World Art Day & Faithful Expression

                                              

Um, how did I miss World Art Day! 

When I was in my late teens and early twenties, considering ministry in the United Church as a vocation, I would go before a panel of church mucky-mucks who would ask the right questions about my suitability for the role. 

One minister was suspicious that I was focusing on art history in my undergraduate degree -- wouldn't sociology be more practical? The late Rev. Dr. Stanley Osborne, long-time principal of the Ontario Ladies College (what a name) had doctorates in theology and music. He came to my rescue noting that some of the greatest examples of art through the ages, were commissioned by the Christian church. I will always be grateful to the kind and supportive Dr. Osborne and I have no regrets about my art history education. 

When I have been in some of the great art museums of the world I have the same sensory and emotional response I've experienced in cathedrals and other places of worship. At it's best art, whether it be visual or aural, is a spiritual experience, transporting us into another realm. 

One of the unfortunate realities of the United Church tradition with Methodists and Presbyterian forebears is that we've been indifferent or suspicious about expressive art in our sanctuaries and leaned toward mundane architecture. The Roman Catholics tend to be much more inclined to share the gospel through artistic expression in their places of worship. One of my favourites through the years is the chapel of Christ in the Desert Monastery in the wilds of New Mexico. 

While I was in pastoral ministry I served St. Andrew's United Church in Sudbury. The doors to the sanctuary and peace chapel were created by internationally renowned artist, Jordi Bonet. I rarely went through those monumental doors without admiring the unique works themselves and the foresight of the congregation to include them in the new structure built in the 1970s. 

The doors have these themes: 

I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

I AM THE DOOR 

I AM THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE

COME HOLY SPIRIT 

COME, HOLY SPIRIT COME

 COME AS THE FIRE – AND BURN 

COME AS THE WIND – AND CLEANSE 

COME AS THE LIGHT AND REVEAL

 CONVICT – CONVERT – CONSECRATE UNTIL WE ARE WHOLLY THINE!

( the door of the Peace Chapel:

"PEACE"

                                                     St. Andrew's United Church, Sudbury Ontario

David Suzuki, Lessons from a Lifetime

 

Do you remember the 2004 CBC contest called The Greatest Canadian? More than a million of us voted in choosing the top ten, with Tommy Douglass, the Premier of Saskatchewan and the parent of Medicare at number one.  Another near the bottom didn't deserve to be there at all (Don Cherry ) and Wayne Gretzky probably wouldn't make the cut these days. Terry Fox and Sir Frederick Banting definitely deserved the honour near the top, but would PM Pierre Trudeau still be number three. 

The only person in the top five who is still with us in David Suzuki who recently celebrated his 90th birthday. The scientist, environmentalist and longtime host of The Nature of Things has been tireless in his efforts to speak on behalf of the planet, beginning in the 1960s. Now the David Suzuki Foundation continues this essential work in Canada and around the world, in advocacy and financial support for environmental projects.

                                                            from A Force of Nature, an NFB film 

I have finished Suzuki's Lessons from a Lifetime which includes a series of his reflections on a long and remarkably varied life interspersed with tributes from a varied bunch of admirers Jane Fonda, Margaret Atwood, Elizabeth May and so many more. I found myself unexpectedly moved at times by his thoughts about childhood as a Japanese/Canadian who was sequestered in what was essentially a prison camp during WW2 and the racism he somehow overcame thanks to his remarkable parents and his own drive. I also appreciated the deep satisfaction he now enjoys being with his wife, Tara, his children from two marriages, and his grandchildren.

Suzuki has mused that the environmental movement has failed in some respects, although he isn't giving up, and I share that outlook. As humans we continue to foul our own nest and desecrate Creation. Why can't we learn and change our foolish ways? 

Over the years Suzuki has inspired a host of critics including those who are mean-spirited enough to mock him as he reaches this auspicious birthday and use the derisive term "saint David". This "saint" is matter of fact in saying that he doesn't believe in an afterlife, that basically when we're composted it's over. He did write a book called The Sacred Balance which incorporates what he has learned from Indigenous cultures around the world, including the people of Haida Gwaii. 

I should add here that I've had a conversation with David Suzuki. Okay, a decade ago I I was surprisingly face to face with him in a Toronto hotel lobby and when I wished him a happy 80th he said thank you. I'm declaring this a meaningful chat and sticking with it. 

