Poetry in Ordinary Time: Danusha Lameris

For Post #360 in this space...a reflection from a poet new to your Editor, stumbled over on Facebook...

Small Kindnesses

I've been thinking about the way, when you walk
down a crowded aisle, people pull in their legs
to let you by.  Or how strangers still say " bless you"
when someone sneezes, a leftover
from the Bubonic plague.  "Don't die", we are saying.
And sometimes when you spill lemons
from your grocery bag, someone else will help you
pick them up. Mostly, we don't want to harm each other.
We want to be handed our cup of coffee hot,
and to say thank you to the person handing it. To smile
at them and for them to smile back. For the waitress
to call us honey when she sets down the bowl of clam chowder,
and for the driver in the red pick-up truck to let us pass.
We have so little of each other, now. So far
from tribe and fire. Only these brief moments of exchange.
What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these
fleeting temples we make together when we say, "Here,
have my seat," "Go ahead --  you first," "I like your hat."

-- Danusha Lameris, Moons of August, Autumn House Press, 2014.

Live in Charity...News from General Synod

News from Bishop Andrew Asbil from the 2019 General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, being held in Vancouver, B.C.:

Last night at General Synod, the motion to change the Anglican Church of Canada’s marriage canon to include same-sex marriage did not receive the required two-thirds majority. The support for change in the houses of laity and clergy was very strong. And yet the motion was defeated in the House of Bishops by a very narrow margin. I know that this is devastating news to our LGBTQ+ community, families and friends. I share in that sense of devastation, knowing that this decision comes after decades of ongoing discussion, prayer and the courageous sharing of experience from the LGBTQ+ community. I had hoped that our Church was in a different place and would arrive at a different decision. I assure all of our LGBTQ+ siblings – beloved children of God – of my love and support. I know that it is tempting in this hour to lose heart. And yet let us take comfort in the words of Paul: “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.” -Galatians 6:9.

I am also aware that many of our fellow Anglicans are greatly relieved by this decision to maintain the existing marriage canon. To them, I ask for charity and graciousness as their fellow Christians grieve. I commend this Church to God’s safe keeping as we continue with important deliberations at General Synod. I will speak to you again in a video message at the conclusion of our gathering.  (emphasis: blog editor)

Ubi caritas et amor,

Ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Live in charity and steadfast love,

Live in charity; 

God will dwell with you.

Poetry in Ordinary Time: St. Benedict's Day

Icon of St. Benedict of Nursia
Source: Wikipedia commons

Thanks to the Anglican Sisters of St. John the Divine, who reminded your Editor that today is the Feast Day of St. Benedict...and shared this lovely sonnet in his honour, written by that wonderful poet priest, Malcolm Guite...

Benedict

You sought to start a simple school of prayer,
A modest, gentle, moderate attempt,
With nothing made too harsh or hard to bear,
No treating or retreating with contempt,
A little rule, a small obedience
That sets aside, and tills the chosen ground,
Fruitful humility, chosen innocence,
A binding by which freedom might be found

You call us all to live, and see good days,
Centre in Christ and enter in his peace,
To seek his Way amidst our many ways,
Find blessedness in blessing, peace in praise,
To clear and keep for Love a sacred space
That we might be beginners in God’s grace.

-- Malcolm Guite, from The Singing Bowl, Canterbury Press, 2013

To hear the poet read this aloud, click HERE.

Reflections in Ordinary Time...

In Sandra's reflection yesterday, she shared an article forwarded from parishioner Colleen Woods -- about life in rural parishes in the Diocese of Rupert's Land (not to be confused with the Anglican Province by the same name) -- parishes where Lay ministry is key because a priest is only available on a half-time (or less) basis.

This morning, a FB friend shared this "meme"...which seems to connect well to Sandra's reflection...and so it's shared here for you...

- Rachel Held Evans, author and journalist, 1981 - 2019

Podcasts in Ordinary Time: Steve Bell

Last Sunday's Gospel was from Luke 9: 51 - 62, which includes a passage labelled by the New International Version (1989) as "The Cost of Following Jesus" -- specifically beginning at verse 57.  The upshot of the text is that, as Rev. Robert summarized in his homily, following Jesus doesn't guarantee safety or power.  Quoting from the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, 'discipleship is about growing in relationship with each other and God.'  Discipleship calls for commitment and focus, choosing life in and with God, rather than serving our own interests, and the demands of our culture, our place(s) in the world.

Tough stuff...especially in the twenty-first century.

During this past week I was sent a link to a podcast interview created by The Ferment , a small Christian online production group out of Winnipeg.  The interview was with Canadian singer-song-writer, Steve Bell, who worships in the Anglican tradition as part of the congregation at St. Benedict's Table. It occurred to me that the content of the podcast related well to the text of the Gospel shared last Sunday.

I am drawn to share this with you now, for your pondering, given that the interview includes a discussion of Mr. Bell's ministry, his call as a song-writer and author, and his advocacy for Bill C-62, which is a Bill that would see the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples passed into law in Canada.  Despite its passage in the House, this Bill has been filibustered by some in the Senate...just an example of the challenges that come when folks move to 'comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable'.

There are costs to discipleship...and Mr. Bell shares some of this with his interviewers.

To listen to and reflect on the podcast from The Ferment, click HERE.