Amahl and the Night Visitors from the Soup Kitchen

12/4

On Site Opera's "Amahl....

Throughout my childhood, one of the most important moments in my family's annual Advent liturgy was the yearly NBC broadcast of Amahl and the Night Visitors. From the time I was two years old to the time I was 17, I waited in anticipation for this production every year. My family owned the original cast recording with the Bosh "Adoration" on the cover and accompanying libretto which I had pretty well memorized by age 10.

Bosch "Adoration of the Magi"

Finally, when I was now a college student, a dispute between Menotti and NBC meant there was no broadcast.

I barely noticed that it was gone, but I eventually caught on. It made a one-time reappearance in 1978, but the annual  event was over. During those  years, the narrative of the Menotti opera had become for me (almost) as much a part  of the canon as Matthew and Luke. 

Thus I was very excited when I learned that On Site Opera would be doing a production of "Amahl"...The more I learned the more impressedI was. The production would be done in conjunction with Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen and in partnership with "Breaking Ground," an organization dedicated to getting homeless people into permanent affordable housing. While opera professionals would take the leads, the chorus  would be made up of current and formerly homeless people. 

OSO kept faith with all my expectations. As you enter the church, you are aware that you are in a church that has opened up its worship space as a soup kitchen. Tables throughout the sanctuary give the impression of a meal just served. Amahl's mother is cleaning up after that meal and is interacting with the security guard. A simple child's toy on the floor helps set the stage and the narrative will emerge from this context.

From the first orchestral notes I was relieved that they were played with sharpness, precision and expression. (The last time I saw a community Amahl, the strings just about did me in. And the first sung notes took me back through over half a century to emotionally connect in ways that took me by surprise. And not the only edge of tears moment. 

 The cast was truly stellar throughout starting with Devin Zamir Coleman as Ahmal, alternating with Luciano Pantano, Aundi Marie Moore, Jospeh Gaines, Daniel Belcher, Musa Nkungqwana and Jonathan Green as Amahl's mother, the kings and the Page are equally effective in their roles.

For the most part the framing device works, although at times it stretches and strains to  contain the narrative. I liked the kings as characters one encounters on the street...with shopping  cart, wagon, baby carriage and outlandish garb. I've met them all. The chorus arises out of the gathered communuty. Having the  security guard be the "page" who calls out the theft was well played. As was coming back to the toy at the end. When it becomes difficult to manage the narrative within the frame its best to just take in the collective sense and feeling of the moment. 

Amahl emerged in a different US. One that was still in a glow of post war optimism that hoped to provide opportunity as a basic right. Networks like NBC commissioned new works of classical music and made them available to the public as Bernstein passionately believed that music belonged to the people. 

It's a different day. Culture is increasingly restricted to the privileged class. We have few collective shared experiences  on media. And poverty is perceived as being just desserts. In such a time, the question before the artistic and creative community is what then is our responsibility in such an age? Onsite Opera is clearly seeking to answer that question creatively and responsibly.  The fact that the opera was presented as part of a free opera program makes it all the more powerful a witness.

Onsite opera is now one of the resident companies of the Center at West Park, a place that has as part of its  mission exploring the intersection of ethics and esthetics, beauty and justice. Seems like a good fit.....

https://osopera.org/

https://www.centeratwestpark.org/

Advent 1: Waking Up

12/2

Congratulations Dwight!

It's the first Sunday of Advent. It's a cold rainy day as I walk up Beverley Road under my umbrella. I notice a sign welcoming refugees.

a welcome on Beverly Road

When I get to the church, there's a sense of excitement. A baptism will tae place!  The first in a long time....

Here is my reflection for the day...

There's a word the kids use to describe a certain sense, a certain awareness of reality. It's "woke"....which kind of means that something was going on and you weren't quite aware of it, but now you are and from here on out you are responsible.  ( The first words of Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" were WAKE UP!) That's what we're up to on this first Sunday of Advent.

Of course in any given Advent we are experiencing 3 advent simultaneously...the word means to come....so what  are we waiting for? what is to come?

