An Elder Pilgrim's Reflections

"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" Isaiah 58:6 In my time of spiritual immaturity, I often chose to fast from chocolate. For some that's easy to do because they are not chocoholics as I am. So fasting from chocolate for Lent is no big deal for them.  In one church I announced I was fasting from chocolate for Lent. The folks in the church thought it would be fun to see if they could "lead me into temptation" by offering chocolate goodies at coffee hour. I did not "yield unto temptation." On Easter Sunday one family invited Elaine and me to dinner. It was a well prepared meal with typical Easter offerings. And for dessert? A THICK, CREAMY,  HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE PIE! This, of course, is not what fasting is about. Isaiah makes that clear in vs.6 where the Lord has defined an acceptable fast.  Isaiah 58's criticism is for people who t...

 "God is our refuge and strength,  an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear,  though its waters roar and foam  and the mountains quake with their surging." Psalm 46:1-2 Thunder Hole is a main attraction in Acadia N.P. The best time to see the waves crashing over the rocks is at 3/4 rising tide after a storm at sea. That's when raging "waters roar and foam" with a terrifying power. For safety the Park has installed walkways and safety railings.  In August 2009,  Hurricane Bill’s storm surge struck with fierce power as the raging waves lashed up and crashed on sightseers. The waves swept over 20 people; 11 were taken to the hospital for broken bones, three swept, into the turbulent sea, one of which died. Psalm 46 states the good news that God is “with us.” That's reinforced in the refrain in verses 7 & 11  "The Lord Almighty is with us;     the God of Jacob is our fortress." Thus, Psalm 46, is often labeled a psalm...

But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary,  they shall walk and not faint.   Isaiah 40:31  As of yet I haven't been able to schedule an appointment for a COVID vaccination. Moreover, I am confused. It seems the virus is mutating into something more easily spread and more dangerous. It feels as though the vaccine can't be produced and distributed fast enough.  I am confused when people resist getting vaccinated. Some simply resist any vaccine and some resist for political reasons even though science has shown a virus may be controlled, but not necessarily leave the body. For example, after having childhood measles people may experience a shingles outbreak. I wonder how we will ever get back to normal. I wonder about grief over losses and the long-term impact on mental health. Isaiah was writing for the Israelites who were lamenting their situation of captivity. They felt aba...

In those days Jesus came from  Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by  John in the Jordan. Mark 1:9 As seminarian one of my duties was teaching the confirmation class. On communion Sunday it was the pastor's practice to lay his hand on the shoulder of a confirmand and say a brief blessing instead of serving the elements. The pastor came to one confirmand, placed bread in his hand, realized the youth hadn't been confirmed, and took the bread back.  Something didn't seem right with that action.  That was followed by a professor who said that confirmation is a ritual in search of a meaning. This was also the beginning of my journey in understanding Christian baptism. That journey led to the following conclusions: Christian baptism by water and the Spirit is a commitment to following Jesus manifesto of the Great Commandment, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and healing the sick. It is a commitment to resisting evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they...