Dear Friends in Christ -
Today's the day . . . Have you ever noticed that as you prepare to make your New Year's resolution - to exercise more, to lose 10 pounds, to spend more time with the kids and/or the dog, to get sober, etc. - that in taking on something new, what you're actually doing is leaving something behind? One reason New Year's resolutions are so hard to keep is that in our rush to get on with the new thing, we don't allow ourselves to name and to grieve the thing we're leaving behind.
If your goal is to exercise more, you're going to be leaving behind time that you used to spend doing something else. What is that thing you're going to give up so that you can exercise? Will you miss it?
If your goal is to lose 10 pounds, you're going to have to quit eating some things that you used to eat - and probably enjoyed. You're also going to have to give up the sense of comfort eating those things gave you. How do you feel about that?
If you're going to spend more time with the kids and/or the dog, what are you giving up at work? Or of your own hobby or time with friends? Have you let other people know about the change you're making so they don't feel gyped or ditched? Or are you going to take the low (and likely unsuccessful) road of trying to get the change past people without they're noticing?
If your goal is to get sober, are you prepared to leave behind hiding? What will it be like to leave behind your safe, comfortable (though deadly) place and face the pain and/or disappointment you've been dodging by numbing yourself?
I invite you to join me on the last day of this year. Let's tell the truth - at least to ourselves, perhaps to someone else - about what's been dogging us, about the things we want to change. Let's name the things(s) we have to leave behind, so that tomorrow, when we try to start something new, there will be an open space for it to fit in.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Two great stories at the close of the year
1 Kings 17:17-24; John 4:46-54
Dear Friends in Christ -
As we draw close to the end of tumultuous 2009, our daily office readings give us two stories that grip the reader and pose some serious questions for looking back and looking ahead.
The first story is a story of the widow of Zarephath. The widow's son is dying and so she cries out to the prophet Elijah (who is staying with her), "What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to cause the death of my son!" The interesting thing about her accusative tirade is that this widow has already been the recipient of a profound miracle. When Elijah first came upon her, she was near starvation; she was preparing to have one last meal with her son and then, seeing no other prospects, she was resigned that she would die. Miraculously, her oil and flour jars were not only filled, but from that point on were always full. In spite of her unreasonably untrusting outburst, Elijah heals her son, but not without having his own tirade at God.
The second story in today's lessons is the story of Jesus doing a second miracle in the place where he had done his first miracle, at Cana, where he had changed the water into wine. Now a royal official has asked Jesus to heal his son. You can just hear the heavy sigh issuing from Jesus as he says to the official and those gathered around, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." Jesus then tells the official to go home; his son has been made well. And the official returns home to find that his son was healed at the exact hour Jesus spoke the words.
Looking back, the big question that both of these stories call out sternly, with finger pointed, to the reader is: "Have you taken notice of the miracles you've already seen, and have they made a single lick of difference in your life?"
Looking ahead, the big question that the stories pose is this: "Will the miracles you've already seen cause you to turn to Jesus next time you're in 'need, sorrow, or any kind of trouble'? Will you trust him, like the widow and official, with those things/people most precious to you?"
Faithfully,
Janet+
Dear Friends in Christ -
As we draw close to the end of tumultuous 2009, our daily office readings give us two stories that grip the reader and pose some serious questions for looking back and looking ahead.
The first story is a story of the widow of Zarephath. The widow's son is dying and so she cries out to the prophet Elijah (who is staying with her), "What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to cause the death of my son!" The interesting thing about her accusative tirade is that this widow has already been the recipient of a profound miracle. When Elijah first came upon her, she was near starvation; she was preparing to have one last meal with her son and then, seeing no other prospects, she was resigned that she would die. Miraculously, her oil and flour jars were not only filled, but from that point on were always full. In spite of her unreasonably untrusting outburst, Elijah heals her son, but not without having his own tirade at God.
The second story in today's lessons is the story of Jesus doing a second miracle in the place where he had done his first miracle, at Cana, where he had changed the water into wine. Now a royal official has asked Jesus to heal his son. You can just hear the heavy sigh issuing from Jesus as he says to the official and those gathered around, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." Jesus then tells the official to go home; his son has been made well. And the official returns home to find that his son was healed at the exact hour Jesus spoke the words.
Looking back, the big question that both of these stories call out sternly, with finger pointed, to the reader is: "Have you taken notice of the miracles you've already seen, and have they made a single lick of difference in your life?"
Looking ahead, the big question that the stories pose is this: "Will the miracles you've already seen cause you to turn to Jesus next time you're in 'need, sorrow, or any kind of trouble'? Will you trust him, like the widow and official, with those things/people most precious to you?"
