Sunday, June 30, 2024

What Is In The Way, Is The Way

Reflection and Poem for 6th Sunday after Pentecost                   Church of the Holy Trinity, Hertford, NC

Thomas E Wilson, Guest Celebrant                                             June 30, 2024

What Is In The Way, Is The Way

2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27         Psalm 130          2 Corinthians 8:7-15            Mark 5:21-43


A couple weeks ago, I was leading a Dream Group, where people come together to share their dreams. We tend to believe that dreams are what what one author called “Unopened Letters From God” There are so many times in scripture when a person is given a dream from God to help them find a new way of responding to occasions in life. Years ago, my wife and I took some educational time off and attended some conferences and workshops about Dream Work within the context of a spiritual journey. This week Joanne Seibert, who went to these conferences, wrote:

Many believe God is the dream maker who speaks to us in the language of dreams at night. However, my experience is that only in a dream group can I find meaning. Looking back on what I thought this dream meant, the answer was obvious, but only other people could see it.

experience is that only in a dream group can I find meaning. Looking back on what I thought this dream meant, the answer was obvious, but only other people could see it.


We set up dream groups in our parish and Pat took a couple groups of women and I took a group of men The task to share your dream and the other members listen and ask questions and then share, “If this were my dream, I would hear the message as . . . .!” Notice we do not act as experts and say what the other persons' dreams means, but what it would be saying to a member of the group who was hearing the Spirit speak to them. Women were better at sharing and growing deeper in the Spirit; men usually competed on who was the smartest and what “SHOULD” be the correct answer; generally wasting time.


Pat's groups continued to grow and thrive. But, much later, when she got weaker, she cut back. When she died, I was asked to take over a remaining group. I stalled in mourning, but after awhile I agreed. This last meeting, one of the women, reflecting on what she was hearing said, “It is just like what I was told once, 'What is in the way, is the Way.'”


I thought about that phrase the rest of the day, the rest of the week. To use that old British slang I was “Gobsmacked”. “Gob” is a British slang for “mouth” and “smacked” meaning “hit”: It literally left me breathless, as if I was slugged in the mouth I was reminded of the time in the mid 1970's, when I was in Grad school and when I first heard that Lyric from Suzanne by Leonard Cohen; in the second chorus after referring to Jesus. I had been attending church but sneeringly avoiding faith, but then I understood that my own so-called wisdom was getting in the way of understanding the Jesus message.

And Jesus was a sailor





When he walked upon the water








And he spent a long time watching
From his lonely wooden tower








And when he knew for certain
Only drowning men could see him








He said, "All men will be sailors then
Until the sea shall free them"








But he himself was broken
Long before the sky would open
Forsaken, almost human








He sank beneath your wisdom like a stone

And you want to travel with him
And you want to travel blind
And you think maybe you'll trust him
For he's touched your perfect body with his mind

“What is in the way is the way!”

When I looked at these lessons, I realized that a theme that spoke to me was these lessons are about people waiting for healing. In the Gospel, Jesus the sailor, is dragged off the boat and dragged through the crowds. The officials in charge want the people to deal with the reality of death and despair. They want Jesus to stay on the boat. But the crowd longs for Jesus to get off the boat to heal them or the people they loved. There are those who find themselves blocked by grief, or pain, or whatever, from moving toward healing; wanting their bodies or the bodies of those they loved to be healed. But the blockage of the crowds IS the door to go through if healing is to begin. “What is in the way, is the way!”

And in the way, that is the way: a woman is healed because because she thinks if only she can, only touch the hem of his garment, she will be healed. And, she stretches, and pushes and yells, for all she is worth; for her life is her worth; she is healed. Just the hem of his garment is all she is able to touch; but it is enough. The touch is the commitment for life, making the effort to live, or die, in hope, “What is in the way, is the way!”

Jesus makes it to the young girl's house; and all the people who are in charge tell him it is too late. Like the Doctor in the office who says we are no longer seeing patients. But office hours, or crush of patients, or the advice of experts melts away and the girl hears the phrase of healing “Talitha Cum”, “Rise little girl!” an invitation to be made whole: “What is in the way, is the way!”

In the Psalm for today, 130, De Profundis: “Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice; *let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.” This is the call of many of us when we want God to listen and fix the problem. When nothing seems to be fixed according to our time table, we tend to get angry about God not acting fast enough and we spend so much time and energy, complaining about God that we just don't get around to listening. The healing is in the listening. In is in the entering of the present moment of prayer that healing finds a way in. “What is in the way, is the Way.”

