Loving One Another into Wholeness

A couple of people had suggested we consider having an Animal Blessing Service. I had heard about these services but had never attended one nor could I really imagine what to expect, but I was glad to try to create a service that would honor and bless our animal companions. Nearly 100 people, with their animal companions, came to the Animal Blessing held in Schiller Park on Saturday, October 17th. Some people came with their cats in crates or their dogs on leashes. Others brought photos from home, or some hair from the tail of a horse to receive a blessing. One by one, I had the privilege of blessing these creatures and I left that evening feeling as though I was the one who received the blessing. Never before have I had such intimate contact with so many animals. Never before had I experienced the wide array of personalities in animals! I heard stories of animals who had been abused or abandoned and then welcomed into a home. I heard stories of companionship. I heard stories of animals who were struggling with cancer, bone decay, or diabetes. I witnessed people who are loving their animal companions into wholeness and animals who are loving their human companions into wholeness. A blessing indeed!

I am thankful to everyone who helped create such a wonderful experience. Brenda Burris and Susan Olson passed out lots of flyers in German Village. Karen Corcoran designed a poster we used for publicity. The choir, as always, provided leadership through song. Laura Kuntz accompanied the choir on All Things Bright and Beautiful with her guitar, and lots of people played bells to All Creatures of Our God and King. Earl Wurdlow provided us with a sound system. Ralph Quellhorst, Walt Adams, Mike and Diana Rangel helped with the set up, greeting, and refreshments. Drew Klamar made tasty homemade dog and cats treats in the shape of crosses for the animals. Sara Cosgill, Walt Adams, Meredith Reece, and Earl Wurdlow all served as readers. Bonnie Vallette created the wonderful program and certificates. Diana Rangel even arrived with complimentary “poop kits” for those who might have forgotten to bring along supplies!

“All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all”

Speak The Truth

I love the wording on this house, "Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes."

One of our confirmands echoed this statement in her statement of faith that she shared with the congregation on May 31st, "I believe in accepting. I believe I can accept others opinions without arguing with them to try to change their minds. I accept what others believe because I think it’s very brave to tell others your religious beliefs when you don’t know what someone may do or say in response to those beliefs."

I find that I keep thinking about her statement and what a great foundation it provides for her, and for all of us. If each of us could listen to one another with such openness, more of us might have the courage to speak the truth as we see it.

President Obama reflected on the importance of speaking the truth in love during his speech in Cairo, June 4th, when he addressed the ongoing tension between the United States and Muslims around the world, No single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth."

Loving One Another

Today is Thursday of Holy Week, often called "Maundy Thursday." Maundy comes from the Latin word Mandatum meaning commandment and Christians remember Jesus' famous commandment to his disciples to "Love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12

This morning in my email box was a meditation by Richard Rohr who was reflecting on the gospel of John and how there is no Last Supper scene in John's gospel. Instead we have the story of Jesus washing the disciples' feet.

Rohr writes, "Perhaps John realized that after seventy years the other Gospels had been read. He wanted to give a theology of the Eucharist that revealed the meaning behind the breaking of the bread. He made it into an active ritual of servanthood and solidarity... Peter symbolizes all of us as he protests, "You will never wash my feet!" (John 13:8). But Jesus answers, "If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me." That is strong! We all find it hard to receive undeserved love from another. For some reason it is very humiliating to the ego. We all want to think we have earned any love that we get by our worthiness or attractiveness. So Jesus has to insist on being the servant lover. Thank God, Peter surrenders, but it probably takes the rest of his life to understand."
(Drawn from Radical Grace: Daily Meditations by Richard Rohr, p. 143, day 154 Source: The Great Themes of Scripture).

We often get the "love others" part of this commandment, but it is often difficult to recognize that "loving one another" is a two-way street involving both giving and receiving. As I am thinking about this, the refrain to one of my favorite hymns comes to mind:

Won't you let me be your servant

Let me be as Christ to you

Pray that I may have the grace

To let you be my servant, too

Not a bad prayer for this Holy Week.