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| Home communion |
Sunday morning. Get my Sunday Times. Make my coffee. Time for worship with the good people of Beverley again. Today is Trinity Sunday. Here's what I had to say:
It’s been another week. Protests every day. My boys have been out almost every night in Brooklyn Twice this weeks marches came right by my building. I've been to a candlelight vigil where the names of all who have died since Trayvon Martin were read. The city “Link” kiosks continue to scroll the names against simple black backgrounds. I was at a commemorate of Brionna Taylor’s birthday at an event organized by young black women focusing on the very special struggles of their lives. At our music events there are always songs that relate to what’s going on. And yes, we were here 7 years ago, but what’s different now? Some of you may be old enough to remember the Vietnam War and a photo of a young girl who had been hit by napalm. Somehow that photo struck people in a very deep way and attitudes about the war took a serious change. Likewise, the video of George Floyd’s death, the nonchalant attitude of the officer's keeping his knee on George for almost 9 minutes has struck almost every person with a conscience. The reaction this time is deeper and wider than ever before. That is the context in which we gather to hear God’s word and to share in the breaking of bread this morning.
I wish that I could sit down with each of you and ask, so how’s it going? How have you been feeling? What thoughts have you had? It is a bit interesting. I do so many things on ZOOM. Everyone in boxes like Hollywood Squares. It’s a way to connect, but kind of tiring. Last week as I started to preach for you over the phone, I could see myself in the Beverley Church pulpit, I could look out and see you all there in your usual places. And when we shared communion, I could see everyone as we passed the plate. So here we are together this morning.
This is a unique Sunday in the Christian year. This Sunday, as opposed to most of our special Sundays that feature an event in Jesus’ life or the apostles, like Ascension, or Pentecost, thisSunday we deal with a theological concept, the Holy Trinity. And believe me, that’ still tough one. Our Jewish neighbors can’t understand how we can be monotheists, believers in one GOD, when it looks like we have three. I remember that chart form when I was a kid with the ‘ises” and ‘Is nots.” So what do we understand?
* God is in three persons, though all are the same God.
All of us are multiple persons at the same time. I can be a son, a husband and a father all at the same time. Each of these is distinct, and yet I am the same.
* Each defines a different function, or role, of God.
The father is the creator, the source, the essence of being
* The son is the divine as found in one particular human being, as the divine is always present in humanity.
The source of grace. And the TRUTH. To be plain, in Jesus is seen xx every essence of TRUTH.
* The Holy Spirit is the flowing force that sustains.
The power that first breathed life into the world breath thorough us, Sustains us. (That’s in part why those words “ I can’t breathe” are so disturbing.)
Our Gospel lesson gives us our ultimate marching orders….make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you….This means when we invite someone to take on the Christian life, we are inviting them to be in relationship with all three expressions of God. And we need to understand what he practical implications of each person are. Just for an example:
* Father ….awe, wonder….let me also say that we try to be more inclusive in language, however the word “parent” has no emotional resonance. The word “father’ is used for intimacy. What other word could we use?
* Son..”obeying all that I have command you…” living in service to others…
* Holy Spirit…..take a deep breath,…what sustains us
Note two other things in this passage…first even after everything,, resurrection, appearing out of nowhere, etc…still, some doubted…as they will…as we will..it keeps us honest, strengthens us, deepens our faith. And finally, the ultimate promise…. lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen….that’s worth repeating every day…
Finally, as far as what we do in the days, look at Paul’s benediction…O, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order,
That’s a tall order…both our nation and our church, not to mention our own lives
listen to my appeal, agree with one another,
Another tough one….can we figure out what we do agree on? Maybe we start by listening…making sure we hear one another..
live in peace;
Yes Lord, let it be
and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12Greet one another with a holy kiss.
Tough with social distancing, sacred distancing,…virtual hugs, kisses
All the saints greet you.
The days ahead are difficult….but this s a very real chance to make a real difference with a real change…
13The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
Amen
Later, our family gathers for its weekly international gathering. Germany is all but reopened. Which at some level, doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense. The data is pretty clear that young children just don’t seem to get hit by Covid. On the other hand, there is data that 9% of school age children have bene victims of domestic violence during the lockdown, (And 31/2 % of women have been raped.) The children are clearly safer in school than locked in at home. Children in the poorer neighborhoods are getting no food, no exercise an dare getting left behind. Which is New York City as well. And you are 19 times more likely to get coronavirus inside than out.
The heavier converstion though has to do with the global protests over black lives matter. Our son repots that while the German marches may be seen as solidarity marches, in cities like London and Paris black immigrants with colonial imperial histories see their own lives reflected in the struggles of African Americans. It is their own just treatment they are protesting for. Germany did simply not have the same degree or breadth of empire as the British and French.
Of course the real struggle becomes what do we each do as individuals and with each other to take our own part in the dismantling of white privilege. And how will we respond when it actually begins to hurt.
A walk to visit a friend at Jackie Robinson Park. Figure out where we are in the whole social distancing dance is not clear. And fear it may take months. A long slow walk home. Street birthday parties, picnics and folks just talk like a normal spring day.
A margarita at Bean & Barley as I talk to my mom. A woman sees my Grateful distancing stay at home tour 2020 t-shirt.
I like your spirit, she says, I need more of that in my life.
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| Harlem Tavern |
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| she liked my spirit |
Th woman who always asks for my son with warm memories of him playing with the kids in the fire hydrant and summer water balloons. I notice for the first the she works at Montefiore Hospital.
Back home, I ask Eddie to tell the story again. And he does. They set his cousin on fire. And threw him in a house with 14 people in it. He remembers the store that charged “colored” 4 times the prices whites paid. The little girl who looked at him and said, “Look mommie, a gigger.” The people who tried to leave to go to New York and disappeared. Going for a walk into the woods and finding bodies hanging. He takes a drag on his cigarette, Yes, that’s the way it was…
Tonight is the last night of curfew.
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