Joan Chittister, an American Benedictine nun, Spiritual leader and author, urges that we use silence to listen in the present moment. She quotes a Sufi master of living intentionally in the present moment. “Awareness of the power of the present is the essence of the contemplative life. ‘Oh wonder of wonders,’ the Sufi master says, ‘I chop wood, I draw water from the well.'”;even in the mundane task of chopping wood, but being fully aware of God's presence, he is able to fill his spiritual well in his once empty heart. “What is in the way, is the Way.”

We see this in the story of David, who has been fleeing from Saul's mania and now two people whom David loved, Saul and his Son Jonathan, are both dead. David laments the loss of his dear friends, from whom he was so estranged and cries out in pain in his heart; “How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!' When he enters into the awareness of God's presence with him; he praises their valor and mourns their loss. He is losing people who were his enemies; but they were the same people he loved and knew that, underneath, he was loved and beloved by them. “What is in the way, is the Way.”

Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians reading for today, is urging his congregation to be generous in helping others and he refers to the Exodus miracle of the Manna in the wilderness. The word “Manna”, which is the Hebrew word for “What is it?” was the word they used to refer to the bread like substance that looked unappetizing laying on the ground. The manna was all over the ground. It was blocking their way, they can't even walk without stepping on it; BUT when they picked it up; it tasted like honey and filled their hunger: Paul quotes the writer of the Exodus story: “The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.” God gives us what we need to get through what we go through. “What is in the way, is the Way.”

In my own life. I wanted Pat to be healed and back in my everyday life. Death comes to us all and it is not a sign of sloth in faith. I miss her every day, but we loved each other. It is not the number of days that is as important as the love shared in the days we have. Each day we are to love each other, “for richer , for poorer, in sickness and in health.” The vow to love usually ends “until we are separated by death”. To which I would add, what I have learned “ . . . and even beyond being separated by death.” “What is in the way, is the Way.”

What is in your way? May you find; “What is in the way, is the way.”











Saturday, June 15, 2024

Bible Stories Living Into Centuries

A Reflection for the 4th Sunday after Pentecost                  Church of the Holy Trinity, Hertford, NC

June 16, 2024                                                                      Thomas E Wilson , Guest Celebrant

1 Samuel 15:34-16:13     Psalm 20      2 Corinthians 5:6-10,[11-13],14-1     Mark 4:26-34

Bible Stories Living Into Centuries

The Hebrew Testament lessons for the season after Pentecost offer two different options, or Tracts.  One option, Tract 1, is to take a period of time in Scripture and work our way through it as it progresses semi-continuously through the Patriarchal/Exodus narratives (Year A), the Monarchial narratives (Year B), and the Prophets (Year C). The other set, Tract 2 is related thematically, or is complementary, to the gospel lections for those dates.”.


I like using Tract 1 because Episcopalians tend to be somewhat Biblically illiterate and I like to push Episcopalians to learn more about Scripture. This year we are looking at the Monarchical narratives; how do the Children of Israel deal with Kings and the tension between what the Kings want and what the Prophets hear God calling on the Kings to be faithful? You might remember that two weeks ago, I used the story about how the Child Samuel came to grips with a corrupt religion and the beginning of his struggle for reforming the Hebrew faith. He was also beginning the struggle to reform the governmental organization. I tend to push that because in America we live in a dynamic tension between God and Government. Last week, when I was not here, you probably heard the Lesson of Samuel anointing Saul as King.

Well, the first lesson for today has the story of Samuel coming to the end of his patience with Saul. Last week, you heard that Samuel had warned the people that having a King is a tricky business, because Kings want to “Lord” it over their subjects, The people insisted and Samuel anointed Saul, as the winner of the election. Let me fill you in on what happened after Saul won the election. Saul was a mighty warrior and he had won many battles, but with each victory his ego grew even bigger. He started to swagger like all Kings tend to swagger. He started to believe that he, Saul, was in charge, and not God. The final straw was when Samuel delivered the message from God that Saul was to fight against the Amalekites, and utterly wipe them and all their possessions from the face of the earth. The Amalekites, (Boo – Hiss) ,were popular villains in the Biblical Sagas: fightings against God's people. from Moses on his way to the promised land from Egypt, for over six centuries of sagas to King Hezekiah. They were loose confederations of nomadic tribes of raiders who lived in the Negev and Arabian deserts

Well, Saul won the battle, but when he looked over the treasure and cattle and livestock of the Amalekites, the thought it would be a waste of so much treasure settled in his heart and avarice. So. he divided up the treasure and let the King, Agag, be spared, for while he was the enemy, he had been very successful before meeting Saul, and you never know when you might need a good bandit to help out shared enemies. You may have noticed that in history, yesterday's enemy can become tomorrow's friend and vice versa.

