Reflection for 11/21/2013

"Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding."(John 2:2)

I've probably officiated at more weddings than I've actually been invited to.  I remember the first wedding I ever went to, when my father's mother married my mother's father.  Seemed pretty cool, is now just a great tongue and mind twister.  I didn't get a new grandparent or any new cousins, though all my cousins got both.

I went to a friend from my summer hangout in Copake Falls wedding, first time I went to one that wasn't a relative.  I've been to the weddings of a couple of college classmates, those were fun because I got to be with friends.

I've been to other relatives weddings, sister, cousins and of course I was at my own.

I've only been a best man once.

As wrote up top, I've officiated at plenty of weddings in my 20 years of ministry.  Some I remember fondly others I barely recall.  This past weekend I got to assist at the wedding of one of my parishioners at his wife's church.  It was a blessing to be a part of that joyful celebration.

I love that in the Christian marriage ceremony we remind ourselves that Christ went to weddings and was able to celebrate with couples.  Each time there's a wedding where a clergy person is officiating Christ is invited and I believe shows up.  The real plan should be to invite him not only on that day but to be an important part of one's marriage each day.  It doesn't always mean life long marriages but it certainly can. 

Was he invited to yours?

Blessings,
Ed

Reflection for 11/13/2013

"From the ends of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint.  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."(Psalm 61:2)

Have you ever had one of those periods in life where you feel like nothing is going right?  Most of us have and hopefully those periods don't last too long.

I had one recently it lasted about a week, where I just didn't feel like anything was going right.  I even literally felt sort of sluggish in the heart area.  I could feel myself wanting to cry out, desiring to indeed feel like I'd been lifted out of that pit and back on solid ground again.

I love the honesty of the psalms, how they really get to the heart of the human condition.  As people of faith we can cry out to God, no matter where we find ourselves.  The psalms even give us permission to scream at God, though I think most of us pass up that opportunity.  We've seen what happens when Bruce Almighty did that.

I also like the rock imagery, not only from a Christological perspective, but also just that notion that there is really something solid we can put our feet on, regain a sense of standing up.  Perhaps get a different perspective when we look outside of ourselves or higher as the psalm said.

The other thing I notice is that the psalmist asked to be led to the rock.  Don't put me there, lead me there, show me the way, and continue to give me the freedom to get there by trusting your guidance.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflection for 11/12/13

"God I thank you that I am not like other people thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week, I give a tenth of all my income."(Luke 18:11-12)

Have you ever met someone who seems to be full of themselves.  Every conversation is about them.  They are often comparing themselves with others and talking about the great things that they do.  It can get boring fast.

While I may not talk much about myself, I can fall into the trap of compare and contrast.  Unlike the Pharisee I'm not thankful that I'm not like other people.  Instead I go the other extreme, wishing that I could be that other person.  I know it is a ridiculous waste of spiritual energy, but there are those times when I wish I was someone other than who I am.

I also try to avoid boasting about what I do. Not only to God, who I firmly believe is well aware of what I do and what I don't do.  I certainly hope God is pleased more times than not, but I don't think I need to tell him what I've accomplished.

I don't know why it sometimes feels necessary to go through these spiritual gymnastics.  Self awareness is fine, comparing myself to others in the hope that God might notice me, ridiculous.  Should I fast, tithe or do other spiritual acts to bring me deeper in my relationship with God, absolutely.  But in doing so, I am not to hold myself over and above anyone else.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections 11/10/2013

Have you ever had someone say to you, "I have a dumb question."  I actually get this line from time to time.  My answer is usually "the only dumb question is the one that doesn't get asked."  Upon further reflection I think there is another dumb question, the one where no answer is actually being sought.

The Gospel lesson from this morning to me was the ultimate in dumb question. The Sadducee's don't believe in the resurrection so for me it is just an attempted goading.  And Jesus as usual finds a way to answer so that the goading goes no further.

