Living in coronavirusworld 193: Anything can happen

10/20

Fall Central Park

Harlem Renaissance Garden 111th Street

Checking for signs of fall in Morningside Park, I learn that I need to stop looking for the riotous colors of the maple country upstate and look closer for more subtle changes. Like when I discovered what OI called deep fall in the Osage in Oklahoma. Subtle but distinct changes. Lek our slow progressive through this covid crisis.  

The Presbytery Cabinet is trying to wrestle with what happened at the last Presbytery meeting when the chasm of understanding of where we are related to racial realities became so painfully clear. Some can only think of the analysis in terms of our polity, our rules. But there is a deeper understanding that there are issues of culture that go so much deeper than issues that can be resolved by rules. The reality of whiteness transcends rules and goes deep into history. And we need to explore these realities outside the context of official meetings bound by polity. Otherwise, it’s about win and lose and not understanding. Meanwhile, one court case involving the resolution of property issues has consumed $223,000 already. As more and more churches, starved of income by Covid, continue to go down, with only property sales to sustain them, and as Presbytery faces its own covid induced crisis, there will be more and more of these cases.

I get to Mike Geffner’s “Inspired Word” Open Mic just in time. Play my fall songs, Everything’s Gonna Be Okay and an old song that references Pittsburgh, and the fall. I feel good and the chat comments make even happier:

Damn! Bob Dylan in here tonight? Beautiful song…

—and—

Nah, Johnny Cashing out! Love the strumming and picking…

Mike speaks of the intimacy and interchange we have here in ZOOM we don’t in the bars. We engage each other more. These events may continue even when we go live again. And Mike shares some wisdom with us. Less selling, more story telling. If people get to know you, they will be interested. And not guilted into supporting you. Mike has over 30 years of experience and over 10000 published stories worth of experience.

10/21

Mazeroski #9

Today I have a 1960 Bill Mazeroski jersey and hat to commemorate the 60th anniversary the his walk off home run at 3:37PM on October 13th. Defeating the indomitable Yankee dynasty of those years. I stood at the pencil sharpener in my 5th grade class room with the game on our PA. That moment changed my life. Made me believe anything can happen. Miracles can happen. What you wish against all odds can become reality. I share the story of those who gather at the of old Forbes Field wall every year to listen to the recording of that game. This year, they couldn’t due to covid restrictions.  So the Pirates invited them to hear the game over the PA at PNC Park.  That game was why I became a Yankee fan wen I loved to New York. They were the other side of the story. A story important to hold onto this year.

I learn that while I listened in Pittsburgh, my friend Stephen P listened somewhere in New York. In his classroom.  And both our school day began with Bible readings the (Protestant) Lord’s Prayer and the pledge to the flag. A priest friend back in Pittsburgh told me they always called the public schools the Protestant schools.

We return to our discussion of Tutti Fratellii. How Francis says that the purpose of private property is for the common good. That everything that God has put here is for the common good. That everything has a social reality. We are ultimately not owners, only guardians. (As Steve H puts it…) We wonder about the misuse of greater good, as per Soviet Russia. And then are reminded by Sam that St. Gregory said that when we give to the needy we are only returning what already belongs to them. Meanwhile, the very rich believe that they are the moral spine of the world and the poor victims of their own failings. Francis is very clear about confronting the nature of international market capitalism.

Dre wants to know if we need to redefine power. That something needs to happen. We need reengage an adversarial relationship. Ownership has no rational reality.  Meanwhile, 47% of people can’t even afford a $250 housing related fee.   And CEO compensation compared to common workers has grown from 20 to 1 to 400 to 1, a ratio that is ultimately unsustainable. 

Our competing understandings are the difference between single and complex and movement versus frozenness. 

We note the historical significance of Francis’ judgment that just war is no longer possible given the potential destructiveness of a nuclear war. And that war is often rooted in revenge. And it’s not new for us to see that we need the skills to initiate dialogue, not debate.

This week Russ sees our job as conversion. Gathering together those who affirm the idea that all people are created equal. Drawing more in. 

105th Street

I go to visit my friend Beppe. We sit on his terrace, enjoy a craft rye. He talks about the sadness around the loss of the New School as an innovative ,progressive alternative to traditional university education. With a faculty driven school with horizontal governance. Somewhere along the line, they decided to become like a "real school" and invest in high salaried administrators, consolidated campus, etc. And now covid and an already tenuous financial situation becomes disastrous. And of course, massive layoffs ensue. Some faculty have spoken wit the school's HR department. Others are afraid to speak because of fear of retaliation. And so it goes. (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/16/nyregion/new-school-nyc-endowment-layoffs.html) 

The Center at West Park holds its gala virtually this year. With picnic baskets available for pick up from Amelie restaurant. Among the various moments of a moving event, I am profoundly moved by Martin Santangelo of Noche Flamenca paying tribute to my role in their success and what the Center could be. I am happy that the idea that there can be a place where beauty and justice and ethics and esthetics can meet to inspire and inform the transformation of the person and society. We can’t lose that. 

