Squirrel Day!

Did you know that January 21st is

National Squirrel Appreciation Day?

Take your favorite squirrel out for an acorn quiche today.

Maybe then they'll leave your bird feeders alone?

Jonah in a seashell

Spent most of this week studying the Book of Jonah.

to prepare for a sermon. 

Maybe it was the effect of this week's  snow,

but I started condensing

the story into whatever this is..

Jonah in a nutshell?  Or perhaps a seashell. 

"God called,  but Jonah stalled.

Then Jonah split, and a mighty storm hit.

The sailors cast lots, and Jonah?  He lost!

Then the whale swallowed, while Jonah?  He wallowed.

Soon the whale spewed, after which Jonah stewed.

God said, "Get up!"

But Jonah felt set up.

So Jonah spoke of spite, but they became - contrite.

Those Ninevites repented!

And Jonah's God relented!

And Jonah?  He pouted and lo! a bush sprouted.

But soon the bush died, and Jonah?  He cried.

Then God did the talking and Jonah the balking.

And while God accused, Jonah excused.

So God discussed, but Jonah remained...

nonplussed!"

Roberta Hiday

artwork by Scott Erickson

from here

wisp of thread

“Life may seem inexplicable.

But, always, somewhere,

there is a narrow filament of meaning,

like a spider web.

Hold it between the thumb or finger or your heart.

Follow its invisible trail through the labyrinth of your life,

until it leads you where it will.

This is the walk of faith,

this blind stepping in the darkness,

with only the invisible, resilient wisp of thread

that leads to God.”

- Gerda Crake

photo by Jane Manzer

The Roominess of Jesus

THEY MADE IT!

And we welcome our new wise ones,

pulled from the prospect of a

Permanent Advent.

There is always room with Jesus.

Always.

Blessed Epiphany to All!

Collect for Epiphany

O God, who by the leading of a star

manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:

Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence,

 where we may see your glory face to face;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Permanent Advent

Me:  I wonder how the wise ones are faring after their "experience" of yesterday? 

 Let's check in, shall we?

Hello again wise ones.  How are we doing this evening?

Wiseman #2:  As we reconsider these words of Mary Lou Kownacki, OSB,

We are wondering if what you have shown us so far could be classified as

"nourishment to sustain the journey" or just a strange mirage to feed our nightmares?

Me:  Well, I think you need to see the bigger picture and how we are all connected. 

That in itself should serve as a spiritual oasis - knowing that you are not alone in your calling -

that at this time we are all drawn toward Bethlehem,

fulfilling the promise of seeing the new King.

Speaking of which, I'd like to show you this picture:

Here are 3 young wise ones who have found the location of the star but the stable is empty. 

They are waiting in what you might call a "permanent Advent." 

Wiseman #3:  How discouraging to go all that way and not find the Christ child.

Wiseman #2:  Yes, we do take it for granted that we always find Jesus.

Wiseman #1:  Um, am I the only one here who thinks that gigantic reindeer

might have scared away Mary and Joseph?  Look at that behemoth! 

I bet he ate them for a snack! 

Me:  Stop being so dramatic! He looks very friendly to me.

Wiseman #2:  You are not 2 inches tall as we are. 

Me: That's true.  I do have the habit of looking at situations through my own eyes. 

I bet he does look intimidating to someone of your stature, 

but those red polka dotted ears are a good sign he's not a threat.

And I did feel badly for the little ones and so I brought them home.

Wiseman #1: You mean you BOUGHT them!   Tell me you paid more than 99 cents?

Me:  As I recall I paid $1.49. 

Wiseman #1:  Oh! Wow!  That's great news! 

 Let's see, that breaks down to about 50 cents a piece. 

It saddens me to think that's all we are worth to the Good Will.

Me:  The goal of the Goodwill is not to make exorbitant profits

but to provide employment to those in need while supplying household goods

 to those who can't afford to purchase new items. 

Wiseman #2:  Your clarification is helpful dear Landlady...I think we can live with that. 

Wiseman #3: I don't want to speak for my friends here,

 but this idea of living in a "permanent Advent" is giving me a deep desire to see Jesus. 

What say you fellas?

Wiseman #1:  I too am experiencing a stirring deep within. 

We owe it to all the other wise ones to continue to seek Christ.

Wiseman #2: And I'll do anything to not have to see any more of these vignettes!

Me:  What?  But I have this really cool photo of a golden angel at the manger and the cross!

 Wisemen #1,#2,#3:  AAUGGHHHH! 

Growing Wiser?

Last night, the wisemen caught their first glimpse of life for another wise one and they weren't sure what to make of it.  Shall we continue the saga?

Me:  Good Evening my favorite wisdom seekers!  Are you ready for the next story?  

Wiseman #1:  We think we are.

Me: OK. Tell me, what do you see?

Wiseman #2:  Another wise man with another 99 cent price tag!  Is that all wise ones are worth in this place of Good Will!

