Once I saw the comment on Fb, I knew I was stuck!  I couldn't shake it.  Plant that thought in my little pea brain and there's no getting around, over it, or under it.  You gotta go through it.  Not that this is hard to endure.  But I should probably be about other things right now.  Yet YouTube is there and it's not too difficult to be sucked in even more with so much goodness available at your fingertips.

So what is all this rambling about?  A Facebook friend posted he'd sat down at his computer and it began playing "Fanfare for the Common Man."  Talk about music that moves me!  This one gets me every time, regardless of the rendition.  I have yet to find a version of it that I haven't loved.  Maybe it's the premise.  Fanfare .... for the Common Man. Someone like me.  Something for me, and many others like me.  We have someone, Aaron Copland, who considered all of us and put a fanfare to flight to celebrate the commonness and the grandeur all together. 



This version, by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, was how I was introduced to this 20th century American classical work.  It's a bit bombastic, and somewhat over the top.  The symphonic versions are lovely, and some versions have melded the symphonic with the rock opera version, which are cool!  But I gotta stay true to how it found me and how I heard it.  This is ELP.  Enjoy!

In 1974, after my father retired from the U.S. Navy, he began seminary in Virginia.  One of his classmates, another Navy man, quickly became a good friend.  The two families formed a bond which has continued these past 37 years.  

Mom and Dad used to come home from Wednesday night chapel and say, "Grafton and Elesa have three lovely daughters. We don't care which one you marry, but marry one of them."  Heart Of My Heart's parents would come home from Wednesday night chapel and say, "Well, you could always marry David because you know you'd love your in-laws." 

Well, in 2001 both our fathers who are Episcopal priests co-officiated at our wedding.  We figured that "When God taps you on the shoulder and says, 'There's gonna be a quiz,' you pay attention!"  So we were doing what our parents had asked of us.  It was an arranged marriage, if you will.  

So I have now completed seminary and await a call to active ministry somewhere, somehow in the Episcopal Church.  And with all the pomp and circumstance that comes with Commencement, there's a one little rite of passage for VTS students about to graduate. We traipsed up three stories in Aspinwall, the primary administrative building and signature structure of the Protestant Episcopal Seminary in Virginia (VTS), then climbed several ladders up into the cupola to find the space where students have been leaving their names on the wall for perpetuity.

I had called my father to ask if he'd done this back in 1977, and if so, where I might look for his name.  He had not.  So I agreed to add his name, along with mine, and I added my father-in-law as well.



There we are, gentlemen!  I am so proud to be counted among so many great people, including these two wonderful men whose names bracket mine.  VTS has been a part of our lives for so long.  I am grateful for its centrality in our respective families, and for the purposes it has fostered and continues to develop.

Yesterday was Commencement on The Holy Hill. And with one fell shwoosh, I quickly moved from Student to Graduate to Unemployed.  But the Holy Spirit, she is a'dancin', and there is no fear or trepidation in my heart, mind, body or soul.  For God is good, and some many of God's good people helped me get this far along the way. 

Here's the ad from Page A3 of The Washington Post (dated May 17, 2012) congratulating the VTS Class of 2012:

                                   

This qualifies as my official Commencement moment with The Rt. Rev. James J. "Bud" Shand, Bishop of the Diocese of Easton (MD), and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia (VTS).



I am brimming with gratitude for what has passed, for all the support, thoughts and prayers from so many that I have received and continue to be blessed by, and I am excited about the future.  As Jim Wallis said in his Commencement Address, it's time to "Play Ball."  So I submit myself to Thy Mercy, gracious and loving God, and humbly say, "Here Am I, Lord.  Send Me."   

Today's Gospel reading from Matthew (22:41-46) is short.  In the passages that precede it, Jesus has been besieged by the Pharisees and Sadducees, who challenged him with questions, one after another:  Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?  In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be?  Which is the greatest commandment?