The funny thing for me is that I've had a similar question asked of me.  By my grandmother of all people.  Now she certainly believed in the resurrection but she also knew she had been married twice.  In heaven who would she be with.  My answer to her said a lot about what I believe about resurrection and heaven.

I told her that she would be with who ever she wanted to be with.  That for me heaven is being surrounded by those who were important to you, and in a room where everything that brought you joy in life is present. I didn't ask her who she would choose.  Mainly because both of her husbands were my grandfather at different points in my life. I'm sure that the promises of Jesus are true that there is a place prepared for her, me and you.

Heaven for me isn't about encountering everybody that ever lived.  I don't think I get out of my room at all, but in that room will be those that mattered to me, and yes my grandmother will be there.

I love what the Book of Common Prayer says, "a joyful reunion with those we love."

Blessings,
Ed

Reflection for 11/8/2013

"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing."(Luke 15:25)

I am the oldest of two children.  And I'll have to admit that there is something about that placement in the family that makes ones world view slightly different.  I'm not claiming that I'm unloved or anything like that.  I just know that my sister got to see where the land mines were.  She also was far more adventurous than I ever was.  I'm a bit of a loyalist, and perhaps not always in a healthy way.

When I hear the story of "The Prodigal Son" or as it really should be called the story of the "Merciful Father" I seem to get focused on that older son.  I'm not the runaway, the spendthrift and I've always been here.

I do get jealous of folks who seem to be having fun, while I'm not.  I keep forgetting that I've made the choice how to live my life and yet am still loved. And that is the part the eldest son forgot.

His part of the inheritance was still in tact. Nothing had been taken away from him.  He needed not to focus so much on what others got and instead see how much he really had.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 11/7/2013

"In God I trust, I am not afraid. What can a mere mortal do to me?"(Psalm 57:11)

Being brave, not being afraid.  Easy advice sometimes.  But actually depends on the situation.  If I were to make a list I could think of many things "mere mortals could do to me."  They can in fact physically hurt me even to the point of death.  They can verbally assault me to a point where I no longer feel any value in myself. They can sue me, rob me, I could go on.  So yeah there's plenty that could or can be done.

The question I find myself asking is in spite of those possibilities, how will I live my life.  If I dwell constantly on the negative what-ifs, then I will be afraid,  If I acknowledge them but do not allow them to control me and put my trust instead in God, who I believe loves me, then I will not be paralyzed with fear.

It would be naive to believe there are not problems in the world and that from time to time we may encounter them in very personal ways.  But I have found for the most part, that my life is usually surrounded by people who do not make me afraid, even though there are folks out there telling me that those same people I should be terrified of.

But my trust in God, makes me brave without being foolish, moving but not taking thrill seeking risks.
The presence of God is often thrilling enough.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 11/6/2013

"And I say, 'O  that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.'"(Psalm 55:6)

Have you ever just wanted to escape?  The pressures of job, family, or perhaps just being a human being are to a point where all you want to do is get away.

I know I have those moments.  I get a little envious when I see ads that tell me I can escape, hop on a plane and be relaxing on some beach.  The only obstacle to that for me is money, time and the fact that I really can't flee my family.

The psalmist didn't have ads for vacations to consider, but the writer understood that desire to flee when life was too much.  Birds do seem to have freedom and we can still watch them flying or the larger ones seeming to soar.  They don't seem to have a care in the world.  I'm sure they have their own issues, but they aren't mine.

Since I can't just flee from my problems and stresses I have to find other outlets.  The psalms are of course one place to read and understand that my feelings are not unique.  I of course can from time to time just step back from the situation, knowing of course that I will have to come back in sooner rather than later and deal with life.  And I can do this because I trust that if God can take care of the sparrows, doves and all the other creatures, then I can be assured of that care as well.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflection for 11/5/2013

"From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded."(Luke 13::48)

In the first Spiderman movie there was the line "with great power comes great responsibility."  I remember that scene well and have thought about it from my perspective as a leader.  There are times when I don't think I have much power or authority if you will.  The truth is that I still do, but it may not be as universally recognized as it once was.

