Twentysecond and third days of Lent:Sometimes you just have to set principle aside and do what's right

3/19

The day begins with reassurances, ends with fears realized.

I head to Don’s office to learn about his work and hear a new song in development. 

Back at the office, Danielle and I developing a strategy of what to do next. 

All too soon, its time for Bible Study. Tonight we’re looking at Matthew’s version of the Anunciation, the angel’s visit to Joseph. (1: 18-25) We realize even though he is a righteous man, a law abider, he decides to find a way to save Mary from capital punishment, stoning for adultery, even before the angel has visited him. He has discovered a deeper sense of obdeience, of rightoeousness, one centered in mercy. As always with Matthew, the whole of the Gospel present at every stage. Hope thinks that maybe Joseph telling this story to Jesus comes to him when the woman is about to be stoned. Could have been his own mother. Joseph taught him the quality of mercy.

It’s St. Joseph’s Day. John has brought rich, creamy St.Joseph’s day pastries from an Italian bakery on his way home from work. We enjoy them together. And have enough for Teddy and Steve to share.  I recall that in New Orleans, this is the last day that Mardi Gras Indians parade. The next day, the costumes begin to be disassembled. 

Off for drinks with Jamie and talking through strategy.

I’m remembering something that someone said to me the year I worked in the little town of Oakdale, west of Pittsburgh. They were supposedly conservative/evangelical, me supposedly beyond liberal. We loved each other. We shared a sense of the sacredness of community. 

In that context, someone said to me, related to accepting a community member who was outside their normal bounds of sexual expression, sometimes you just have to set principle aside and do what’s right. 

3/20

I meet with everyone in the coop to bring them up to date on what’s going on. 

Danielle and I face a day of digging through files, assembling papers, filling out forms, phone  calls. Stress rising. 

Late in the day, I give a tour of the building to a rabbi and one of his board members. They’re looking more to buy than lease. The church house is a little rough for them, the presence of Occupiers, well, rough too. Though the rabbi says he can feel the spirit of the place.

Running out of time. Critical work to be done.  A guy on a bike from Hattiesburg, Mississippi who just wants to help, doesn’t know why people won’t let him just help, doesn’t want to push himself in where he’s not wanted, why back home the way they do it...is going on and on. I need to leave soon for Newark..We finally just close the doors. I feel like crying.

Seventeenth Day in Lent: A great and radical reversal

3/12

Good conversation with Tracy. Winning the release of two of the arrested workers in a good thing. The third remains under threat of deportation. And there remain the big picture issues around immigration...like how amnesty or legalization for a certain percentage would lead to criminalization for others. How documented workers need to grow in thier undstanding of how discrimination against undocumented only lowers the value of thei own labor. It’s not about protecting American jobs, it’s about a global economy and the shared interest of workers across borders. 

I introduce Tracy to Teddy and Steve. I continue to work on linking the anti-sweatshop organizers with #ows organizers. Get the anti-sweatshop folks involved in the M17/18 actions. The hunger issue, the exploitation of immigrants issues, are right in line with the solemn march being planned for Saturday.

Ted and Marsha have come and continue to work on budgets for both the congregation and Center. It looks like we might have something that is actually achievable. Not easy, but possible. 

We gather for Bible Study. It’s a good group, including a visitor who was in worship on Sunday and Rev. Brenda Berry from the Bronx. She’s also part of Presbytery’s Committee on Nurture of Congregations, a group we felt received us well and understands what we are trying to do. I’m sharing something new I've learned. 

John H had approached me about scheduling the Dark Lady Players for a production on March 25th,  the Feast of the Anunciation. Realized that was one I hadn’t been aware of. A little research told me that for centuries, the Eastern Church, the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches celebrate this day, nine months before Christmas. For the Orthidox, it actually marks the beginning of the Incarnation. And so, even though it seems to fit better in Advent, we study Luke 1:26-38.

We read about the visit of the angel Gabriel. Literary echoes of Sinai and Pentecost. The same story in the Quran. One way or another, Luke wants us to see this as special, even as a beginning of a new creation.  But we wind up with the words of the Magnificat, 

almost a paraphrase of Sarah’s song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Both have this promise of a great and radical reversal, but with one difference, in Mary’s song, she proclaims that it is already accomplished....

He has shown strength with his arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts;

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has exalted the holy;

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent empty away.

And there is interest that such strong prophetic words were spoken by women. And Pastor Berry brings up the prophet Anna who appears in the Temple at the time of the song of Simeon, the Nunc Dimittis. Our study closes with plans to come back next week for St.Joseph's Day. 

On the way home, I run into Teddy. Catch up on his day. It’s dark. And warm. A good night.