 

Pope Leo, Peacemaker

 What would make an aging couple burst into laughter at seven o'clock in the morning while listening to CBC Radio yesterday? Why, it was the President of the United States, Donald Trump declaring that he is not a fan of Pope Leo. Oh, really? 

The American-born pontiff, leader of about 1.4 billion Roman Catholics has been increasingly outspoken in opposition to the Iran War which Trump initiated along with Israel.  According to a Vatican news release

During a recent Prayer Vigil for Peace in the world, Leo appealed to leaders of nations to stop and sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, "not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided!" He also insists that the Church will always advance in calling for peace "even when rejecting the logic of war may lead to misunderstanding and scorn," and will always instill "obedience to God rather than any human authority."

This led to Trump dismissing Pope Leo as weak and catering to the Radical Left, aka anyone who speaks truth to his power and generally appeals to the message of Jesus who is the Prince of Peace. Far from being perturbed Leo responded to a reporter's question about the presidents comments offering:

“I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the Church is here to do. We are not politicians. We don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker.”

Norah O’Donnell – a senior correspondent for CBS News and a contributing correspondent for “60 Minutes” – interviews (from left to right) Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, New Jersey; Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of Washington, D.C.; and Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago for a segment titled “Pope Leo’s Church” that aired on April 12. (Screen capture from “60 Minutes”)

On Sunday evening the CBS program 60 Minutes sat down with three RC Cardinals who all supported Pope Leo's views. When interviewer  Norah O’Donnell asked if the United States’ war with Iran is a just war, Cardinal McElroy responded, “No, in the Catholic teaching this is not a just war. The Catholic faith teaches us there are certain prerequisites for a just war. You can’t go for a variety of different aims. You have to have a focused aim, which is to restore justice and restore peace. That’s it.”

I was impressed by all three but I have no doubt that Trump considers these Cardinals "nasty, very nasty."

This wickedness on the part of the President isn't funny but it is absurd. It should cause every Christian to weep and it's also scary. He may not be the Anti-Christ, but he is anti-Christ in so many ways.

Shortly after nyah-nyahing Leo Trump posted an image of himself as Jesus healing a white guy in the midst of a bunch of other white folk looking on in wonder. Perhaps President Trump and Secretary of War Hegseth will mount an "excursion" against the Vatican. The American military is in the vicinity, so...

Vision Quests Fulfilled for Jeremy Hansen

 

Artemis 2 astronaut Jeremy Hansen took this picture of a totem pole during a vision quest with the Turtle Lodge. The lodge is situated on the Indigenous lands of Sagkeeng First Nation (also known as Fort Alexander), Manitoba, Canada, on the southern tip of Lake Winnipeg. (Image credit: Jeremy Hansen/Canadian Space Agency/Twitter)

...the term “vision quest” describes a spiritual journey in various Indigenous cultures in which participants, often adolescents, are said to receive sacred knowledge and strength from the spirit world. 

Friday evening we joined millions of people -- hundreds of millions? -- in watching the splashdown of the capsule containing the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission to the moon. I can't figure out why humanity needs to be engaged in this endeavour at a time when our Earthship home is in peril but we all have our opinions. These four proved themselves to be brave and likeable individuals, including Jeremy Hansen, the first Canadian to the moon. And full marks to the crew for travelling more than 1.1 million kilometres and sticking the landing, about a mile from the target. 

                                              Jeremy Hansen (far right) with Artemis II crew members 

You may have heard that three years ago Jeremy undertook a four-day Vision Quest as part of his personal preparation for the Artemis mission. He did so in Canada, at Turtle Lodge in Manitoba, an experience described this way: 

Turtle Lodge is an international centre for Indigenous education based upon the goal of Mino-Pi-Mati-Si-Win, translated as "a good and peaceful way of life" on the organization's website. The lodge follows universal values (more specifically, seven sacred laws and the eight paths of life) from the Anishinaabe peoples of the region.

The vision quest, often undertaken as a traditional rite of passage for young people shifting to adulthood, asks participants to fast for four days in the wilderness under the supervision of Indigenous elders. 

Anishinaabe artist Henry Guimond from Sagkeeng First Nation created CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s personal mission patch for the historic Artemis II mission. (Instagram / Canadian Space Agency)

I'm impressed that Hansen chose to do this, to get his heart, mind, and spirit right before slipping the surly bonds of Earth, borrowing from the High Flight poem. And to show respect for Indigenous tradition was both wise and classy. He chose to include images of the seven sacred laws on his mission patch, including Grandmother Moon. 

