Monday, November 28, 2011

Reflections for 11/28/11

"Whatever else they may be, the people in the Bible are real human beings."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life" p. 309)

If you were to go into a library I wonder where you would find the Bible?  At Barnes and Noble its in the "religion section" but most small town libraries aren't that elaborate. The standard fiction or non-fiction seems to be the norm.

I don't know that I could classify the Bible as either.  At a certain level its fiction. There are stories within that have some historical validity but have been written with a certain slant.  Much like, "historical fiction" there is a deeper truth being told using some historical realities.  But to call it fiction is to rob it of its overall effectiveness for me.

At a certain level its non-fiction, there are historical figures that appear in other sources.  But I can't spend too much time validating every name and event, because to me that misses the point also.

What I know is that as I read the Bible, I find the truly important parts to be very real for me.  They speak to my life as I lived it.  Not so much in terms of the rules of a nomadic culture, but in the realities of what being a human meant and continues to mean.  There's a Jacob in all of us. There is a Mary in all of us.

I know that what I've said can probably hold true for any good novel.  But for me the Bible has something that differentiates it.  And maybe it is that each time I read it, something new comes into view for me.  Not because the words have changed, but because I have.  And no other book that I've read more than once does that for me.

Blessings,
Ed

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Reflections for 11/23/11

"For a moment what he believes or doesn't believe Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison- and as at snow, dreams, certain memories, at fairy tales, the heart leaps, the eyes fill."(F. Buechener "Listening to Your Life" p.307)

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  I'd put it up there with Christmas for sure as a holiday laced with memories.  I'd have to say mostly positive.  Growing up we seem to rotate around my father's family, each brother taking a turn to host.  Always food, lots of food.

In High School there was always the annual football game Metuchen vs. Highland Park.  I don't know if they still play, but I recall going to that game every year, as a member of the band, football games weren't an option.  I also remember coming home from college and going to the game, seemed like one big reunion.

This year we're staying put, not going anywhere and no one coming.  I'm a little sad about that, but schedules and lives change.

I also remember taking my boys to see the Macy's thanksgiving day parade, a benefit of in-laws living in Manhatten.

I know that underlying those memories are glimpses of joy and reminders of the things that I'm thankful for.  I've seen other things that stir memories songs, pictures, even reacquainting on Facebook.

May this holiday be one with glimpses of joy.

Blessings,
Ed

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Reflections for 11/20/11

"For both parties, forgiveness means the freedom again to be at peace inside their own skins and to be glad in each other's presence."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life." p. 305)

Last night at the Youth Retreat for the Diocese, we were invited to walk the labyrinth.  There was meditative music playing, candle light bordering the labyrinth and we were invited to walk and when we reached the center to right down on a piece of paper something we needed to forgive or something we needed to be forgiven for.

I was amazed by the level of emotion in the room.  I have no idea what anyone but myself wrote on their papers.  At the end of that exercise we went back to the dormitory where a fire was lit and I, in my role as chaplain, invited folks to bring their paper up to the fireplace and saying "for what is on this paper and what still remains in my heart I offer up to you, Lord God, and then throw the paper onto the fire.

When I saw that forgiveness was the topic from Buechner, I tried to remember if there were still people I needed to forgive.  I honestly can think of only one person in my life who hurt me so deeply that the memory of it still has a tinge of pain.  I will say that it no longer dominates my thoughts and that may be because subconsciously I forgave that person years ago.

I certainly have never told that person this news and it may not even be something they really need to know.  The likelihood that they feel stuck knowing that I was hurt by them is remote.  I seriously doubt our paths will ever cross again, though it is possible.

But if those stars should in some way should align, I hope I will have the courage to tell that person, I forgive you.

Blessings,
Ed

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Reflections for 11/16/11

"That means the Bible is a book about you and me."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life."  p. 303)

The Bible is certainly one of the most beloved and even at times controversial books out there.  It is the central document if you will of the Christian faith.  2/3 of it is central to the Jewish faith.  There are people who read it religiously (pun intended) and those who read it without any faith at all.