Wiseman #3:  WAIT! What is that sticking out of the top of his head?

Wiseman #1:  Is that a candle wick?  HOLY MOTHER OF GOD! There is a wick coming out of that man's head!  He's a self-immolating wise man!

Wiseman #2:  The horror! The shame!
 
Me:  Well it's not like he's been "lit"...

Wiseman #1:  I surely hope he ends up in a match-free environment.  Oh this is just too much!

Wiseman #2:  I can't bear to think of what happened to his compadres.
 
Me: Calm down.... Is this enlarging your world view?

Wiseman #3:  Only if you move on to another picture.

Me: I'd love to.  Here's our next scene:

Wiseman #3:  That's a refined looking wiseman with a fine gift of gold!

Wiseman #1:  But what and who is that next to him?

Me:  That's a cowboy 'wise one' bringing gifts to the baby Jesus - I think he's holding a nutcracker?

Wiseman #2:  Cowboy?  Cowboys can't be wise! And what kind of a gift is a nutcracker?

Me:  Stop being so judgmental.  Cowboys can be wise ones.  And the nutcracker appears to be the gift he's bringing.  It's the gift he has to offer.  Jesus accepts all gifts.  All.  From everyone.   Now here is the full picture:

Wiseman #3:  IS THIS A JOKE? 

Wiseman #2:  ARE YOU MOCKING US?

Me:  No, this is not a joke and I'm in no way mocking you.  Nativity scenes are depicted in a myriad of ways - different sizes, different cultures, even different species, but all with the same message.  LOVE is BORN.....And if these wanderers who have found themselves in this temporary place of Good Will, have found a way to live out their calling, what is stopping you 3 from continuing your journey?  That step which you fear to take is the one that leads towards life.

Wiseman #1:  Perhaps you speak truth dear landlady.  We will take all of this into consideration.

Me:  I have more pictures to show you!

Wiseman #1:  Not tonight.  We need time to digest.  Come and see us tomorrow.  But can you remove the matches from the top of the commode on your way out please? 

Me:  No one's going to light you on fire!  I promise.

Wiseman #2:  For our peace of mind, please take them away.

Me:  OK, will do....Sleep well little ones...sleep well.

Good Will to Wise Men

In our last installment, our 3 wise ones were left to ponder the words of Mary Lou Kownacki's words from 100 Graces.  Shall we continue the story? Come with me into the the wisemen's domain - the guest bath!

Me:  How are you feeling today?

Wiseman #1:  A bit under the weather... Such dreary rain outside our window today.

Wiseman #2:  Yes, dear landlady, we don't think this is the best day to visit the other wise ones as you suggested the other day.

Me:  Well, lucky for you, we don't have to journey anywhere today.  I will be bringing images to you!

Wiseman #3:  Oh?  You have caught the attention of our collective curiousity!

Me:  Allrighty then.  Several weeks ago I journeyed to a very sacred place called the Goodwill.

Wiseman #1:  As in good will towards men?

Me:  Yes. Something like that.  It's a place that people take their things to that they no longer want or need. Then other people come to this place and purchase these things to take to their homes.

Wiseman #2:  What?  That's awful!  Are you considering taking us there?

Me:  I would never part with any of you! I'm actually bringing the GoodWill here to you today.

Wiseman #2:  We do not understand...

Me:  Just look at this picture and tell me what you see:

Wiseman #1:  A wise one? 

Wiseman #2:  With a price tag!  99 cents?  How can a price be put on a wise one?  WHERE'S THE GOODWILL IN THAT!

Wiseman #3:  Are you trying to upset us?  What is that creature beside him?  A bloated marshmallow wearing clothes?

Wiseman #2:  Watch out for the one behind you, oh wise one!  He's about to attack with that broom!

Me:  Everybody calm down!  This wise one is fine. The snowman is not going to attack! This is a shelf in the Christmas decor section of the Goodwill store.  The point I'm trying to make is that there are many ways to live out one's calling.  

Wiseman #1:  But where are his wise mates?  Isn't he lonely?  How did he end up all alone? 

Me:  I don't have the answers to any of those questions.  But, I do know that he is serving exactly where he is.  And he is NOT alone.   So what if it's with snow people and a comfy clapboard house?  He's still about bringing his gifts, just as he was created to do.

A short silence ensued.....

Wiseman #3:  Can we go to visit this sad man? 

Me:  No, because he's not there anymore.  And I don't see him as being sad.

Wiseman #1:  Did someone buy him for the paltry sum of 99 cents?  I am appalled.

Me:  I'm sure he found a wonderful home.

Wiseman #2:  We are more confused than anything by this news.  Why did he not set out for the holy land? 

Me:  Goodwill was his holy land.

Wiseman #3:  We must have time to process. Can you leave us now, dear landlady?

Me:  That's probably a good idea.  We'll continue our journey tomorrow. In the meantime,  in the words of Luke 2:14, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will towards men.