There are Judeo/Christian equivalents of the Vision Quest, or Dream Quest, or Dream Fast as it also called. Think of Moses and his encounter with Yahweh, the great "I am" in the wilderness. Elijah was enveloped in the mountaintop storm before hearing the still voice of God. Jesus spent his forty days in the rugged terrain  of Judea before his ministry commenced, an experience reflected in the season of Lent.

For a few years while we lived in Sudbury, Ontario, we concluded Confirmation, a rite of passage for our teens with a trip to Dreamers Rock on Manitoulin Island. This is a traditional Dream Quest location overlooking Georgian Bay where access is now restricted, understandably so. I've never had the opportunity to ask any of those young people (now middle aged!) what they recall or if the climb made a lasting impression.

Thank you Jeremy Hansen for representing Canada so well and respecting the Seven Teachings:  Wisdom, Bravery, Humility, Love, Respect. Honesty, Truth. 

                                              Early postcard image of Dreamers Rock 

Thomas, Doubt, and Believing

                                      The Incredulity of Thomas -- Caravaggio 1601

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." 

Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

John 20: 24-28 NRSVue 

These things did Thomas count as real:

The warmth of blood, the chill of steel,
The grain of wood, the heft of stone,
The last frail twitch of flesh and bone.

The vision of his skeptic mind
Was keen enough to make him blind
To any unexpected act
Too large for his small world of fact.

His reasoned certainties denied
That one could live when one had died,
Until his fingers read like Braille
The marking of the spear and nail.009

May we, O God, by grace believe
And thus the risen Christ receive,
Whose raw, imprinted palms reached out

And beckoned Thomas from his doubt

 “These Things Did Thomas Count as Real” by Thomas H. Troeger (1983)

This is the Second Sunday of Easter and the lectionary, the liturgical schedule of scripture readings, offers up the story of Thomas in John's gospel. You may know that Thomas wasn't around when the Resurrected Christ first appeared to the disciples so he understandably chose not to believe he was alive without evidence. A week later Jesus showed up again and as we read Thomas declared his faith. 

I have noted before that during my years in pastoral ministry I appreciated this reading almost as much as the beginning of Chapter 20 which is about the discovery of the empty tomb. Preaching about it required me to address my own reservations and doubts as a Christian. I knew as well that many in the much smaller congregation on this Sunday had their doubts as well because they told me so. Lots of others had chosen to vote permanently with their feet, even those who had been enthusiastic in their faith. 

                                                             Doubting Thomas -- Rembrandt

There are lots of reasonable reasons to doubt including the reality of suffering in our world. I saw that close at hand and I got why people had trouble believing in a loving God. It's really important to be honest about this aspect of doubt. 

These days I'm rattled by the wickedness of religious people, particularly the faux Christians  who claim to follow Jesus and yet are filled with hatred. They despise believers who don't align with their beliefs and chose cruelty over love. It's as though the teachings of Jesus about compassion and care for the stranger don't exist for them. There are days when I'm profoundly discouraged and at times angry. If I'm honest I am embarrassed as well. I don't want to be part of the same species, let alone the same faith  How can so many Christians have become bloodthirsty warmongers who bow down before a false saviour -- I'm looking at you, Donald. 

Somehow though I can't give up on Jesus as God Incarnate, or the saving love of the Cross, and the power of the Resurrection. I consider myself a moderately intelligent person and I strongly support a scientific worldview (no anti-vaxxer here) and I enjoy a civil exchange of thoughts. 

Somehow Jesus continues to be the One for me and now that I'm into the home stretch of this life I'll likely stay the course, not out of fear but devotion. 

And I suppose I should be extending love to the Christians who espouse such anti-Christian views. Maybe I'll just put this on my "to do" list. 

I like this description of Caravaggio's painting and I apologize for not giving credit to the writer -- I couldn't find her/his/their name. 

Doubt, Curiosity, and the Ethics of Looking

The painting offers a generous view of doubt. Thomas is not shamed; he is educated. Christ guides his hand rather than withdrawing. The companions do not judge; they learn by watching closely. Caravaggio thereby advocates an ethics of looking where skepticism is not the enemy of faith but its path. The hand that tests becomes the hand that will bless and the hand that will be martyred; the eyes that peer will someday preach. In a culture often tempted to humiliate hesitation, the image dignifies honest inquiry.

                                     Doubting Thomas -- Michael Smither Mural 

Another Kind of Lent & Easter

                                                                                Flowering Tulip Tree 

4 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty!

