Pope Benedict & the Power of Prayer

 I have hopscotched my blog entries this week thanks to a nasty intestinal bug which made every task and endeavour seem monumental. I am grateful that it wasn't COVID.

During these days I've been aware of the waning light of former Pope Benedict, who nine years ago wisely decided that he no longer had the health and strength to continue in what is a demanding role. Benedict had a fine mind and was a perceptive theologian in many respects. While his successor, Francis, is lauded for his focus on the environment Benedict also wrote extensively on the subject and it's been suggested that he was the first "Green Pope."

Long-time readers of this blog will know that I didn't much care for Benedict because of his demeaning comments about other expressions of the Christian faith and statements about Islam which were not worthy of someone in his position. I felt that the Roman Catholic church took steps back during his papacy when it came to ecumenism and interfaith dialogue. 

This said, I appreciated the calls for prayer on his behalf as his health failed. The question is, what do we pray for when a person is 95-years-old? After all, he was the longest lived pope in history. I imagine that tens of millions of Catholics did pray for Benedict, along with others of good will in denominations which he didn't consider truly Christian, and that's a good thing. Prayer is sometimes holding others in the light of Christ without expectations of outcomes which defy the realities of failing minds and bodies. 

I think Benedict would have understood this well, and may have written in a thoughtful manner on the subject. Prayer continues to be a mystery to me, and an imperative and I've learned to live with the two in tension.

We can prayerfully commend Pope Benedict XVI to the care and keeping of a loving God, the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer he sought to serve. 

Signs Portents & Wonders, Then & Now

O Star of wonder, star of light.

Star with royal beauty bright,

westward leading, still proceeding,

guide us to thy perfect light. 

                      refrain from We Three Kings

  When the [Magi] had heard [Herod],the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw that the star had stopped,they were overwhelmed with joy. 

On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2: 9-11 NRSVue 

 This is the time of year for "Best of 2022" lists, everything from books to music to scientific advancement. I listened to a CBC Radio interview with Alannah Mitchell this morning as she talked about her favourite science stories from the year. If her name is familiar, Mitchell has written regularly for the United Church's Broadview magazine and its predecessor, The Observer. 

At the top of her list was the James Webb Space Telescope which was launched on Christmas Day 2021 and is now a million and a half kilometres from Earth. Part of its success is that it now transmits images back to our planet which reveal some of the mysteries of the earliest moments of the universe in ways I can't begin to understand. 

Mitchell's enthusiasm and sense of wonder were very evident, to the point of being ecstatic over what is being revealed.

 We are approaching the Feast of the Epiphany in the church year which celebrates the journey of the Magi, astrologers and astronomers whose journey from the East to find the Christ child is described only in Matthew's gospel. The carol We Three Kings didn't make it into our Voices United hymn resource because, well, they weren't actually kings and we don't know if there were only three, and who wants to sing We Three Magi? 

The successful launch and the mission of the James Webb Telescope are remarkable examples of human ingenuity. What this evokes touches a deeper sense of wonder which I figure is as aspect of the spiritual quest of all humans. 

1 Teach me, God, to wonder, teach me, God, to see;

let your world of beauty capture me.

Praise to you be given, love for you be lived,

life be celebrated, joy you give.

                                             Voices United 299

Procession of the Magi Benozzo Gozzoli (1459).

The Myth of the "Generational Storm"

 

                                                            Prince Edward County snow plough

On the fourth Sunday of Advent, a week before Christmas Eve, our pastor, Rev, Isaac, expressed his excitement about the opportunity to gather again for an evening worship service after two pandemic-cancelled years. Well, it was not to be for us or for thousands of congregations across Canada and the United States. As many of you will well know, a massive Winter storm kiboshed family gatherings, brought travel to a standstill, and resulted in empty church buildings. Sadly, dozens of people died while others huddled in the cold and dark. 

This was not a Merry Christmas for so many, for obvious reasons, but we were grateful that our family gatherings could happen, even though several were unable to attend and were sorely missed. Prince Edward County, just to the south of us, was essentially shut down. 

