Walk the Walk Day 2

Today we start our walk but before that we visited Wesley Memorial UMC in Charlottesville.  This congregation is a sanctuary congregation.  We heard Maria's story. 

 A Guatamalan woman who feared returning to her homeland and when her petition was denied she took sanctuary. She shared that sh has to be a prisoner in the church so she can remain free.  

We also met Rosa (El Salvadorian) who took sanctuary in Bethesda but who petition has been reviewed and she can stay. She still speaks on behalf of those others who live in sanctuary churches. In the photo above, Rosa is giving Maria a candle as a sign of hope that she and all others will be free to stay here. 

seeking Common ground

I am reflecting upon why it is that what resonates with me is so discordant to another?  I despise cilantro, it tastes like the smell of stink bugs and yet so many folks love the stuff.  You're welcome to the stuff.  But this is not about cilantro.

Why is it that which makes my heart sing is a loud clangy gong to another?  I love to listening to WAMU, streaming tiny home van life shows, reading hard Sci Fi, 70's music and coffee (the blessed third sacrament). Others prefer Fox, detective vice show, the Times, rap, and Red Bull.  But this isn't about preferences. 

Why is it what I understand to be truth and which coincides with my faith so much so that it is deeply entrenched in my soul can be an anathema to another who believes in their own truth bolstered by a common faith and is equally entrenched in their soul?

Seeking the common ground ...

Seeking Streams and Second Opportunities in the Midst of A Pandemic

At Center & Main we're talking how our congregation has a great opportunity to redefine who we are and will become in light of the pandemic. Never before have we had to learn so much, adapt to so many variables and rely on one another while seperated from one another.  We're reminded that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philipians 4.13). Through the prophet Isaiah, God proclaims, "See I am doing a new thing,  do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43.19).  While hopeful that God is drawing us toward an interesting opportunity and that is both exciting and challenging.  We are coming to a realization that things will never be the same.  

There can be no going back to what once was and that reality brings on an insurmountable amount of grief and grief is express in a ton of different ways.  It is if we are standing over a grave and staring at our mortality, or the death of loved one and we want it all back.  We cry but we don't know why, we lash out and feel justified, we are trapped,  physically and emotionally,  in islands of isolation and we take on riskier behavior that will ultimately only prolong our suffering which will prolong our grief.

Breaking the cycle of suffering and grief requires an opportunity to face our grief, acknowledge that our exhibitions of sadness, anger, depression or anxiety are all expressions of our grief.  And to know that seasons of grief come to an end over time so we should acknowledge our feelings (not justify them) and be gentler toward us and not feel the need 'to get over this' as much as 'go through this' (subtile difference) so that we can arrive in the other side of this season.  You can't leap over grief you can only wade through it so when the wave of emotion comes acknowledge the reason ... It is grief ... And just as you would have great compassion toward someone grieving their loss ... You should have compassion toward yourself. Difficult days are slowly replaced with less difficult days and slowly we heal.  

So when someone is sad or lashing out or acting out and exhibiting risky behavior they are most likely grieving a reality they didn't desire and yet life has dealt them, and us, something they didn't desire. They are grieving.   Rarely do we chide or deride or tell them to get over themselves because they are grieving. To do so would be hurtful and lack compassion for their grief.  Give them a hope and a future that they can at least see a glimmer of hope.  

This extends to all levels of reality.  Read the headlines, or comments, or Instagram or Twitter feeds and you only have to see the grief and the less than effective way which people are expressing their grief ... Most of which is unhealthy.  Have compassion toward them.  Help them know they are loved. And in their suffering and grief God is making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.  Help them see and perceive it ... 

Peace,

M

Where are the Champions among the scapegoaters?

Where are the Champions among the Scapegoaters?

In the Bible, the Jewish chief priest had symbolically laid the sins of the people upon it a goat which is then sent into the wilderness bearing the sins of a nation.   (Lev. 16).  The term scapegoat is now used to describe a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency.  A scapegoater is one who blames others for the way things are.  

A Champion is one who takes responsibility for the actions of others and willingly puts their welfare at risk for the sake of others.  

In the Bible, the Philistines sent up their champion Goliath against the young shepherd David who had a sling, some rocks in a pouch and his God in his corner.   David proved to be the champion that day when he slew Goliath. (1 Samuel 17)

Champions come in all categories. You can champion for a cause meaning you act and speak for the benefit of others.  You're a champion if your vocation requires you to  don medical scrubs or a grocery clerk's apron, a police's uniform, a fireman's suit or a soldier's fatigues and yes even a clerical collar or robe. Champions are great and small, extraordinary and just-ordinary!  Champions are leaders who do not seek out the most expeditious path forward but whose actions become inspirational drawing out the best in themselves and others. 

There is a lot of scapegoating going about as folks attempt to get to who is to blame for the Covid19 pandemic.  Did it occur naturally or in a lab? Were precautions disseminated openly enough?  Where were the test swabs and why don't we have a vaccine?  For requiring us to stay isolated and not make an income.  For permitting people to open up their businesses or for  relaxing mandated isolation.

It's time to look for the champions among the legions of scapegoaters.  What is to blame?  A coronavirus that is designated as COVID-19.  It has no mind or malintent. It replicates efficiently in our bodies and is capable to overwhelm our body's defenses particularly among the most vulnerable and at risk persons.  In many ways it is the current champion of virus and we need our own champion to step up and take responsibility and willingly act without self interest.  

To champion or to scapegoat are choices we make by our actions and our words.  Let us not seek to lay blame on others for doing so abdicates our opportunity to be champions.

March 30 PM in the PM

March 30 PM in the PM

March 27 PM in the PM