Faithfully,
Janet+
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Twelve Days of Christmas: the Fifth Day
Dear Friends in Christ -
Today is the 5th day of Christmas. We are given a season of Christmas instead of a day so that we can have some small chance, during this time, of understanding what incarnation actually is. The idea is so strange to us: GREAT BIG GOD stripping himself of all his powers and stuffing himself into a human suit. It just makes me have to ask why He would do such a thing. God was both very smart and very familiar with the nature of the other humans Jesus was be surrounded by. Surely God must have at least sensed the potential for disaster. So the only reasonable conclusion is that God must have a really good reason for this unorthodox, seemingly unwise move on the cosmic chessboard. We're given the gift of time in this holy season to ponder it, to turn it over and over in our minds like a Rubic's cube, to see if we can make heads or tales of it. (spelling "mistake" intentional)
In this holy season, please take some time to join Blessed Mary in pondering these things in your heart.
Faithfully pondering with you,
Janet+
Today is the 5th day of Christmas. We are given a season of Christmas instead of a day so that we can have some small chance, during this time, of understanding what incarnation actually is. The idea is so strange to us: GREAT BIG GOD stripping himself of all his powers and stuffing himself into a human suit. It just makes me have to ask why He would do such a thing. God was both very smart and very familiar with the nature of the other humans Jesus was be surrounded by. Surely God must have at least sensed the potential for disaster. So the only reasonable conclusion is that God must have a really good reason for this unorthodox, seemingly unwise move on the cosmic chessboard. We're given the gift of time in this holy season to ponder it, to turn it over and over in our minds like a Rubic's cube, to see if we can make heads or tales of it. (spelling "mistake" intentional)
In this holy season, please take some time to join Blessed Mary in pondering these things in your heart.
Faithfully pondering with you,
Janet+
Monday, December 28, 2009
Another reflection on incarnation . . .
. . . this time by Robert MacColl Adams, instead of me. A view from 10,000 feet to balance my from-the-ground view I shared yesterday . . .
"So here we are again, a few billion miles farther along our mysterious path among the immensities. What a comfort it is to know the Man in charge of it all. Without Him, it would be easy to think that the whole of time and space, and life itself, are without reason, purpose or meaning - as H.G. Wells said, that it is 'a bad joke beyond our understanding, a flare of vulgarity, an empty laugh braying across the mysteries.' With Jesus forever between God and us, we can understand a few things, and trust Him for the rest. After all, He is one of us: a baby once, as we all were; then, and forever after, a Man, as we all shall always be."
Faithfully,
Janet+
"So here we are again, a few billion miles farther along our mysterious path among the immensities. What a comfort it is to know the Man in charge of it all. Without Him, it would be easy to think that the whole of time and space, and life itself, are without reason, purpose or meaning - as H.G. Wells said, that it is 'a bad joke beyond our understanding, a flare of vulgarity, an empty laugh braying across the mysteries.' With Jesus forever between God and us, we can understand a few things, and trust Him for the rest. After all, He is one of us: a baby once, as we all were; then, and forever after, a Man, as we all shall always be."
Faithfully,
Janet+
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Incarnation
Dear Friends in Christ -
I’ve been thinking a lot about how hard it is to be human. Yesterday, I visited one of our parishioners in the psychiatric ward of a hospital. Let me tell you, there is not a bleaker place on this planet. Colorless, dimly lit, smelling like disinfectant, "safe." Nothing in sight that one could use to hurt oneself. But also no sign whatsoever of anything that felt warm or comforting.
Until I saw a couple of the nurses walk by. One nurse was wearing bright pink scrubs, a ponytail and a Christmas button that flashed red and green. The other nurse was dressed in bright blue scrubs and had on a black hijab (head covering for Muslim women). Their presences brought a sudden little bit warmth to the place.
Then I saw the person I came to see. When we first greeted, I could feel the flame of my spirit flickering so dim, pulled down by the post-Christmas-Day doldrums and the bleakness of the place. But as I talked and prayed with the person I came to see, the flame with in me and, I sensed, within my conversation partner as well, started to burn a little brighter and steadier. This was due to no special magic, no secret wisdom, just a sense of Presence and of connection with people who care beyond the beige walls.
I had a sense that this holy visit ushered in incarnation in its own way. I'm not sure I understand how, but understanding may be less the point than just showing up.
May God send you a visitor when you most need it, and may you be a visitor when someone else most needs it. In this way, may incarnation continue to manifest in our midst.
Faithfully,
Janet+
I’ve been thinking a lot about how hard it is to be human. Yesterday, I visited one of our parishioners in the psychiatric ward of a hospital. Let me tell you, there is not a bleaker place on this planet. Colorless, dimly lit, smelling like disinfectant, "safe." Nothing in sight that one could use to hurt oneself. But also no sign whatsoever of anything that felt warm or comforting.
Until I saw a couple of the nurses walk by. One nurse was wearing bright pink scrubs, a ponytail and a Christmas button that flashed red and green. The other nurse was dressed in bright blue scrubs and had on a black hijab (head covering for Muslim women). Their presences brought a sudden little bit warmth to the place.
