I think we’d all agree, that prayer is needed more than ever.

And, in the spirit of not staying silent, I would like to add one more petition for this prayer, out of love of my country: "Where there is a divider, vote for a healer."

John