Cloaked in Mystery

I have been reading Brian McLaren's latest book, Faith After Doubt.  It is a stimulating read, offering up reassurance for all those who have doubts about God or the basic tenets of their faith.  One of the central notions in McLaren's book is that faith and doubt are inseparable.  Which certainly is true of most people I know.  Even those who are most firmly rooted in their faith.

Having doubts doesn't make you unworthy.  It only shows you are very human.  Yes, it might seem to be easier to move through life with unassailed certainty.  But the truth is, there are few times in life when that is the case.  

These days I find myself saying, "I don't know" with some frequency.  While I would rather be able to say "I am sure of this," or "I have no question about it," the reality is the only thing I can consistently say "Of this I am sure," is love.  Since I subscribe to the Johannine idea that God is love, it means, by extension, I am sure of God's existence.  But how I understand God is in a constant state of flux and evolution.  And that's OK.

I write all this to say, if you have doubts, fear not.  Most do.  There is, after all, why we speak of God being cloaked in mystery.

A HYMN FOR EARTH DAY

 I have been posting to this blog since June of 2010.  I was motivated to take up blogging in response to an environmental disaster--the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  As we celebrate Earth Day this week and are reminded yet again of our ongoing responsibility to take care of our planet, I thought I would share with you a hymn that I wrote on the occasion of that event.  The words
are sung to the hymn tune MELITA (better known as the Navy Hymn, or "Eternal Father, Strong to Save").  I hope it will bring to mind ways you can make a difference as we work together to save the earth.

O Gracious Maker, from your hand, have come to us both sea and land.

You fill our oceans, far and wide, place trees throughout the countryside,

You scatter clouds across the sky,

Make fish to swim, and birds to cry.

 

But all too often we’ve ignored, the trust you’ve placed in us dear Lord;

We fail to handle earth with care, we leave a stain most ev’rywhere,

We spill your oil and tar the land,

We darken river, marsh and sand.

 

Give us the courage that we need, to conquer selfishness and greed.

Help us to change our wasteful ways, so earth might see far better days.

Teach us to know what’s right, what’s wrong,

So ev’ry voice might raise a song!

Not Just the Royals

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and Consort to Queen Elizabeth the Second, died this past week at the age of ninety-nine, just months short of his one hundredth birthday.  That's not news to anyone at this point.  Nor, I imagine, is the fact that he will not be afforded a formal state funeral due to the coronavirus pandemic.  We've also learned that his granddaughter-in-law Meghan Markle will not be in attendance due to her pregnancy and the current restrictions on international travel.  His funeral will be small affair, a family affair.  

These past two or three weeks I have received several phone calls from folks looking to schedule memorial services and committals for family members who have died over the past year.  Services that would normally have been held much earlier.  Services that would have been much more elaborate.  Services that would have been followed by receptions for the guests,  Services that would have drawn sons and daughters, grandchildren and others from all over the country.  But such things couldn't happen.  And these important parts of the grieving process were delayed, and in some instances, simply given up.

Even now, such services will require masking and social distancing.  We won't be able to sing the deceased's favorite hymns as a congregation. Some family members will be unable to attend.  And on and on.  It is a cause for distress for some, and a sense of loss on top of loss for most.  This on top of the fact that in many cases family members were unable to be at their loved ones bedside in the final days and hours due to pandemic restrictions.

All of which is a reminder that death is respecter of no man or woman, and the reality that the pandemic touches even the grandest of lives.  For royal or commoner, Brit or American or otherwise, ultimately we are all merely human.  Mourned by our family and friends and loved by God who shares in our grief no matter who we are, no matter who we grieve.
  

Doubt and Ants and Thomas

This coming Sunday is sometimes called Doubting Thomas Sunday due to the fact that the story of  his initial encounter with the Risen Jesus is marked by doubt.  Often Thomas is castigated by preachers for being a doubter.  Yet I have always thought of him as more of a realist.  I mean, really, if you were told someone you loved had suddenly reappeared after being killed in such a violent fashion, wouldn't you have doubts about the veracity of the claim?

Doubt is a funny thing, though, it can get in the way of our taking necessary action.  It can paralyze us.  In twelve-step programs like alcoholics anonymous they talk about analysis paralysis. I know i get caught up in such thinking from time-to-time, weighing the alternatives, doubting this or that element of a situation.  Doubt can be a real problem.

On the other hand, doubt can stir us to clearer thinking and better decisions.  Even in matters of faith.  Maybe especially in matters of faith.  Author and preacher Frederick Buechner once said, "Doubts are the ants in rhe pants of faith.  They keep it awake and moving."   True enough!  After all, it is said once Thomas' doubts were addressed, he went on to carry the good news all the way to India! 
So maybe this year, we can lay off poor Thomas, and thank him for making it easier for us to admit our doubts, our concerns, our worries.