In the extensive reporting about what unfolded through the weekend the term generational storm was used often, obviously the latest buzz phrase. I found this disturbing because if we have been paying attention there have been wild and destructive weather events in the 21st century which have become more frequent even as they are more ferocious. 

Often the news leaves out what many climate scientists continue to point out based on data, that this will become the reality of our time and into an uncertain future. It isn't the "new normal" because the evidence suggests that these events will be unpredictable and increasingly intense. 

                                                            Ottawa Airport on the weekend 

It has also been noted that many of the media reports say little or nothing about the reasons for the extent and wallop of this recent Snowmaggedon. The Jet Stream, which has been somewhat predictable, is becoming capricious. It dipped down to the extent that even Texas, a widely climate change denying state, experienced freezing temperatures. We hear of changes to the Gulf Stream and La Nina and other patterns which affect millions of humans, as well as other creatures. 

Margaret Klein Salamon, PhD

@ClimatePsych

·

4h

Did I miss all the news coverage tying the insane polar vortex/ continent-wide storm to the climate emergency? Or was there just….. crickets?

I appreciate that there is no "ho,ho,ho" in this blog entry, but perhaps we need to heed the warnings of those who actually study this for a living. Not only have I seen that climate scientists have been accurate, although actually conservative in their predictions over the past few decades, so have fossil fuel companies whose scientists were able to project the heating of the planet. 

I hope all of you are safe and that the disruptions you experienced over Christmas weren't too disheartening. God be with all those who are still struggling to get home or whose homes are not habitable at the moment. 

At least someone maintained a sense of humour. 

The storm couldn't keep Brian Dickie — also known as Santa Claus — from riding through the streets of Carleton Place, Ont., on Christmas Eve. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

A Day for Saints, Stephen and Paul

 

The Martyrdom of Saint Stephen, 1944 - José Clemente Orozco

When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen.  But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 

Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him, and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died

Acts 7:54-60 NRSVue

Good King Wenceslas looked out On the Feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight Gathering winter fuel

Are you aware that this is St. Stephen's Day, as in the Stephen who was the first Christian martyr? And the Stephen of the feast day memorialized in the Good King Wencelas carol. The book of the Acts of the Apostles tells us that Stephen was a wonder-working convert who ended up on trial for blasphemy with false witnesses lined up against him. When Stephen drew on scripture to bear witness to Jesus as the Christ it so incensed his accusers that they decided to put him to death. It couldn't have helped that he called them "stiff-necked people. They executed him by stoning and while there really isn't any nice form of capital punishment, this form seems more brutal in my thinking. Beware of hyper-pious people who believe that their convictions justify any action. 

There was a bystander for this murder, the person who held the cloaks of the others. Why, so they didn't get their clothing stained with Stephen's blood? This was Saul, who became Paul after his "road to Damascus" experience. In the painting above Paul "looms large" as the monumental figure in the foreground. Did Paul recall this participation in wickedness for the rest of his life? How could he ever forget. 

This can be a day to honour Stephen and all those who have risked reputation and safety to stay true to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Most of us who claim to follow Jesus have never been in a position where faith is a matter of life and death. There are lots of Christians who whine that they are persecuted when it's really a matter of seeing their entitlement diminished. Maybe they need to read the story of Stephen again. 

It's also a reminder that "people are more than the worst thing they have done in their lives", to quote Sister Helen Prejean, the nun who has worked on behalf of death row inmates for decades. 

Paul was eventually executed himself because he would not deny his allegiance to Jesus. Witnessing the faithfulness of Stephen to Christ and his plea that his murderers be forgiven must have been a turning point for the man who became a tireless evangelist for the gospel. 

The Courage and Witness of Mary

                                                        The Annunciation -- Henry Oswald Tanner

2 For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above,

while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.

O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,

and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth

O Little Town of Bethlehem Voices United 64

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 for he has looked with favour on the lowly state of his servant.
    Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name;
 indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones
    and lifted up the lowly... 

From Mary's Song of Praise -- Luke 1:46-52 NRSVue

 I was awake very early this morning for no good reason other than a realization that our crowded Christmas feast will be greatly reduced thanks to the Winter storm which has paralysed much of the province, and the country for that matter. We will celebrate those with us and try not to mourn the absence of others. 