We read various translations.  We argue about the meanings of texts. And there are times when the texts let us have it.

Vocationally I get to read the Bible on a regular basis.  But in those times when I'm not reading it for work, I will admit that I try to find my part in that book. What are the biblical stories that reflect very well what it is to be me.  The context may change, we're not ancient middle eastern goat herders after all, yet what it means to be a human, with all its joys and sorrows, the inner conflicts of trying to live right and yet falling short, are all there.

And depending on what's going on in my life who I relate to more in any given biblical story changes.  And that's not a bad thing.

I suppose as a reasonably avid reader I have found myself projecting into many books.  But I have consistently found that with "the Book"  I find something new each time, even when I've read those words before.  Because I change and evolve the meaning of the text changes, because much like me, that book feels very much alive.

Blessings,
Ed

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Reflections for 11/13/11

"It is curious that in the matter of deciding his own fate, Jesus reached the same conclusion as Caiaphas and took it in the neck for the sake of many, Caiaphas included. It was not, however, the laws of mathemeatics that he was following."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life" p. 301)

I've never been very good at math.  My hunch is has more to do with a lack of wanting to know, more than ability.  I certainly know the basics.  I'll admit to being confused by the way math was taught to my children. I really couldn't help them, because I learned those formulas differently.

Much in life seems to be simple math.  Economics, our bank accounts, family budgets.  How much time something will take. Without numbers and an ability to count most of us would be lost.

However there is much in life that just doesn't add up.  There are also times when we must move forward even when the numbers aren't on our side.  Perhaps that is what Buechner meant by Jesus not following the laws of mathematics when he chose to die.

I wish more of life was as simple as 1+1= 2.  Yet that never seems to be the case.  The fact of that equation hasn't changed, but its application to my experience in life is something different.

Blessings,
Ed

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Reflections for 11/9/11

"The truth that although death ended my father, it has never ended my relationship with my father-a secret that I had never so clearly understood before."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life" p. 298)

On Sunday we observed the Feast of All Saints. The actual Feast day is 11/1 but most of us realize that we won't get folks out on a weeknight so we move it to the next Sunday.

In my homily I asked people to consider who was a person in their life who while not famous in the world had made an incredible impact on their lives.  And invited them to consider these folks as saints also.

I know that I don't see my grandfather anymore he died almost ten years ago, and yet his relationship to me and his influence on many things that I do or believe is just as alive today as they were when he was alive here on earth.

And I know that this is probably true for most folks, that our relationships with others are always there even if communication of any kind may not be real anymore.

There are of course also folks who leave negative impacts on us and even there death doesn't totally bring closure.  I wouldn't call these folks saints by the way.

The truth is that every relationship or encounter leaves some imprint on us. Some are clearly deeper than others.  And as long as we live in this world and relate to other people we will continue to grow from these relationships.

Blessings,
Ed

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Reflections for 11/3/11

"There are three things that are important in human life. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life." p. 293)

This thought is actually a quote from Henry James.  Buechner doesn't say where he got it from.  I suppose the point is obvious, the only thing that really matters in life is to be kind.

Some things I know about being kind.  It is the sixth point of the Scout Law.  As an Eagle Scout I've tried to live my life according to that law to the best of my abilities. Good thing all of it is in line with the the aspects of my faith that I value most.

I also know this that when I am kind to others, I generally feel better about myself.  Being kind can be quite overt, doing something positive for another person without any need to be thanked.  Helping others when asked.  I also know that sometimes being kind can also be by doing nothing at all.  Instead of that snide comment, or that harsh counterpoint I just swallow and breath and move on. 

I also know how much I appreciate when others are kind to me.  I'm not the best at asking for help.  And I know that I have probably been spared from being called an idiot by someone, even when it was deserved.

There's a bumper sticker that a part of reads, "practice random acts of kindness."  How much better would all of us be whether in the giving or receiving of such acts.  And how if we are the beneficiaries of someone else's kindness, somehow we should take advantage of a chance to do likewise.

Blessings,
Ed