My friends at the Gluey Zoomy Show have a comedy group (the Axis Powers) lampoon the debate and Vince Tozzi of We Eat Monsters plays his strong "Crumbs." We are doing what we can to get out the vote.  

Living in cornavirusworld 189: Siblings all....

 10/14

.....as you love your neighbor

Today I’m wearing my VOTE shirt and a Brooklyn Cyclones “Dead” hat….

Vote...

Someone suggests that to understand the conflict going on in the gospels, the Pharisees were the Democrats, the Sadducees the Republicans and Jesus AOC. (Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez)

Our main topic of discussion is Fratelli tutti, which is not as Clyde joked a pasta dish but Pope Francis’ latest encyclical. Its topic is active brotherhood.(sic) That we are all siblings and need to live that out. Through action. And celebration.

Steve H talks about the issue of passing the peace in socially distanced worship services When we’re wearing masks. The importance of eye contact. Instead of handshakes or embraces, everyone looking into the eyes of everyone else round the circle. In the midst of the lock down, I remember my nurse organizer friend Tracy recognizing me by my eyes at the health workers demonstration at Harlem Hospital. You can see smiles, even when wearing a mask.

The pandemic has brought to light the basic conflict Francis explores, between individualism and community, a theme we have been exploring for some time. Institutions, by their very nature seem to run counter to the witness of Jesus. Institutions are of necessity focused on long term survival while the mission of Jesus is to live the day. The pandemic has revealed greater emphasis and expressions of people committed to both individualism and community. They each make their own demands and we live in the midst of that conflict.

We reflected on Fratelli’s treatment of war. Nationalism as a highest value seems to lead inevitably to war. Joe points out the since the time of Augustine, Christianity has lived with an ethic of just war. But in our time, the consequences of war are so devastating, especially for the innocent, so generally destructive, that the conditions, the limits of a just war are simply no longer possible. Thus the statement is of historic significance.

It leads to a discussion of what constitutes violence in defense of the innocent or even public order. Especially when confronted by someone who is severely disturbed. Violently disturbed. I remembered when a crazy person took over our worship service and began approaching me as I preached. Rafael, an Occupy Wall Street security person, approached him and offered a hug. When the person hugged him, Rafael wrapped his arms around him and simply carried him outside and remained with him until the ambulance arrived. Andre, who had been afraid the situation would trigger another brain aneurism, said it was the most loving use of physical restraint he had ever seen. Is any use of physical force inherently violent?   A lot of edges too that conversation. 

We talked about compassion, sympathy and empathy. Feeling with, feeling for, and feeling into, a sifters another’s feelings were one’s own. Empathy means you have the same feelings. Sympathy mean you can feel for. Understand the feelings. Compassion means you feel with and take action. Small groups can be capable of this. We can sit shiva (mourning ) with each other. We can gather for 8 day of novenas. 

Our feelings are clearly with Norm, famed Biblical scholar, currently in residence at the Community of Living Faith at Stony Point. At 92 and with doctors in New York, he’s got to think about returning to Berkeley either now or March. Institutional lack of vision. 

The discussion of Fratelli Tutti will continue next week. 

The Presbyterian Health Educational and Welfare Association board is filled with anxiety on the Supreme Court appointment hearings. Especially our  Reproductive Options network. And even more so the election that looms ever closer. As Covid not only doesn’t go away but is spiking in many states, networks like HIV and Disabilities and Domestic Violence feel ever more pressure. 

We are nowhere near the end.....

The Second Sunday in Advent: ...what is best....

12/6

It is Second Sunday in Advent.  And some visitors present, like Eric from Noche, and Wayne with his beautiful voice. (He was back at Open Mic last Friday night…)…and a young woman.  And Jed Distler is our special guest musician. (http://www.jeddistler.com/pianist.html )…So lots of music.

·        We do my mash-up of Lo How a Rose e’er Blooming and the Rose, as made famous by Bette Mitler. And my version of  Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, to the tune Nettleton…and finish with Soon and Very Soon by Andrae Crouch as I miss our Andre, who’s in Florida.  And we read all four scriptures, First Malachi 3:1-4, the Canticle Luke 1:68-79 , the Epistle Philippians 1:3-11  and finally the Gospel Luke 3:1-6.  And then our reflection:

So it’s happened again.. This time it’s San Bernadino, California. And because the couple is Muslim, we’re talking  about terrorism.  The local imam had police come  to his door at night with guns drawn. (Kind of shows that terrorism works, no?) Is it strange that when a gunman opens fire on a Planned Parenthood office in Denver, killing two and wounding another r9, the New York Post does not says, Radical Christian guns down innocent…

           

And last Thursday was  the day people marched in recognition of the first anniversary of Eric Garner death at the hands of police.  