I've been pondering Mary, the young peasant Jewish mother of  Yeshua -- Jesus. The gospel of Luke tells of her courage, her willingness to step toward rather than away from the angel's news that she will give birth to the promised Messiah. In some traditions Mary is both venerated and characterized as a vessel through which the love of God is expressed. Somehow we must "see" this Mary, Miriam, Maryam, as more than a symbol, as a fully realized person of faith who could hear the call of God in such a unique way. If Jesus is God Incarnate then Mary was the forerunner of this embodiment through that miraculous reality of birth. The story is both mystical and grounded in human experience. 

Today I think of young woman in Iran and Afghanistan, most of whom are of another faith which has been twisted by men in power to oppress them. They have courage which has come with a cost, at times death. Most Christians wouldn't be aware that in Islam Mary is considered one of the most righteous women to have ever lived and some regard her as a prophet. In the Quran there is a verse "O Mary, God has chosen you, and purified you; He has chosen you above all the women of creation."

In the darkness I pray for justice and freedom for all, but especially today for women who are oppressed around the world, including those in our country who may live in fear of violence. I pray for the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, including their sisters and mothers and daughters who will not let their memories perish.  

I know, this is heavy stuff on a Christmas morning! I appreciate that many of you are faithful readers and it's always good to hear from you. 

I do wish you joy and the peace of Christ in this day. Blessings to you all, in the name of Christ, born of Mary. 

May the blessing of the God of Sarah and Hagar, as of Abraham,

the blessing of the Son, born of the woman Mary,

and the blessing of the Spirit, who broods over us as a mother her children,

be with you all. Amen.

Voices United 428 Lois Wilson

Shelter from a Christmas Storm

 

 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 

All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.

Luke 2:1-7 NRSVue

Phew! I'm back inside after my second stint of shovelling the driveway and decks and it is still blowin' a gale. It felt like a Newfoundland snowstorm out there with the white stuff swirling and blustering. 

When I came in there was word that the Christmas Eve service at Trenton United has been cancelled, for the third year in a row, a huge disappointed for Rev. Isaac and all of us in the congregation. The first COVID year there was plenty of notice, last year it was Omicron restrictions, and this year a blizzard. Enough already!

The reports tell us of road and highway closures across the country, including the 401, in parts of Southern Ontario. The warming centre at Trenton UC was open last night and amongst those who found shelter there were a dozen stranded travellers. These included parents with a child who had no other place to go. 

Okay, does the story sound somewhat familiar? There is no census compelling people to travel, as with Mary and Joseph, but so many of us feel the strong desire to be with family whether our intention is to celebrate Christ's birth or we simply want to reconnect with loved ones. I'm so glad that there was a place of shelter for those who were stranded and how fitting that it was in a church building with a nativity scene in the sanctuary. I notice that in the updated edition of the New Revised Standard Version in now says "guest room" rather than "inn." The warming centre may not be anyone's notion of a guest room or an inn but these folks were warm and safe for a night. 

Here is the prayer Isaac shared with the congregation as part of the notice of cancellation. I think it's perfect, but I'm biased. 

A Prayer for this Christmas Eve Storm

This storm is pulling
at the marrow in our bones.

All the snow and sleet
undoing plans, untying ribbons,

reminding us that no day is so sacred
that a tempest cannot alter.

Creator, all your billows and waves
have gone over us.

We fear that our memories and hopes
will we buried beneath the drifts.

But still we trust in you.

Help us to plan
to let go of our plans.

Help us to know
that come hell or high water

the moment of love that we need
is always there in you.

Wherever our stable is,
whatever our manger might be,
help us to say with the old carol:

"Still to us is born tonight
the child, the king of glory."  AMEN
 
--
Rev. Isaac Mundy (he/him/his)

As I shovelled...and shovelled... and shovelled some more this morning the birds at our feeders offered assurance. My Groundling blog on Christmas Eve day https://groundlingearthyheavenly.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-presence-of-birds-in-winter-storm.html

Stuff Christians Stole

 

Twenty artifacts traveled with a German delegation to Abuja, Nigeria, for a handover ceremony on Tuesday.Credit...Olamikan Gbemiga/Associated Press

Concerning Treasures 

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.

