Last week I arrived early for a funeral at a Catholic church which gave me some time to sit, meditate and pray before the actual service began. This particular church had a huge, imposing crucifix (as opposed to just a Cross) mounted high on the wall behind the alter. I began to count all the crucifixes and Crosses that I could see without moving and got up to seventeen before being interrupted by a friend coming in.
I was born into the Catholic faith and raised
The first call came in about nine one evening, from a woman I'll call Joannie.
I first met Joannie and her four children shortly after they moved in to a shack motel on State Highway some five years ago. This call though was different than most. Joannie called to tell me that her father-in-law was very near to death and she was staying by his side until the end came. We talked about the importance of being there, and how death sometimes brings with it a kind of grace and beauty in the process of letting go. Joannie assured me that she would try and nap some during the overnight hours and that we would talk in the morning.
At 8:45 AM the next morning Joannie called to say that her father-in-law had just died minutes ago. She was with him in the hospital when he passed away. The elderly man actually wasn't her father-in-law by marriage, just emotionally and by the heart. Using that title just saved a lot of complicated explaining. Nobody else from the man's family ever came to see him. It was just him, passing at age 79, and Joannie in the hospital room.
In addition to sharing the sad news, Joannie had another reason for calling. Minutes after the gentleman passed away, Joannie thought to throw the curtain and blinds wide open, allowing the early morning sun to come streaming in. She turned to see where the sun was landing in the hospital room, and through a patchwork of reflections bouncing off of nearby equipment around the old man's bed, a muted splash of light ran up across his still frail body. and that's when Joannie saw something unusual.
There, on the old man's arm, was the number "18." Joannie said it wasn't bold, not large, but it was there. She was sure of it. When I asked what she thought it meant, Joannie immediately said, "I knew right away what it meant. It means Psalm 18 in Scripture. I don't remember it all, so could you look it up for me?"
I found the Psalm and began to read it to Joannie over the phone. "I love you, oh Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge."
"That's it." she said. "I knew that's what that number meant."
Our conversation ended shortly thereafter. For a few moments after hanging up the phone I found myself in prayer and thinking about one life passing and the lives continuing to make sense and meaning of it all.
Our excellent new Clerk of Meeting called yesterday to say that "Friends are being encouraged to stay home and stay warm" by not going to Meeting for Worship on Sunday. Interesting. A smart move, actually, especially given the fact that a 'Noreaster is bearing down on our area for early in the day. The forecast calls for snow to start then turning to sleet and finally rain later on. But with a fair amount of snow and ice on the ground from a storm two days ago, this decision to cancel our Sunday worship seems wise indeed, especially with our older members in mind.
Individually, we know that we can still settle into worship within our own homes at the appointed hour if we want to. But in all honesty, who really will? And knowing that our faith tradition as Friends makes holding our own Meeting for Worship at home very easy to do, takes away any and all excuses for not doing so!
But with a playful eye in mind, it's amusing to think that with a few calls by as many Friends on the Meeting Phone Tree, that just like that, the one scheduled weekly religious service of our spiritual community is canceled!
What would old George Fox say? And with a nod to the bumper sticker, what would Jesus say? Maybe Jesus slept in too? Maybe God would be the first to say, "Hey, that's my body you're putting at risk walking on that icy patch. Stay home, drink hot cocoa, and think of me there."
I've been a Friend now for over thirty years, so perhaps it's okay for me to speak my mind a bit on something.
The NEYM New England Friend came in several weeks ago, with much of if focusing on what didn't get done at NEYM Sessions in August. Seems the whole piece on the FUM Personnel Policy, after what, two years of seeking "clarity," on how to move foreword, ended up producing nothing more than another committee? That's right, another committee to look at yet another piece of business that we didn't get finalized.
Come to think of it, I'm a little hard pressed to remember the last time that New England Quakers actually made a clear, definitive decision on any major piece of business or concern before them. seems we're very good at holding this or that "concern" up to the Light for prayer, consideration or action, but not very good at saying "Yea" or "Nay" and then moving on. Just my thoughts, that's all. Your comments are appreciated, too!
Kevin