First, there is the celebration fo the first Advent, when God came to be present with us in human form in the person of Jesus.  Then there is this Christmas, the one that's coming right at us like an onrushing train whether we're ready for it not or not. (And  in our minds of course, the memories  of all the  Christmases that have come before...) And finally the ultimate Advent, the expectation of Jesus' return. That's where "woke" comes in. There's this heavy apocalyptic feel to this moment.

Luke is filled with signs....earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves......certainly climate phenomena seem all the more violent...storms lash vulnerable communities...Puerto  Rico has yet to recover....

California wildfires rage out of control....Berlin "suffers" with beautiful weather because there has been no rain for months ...and the Spree gets lower all the time..

And there are more people on the move than ever before.  Thousands of Africans trapped in Sicily because other EU countries won't let them in. New right wing government in Italy criminalizing aid to refugees. More than half a million Venezuelans fled to Ecuador. 50000 Nicaraguans have fled to Costa Rica. And the "caravan" from lawless  Honduras edges closer to our border. And we fire tear gas canisters at mothers and babies across the border. While thousands of children separated from their parents are in a detention camp in the desert. Taking all these things in...that's what "woke"means. 

It would be easy to read these signs as filled with apocalyptic meaning. And of course at some level, every age can be demonstrably apocalyptic, at least for some people. Carefully detailed scenarios come and go in every generation. Remember, Jesus said, Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place.....and since then, 66 generations have passed away....but more importantly.. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.....

Jesus wants us to  be AWAKE to what's going on around us and NOT worried about end times...but to begin living as if redemption is near, or better, as if we are already redeemed....

Think about this..."Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap. 

...okay, the drunkenness and dissipation is pretty clear....but also notice ....."the worries of this life...." worrying is right up there with drunkenness...it robs life of tis richness, fills our heads, makes us pre-occupied. Like a parking lot with no empty spaces or the subway just about any day these days. I used to find Bobby McFerrin's "Don't worry be happy"  annoying but I've begun to feel it's profound. Worry can be a substitute for actually doing something about it. 

When I was in Berlin, I got to experience one of the greatest joys anyone can have, the arrival of my second grandchild, my granddaughter Karla. Today we are blessed with the opportunity to celebrate perhaps the most joyous moment in church life, a baptism. Today the baptism of Dwight Stephens. 

Every child is a vote in favor of life. 
Every child is a new statement of hope. 
And every child is a new opportunity.

So while we begin our  journey to the celebration of the Christ Child, let us rejoice in the opportunity to celebrate the life of THIS  child.  In our tradition, Baptism is a community sacrament. We all share in responsibility for this child's understanding of Christian community. May we embrace this call as the gift it is....

We share in communion. Then it's time for Dwight's baptism. An extended family is gathered. Dwight is more toddler than baby and is suspicious when I bring the water it his head, but baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit he is.

The people are ready to continue the celebration. I am off to celebrate my birthday with my family back in Manhattan. Advent has begun. 




Gospel Luke 21:25-36

25"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

29Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

34"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Una reflexion breve del reino de Cristo

11/24

celebrando en el parque 

Hoy dia estamos celebrando el dia de Cristo Rey, o el dia del Reino de Cristo. La pregunta es, en que sentido? El evangelio de Juan tiene la historia del interregatorio de Jesus por el Pilato. Ultimamente Jesus se afirma su corona, pero no en ninguna manera que Pilato puede entender. El reino de Cristo no es de territorio visible. ( Pero sin embargo, Jesus es ejecutado como un revolucionario politico). No el reino de cristo es el territorio de la verdad. Y verdad es revelado en la realidad de Cristo, quien dijo que "yo estoy el camino, la verdad y la vida"...Como caminamos con Cristo, nosotros podemos aprender mas y mas el sentido de la verdad.  El territorio del reino de Cristo es nuestras corazones. Recuerda...no es el dia de Trump, siempre es el dia de Cristo. Trump tiene control del territorio de los estados unidos, pero el no tiene no control de la verdad, de nuestras corazones, nuestros mientros. Por eso  danos la autoridad de nuestras vidas a Cristo...y con efectos muy concreto. Y quando  tiene hacer decisiones importantes, podemos preguntar que hace Jesus en esta situacion? Alguna vez es dificiil, otra tiempos mas facil. Pero como caminmos con Cristo, se hace mas y mas claro dia por dia.....

