On the First Corinthian Gold Course

On the First Corinthian Golf Course

The Reflection for 22 January, the 3^rd Sunday After Epiphany, will be comments from the Vestry from their Vestry Retreat the day before. The theme of the Vestry Retreat was on how we will work together in the coming year. I had written the outline of a poem as I looked at the lessons for that Sunday and reflecting on the divisions in our nation as we are approaching the Presidential inauguration and congressional hearings for appointments, The Epistle Lesson was from 1^st Corinthians where Paul was lamenting the church in Corinth being divided into three factions on who was right- those who claimed allegiance to Paul, those to Apollos or those to Peter (Cephas). Paul urges them to put all that foolishness aside and focus on following Christ for it is not about who is right. The lessons from Isaiah, the Psalms and Matthew make reference to the people who walk (or sit) in darkness and in my opinion the greatest darkness is when we walk the spiritual path by the light of our own ego. I decided not to make this poem rhyme- that would take the fun out of it.

On the First Corinthian Golf Course

Four Christian Clergy went out to play golf

their names; Roman Catholic is Father Paul,

Father Apollos the Eastern Orthodox Priest,

with Brother Cephas, the Protestant Minister

and Episcopal Rector, the Rev. Mr. Wilson

closing out the Gospel fearsome foursome.

The exercise of Ecumenical duffing was fun.

On the 7^th tee they noted the ambulance sound.

Hearing the sirens they agreed to start to pray

As Rector Wilson reached deep into his golf bag,

Father Paul began prayers with crossing himself,

Archpriest Father Apollos started with his cross.

Brother Cephas incensed, started by stopping them.

“What are you doing with all that superstition?”

The three answered that they were starting prayer.

Cephas says; “Begin with “Father we just want to ask. . ,

as a way of showing humility, begging for free grace.”

“No”, Paul said, “the Cross says I am a true Christian

for God will never consider the prayers of heretics!”

The Orthodox chimed; “But you are crossing wrong,

God will not recognize you as a faithful child.”

The Episcopal Wilson pulled out his Prayer Book,

saying, “Wait until I find the right page for prayer!”

There was a huge sound from the heavens,

Reminding each of them of each of their mother’s

hand slapping her own forehead in frustration.

Then the voice came; “Oy! Vey iz mir! Woman

in that ambulance was the sister of all of you!

Just wait until your older brother gets off work!”