Thought-provoking Quotes

Thought-provoking Quotes

"The justice of God is not that we are allowed to complete what we have begun, but the grace of God is that we are allowed to participate in what God has begun." -Peter J. Gomes

"For all that has been THANKS! For all that will be YES!" -Dag Hammarskjold

Book Review: At Day's Close

At Day’s Close: Night In Times Past

A. Roger Ekirch

New York & London: W.W. Norton & Company, 2005 & 2006

447 pages, including: Illustrations, Acknowledgements, Preface, Notes and Index

Paperback

Reviewed by Rev. Eclecticity 

This volume is a rather unique contribution to the study of night—an eclectic potpourri of history, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and more, dating from the late Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution. An engaging and entertaining read, yet at times tedious, having to contend with around seventy pages of endnotes.

The structure of this work is divided up into four parts and twelve chapters. Part One, “In the Shadow of Death,” describes the negative, evil, threatening nature of night. Part Two, “Laws of Nature,” portrays how religious and civil authorities attempted to employ suppressive measures like curfews and watchmen to control nocturnal human activities. Part Three, “Benighted Realms,” examines men and women at work and at play; and how night transformed the traditional, class-oriented daytime roles. Part Four, “Private Worlds,” addresses the world of sleep and dreams, as well as evening rituals.

Each of the four parts and chapters begins with a thought-provoking quotation, such as: “Never greet a stranger in the night, for he may be a demon.” THE TALMUD “The law is not the same at morning and at night.” GEORGE HERBERT “Many things even go best in the raw night-hours.” VIRGIL, 1^ST CENTURY B.C. “Happy are those who can get rid of their problems when sleeping.” GUILLAUME BOUCHET

In addition to the familiar beliefs associated with night, the author points out other factors that torment human beings after dark, such as: strange sounds, distorted sights, the fear of robbers, rapists, murderers, and other malevolent beings. The nocturnal habits of royalty, clergy, the rich and the poor, prostitutes and outcasts of all kinds. Even a husband or wife would kill their spouse while they were asleep. Many a fire started from burning candles and melting wax when folks fell asleep—claiming lives and homes. Sometimes fires were deliberately started and could destroy entire streets because the buildings were so close together and people had little or no equipment to put them out. Accidents occurred on city streets at night when horses and carriages ran over pedestrians who were unable to find safety on narrow streets. People were injured or killed from falls into cisterns, holes, and cellars at night. Many were afraid to travel at night for fear of being robbed, mistakenly killed or beaten, or getting lost due to darkness.

On the upside of night, in both Jewish and Christian traditions, clergy encouraged reading, study, prayers and devotions. Religious minorities often met secretly at night and held their worship services, including weddings and burials.

Ekirch also ponders such traditions as: the origin of bedtime clothing for the middle and upper classes in the sixteenth century, while the poor slept in their day clothing and without blankets, sleep as terror for those who fear their enemies or have nightmares, sleep as a blessing for those who have visions and ecstatic dreams, the recommended hours of sleep for a healthy life, and the influence of gas lighting in cities during the nineteenth century, among various and sundry other subjects.

   

After 30 days

I've completed the Tutu 30 Days of Forgiveness Challenge. It surprised me in some respects. There was a person from the past with whom I had a falling out. Many years have past since then and I thought all had been forgiven. Yet, with this challenge I realized that I still need to release the relationship to complete the forgiveness process, which, by the grace of God, I was able to do. Check out this video if you are interested in pursuing forgiveness further.

Tutu Global Forgiveness Challenge Day 2

Here is what the Tutus wrote for today's challenge. Hope you enjoy it and consider signing up, if you haven't already.

Day 2: The Science of Forgiveness

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the second day of our journey to understand and practice forgiveness. Did you know that forgiveness is now gaining attention as an academic discipline studied not only by philosophers and theologians, but also by psychologists and physicians?

There are dozens of research projects taking place at universities around the world. Even neuroscientists are studying the biology of forgiveness and exploring the parts of the brain that light up when we forgive. There are even some who are looking to see if there might be a forgiveness gene somewhere in our DNA. Isn’t that amazing? Here is a quick summary of what they are finding.

The Findings

As modern forgiveness research evolves, the findings clearly show that forgiving transforms people mentally, emotionally, spiritually and even physically. There are psychological benefits to forgiving (reduced depression, decreased anger, increased self-confidence) but there are also very real and concrete physical benefits.

People who are more forgiving report fewer health problems and fewer physical symptoms of stress. When you hang on to anger and resentment and live in a constant state of stress, you increase your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, and so many other chronic stress-related illnesses.

So what do we want you to know today? We want you to know that forgiving is good for your health! It’s good for your body. It’s good for your heart. It’s good for your health. It’s good for your soul.

With Love,

Desmond & Mpho

Tutu Global Forgiveness Challenge

One of the inspiring and insightful Christians in our day is Desmond Tutu. He has started, as of today, a Global Forgiveness Challenge. Forgiveness, likely for most of us, is or has been a challenge, especially if there has been great loss or hurt due to cruelty, evil, oppression, injustice, abuse, etc. However, it is possible, with the help of God, thanks to the grace, saving work, and influence of Jesus. I don't think we ever become "experts" at forgiveness, given the human condition. However, with practice, hopefully we continue to learn and grow through the journey. So I've signed up for this 30 day challenge, how about you? 