Samuel looks over the treasure and he suggests that Saul is more interested in getting rich than he is in following God. When Samuel turns from Saul, Saul reaches over to stop him from turning away and he accidentally rips Samuel's cloak. Samuel tells Saul as the cloak has been ripped, so God will rip away Saul's Kingdom from him. Then, as a master of bad timing, Agag comes waltzing in, smiling, showing up still alive; that really frosts Samuel's cookies. To settle the argument, Samuel takes a sword to the smiling Agag and hacks him into pieces. It is my hope that when you heard the story of Samuel begin, you might have been tempted to pick up your Bible to read what happens in the story before this week's lesson

Samuel, throws the bloody sword on the ground and starts on the next job of finding a replacement for Saul. The lesson for today tells us that Samuel goes to the House of Jesse and looks over his sons. The sons are strong and good looking, but Jesse does not hear God's approval. There is another son, but he is young and is watching the sheep. He does not fit the outward image of warrior from Central Casting, but God sees differently than humans, and David is anointed. This begins the David Saga as Saul and David enter into competition for the favor of the people.

Next week, you will hear the David and Goliath story and in two weeks when I come back, we will have the death of Saul, and David's lament; “How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished.” That next week after that, the first Sunday of July, we will see how David is made King over all of Israel. These parts of the story will cover about 10 chapters, about 30 pages, finishing 1st Samuel and starting 2nd Samuel. The next week after that, when I won't be here as well, there is a doozy of a story where David brings the Ark of the Covenant into the City and is so full of himself that he dresses in a linen ephod and leaps so high in dancing that he flashes the people, and one of his wives, Michel, Saul's Daughter, reads him the riot act and frosts the wedding bed. This will set up room for Bathsheba. The early warnings of Samuel about the Pride of Kings come back as we watch David deal with his responsibility. In August, you will finish the David story and got into the Solomon story. Keep the reading up; it helps you to understand what the first lesson is relating each week of the tension between the power of politics and the faith of love.

Plus, the people you interview for the job will have a hint you are not just passive readers, but want to have a relationship that is spiritual as well as organizational and personal. They will know that you know that leaders will have flaws and you are there to help them in a shared ministry.


The story of David for today ties into the Gospel lesson as well. David is such a small person that people want to sell him short; like the Mustard Seed, in Jesus metaphor, which is overlooked, but is able to grow and provide a place of peace for the birds of the air. This church is a small church and we run the risk of not seeing what is growing inside.When I was here two weeks ago, I saw you reach outside yourself to help young people in this community. You know how to welcome people and I am exhibit A of people you have helped.

On June 23rd a year ago, my wife died and I was part of the walking wounded. The service for her needed to wait until the families could get here and it was set to be on July 31st. You reached out to me and put me to work on the 16th of July as I bumped into furniture, but it was a chance for me to get away as the center of my own universe. You were kind and I was thankful. Later, you visited me when I was in the hospital and prayed for me. You know how to love and you accepted what little I had to give. You were faithful in bringing me out of the valley of the shadow.

My standard line I will give to each applicant who asks me; “These people know how to love and to forgive. Don't disappoint them! Walk with them, Be at home with them as they reach out to share your ministry to the community and this church.”

This afternoon, I will drop Yoda, the Wonder Dog, off at the Kennel and tomorrow morning fly to Colorado to spoil my grandsons, my daughter and her husband for a week, Then I will come back and try to finish a sermon, on the death of Saul, “How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!' That sermon carries a history.

I have to warn you that Track 1 can get you into trouble. Forty years ago, soon after my ordination, I was serving as the assistant to the Rector, of the Church and as Chaplain to Episcopal Students at Virginia Tech. Filled with self importance and reacting to the then US President Ronald Regan, mining the Harbors of Nicaragua at the time. My refrain was David's lament at the death of Saul and his sons: “How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!' It was one of my sermons that received the most displeasure by any congregation. I started off preaching by breaking the rule that politics have no place in the pulpit. I learned that few people cared about my politics. Priests are not here to straighten out your politics, I am here to remind you to love each other and your neighbors, and even your enemies. I don't know what I will say; but I do know what I am not going to say. When you hire the new person, you may have to forgive her or him and get whatever out in the open. My people did.

Lets see what happens. Read the lessons and read your Bible on what goes on between the lessons. Then; I ask you to Pray about what these lessons seem to be saying to you living in Hertford, North Carolina in this year of our Lord 2024.

Bible Stories Living Into Centuries

Sex and Violence, Prayers and Songs

Different each week for new messages,

Hope and peace told in these premises,

Working to touch what our heart longs.

When we hear, we become Davids anew,

Holding on to slim strengths of our own,

Reaching out, so as to not find us alone,

But to return to the hope we once knew.

Stories told us when we were children,

Out of memory, or the illustrated books,

Picturing old men with so long beards,

Flying through the air as like big birds.

Fixing humans with very serious mien.

Yet all around, was the love we'd seen.