Now it is Jesus' turn to ask a question of them: What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he? 

To their credit, they answer the son of David.  But do they truly understand what they are saying?

Jesus immediately quotes a passage in which David himself acknowledges the Messiah as 'Lord' (Ps. 110:1).  For David to call the Messiah 'Lord' means the Son of David is not to be measured against David's military exploits, for many expected a Messiah wielding a sword of justice; rather, this messiah would be one offering peace and reconciliation, as we see the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53.

Then Jesus asked, "If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?"  To this, the Pharisees had no answer, and wisely, they stopped asking questions of Jesus.

Floyd V. Filson, in his book, A Commentary on the Gospel According to Matthew, said, "This passage shows Jesus declaring the freedom of the Messiah to establish the Kingdom by another path than the political and military methods of David." 

Question not this.  Know that Jesus is Lord, and the Christ is Messiah of us all.    

Commencement is a few days away and Ordination a few weeks after that.  There are 'irons in the fire' regarding possible calls to ministry, and we wait upon the Lord.  As the Bishop said at our quiet day when he passed around a copy of our Ordination announcement, all that came before is now done.  The hoops, hurdles, and challenges of the process have been completed, and the parties involved are satisfied.  There is nothing more to be proven.  This is happening. 

Here's today's scripture reference and prayer from "God's Minute", a book published in 1916 that contains 365 daily prayers sixty seconds long for home worship "by the most eminent preachers and laymen in the English speaking world":

Yet will I not forget thee.--Isaiah 49:15.

     Our Heavenly Father, with grateful hearts we offer Thee our thanks this morning.  Thou hast caused us to dwell in safety during the night; refreshing sleep has invigorated us, and we look forward courageously to the duties of this new day.  Were it not for the assurance we have that whatever the trial, perplexity, or difficulty which the coming hours may bring, they bring no surprises to Thee, we should hesitate to step out into the unknown future.
     We pray that as we separate from one another to engage in our daily vocations, there may be no separation from Thee.  As we work for others, may our service be given faithfully, as unto Thee, O Lord, rather than unto men.  If our labors be those of the common round of the home, with many irritating interruptions, enable us to triumph by the display of a calm, unruffled temper, and thus witness to Thine own indwelling power in our lives.  Let not the enemy of our souls gain advantage over any of us this day.  Thou art stronger than he.  Help us to be on our guard against him.  Lord Jesus, may we have Thy mind to-day, that we may exhibit unselfishness, and be concerned about the needs and the sufferings of others.  We make these requests in the name of our Lord Jesus.  AMEN.

George M. Paden,
Pittsburgh, Penna.
 

Tomorrow, my fellow ordinands (and VTS classmates) and I will spend the day with the Bishop who, God Willing and the people consenting, will lay hands on us June 2nd to make us deacons in the Church. The Bishop wants us to consider carefully and understand fully the vows we will take and the promises we will make. More tomorrow.

The Examination

All are seated except the ordinand(s), who stand before the Bishop.
The Bishop addresses the ordinand(s) as follows

My brother, every Christian is called to follow Jesus Christ, serving God the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit. God now calls you to a special ministry of servanthood directly under your bishop.  In the name of Jesus Christ, you are to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely.

As a deacon in the Church, you are to study the Holy Scriptures, to seek nourishment from them, and to model your life upon them.  You are to make Christ and his redemptive love known, by your word and example, to those among whom you live, and work, and worship.  You are to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world.  You are to assist the bishop and priests in public worship and in the ministration of God's Word and Sacraments, and you are to carry out other duties assigned to you from time to time.  At all times, your life and teaching are to show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself.

My brother, do you believe that you are truly called by God and his Church to the life and work of a deacon?

Answer      I believe I am so called.

Bishop       Do you now in the presence of the Church commit yourself to this trust and responsibility?
Answer      I do.

Bishop       Will you be guided by the pastoral direction and leadership of your bishop?
Answer      I will.