Well, there are other anniversaries , too. Last Thursday, we had the 50^th anniversary of the first public concert of the Grateful Dead. Next Tuesday is 35^th anniversary of the death of  John Lennon (12/8) . But also the 50^th anniversary of the end of Vatican II and the day Pope Francis will throw open the gates of the Vatican to begin the Papal Year of Mercy.

So…3 questions.

1.    What is our situation?

2.   What are our resources, or gifts?

3.   And what are we to do…

And what do our scriptures have to say about any of this?  First, if we had a big grand choir, today would be a great day for Messiah singing… We’ve got Malachi talking about a refiner’s fire… and John, quoting Isaiah, preaching about every valley…and rough places being  made smooth and the crooked straight and all flesh seeing it together..  Several years ago, we had a Bible Study on the Gospel according to Handel.. maybe we ought to do that again sometime..

The situation…

We’ve  got John the Baptist arriving front and center this week, but I’m going to end with Paul. We’ve got Malachi like a set up text our man John. ( written around the 5^th century BCE) The people have returned  from exile but Malachi  is protesting against corruption in the Temple. And speaking of a messenger, this is precisely the role John is to play.

Then we’ve got John’s father, Zechariah, part of the temple establishment,  in the Temple, speaking of who his son John  will be.  He is peaking to a people who are occupied by a mighty empire. And he is announcing a victory already accomplished…even before the birth of Jesus! Like Tutu declaring we have already won years before apartheid fell… a victory where we are

saved from our enemies and from the hand of

all who hate us. That we have received

 mercy ….

That we have  been  rescued from the hands of our

enemies, and can serve God without fear, …

We are not occupied…but we do want to be saved  from  our enemies…internal and external…. Can we believe that’s already been done?...and can we serve God without fear…can we live without fear?..imagine what that feels like?. and that his son  John will be the messenger… to preach repentance of sins..

So John rejects where he grew up and heads for the hills living like  a wild man…or religious ascetic hermit…or prophet…and preaching repentance…here’s what to want you to see…it’s a call to leave behind  the ways of the empire…and the biggest challenge is to call out the temple…the religious establishment for its collaboration with the temple…

What are our gifts?  Like last week, Paul in prison gives thanks for his people. Keep doing that….and try praying with joy…

And now the Papal year of mercy…Mercy…In a recent article, Donna Schaper…of Judson Memorial Church has given us some very practical advice for living the year of mercy in our own lives……here is her list (as I have adapted it for us this morning..)

1.    Read pope Francis’ declaration

2.    Be a “walking field hospital” (Francis’ words) do one act of mercy daily..

3.    If you’re old, speak well of the young. And if you are young, speak well of  the old. Refuse gossip. Question “everybody knows” and “that’s the way things are…”

4.   Forgive just one person you don’t want to

5.    And don’t worry about whether they deserve it or not. Mercy is beyond deserving.

6.   Read the Bible. Especially Advent scriptures. Ask questions.

7.   When you are judged, evaluate on a scale of 1-5 how accurate the judgment is.

8.   Reverse the “time famine”…there is more time than you think…

9.   Open the doors of language. EG, stop using lame, a condition of many people from birth or due to accident or illness, a condition, as a metaphor for something in poor taste or ill considered… and please don’t ever say, We are all crippled (or handicapped) in some way. Respect the particularity of  experience and conditionn,

10. Pray for someone not you or yours

11.Promise not to offer illusory hope, EG, don’t worry, everything is going to be OK. Sometimes it isn’t.

And to what end do we do this? To overflow with love, wise love…for what purpose? …to discern what is best…and what is best?  We have big decisions ahead…. For me, what is best is that which creates a community that which is immediately recognizable…

Those are my thoughts for this morning…

At the conclusion of our service, Wayne shares his witness in song for us, his voice sweet…and rich….

Prepare ye the way if the Lord…..

FIRST READING MALACHI 3:1-4

¹See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight — indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. ²But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; ³he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. ⁴Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

CANTICLE LUKE 1:68-79

⁶⁸"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.  ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED

⁶⁹He has raised up a mighty savior for us

in the house of his servant David,

⁷⁰as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,

⁷¹that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of

all who hate us.

⁷²Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,

and has remembered his holy covenant,

⁷³the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,

to grant us ⁷⁴that we, being rescued from the hands of our

enemies,

might serve him without fear, ⁷⁵in holiness and righteousness

before him all our days.

⁷⁶And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

⁷⁷to give knowledge of salvation to his people

by the forgiveness of their sins.

⁷⁸By the tender mercy of our God,

the dawn from on high will break upon us,

⁷⁹to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of

death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace."

SECOND READING PHILIPPIANS 1:3-11

³I thank my God every time I remember you, ⁴constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, ⁵because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. ⁹And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight ¹⁰to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, ¹¹having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

GOSPEL LUKE 3:1-6

¹In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, ²during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. ³He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, ⁴as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

'Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight.

⁵Every valley shall be filled,

and every mountain and hill shall be made low,

and the crooked shall be made straight,

and the rough ways made smooth;

⁶and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"