Amen

Reflections on the Reign of Christ, 2018

11/24

With Father Clyde and Ecclesia in Marcus Garvey Park

After two days of freezing cold and another drenched in rain, it's a beautiful day again as I head to Marcus Garvey Park to lead worship with the gathered Ecclesia congregation. Precious and Marcos go out into the park looking for others to invite to break bread with us, liturgically and in a real meal. Father Clyde uses the asperges to bless the ground as holy

Holy ground

and the service begins. Here is my reflection on Christ the King Sunday...

So it's the end of Thanksgiving weekend...a holiday that seems to bring out something good in people. As usual, churches I know like my neighbor First Corinthian Baptist, Broadway Presbyterian, Trinity Lutheran...all putting on fine meals. On Tuesday I saw a truck form the New York Giants delivering turkeys to 116th street in Harlem.

the Giants deliver food

On my way to my sister's I saw a sign advertising Sweet Mama's  soul food restaurant on 145th offering a free Thanksgiving buffet from noon until 3. And my musician friend Paul, like he does every year, took his accordion to play for the folks waiting in line at Goddard Riverside for their dinner. Something about the day! And some of that remains with us even today.

In the church year, today is Christ the King Sunday, or Reign of Christ Sunday as we hear now these days. It marks the end of the year, the crown of the year, you might say. And it's a door we walk through to get to Advent. It's the one of the few church holidays I know that is named for a theological  idea not an event.  

And we are introduced to the day today through the story of Jesus' encounter with Pontius Pilate who interrogates Jesus about kingship. In the end, Jesus claims his kingship but not in a way Pilate could understand. Jesus maintains his is not a geo-political kingship. Not

 about territory. (At the  end of the day, he is crucified as a political revolutionary...)

Jesus has a strange claim. His kingship is about truth. "Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." he says. But what is truth? (Well, that's another conversation with Pilate I'm not getting into today. )I don't want to get deep and philosophical. I'm looking for the heart of the matter. And for that, I recall that in another place on this scripture Jesus says, I am the way, the truth and the life..and for me, that's pretty much it. If we walk in Jesus' footsteps, if we follow his path, we will walk in truth and we will come  to know what is true. As we walk with him day by day, it will become clear. 

What this kingship is about is authority, not geography.  Who has the ultimate authority in your life?  That is the question. And it has profound implications. In a conversation, I used the expression in this day of Trump....and my friend said, NO, it is not the day of Trump, it is the day of Jesus. It is always the time of Christ. Trump may be the President, He may be the elected leader of the US. But he does not control our time. Or our hearts. Or minds.

It is simple to say, not so easy to do. We don't want Jesus to rule our country, we want him to rule our hearts. And we declare that all creation is under his dominion.

It's a cliche, I know, but we always need to ask ourselves, what would Jesus do?  As we live in his kingdom, we begin to receive the wisdom and courage we need to begin to change both ourselves and the world around us. 

Amen..

Following the sermon, we share the Eucharist,  and then a lunch, prepared by our friends at Riverside Church. One by one the congregants slip away, out from the park, back to wherever we live our lives.  

The Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to John

Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” (Jn 18:33-37)

"BlackKklansman": valuable resource for the conversation

11/21

Spike Lee's "BlackKklansman"

As BlackKklansman makes it's way from the theaters  to various platforms, it's valuable to take a look at what is a most valuable resource  in our struggle with white privilege and its ongoing power in our national life. As always, Spike Lee knows how to entertain  us even as he seeks to educate, irritate and hopefully instigate.