Bishop       Will you be faithful in prayer, and in the reading and study of the Holy Scriptures?
Answer      I will.

Bishop       Will you look for Christ in all others, being ready to help and serve those in need?
Answer      I will.

Bishop       Will you do your best to pattern your life [and that of your family, or household, or community] in accordance
               with the teachings of Christ, so that you may be a wholesome example to all people?
Answer      I will.

Bishop       Will you in all things seek not your glory but the glory of the Lord Christ?
Answer      I will.

Bishop       May the Lord by his grace uphold you in the service he lays upon you.
Answer      Amen.

From An Outline of the Faith commonly called the Catechism

Q.     What is the ministry of a deacon?
A.     The ministry of a deacon is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as a servant of those in need; and to
        assist bishops and priests in the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments.

Today, courtesy of Holy Women, Holy Men we remember the Dame Julian of Norwich, an anchoress, mystic and spiritual counselor.

At age thirty and gravely ill, after having received last rites, Dame Julian experienced fifteen visions of our Lord's Passion, which brought her great peace and joy.  "From that time I desired oftentimes to learn what was our Lord's meaning," she wrote, "and fifteen years after I was answered in ghostly understanding: Wouldst thou learn the Lord's meaning in this thing?  Learn it well.  Love was his meaning.  Who showed it thee?  Love. What showed he thee?  Love.  Wherefore showed it he?  For Love.  Hold thee therein and thou shalt learn and know more in the same.'  Thus is was I learned that Love was our Lord's meaning."

God Incarnate, as Jesus Christ, came into the world, free from sin, to live, preach, teach, and heal.  Ultimately, he took the sins of the whole world upon himself to the cross at Calvary, to reconcile the whole of creation back to God.  If that isn't Love, then I fail to know what Love could possibly be.  Ever.  God is Love.

"By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world.  God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God.  So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.  God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them." ~ 1 John 4:13-16a

Love was, and is, and always will be, the meaning of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Let us follow His example.  Let Love be our meaning as well.  For we are created in God's own image and likeness.  Let us be like God and Love.

Rare it is that I read a reflection in Forward Day by Day that I do not wholly subscribe to, but there will be those days ... like today.

Looking at the reading from Leviticus (16:1-19) where Aaron is instructed how to make atonement before the Lord, the commentator speaks of special dress for days of special intention. Births, Baptisms, (Graduations, Weddings) Funerals, and so on. Then they begin talking about "Sunday best" and how we should be more intentional regarding how we present ourselves before God in the Lord's house.

I know many people who avoid church because they don't feel their manner of dress will be received well. Call it 'pop theology' if you will, but my father once said to me, a long time ago, "God doesn't care what you wear; God just cares that you're there." 

This is a sinful and broken world, with people who in all manner of condition. I hope and pray I never feel or act like the righteous ruler who wanted to throw a wedding guest out for not wearing their best to the occasion. God knows who we are, and whose we are. What you wear can not mask or hide that, at least not from God. If we can bring ourselves, and others to the threshold of God's temple, to come in touch with love, compassion and grace of Christ, then we shall know, and should act accordingly, that all are welcome.

Come as you are, and be ready to be transformed. Not your clothes, mind you, but the real fabric which is you. Come as you are. 

The first different kind of Midrash Rabbi Jack share in our last class today the class Bill Cosby recording about Noah and the Ark. There's actually three segments: Noah and the Lord, Noah and the neighbor, and You and Me, Lord! 



The rabbi offered these as an example of a narrative expansion. Of course, Cosby's comedic genius shines, but think about how Noah reacted? With Disbelief. RIGHT! Both the Lord and Noah had an uncertain but definite partnership. 



Listen for how Cosby uses the creative introduction of anachronisms such as the beel, 'parked in the driveway,' Tarzan and Candid Camera.



Bill Cosby, in his own way, demonstrates the value of spoken (oral) Torah. Enjoy!