Then I saw the person I came to see. When we first greeted, I could feel the flame of my spirit flickering so dim, pulled down by the post-Christmas-Day doldrums and the bleakness of the place. But as I talked and prayed with the person I came to see, the flame with in me and, I sensed, within my conversation partner as well, started to burn a little brighter and steadier. This was due to no special magic, no secret wisdom, just a sense of Presence and of connection with people who care beyond the beige walls.
I had a sense that this holy visit ushered in incarnation in its own way. I'm not sure I understand how, but understanding may be less the point than just showing up.
May God send you a visitor when you most need it, and may you be a visitor when someone else most needs it. In this way, may incarnation continue to manifest in our midst.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Saturday, December 26, 2009
It's the day after Christmas . . .
. . . and all through the house,
toys and trinkets are scattered;
there's no room on the couch.
The stockings are empty
and sag on the floor;
piles of trash are stacked
by the back door.
The parents are tired,
and the kids winding down
but still are quite restless
to get out on the town.
"One more trip to the store,
or to see a movie please."
Even all the stuff they got
doesn't fully apease.
Happy? Oh, yes, but still
hearts long for more . . .
of what? More connection
with the One we adore.
As our hearts turn again
to work, school and play,
may we all remember
the meaning of Christmas Day,
when God came among us
mighty, though small,
just for the purpose
of saving us all.
Continued blessings to you on this second day of Christmas,
Janet+
toys and trinkets are scattered;
there's no room on the couch.
The stockings are empty
and sag on the floor;
piles of trash are stacked
by the back door.
The parents are tired,
and the kids winding down
but still are quite restless
to get out on the town.
"One more trip to the store,
or to see a movie please."
Even all the stuff they got
doesn't fully apease.
Happy? Oh, yes, but still
hearts long for more . . .
of what? More connection
with the One we adore.
As our hearts turn again
to work, school and play,
may we all remember
the meaning of Christmas Day,
when God came among us
mighty, though small,
just for the purpose
of saving us all.
Continued blessings to you on this second day of Christmas,
Janet+
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas
Dear Friends in Christ -
As I type this to you, the evening bells are ringing out from the old church. In winter, the sound of the bells is especially bright and resonant in the crisp dry air.
I'm tired. Not because of the church services. Not because of the storm of ebulent energy emanating from my children. I'm tired because this was a day in which the joys and sorrows pressed so closely together. The tremendous happiness of being with my wonderful husband and children in giving and receiving presents - and goodness in general. The delight of connecting on the phone with my brother who just got engaged. The sadness of not having my grandmother's peanut brittle to gnaw on; she passed away this year. The frustration of running into painful old patterns in relationships and being without what I need - the skills? the energy? - to try to forge a new path.
Even in the midst of it all - ESPECIALLY in the midst of it all, the church bells ring out the glad tidings. "Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given." Emmanuel is with me - with us - in the midst of it all, the glue that not only holds me and my world together, but also holds HOPE.
This morning, the sermon I preached reflected on this little poem . . .
I saw a stable, low and very bare,
A little child in a manger.
The oxen knew Him, had Him in their care,
To men He was a stranger,
The safety of the world was lying there,
And the world’s danger.
... Mary Elizabeth Coleridge (1861-1907)
In this season of Christmas - today is the first day of twelve days of celebration! - I'm going to listen for more on this mystery: that our Savior - who is both radical safety and radical danger - has come, with the promise to make all things new, including me!
May you hear in your heart the pealing of the bells of Christmas, the bells that ring out Emmanuel has come, God is with us!
Merry Christmas!!
Blessings,
Janet+
As I type this to you, the evening bells are ringing out from the old church. In winter, the sound of the bells is especially bright and resonant in the crisp dry air.
I'm tired. Not because of the church services. Not because of the storm of ebulent energy emanating from my children. I'm tired because this was a day in which the joys and sorrows pressed so closely together. The tremendous happiness of being with my wonderful husband and children in giving and receiving presents - and goodness in general. The delight of connecting on the phone with my brother who just got engaged. The sadness of not having my grandmother's peanut brittle to gnaw on; she passed away this year. The frustration of running into painful old patterns in relationships and being without what I need - the skills? the energy? - to try to forge a new path.
Even in the midst of it all - ESPECIALLY in the midst of it all, the church bells ring out the glad tidings. "Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given." Emmanuel is with me - with us - in the midst of it all, the glue that not only holds me and my world together, but also holds HOPE.
This morning, the sermon I preached reflected on this little poem . . .
I saw a stable, low and very bare,
A little child in a manger.
The oxen knew Him, had Him in their care,
To men He was a stranger,
The safety of the world was lying there,
And the world’s danger.
... Mary Elizabeth Coleridge (1861-1907)
In this season of Christmas - today is the first day of twelve days of celebration! - I'm going to listen for more on this mystery: that our Savior - who is both radical safety and radical danger - has come, with the promise to make all things new, including me!
May you hear in your heart the pealing of the bells of Christmas, the bells that ring out Emmanuel has come, God is with us!
Merry Christmas!!
Blessings,
Janet+
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