All thy works shall praise thy name in earth

and sky and sea;

holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,

God in three persons, blessed Trinity!           Voices United 315

 “They go publishing the ‘chronological cycles’ and ‘movable festivals of the Church’ and the like, but how insignificant are these compared with the annual phenomena of your life, which fall within your experience! 

The signs of the zodiac are not nearly of that significance to me that the sight of a dead sucker in the spring is. That is the occasion for an immovable festival in my church. Another kind of lent.” – Henry David Thoreau, Journal, October 16, 1859

The Christian season of Lent has come and gone and because of our lengthy and cold Winter in Southern Ontario it felt much longer than 40 days (plus Sundays). Now we are into the season of Easter, this one 50 days leading to Pentecost. Eastertide is usually filled with promise in these parts with resurrection of Creation even as we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. 

I came upon the lovely quote from one of Thoreau's extensive journals and it certainly rang true for me, although I'm happy to make room for both the liturgical seasons and the experiences of the four seasons of the calendar year. I also like the Japanese notion of micro-seasons, of which they have 72! These note the subtle changes from week to week in the natural world. I've included some examples below.

We are revelling in the rapid changes in recent days, including the prospect of blossoms on our tulip tree and buds on our lilac bushes. Our garlic is sprouting and our rain barrels are back out and replenished. Two days ago a blue heron flew over as we caught some welcome rays on the side deck and yester-morning a loon flew over in full voice as I took blue boxes to the curb. 

These are all sacred moments for me even as I welcome the Easter season and all it holds. I'm thinking that I should soon invite the Trenton United Church congregation to mosey on over to the tiny forest we planted last Fall following worship.

 Sunday and days of sun are holy, holy, holy. 

1 Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,

wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;

love lives again, that with the dead has been:

love is come again, like wheat arising green.

                                     Voices United 186

立春 Risshun (Beginning of spring)
February 4–8	東風解凍 Harukaze kōri o toku	East wind melts the ice
February 9–13	黄鶯睍睆 Kōō kenkan su	Bush warblers start singing in the mountains
February 14–18	魚上氷 Uo kōri o izuru	Fish emerge from the ice
雨水 Usui (Rainwater)
February 19–23	土脉潤起 Tsuchi no shō uruoi okoru	Rain moistens the soil
February 24–28	霞始靆 Kasumi hajimete tanabiku	Mist starts to linger
March 1–5	草木萌動 Sōmoku mebae izuru	Grass sprouts, trees bud
啓蟄 Keichitsu (Insects awaken)
March 6–10	蟄虫啓戸 Sugomori mushito o hiraku	Hibernating insects surface
March 11–15	桃始笑 Momo hajimete saku	First peach blossoms
March 16–20	菜虫化蝶 Namushi chō to naru	Caterpillars become butterflies

A Truce for Orthodox Easter

FILE PHOTO: Metropolitan Epiphanius I, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, prepares to sprinkle holy water to bless Easter cakes which are to be transferred to Ukrainian servicemen fighting on the frontline amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, during a ceremony at St Michael's Cathedral before Orthodox Easter, in Kyiv, Ukraine April 9, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

 As the bizarre war with Iran stumbles along the focus of the world has moved away from other crucial conflict hotspots, including the interminable war of aggression against Ukraine. A recent report claims that Russia has experienced between 275,000 and 325,000 battlefield deaths, while Ukraine has lost 100,000 to 140,000. The loss of life, including civilians, has been immense and it is all so senseless.

The egomaniacal Russian leader Vladimir Putin has declared that there will be a 32 cessation of fighting this week to mark Orthodox Easter. This pledge has Ukraine wary because of the duplicitous history of the Russians. 

The offer of a brief truce to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ is madness. The war is senseless in the first place, as most conflicts are. You may have read about the truce in the week leading to Christmas during WW! when French, German, and British soldiers crossed trenches to exchange seasonal greetings and talk. In some areas, men from both sides ventured into no man's land on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to mingle, exchange food and souvenirs, and sing carols. They even played soccer/football. 

The birth, the death, and the resurrection of the Prince of Peace might convince leaders that working toward a world without war would be far superior to token truces. For some reason this objective is considered naive by many. On this Good Friday for Orthodox Christians we can mourn Christ's death with them and pray that there will be a return to sanity for our bloodthirsty species. 

A man walks past a damaged apartment building in Donetsk, a Russian-controlled city of Ukraine, on November 30, 2025. 

Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters