Natural and Artificial

Last week I went outside to enjoy the frosty, cold (14of) morning before sunrise. To enjoy this special time in Your world I had dressed in a collection of clothes that kept me comfortable as I wandered in the pre-dawn “almost” light. After I returned to the warmth and opened my journal, I pondered the question “am I any less a part of Your world since most of what kept me warm was “artificial” rather than “natural”? There is the sentiment that “natural”, as in grown from Your earth, under the whim of wind, sun, and rain, is better than “artificial”, as in made by people, chemistry, and machines. One thought that comes to mind is that natural is somehow more “in tune” with Your creation, more what You would want… Then again there is the full understanding that You gave us our world, and gave us intellect and mind to explore, care for, and expand the world around us. Prioritizing “natural” over “artificial” does not respect the full gifts You have given us for our life in this world, nor our intellect to carefully create items that perform better and last longer than might be grown in our world. Regardless of “natural” or “artificial” clothes (or food, shelter, transportation, or whatever), we, the people You created, who live in this world You created, need to be diligent and respectful in our care as we join in the co-creation of items in Your gift, this world you gave us.

Lord, thank you for the warmth you give me as I share and enjoy Your world which You have given all of us. Guide me, in the careful selection, creation, and care of the tools, clothing, and food that I make and use. May I use all the products, both natural and artificial, with care and appreciation of the gifts You provide.

Amen

My Soul Magnifies the Lord

 

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent we read of Elizabeth’s greeting as Mary arrives (Luke 1:39-45). Some lectionaries extend this to include the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), which starts with Mary’s amazingly simple statement “My soul magnifies the Lord”. Luke has Mary making this statement with amazing (at least to me) confidence and purpose. I read it as a statement made by our Blessed Virgin Mary in the confidence she had from God. OR I can own this as a call to make this MY OWN statement of confidence in our Lord. It is a more difficult statement to make when I try to make it “mine”. Often, I am not confident in God. It can feel as I am not worthy of God’s care, let alone confident that my soul is magnifying anything worthy of sharing.

Oh Lord, give me the confidence to know my sole magnifies you, just as Mary said in her prayer. Help me act today so my living reflects Your call in my life, and give me the humility to ask Your forgiveness when I fail today, and every day. I ask this in your Son, Jesus’ name. Amen.

Picture Information: Mary, Mother of God statue in Stella Maris Chapel, St. Benedict/St. John’s University, St. John MN. Sculpted by Alexander Tylevich. Stella Maris Chapel | SJU Archives

Mary and her Auntie Elizabeth

 

As my mind wandered from reading Forward Day by Day today (FDD Thursday Dec 19, 2024) on John the Baptizer and how prophecy can be uncomfortable I ended up re-reading the story of Mary, Elizabeth, and the unusual prophecy and birth stories of John the Baptizer and Jesus in the first chapter of Luke. My first thought was something of why does the NRSV bible not claim a specific relationship between Mary and Elizabeth? I always remembered them as "cousins". After checking all the print Bible versions in the house, I only found one, The New Jerusalem Bible, that used the word "cousin" for the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth.

But, as I reread the story in the first chapter of Luke, what struck me today was the wonder and power of Mary having Auntie Elizabeth to visit and stay with. I am using “auntie” in the sense of an older, perhaps mother-like female in a person’s life. Regardless of the “blood” relationship between Mary and Elizabeth (it appears clear they were related) there looks to be a true “auntie” relationship of love and support of Mary by Elizabeth. Not only does this fulfil the biblical stories and prophecies, but it also shows, again, our Lord's support of the marginalized and downtrodden. We all need support like this in our life, especially during our more difficult times. And we are all called to give this support to others, regardless of relationship or gender. 

Calls

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me” – Eucharistic Prayer A, The Book of Common Prayer, The Episcopal Church

These are the words that are central in every celebration of the Eucharist in the Church. And I silently join in saying these words at every Eucharistic celebration. Well, except for those times that come all too often when my mind wanders from our Lord to the many distractions of our human world. And, again, during the finale of Godspell as Jesus sings “Oh God, I’m bleeding” I again join, to the best of my earthly experience and ability, feeling both the finality of the Jesus last words “Oh God, I’m dead” and the rush of joy as the company continues “Long live God, long live God” returning full circle to the great call “Prepare ye, the way of the Lord”.

To me these are the words, the actions, of God’s call to me. Christ’s life, the last supper, death, and the redemption given to all of us. But what is this call? There was the time, in my thirties, when the joy and power of the Eucharist called me. I asked questions. I looked around me. I wanted to be able to hold the bread, lift the cup of wine, to share them with my fellow Christians… I started the path of discernment to the priesthood. After a number of weeks, it became clear that this was not my Call. But the power of “Call” has always been a center point in my life. While I knew “Call” was there, at the center, I did not know what my Call was, at least beyond what I was (and still am).

But what is “Call”? Something that is “One and Done”? Can you have more than one? Or perhaps is Call – like so much of the rest of life – “Just” part of the journey? Like when Larry E spent what felt like the whole evening talking to just me after my high-school friends had finally convinced me to not drink that one evening in 9th grade and join them at Bible Rap? Or when, during our pre-marital counseling, I asked our priest if I was really ready for the step of Marriage? Or the time, a year or so after that evening Bible Rap, on the Greyhound bus traveling from Rochester to Dansville when, after a weekend of working with other young people in the Regional Youth Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester I just knew that I was giving my life to our Lord and Saviour? When in the dark of the bus in the night I made that personal acknowledgement and commitment that has given me the power to say “Yes” when asked if I am “Born Again”?

As I write this I realize that night on the bus, in the dark, with no other earthly companion, is my Call. It is the time I gave my life to God. No strings attached and no idea of the consequences. My life is God’s.

Not that it keeps me from making all sorts of better or more questionable decisions, or following harder, easier, longer, or sometimes more dangerous routes to where I am today. That ninth-grade evening of choosing Bible Rap over going out and drinking didn’t keep me from drinking. It was another ten years before my wife and I (along with our nine-month-old son) were assistant chaperones for an EYC event. After watching Diary of a Teen-Age Alcoholic, the kids could not relate. But I did. And announced that had been my life. Nor does one call mean we don’t make other vows or promises. I made and keep Marriage Vows. I am a parent, and now a grandparent. I have promised stability and continued learning as a Benedictine Oblate. I am a part of my Church’s Christian Community. These, and other commitments, are each calls. They each require discernment to initiate and commitment to continue. All center around the one, central, Call: That I am God’s and I have given my life to God.

Pentecost 2023: On the occasion of a change in direction for a priest friend

Advent week 3: Sunday - Letting Go That Which Is Not Working

 

Blogging daily did not work the way I had planned. My family and being a worker in the world is the vocation God calls me to at this time.

The poem "She Let Go" by Safire Rose says it well. And thank you Jenice for the reference in the Saint George's Episcopal Church (Arlington) 2020 Virtual Advent Calendar.

I am not giving up blogging, I am confident new blog entries will occur, I just don't know when. Or how often.

A Prayer: Lord God, Thank You for what I have learned so far this Advent. Thank You for being with me and guiding me. Please continue to help me to do the work You have for me to do. And just as importantly, help me to care for myself appropriately as I continue to grow and live in this confusing,wonderful world. Amen.

Advent Week 2: Wednesday - "Give us grace..."

Advent is a time of pausing. In this pause we ponder God's grace in our lives. The Collect last week started "Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light..." This week we ask God: "Give us grace to heed their (the prophets) warnings and forsake our sins..."  Implicit is the understanding we cannot do it ourselves, no matter how much we try and how much we wish to do it ourselves, it is only with Your grace, God that we move forward and are closer to you.

A Prayer: Lord, be with me and give me this grace today to cast the works of darkness in my life away, to heed Your call to forsake my sins. Thank you.

Advent Week 2: Tuesday - "Jesus Christ our Redeemer"

• Sing a new song to the LORD,
• his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
• Let Israel rejoice in its Maker;
• let Sion’s children exult in their king.
• Let them praise his name with dancing,
• and make music with timbrel and harp.

Psalm 149:1-3 (RGP)

"Our Redeemer? Where?"

All day today I have been caught up at work. My email fills up with requests, status updates, the problems my group needs to solve... This morning (such a long time ago) I read from Psalms, took in some meditations, took a walk and talked to You. But then I jumped right in to the work of the day. I didn't think about the lines above (which I read this morning) or remember to say Thank You when things went well.

Advent is a reminder that yes You ARE here. This Advent I am spending a little more time with You. Truth be known I am not all that excited about that since taking time for You, well, takes time. And all day long there is the answer to the "where" and even the unsaid "how" of my busy day, my trying to take care of it all, and my not letting You in...

Where is our Redeemer? Right here, with us as we laugh, complain, succeed, fail, and just live.

A Prayer: Dear Lord, redeem my life, especially when I try to take over, or am so frustrated I give up, and stay with me always. Thank You. Amen.