When I read this verse this morning I not only remembered the movie but was reminded how true it is as a citizen of this country today.  Election day is the time when we are privileged to elect our leaders. They don't take power by force but are entrusted by us with our votes. This is true no matter which candidate wins.

They have been given much in the way of authority with that trust, and a lot will be required of them and even demanded of them.  No wonder they look so stressed out all the time.

The verse also holds true for all of us who have been given and worked hard for what we have.  When we feel blessed we are going to be asked directly and sometimes just from a sense of doing right to act on behalf of others.

And when we've been entrusted and proved to be trustworthy, we'll be given even more to do.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflections for 11/2/2013

Today is the day the church sets aside for remembering All the Faithful Departed, or as my more traditionalist colleagues like to call it All Souls Day.

I know of churches were special prayers will be said at services as people remember their loved ones who have died.

I certainly have been around death for a long time.  I still vividly remember my Grandfather's viewing and funeral when I was in second grade.  I didn't have a lot of death around me except for a beloved cat growing up.  Of course now that I'm a priest, I deal with death regularly.  I've had a few moments where I have felt more grief than in other moments, but I've gotten better about holding others people's grief.

I really see death as the ultimate mid-life crisis.  A changing from one existence to another.  I have no proof that this happens, I just have my hope fed faith.

I do know that transitions often can feel like death, even though they aren't literally.

Today was a transition of sorts for  me.  I watched the literal passing of the crozier, the symbol of authority in the Episcopal Church, as one beloved Bishop let go and our new Bishop, who hopefully will also be beloved took hold.  I also saw the outgoing Bishop drive away in his car from the event.  That had its own symbolism for me.

I don't know what this transition ultimately means for me personally. Time will tell. I'm optimistic because I've always enjoyed a good relationship with the Bishops I've served under and cannot think of any reason why that trend shouldn't continue.

But I have so many other transitions hovering around me that today, I'm feeling that strange blend of joy and lament.

Blessings,
Ed

Reflection for 11/1/2013

It has been a while since I reflected, in writing that is, and All Saints Day seemed like a good point to start up again.  I don't know why just does.

All Saints is of course the day when the church celebrates All the Saints.  Many of course get their own day some other time in the year.  It is also true that we recognize the reality that the saints of God are just folk like me, and I mean to be one too, to quote a song.

When I think about "saints" in my life quite a few people come to mind.  None of them by the way will ever have their own day set aside for observance. The heroes of my faith impacted me directly not through a book, but by their relationship to me.  There is some tradition in Latin America of naming people and saying presente, usually because these folks are present in a way that the communion of saints is.  All of mine are still around and I'd like to take the time to name them, remember their meaning for me, and to give thanks for their imprint in my life.

My mom and dad of course. My sister Laura.  My wife Gail. My sons Mike and Peter.  My grandparents, Aunts and Uncles and a special Great Aunt.

George Janke, my third grade Sunday School teacher.  Dave Deihl the choir director at my home church. Don Barnicle and Phil Carr-Jones.  Miss Stepperud my all time favorite teacher.  Mr. Logue, band director at my High School. Fr. Bob Towner my priest in college. Professor Don Smith and Dennis Haas and Coach Pfitsch at Grinnell.  Owen Thomas, Fredrica-Harris Thompsett, Lloyd Patterson, David Siegenthaler, Ivan Kaufman, Carter Heyward, Sue Hiatt, Ian Douglass and John Hooker, teachers at EDS.  The Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool, my priest in Seminary. The Rev. Carol Burnside mentor and friend.  The Rev. Michael Barlowe, The Rt Rev. Joe Morris Doss, Canon Allen Bollinger and the Rt. Rev George Councell.  I'm sure I've missed some and in the years to come will no doubt add others.

So who are your "saints?"  Have you taken the time to thank them if they are still around or give thanks for them if they've joined that great cloud of witnesses.

Blessings,
Ed+