Whimsy

Whimsy is probably the first word one associates with the Lenten season, so bear with me.  Last night, I saw that WQXR, the classical station in New York, was hosting a livestream of pianist Jeremy Dank, playing excerpts from and commenting on Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier.  Dank played like the consumate pro he is and while at it looked sideways directly into the camera to talk with his viewers.  It was quite a performance.  Skilled, charming, whimsical, just what the proverbial doctor ordered during this weird time, this wholly unusual Lent.

It occurred to me during this season, that I'm seeing and connecting with people in many ways.  I participated in a Lenten roundtable discussion about the Resurrection in the morning, offering a needed reminder of the great thing that God does for us through Jesus, later I waved to parishioner driving by my house; he honked, and I felt a welcome sense of the familiar and normal.  I talked with another congregant who came by the church to do her sexton duties; social distancing was observed, but it was great to see this person.  And during the day I exchange emails, facebook messages, and talked on the phone.  All of this culminated in last night's engagement with Mr. Dank and some 350 other people.

I've mentioned this before but it is really hitting home with me this year that Lent is a time to repent for many things, including our warped perspective.  We take people for granted, often want to get on to the next thing, and don't take the time to recognize and appreciate the family or friends with which God has blessed us.  They are one of the anchors that will help us through these dark times.  They are the ones who will bring joy, comfort, and even whimsy into our lives.  For this, we should thank our God.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psalm 51:1-18: Sacrifice

During Lent people often talk about the things they've given up as a sacrifice.  That offering can seem like a burden.  Sometimes that's good, sometimes that's not.  It's good when we part with something that matters so that we can deepen our faith.  It's not when in doing so, we act as if we're doing God some kind of favor, one that deserves praise and acknowledgment.  The psalmist, along with the prophets and others in Scripture, not to mention Jesus, knew this reality.  They knew that it was all too easy for people to fake sacrifice, to look like they were doing something for God but in reality were doing something to boost their own reputation righteousness.  Here, in verses 17 and 18 and Psalm 51 we are told what God really seeks from us: not an animal on an altar, but real introspection and an honest accounting of our sins.  "Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.  The sacrifice o
Read more

Shortest Day

Today is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.  You've probably heard by now about the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, which should be quite a sight.  Of course, this being 2020, the sky will probably be overcast obscuring this celestial event. But rather than be pessimistic, I will indulge in some optimism, some hope, that we will be able to see what has been dubbed "The Christmas Star" - even though Christmas isn't until the 25th and Jesus was likely born in March.  Still, it's the thought that counts, right?  Advent is all about hopeful anticipation, and we're coming to its glorious conclusion. I choose to welcome Christ with an open heart.  What about you?  Will you join me?  Will you look heavenward, confident that, clouds or no clouds, Our Lord is coming to be with us?
Read more

Safe Harbor

Well, it's been a weird Advent, a now seemingly normal feature of this strange year.  Yet despite the upheavals, the inconveniences, the protocols, the dissension, we have arrived at a safe harbor.  Today is Christmas Eve and for the moment we will celebrate our Lord's birth.  Services might be different, gatherings altered, but still we celebrate that miraculous night in Bethlehem long ago.  This day let us focus on the peace, the joy, and the wonder of this day, of what happened 2,000 years ago and is happening this night.  Let us give thanks that Jesus is born and we are safe in God's loving arms.    
Read more