Good Friday

Painting by Marc Chagall, White Crucifixion

This painting, by Jewish artist Marc Chagall, is one of my favourites. I like it for at least two reasons: i) It depicts Jesus as a Jew, notice he is wearing what looks like a Jewish prayer shall. ii) Around the cross there are also Jews who are fleeing for their lives, likely from eastern European pogroms, and reminiscent of their plight during the Shoah. Unfortunately, historically, Jews have often lived in fear for their lives far too often during Holy Week celebrations. Christians fuelled the evil fires of antisemitism and anti-Judaism, and carried out violent acts against God's Chosen. As Christians we need to continue to renounce all antisemitism and anti-Judaism.  

   Yet, paradoxically for me, Good Friday is one of the most, if not "the" most meaningful days of the church's liturgical year. I love J.S. Bach's St Matthew Passion, and think it is the best choral work ever composed. I also find the older traditional Lutheran Tre Ore (Three Hour) Good Friday liturgy based on the Seven Last Words of Jesus from the Cross and the classic Lutheran hymn "Jesus in Thy Dying Woes," composed by Thomas Pollock, sung to the tune "Ack, Vad Ar Dock Livet Har," from the Stockholm, Swedish Koralpsalmboken  profoundly simple, yet most moving. The hymn is divided up into seven parts, and each part consisting of three stanzas. It is a beautiful prayer-meditation on Christ's Passion. The version of it below is from our Lutheran Book of Worship, I'm rather disappointed that in our newest hymnbook, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, that it is omitted. 

Part I

1 Jesus in thy dying woes, Even while thy life-blood flows,

Craving pardon for thy foes: Hear us holy Jesus.

2 Saviour, for our pardon sue When our sins thy pangs renew,

For we know not what we do:Hear us holy Jesus.

3 Oh, may we, who mercy need, Be like thee in heart and deed,

When with wrong our spirits bleed: Hear us holy Jesus.

Part II

4 Jesus, pitying the sighs Of the thief, who near thee dies,

Promising him paradise:Hear us holy Jesus.

5 May we in our guilt and shame Still thy love and mercy claim,

Calling humbly on they name:Hear us holy Jesus.

6 May our hearts to thee incline, Looking from our cross to thine. Cheer our souls with hope divine:Hear us holy Jesus.

Part III

7 Jesus, loving to the end Her whose heart thy sorrows rend,

And thy dearest human friend:Hear us holy Jesus.

8 May we in thy sorrows share, For thy sake all peril dare,

And enjoy thy tender care:Hear us holy Jesus.

9 May we all thy loved ones be, All one holy family,

Loving for the love of thee:Hear us holy Jesus.

Part IV

10 Jesus, whelmed in fears unknown, With our evil left alone,

While no light from heaven is shown: Hear us holy Jesus.

11 When we seem in vain to pray And our hope seems far away, 

In the darkness be our stay: Hear us holy Jesus.

12 Though no Father seem to hear, Though no light our spirits cheer, May we know that God is near: Hear us holy Jesus.

Part V

13 Jesus, in thy thirst and pain, While thy wounds thy lifeblood drain, Thirsting more our love to gain: Hear us holy Jesus.

14 Thirst for us in mercy still; All thy holy work fulfill; 

Satisfy thy loving will: Hear us holy Jesus.

15 May we thirst thy love to know; Lead us in our sin and woe

Where the healing waters flow; Hear us holy Jesus.

Part VI

16 Jesus, all our ransom paid, All thy Father's will obeyed;

By thy suff'rings perfect made: Hear us holy Jesus.

17 Save us in our soul's distress; Be our help to cheer and bless, While we grow in holiness: Hear us holy Jesus.

18 Brighten all our heav'nward way With an ever holier ray

Till we pass to perfect day: Hear us holy Jesus.

Part VII

19 Jesus, all thy labour vast, All thy woe and conflict past;

Yielding up thy soul at last: Hear us holy Jesus.

20 When the death shades round us low'r, Guard us from the tempter's pow'r, Keep us in that trial hour: Hear us holy Jesus.

21 May thy life and death supply Grace to live and grace to die,

Grace to reach the home on high: Hear us holy Jesus.

A short, short story on keeping Lent

What does it mean for us twenty-first century Christians to “keep Lent”? the pastor asked his congregation this rhetorical question in a sermon on the first Sunday in Lent.

   There was silence for a few seconds. Then Pastor Jacob continued with the rest of his sermon on “What do you give up or take on for Lent?”

   After the service, shaking hands with his parishioners there wasn’t a word spoken to Pastor Jacob about his sermon. He wondered whether his message made any difference. He wondered if he made any difference. What was God up to in his life and in the life of the members of this congregation, Resurrection Lutheran Church? Sunday after Sunday the same response, the same soul-wrenching questions. Were there ever going to be any answers? he wondered. The more he looked and longed for, the less he saw any signs of resurrection in himself or his parishioners.

   Then, one day while preparing yet another sermon for Sunday, there was a knock on his office door. He opened it. In front of him stood a homeless drunk whom he had seen in church before.

   The drunk surprised him when he blurted out, “Pastor, I would like to take on something for Lent, can you baptize me?”

   They sat down and chatted further, they agreed to go ahead with the baptism next Sunday, even though Resurrection Lutheran frowned on such a practice during Lent.

   Next Sunday Bjorn Egan was baptized much to the surprise and dismay of many parishioners. Pastor Jacob wondered what was going to happen next. Was that the last he would see of Bjorn Egan?

   The days passed by quickly and as the pastor began the Sunday service, he was shocked and delighted to see Bjorn Egan and a dozen or so other street people sitting in the two back pews.

   Of course the congregation glared at them as if to say “What are you doing here?”

   After the service when Bjorn Egan shook hands with Pastor Jacob, he asked him: “My friends here were wondering if you would baptize them too?”