 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21 NRSVue 

I made my way to the gym carefully this morning through the slush before the blizzard we've been promised for days now. I'm mindful of the millions across North America who are stuck in airports or have heard that flights are cancelled or wondering whether to set out on potentially dangerous vehicle trips to be with loved ones for Christmas. Those of us who are now hunkered down for the next 24 hours can hold all these people in our prayers. 

Did you see earlier this week that Germany has returned the first of 1,100 bronzes to Nigeria? These Benin Bronzes were looted by colonial invaders around the turn of the 20th century and have been on display in a number of Gernman museums. While they are all to be returned the ceremony this week was the first step. 

This choice is one example of a new wave of repatriation by colonial empires, although they are often being wrested from the icy clutches of the museums in which they reside. I have meandered wandered through the British Museum in London or the Louvre in Paris without much thought to have these nations came up with the objects in the first place.

Canada is going through its own reckoning in this regard with controversies at the Royal British Columbia museum and others in the province over returning stolen artifacts. 

An Inuvialuit leader wants the rare Western Arctic kayak held by the Vatican Museums sent back to the Mackenzie Delta region, where it was built a century ago. WILLOW FIDDLER/THE GLOBE AND MAIL

We know that there are hundreds and perhaps thousands of Canadian Indigenous pieces in the Vatican, many of them considered to be of spiritual importance. While the Holy See claims they were "gifts" this is a dubious assertion. Most of them aren't accessible by the public and when the Canadian Indigenous delegation visited the Vatican at the beginning of the year there was concern that the members wouldn't be able to view them (they did.) We were told that they felt both awe and anger. The irony is that the museum is known as Anima Mundi, which means "soul of the world." 

These too need to be brought home and Indigenous spokespeople from First Nations and other Indigenous communities have asked for this to happen. So far the Vatican has resisted these entreaties. 

It's sobering that most of these colonial nations and the Vatican are Christian in background. They sent missionaries to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the "heathens" supposedly living in spiritual darkness.  How can any of them justify this sort of theft? The new podcast Stuff the British Stole should be interesting, 

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus cautioned an audience of poor folk about accumulating stuff. For centuries Christians have steadfastly ignored this teaching, myself included. According to these verses we all need a "heart transplant", including nations and religious institutions.

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-podcasts/1030-stuff-the-british-stole

Steve Nease has created a brilliant "How the Premier Stole the Greenbelt" cartoon. Take a look in today's Groundling blog https://groundlingearthyheavenly.blogspot.com/2022/12/how-premier-stole-greenbelt.html

The Tramp of Feet & the Prince of Peace

                                                              Mary Gives Birth to Jesus --John Guiliani

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.

For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. 

Isaiah 9:2-7 NRSVue

This is no time for a child to be born,
With the earth betrayed by war & hate
And a comet slashing the sky to warn
That time runs out & the sun burns late.

That was no time for a child to be born,
In a land in the crushing grip of Rome;
Honor & truth were trampled to scorn—
Yet here did the Savior make His home.

When is the time for love to be born?
The inn is full on the planet earth,
And by a comet the sky is torn—
Yet Love still takes the risk of birth.

The Risk of Birth -- Madeleine L'Engle 

Last evening President Volodymyr Zelensky the courageous and seemingly tireless leader of the beleagured Ukrainian people addressed the Congress of the United States. This historic speech drew comparisons to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill seeking support from the same body in 1941, 81 years ago almost to the day, when he claimed, rightly, that the "time of tribulation was upon us."  It was a phrase which had a biblical resonance. 

In both circumstances these leaders were seeking financial support for war efforts, including money for military aid along with weapons. Zelensky's appeal argued that this is not charity but a bulwark against the advances of a Russian regime which would not stop at conquering Ukraine, which is likely true. The member nations of NATO, Canada among them, and others in Europe have pledged unwavering solidarity and support. The 2023 budget for the United States includes a mind-boggling $44 billion in aid, about half of that being military. It is a reminder that without the US Ukraine would be crushed by what really is a wicked empire. 

