"A surprise encounter"

According to the reports, yesterday's One Billion Rising was the largest day of mass action to stop violence against against women. Activities in over 203 countries included meetings, workshops, mass rallies, performances, and flashmob dances. It was a great day, and I was glad to discover that there were many events throughout Ohio, including here in Westerville, at Otterbein College. 

More exciting, however, was an email from Jonathan Shaw, a PhD candidate in history at University of Michigan, and soon-to-be teacher at UCBC! The subject line read, "A surprise encounter." Here's the message:

I am at...the "Missing Peace Symposium" at the United States Institute for Peace this week in Washington, DC. It's a forum to discuss ways to address the problem of sexual violence across the globe. Speakers have included world-renowned academics, the UN's chief administrator for women's rights, a Nobel Peace laureate, US congressmen, and..... a UCBC alumni!  

I discovered this earlier today when I found myself sitting next to a very elegant looking lady who also looked quite familiar. Turns out was Francine Nabintu, a communications student in UCBC's first graduating class. She's here representing HEAL Africa and she will be talking tomorrow on a panel.  I left her tonight engaged in a deep conversation with the Tanzanian ambassador to the United States and a department head from UC Berkeley. 

Praise God! He is already using UCBC's grads to influence people across the world! Francine told me she learned so much at UCBC and loved her time there. God is blessing, in so many ways and in so many lives...

It's a small world, and UCBC students are working to transform it--even in Washington DC.

Yes, it is a small world. But God is a big God who transforms lives and communities. And I believe, as I suspect Francine and Jonathan do, that we can end the violence against women and bring peace where the horrors of war have prevailed for far too long.

Francine's graduation photo

The Gift of Discomfort

A warm bed with piles of covers and 

a cool breeze blowing through the opened window. 

An onshore breeze and miles to walk along an empty beach. 

A good book and a comfortable chair. 

A mug of dark roast coffee.

These are a few of my favorite things.

It doesn't rhyme. And these aren't the lyrics that Julie Andrews sings. But these are some of my favorite things, comfortable things. And so are routines, predictability a schedule that unfolds as planned, a car that works, reliable Internet, electricity 24/7, health insurance, hot water at the tap, and a regular paycheck with periodic raises.

And so I am grateful to Congo, because Congo lavishes me with the Gift of Discomfort.

Left to my own devices, I'd prefer to stay put, cuddle into the familiar, and wrap myself in privilege and entitlement. I'm not one for putting myself into the uncomfortable. I have no need to take a polar plunge or run sprints until I puke. I want gas at the dentist and light cream in my coffee.

But Congo and Congo Initiative bless me with risk and discomfort. I have to depend on other people, give up expectations, accept that plans are not reality, struggle to learn the basics of another language, admit my vulnerabilities, and trust that God provides.

Inconsistent, but...

Day 11 of 28. I've missed a few days writing. There are reasons. But I admit that there has been a twinge of guilt. The path to writing daily is still fresh. Soft footfalls through the thicket. But the desire grows with each day.

A few epiphanies these last days.
Blessings
Love
Slivers of hope
Fresh tears and old wounds gingerly offered
hand to hand, heart to heart.
Deep embrace and cautious touch

Hope and healing
Agonizing birth

The Magi brought gifts to one they did not know.
They journeyed miles, knowing only the star,
Confident in what they had never seen and hope in whom they had yet to meet.

St. Francis' Advice

Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.                   - St. Francis

Simple advice. Wise counsel. It's taken me my adult years to just begin to understand the wisdom here. My inclination is to speak, offer advice, jump to words of encouragement. But when we walk with loved ones over the difficult roads, through the valleys, in the dark places, the best thing we can do is to be.

Epiphany

A few thoughts on the nature, role, and experiences of epiphany, with thanks to Lindsay, Gretchen (session leaders), Kara, Pat, Myrna, Bill, and Darcy during this evening's gathering at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, Missoula, MT.

Epiphanies give us "new eyes." We see in new ways or see what we didn't see before.

God speaks in the silences. Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but theLord was not in the earthquake; ¹² and after the earthquake a fire, but theLord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.¹³ When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. (I Kings 19:9-13)

Sometimes children speak the truth, shine the light, and open our eyes.

Epiphanies may be subtle and striking. They can come upon us quietly and gently and stun us with  bold truth.

Sometimes we seek answers. We yearn for some understanding, answer, knowledge, or direction. We scramble and claw. We wait and we wonder if God will ever answer.

God touches us even when we have steeled ourselves against him or her.

God reveals truth or guides us in the quiet of our own communion with God. And God speaks through other people. We hear God in the words and wisdom of others.

Epiphanies may be sudden, striking events. Distinct moments in time that crash in upon our lives. They may also be journeys or destinations. The Magi traveled days and miles until they finally set eyes on the Christ child.

"What good is it?"

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?             James 2:14-16 

"What good is it?" That question bookends the challenge. Beth Moore points this out in James, Mercy Triumphs. It is the question that stuns me today. "What good is it? What am I doing that is the fruit of my faith? Do my actions give life and breath to my faith? Do my actions make a difference, not to me, but in the lives of other people?"

Humbling question. 

And what is my motive for doing "deeds" and taking action. To "get" or manipulate some response? To receive accolades? To accumulate? 

James uses the example of caring for, providing for someone else's needs. That's the test. 

The First Miracle and the Servants

Thank you, Deacon Diana Shirley, for pointing out that the people who witnessed Jesus' first miracle were servants. The gospel reading several Sundays ago was John  2, the wedding at Cana. I never noticed that Jesus changed water into wine in front of the servants, not in front of the host, or the steward, or the guests. Servants not only got the front row seat, they participated in the miracle.

Jesus could have done the deed in front of the guests. He could have had a crowd. That would have been the way to make a statement, to make sure that a large crowd witnessed the deed.

Jesus could have brought the host into the kitchen to impress him or to beholden him. "Hey, I see that you're running out of wine. Could be embarrassing. I can fix that for you, if you'd like."

Jesus could have let the chief steward in on the miracle. "I bet this party has been a logistical nightmare with planning for this crowd. Guess you underestimated how much wine you needed.  Could be bad for you. I'd hate to see you lose your job over this. Let me  help you out. Bring me some water."

No. Jesus didn't "perform" a miracle to impress those who most of us mortals want to impress--the "important" people, the crowd, or the ones whose station or job we covet. No, Jesus did the miracle in front of the servants. In fact, he included them in the miracle. They brought the water.

What was the effect on those servants? What did they experience? Amazement Awe? Gratitude for the gift of this moment? Were they inspired to take pride in their work and encouraged to do their best, even as servants? I'd like to think that they lifted their heads a little higher that day. Jesus had affirmed them. They were worthy.

Seems to me the setting and witnesses of this miracle foreshadow the lessons we hear later from Jesus: give without pomp, pray in private, do one's work quietly and without expectation of reward or acknowledgement. Jesus turns water into wine in the scullery, in the back of the kitchen while the bridal party and guests laugh and celebrate. It's a lightning bolt that shatters the old growth tree, that ignites the barn, and destroys the old ways. Here is humility at work. Mercy for the least. Jesus' actions saying, "It is for you that I am here, for you who struggle, who are ignored, who work while others enjoy leisure and comfort. You are blessed."