Based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, the first African American police officer in  Colorado Springs who actually joined the  Klan and developed a relationship with David Duke, there's a number of points worth looking at:

* Set in 1972, it's shocking how the events depicted could just as well be from today.
* Kwame Toure (Stokely Carmichael)'s description of the wantonness of police violence against black people continues to be tragically accurate.
* The racism Stallworth confronts within the police department continues. Perhaps the most disturbing moment is when Stallworth, as an undercover  officer, is making an arrest of a white female terrorist planting  a bomb, he's taken down and beaten by police who assume he's black criminal until his partner arrives. 
* The Ku Klux Klan included active duty members of the US military
* Stallworth has to wrestle with the feelings of his own community about police.
* Stallworth's Jewish partner, who becomes the physical embodiment of the character Stallworth has created, slowly comes to an awareness that as a Jew, he has "skin in this game" too. 
* Watching the flames of a KKK cross burning fade into the tiki torches of Charlottesville was chilling.
* Equally chilling is after seeing the semi-comical David Duke of the movie, we see today's real David Duke praising President Donald Trump for "speaking the truth" and moving the country in the right direction."

Although some dramatic license has been employed, Lee let's us know that the film is based on some "shonuff fo real shit." There predictably have been numerous ideologically based critiques of this film,  mainly related to presenting a hero who is a police officer and variations of that theme. I'm not really interested in engaging those arguments. Any particular story is its own story and not the whole story. And this story, on it's own, is valuable in giving us rich...and entertaining...material fro reflection and conversation. It's a long road. 

Berlin remembers Kristallnacht

11/9

At the basement of the Gestapo

What a week it was in Germany. The 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. The 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht. And the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

At the  base  what's left of the wall, now exposed and open for all to see are the once buried basement rooms and torture chambers of the Gestapo headquarters. In today's Germany, better to expose and acknowledge than to cover over. It is here the city begins its commemoration of Kritallnacht. It is fitting because we know now that what was portrayed as a spontaneous outburst was actually very carefully planned and strategized by the Gestapo. A trial run to see how far they could go, When there was no massive public outcry, they knew they were free to do what they wanted to the Jews. Flowers have been laid in front of the ruin.

Flowers at the wall

We will hear from Jewish community leaders, the vice Bishop of the Evangelical Protestant church.

Jewish community leaders

And the mayor of Berlin who vows that this must never happen again. 

Berlin's mayor

There follows a solemn walk to the monument to the Murdred Jews of Europe in the heart of the city by the Brandenberg Gate. While it's design has been controversial, I find it profoundly effective, each stone unique as each murdered person was unique. Starting low enough to where you can see out to when you are in the  middle you are overwhelmed, disoriented, perhaps lost.

Volunteers, including school children, are reading the names of all the Jewish residents of Berlin who died. 

Reading the names

"Are you from Pittsburgh?" someone asks, having noticed my hat. He takes me to a rabbi who tells me his temple was two blocks for where the synagogue massacre took place in Pittsburgh. 'Which synagogue?" He tells me Temple Sinai and his name , Rabbi Jamie Gibson. 

With Rabbi Jamie Gibson from Temple Sinai, Pittsburgh

And I tell him we were colleagues 33 years ago. And he  remembers my ministry at South hill Interfaith Ministries. And our work together on the Holocaust Commission. I tell him o f my work with migrants and refugees. "That's why we were targeted"he says. "Because Hebrew Immigrant Aid (HIAS)and their work with refugees from Syria. The killer even posted about it before..." And we shake our heads at how we now live. And, of course, we talk about how  the Steelers might do tonight. That's what being from Pittsburgh's about. 

Bjorn Hocke of the far right Alternative for Germany (AFD) party has come and attempts to take a turn reading names. It is soon made clear that anyone with neoNazi connections is not welcome to read. He slinks away, then lifts sup his phone for a social media report on his "persecution."

Bjorn Hocke of AFD

And the reading of names continues. And will continue throughout the night.

As an American citizen, I admire Germany's willingness to acknowledge and confront its past in a regular liturgical calendar of public ritual. It is like the  ubiquitous stumble stones, engraved with names of victims, placed in the sidewalk, a constant reminder.