While Orthodox Christmas isn't for another ten days, in North America we are only a breath away from our celebration of Christ's birth. As the responses to Zelenky's speech and America's response have emerged I wondered about a passage in Isaiah about the "boots of the tramping warriors." Sure enough, it is from the Hebrew scripture reading for Christmas Eve which probably won't be heard in most churches because of the focus on the wonderful passage about Jesus' birth in Luke's gospel. Yet it gives us that powerful image of the blood-stained clothing of war being wrapped up and burned in preparation for the birth of the Prince of Peace. 

The gospel writer, Luke, makes sure we know the context of the birth of Jesus, within the Roman  empire of occupation, the most powerful which had existed to that moment in time. The empire which eventually fell despite how improbable that would have seemed in that historical moment.

Churchill's time of tribulation is still upon us. Can we begin to imagine the trauma of Ukrainian mothers giving birth to children as bombs rain from the sky, some of them on maternity hospitals? While I am grateful for the support Ukraine is receiving I also grieve that the vast amounts being spent on a senseless war are not directed to healing the suffering Earth or ensuring that the impoverished millions of starving and displaced people receive what they need. 

Vulnerable Jesus, Saviour Christ, Prince of Peace, change our hearts and open our eyes. 

 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.

This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

All went to their own towns to be registered.

Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.

He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:1-7 NRSVue

Preach it!

 

                                              La Sagrada Familia (the Holy Family) -- Kelly Latimore

 When [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read,  and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
        to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
    and recovery of sight to the blind,
        to set free those who are oppressed,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” 

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 

Luke 4: 16-21 NRSVue 

Preach

To preach is to deliver a sermon or an otherwise powerful message. You may go to church to hear the minister preach, and you may preach tolerance to your friends.

This week the British High Court used its "pulpit" to rule that the government's controversial plan to deport migrants to Rwanda is lawful, the High Court. The court ruled on Monday that the scheme did not breach the UN's Refugee Convention or human rights laws. From what I can gather this is the highest authority, at least from a legal standpoint.

There is another form of authority which isn't recognized in the same way which is the moral authority of the Church of England. Over the past few months the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, bishops and priests, have been speaking forcefully against this miserable plan to foist migrants off on an African nation in supect conditions. They have done so in interviews open letters, opinion pieces and from pulpits. All these venues have drawn on the witness of the scriptures, the prophets, Jesus in the gospels, and the New Testament letters 

In his Easter sermon, shortly after the policy was announced, the Archbishop of Canterbury said it “cannot stand up to the judgment of God”. He said: “Sub-contracting out our responsibilities, even to a country that seeks to do well like Rwanda, is the opposite of the nature of God who himself took responsibility for our failures.”

These direct criticisms have rankled both small-c and Capital-C conservatives in the media and the CofE leadership has often been eloquent in their rebuttals. I laughed out loud at the fatuous bluster of one Member of Parliament a couple of days ago   

the Independent 

A Tory MP has launched an attack on Church of England bishops – and is facing mockery after he said they should stop "using the pulpit to preach from". Jonathan Gullis was told to "look up the meaning of Bishop in the dictionary" after blasting the senior clerics for "preaching" about refugees. 

It comes after the prelates criticised the government's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda and said the idea should "shame us as a nation".In June the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, and 23 other bishops had said refugees were “the vulnerable that the Old Testament calls us to value”. 

They went on to urge the government to scrap the Rwanda plan, branding it “immoral” and against the teachings of Jesus to offer hospitality to strangers.

As someone who has probably preached a couple of thousand sermons, all referring to scripture, and often on social justice issues, I am glad that this MP was challenged for his dopey indignation. There have been lots of occasions when someone has commented about being "preached at" in social settings, unaware that I was a preacher, and I would innocently ask if they meant that preaching is a good thing. 

In some expressions of Christ's body exhortations from the pulpit are met with an appreciative and spontaneous  "preach!" or "preach it!" While that might cause a stir in mainline/oldline churches, some affirmation of the witness of the preacher and the work of the Holy Spirit could be a breath of fresh air. 

Oh yes, God bless the Christian clerics of several denominations in Britain for their faithful witness.