April 22, 2008

pansies, anyone?

The world is overcome not through destruction, but through reconciliation. Not ideals, nor programs, nor conscience, nor duty, nor responsibility, nor virtue, but only God's perfect love can encounter reality and overcome it. Nor is it some universal idea of love, but rather the love of God in Jesus Christ, a love genuinely lived, that does this.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer Meditations on the Cross

My administrator(trix?), Jenn, has left for her own denomination's Big Meeting. She will be gone for ten days. She has done a great job of getting everything in order before leaving. We have people filling in for her. That too is a great thing. It should go smoothly. In saying that, however, I may have tempted fate* just a bit. We'll see. At any rate, I am looking forward to focusing on some of the less concrete aspects to my work as pastor.

The weather here has improved. Spring seems to have finally taken residence and I have started walking whenever I can again. Monday I walked in Andersonville. And to get home, I took the train to Ouilmette and walked from the station to l'chateau. I think it might be a three mile walk. It was lovely. Daffodils and tulips are blooming as are some of the flowering trees. White, purple, pink and that vibrant daffodil yellow are simply stunning after all the gray of winter.

I think of these walks as a procession of sorts. Though I am the one walking, the flowers (seasons?) are the ones in procession. They appear in our midst bearing promises...and proclamations as we do when we process into the sanctuary on Sunday morning. I find the change in the season uplifting. I can understand the desire to craft a theology from such a transition. Rebirth. Vibrancy. I find myself wanting to find time to soak it in, to take notice of the world around me. So, I walk. Changes in seasons pass quickly and I wish to take time to notice.

Taking notice allows me time to center myself on what is important, upon the relationships and habits that uphold me. Friends. Feasting. Prayer. Music. I have not had a mandolin lesson since before Easter. It's time I get back to it. I also feel like I have left discipleship off my list of "important things and habits to notice/do/ruminate. Bonhoeffer makes an appearance as I chew on these things.

Reconciliation belongs to all creation. As people learn to reconcile with one another we are participating in reconciliation that God has already worked in all creation. As people learn to love selflessly, we are participating in the Love Christ brought to fruition on the cross. I must learn to live in this constant Spring, live remembering all life is forever in bloom...Resurrected with Jesus. I too arose at Easter.

*Some of my seminary professors would remind me that for the Christian, there is no such possibility. - The AngloBaptist

Posted by tripp at April 22, 2008 06:33 PM
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