I try to imagine what this would mean in the US. Annual pubic events reading names from the Trail of Tears? Yearly rituals of remembrance at Wounded Knee? A yearly confession of church's repenting of their theological support for slavery? That's not what happens. We want to talk about "Mak(ing) America Great Again " before truly claiming our history. As long as that work is not done, the civic sin of white privilege and it's collateral damage will continue. Time grows short.

Death/Life

Death/Life

10/30

Icons in Ash

Last week in New York City, there was a week long exploration of the end of life. The organizers described their mission in this way: Reimagine End of Life is a community-wide exploration of death and celebration of life through creativity and conversation. Drawing on the arts, spirituality, healthcare, and design, we create weeklong series of events that break down taboos and bring diverse communities together in wonder, preparation, and remembrance. 

My friend Heide Hatry once again exhibited her profound Icons in Ash collection of portraits  made from creation remains... and as usual, accompanied the exhibit with performances by an eclectic array of music and spoken word performances.

Christine Isherwood and Mike Handdelman

This was my contribution..... 

When the night has come  and the land  is dark
And the moon the only light I see
I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid 
Just as long as you stand by me.
Stand by me, Oh darling stand by me..

I sang for my neighbors as they gathered in the community garden in the middle of 115th in a memorial  service. When I stopped on my way to  a gig earlier this afternoon, a Baptist preacher in a fine suit was rendering a prayer. When I return hours later after the  gig, they're still there. Playing music, grilling food.

I sang this song for them before. At a sidewalk birthday party. In the cool of the evening on long summer nights, the folks without airconditoning gather  outside our building to share  food, drink and talk. The  woman they celebrate, "Cuz",was part of that circle. So they ask me, "Bob with the guitar," to sing for them.  That's how  they know me. The only way the know me. I like that.

In my old life, death was a regular part of it. Old faithful members in their  due time. Teenagers dead by the One train. Tragic and too soon. Gay men dead of AIDS, their bodies snatched away by parents who wanted to pretend their partners didn't exist. Partners now left bereft and alone. A kitchen worker from Barney Greengrass. And homeless men who died with my card in their pocket.

I always said I liked funerals as much or more as weddings. Marking a moment after which nothing would ever be the same again. Each life a complete universe of and to itself with its own interconnected planetary systems, galaxies. Narrative arcs. A world dies in each death. I always felt privileged to be present in these moments.  Now in my new life, not so much.

So strange, then,  this weekend to encounter it three times. In a long delayed family memorial for one also an icon in ash. The time flowing gently into an open mic. Then accompanying the ashes of a friend's wife from a Chelsea funeral home back to the Upper West Side. His wife of 37 years beside me in a simple box in an ecofriendly reusable bag. From funeral a home to Whole Foods. I place the bag on the bar stool beside him. He speaks to her. The bartender pours four shots of Hennesy, her favorite drink. We toast. And drink.

They have joined me in harmony. The stakes are high. See the woman over there, she is a real singer. She's gotta sing with you, they say...And now they want another song. What could I sing? (When I told my son about my not knowing what to sing, my son said, Dad they knew you were white when they asked you to sing..it's you they want..) So I play the song I wrote for Teddy the pipefitter, the Occupier, the guy who understood a vision so clear he'd do anything for it or me. He died in his sleep at the church. Soon surrounded by a circle of flamenco dancers from downstairs, crossing them selves with Salve Marias  and Padre Nostros as his soul took flight.

Rest awhile,I said rest awhile
Come away and rest awhile
Rest awhile,I said rest awhile
Come away and rest awhile
When the crowd is so demanding and the need is so great and you feel like you just can't go on,
Then walk beside me and soon you will see the victory is already won and you can
Rest awhile...


Again they join in. Wringing every ounce of Gospel they can find from my song. Then more drinks poured. Stories told of families living on this street 50-60 years or more. Of Luigi who built this garden. And life flows on. On into the night.....

Rest awhile,I said rest awhile
Come away and rest awhile
Rest awhile,I said rest awhile
Come away and rest awhile

                                                                     Rest Awhile

                                                                 Stand by Me

                                                        https://letsreimagine.org