Rare Delights

Today was one of those days that pretty much was perfect.

Beautiful weather, though a little chilly for April.

Bright sunshine, bouncing off of rain puddles.

Spring flowers and flowering trees are blooming and budding. There is color everywhere, yellow, purple, pink. The grass has gone from brown to green.

Mowing time approaches.

Each Tuesday of Holy Week the Diocesan clergy renew their vows. This year the Cathedral was packed, standing room only.

We had one extra cleric visiting.

The Presiding Bishop, our Primate, The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts-Schori.

Being in her presence was truly wonderful, peaceful, challenging, relating.

This woman appears to be truly at home with herself. She appears to be present in each moment, listening, walking, chatting, answering questions. A true gift to not only us today, but to The Episcopal Church, and the Anglican Communion.

Bishop Wright arranged for the Bishop's staff to have our picture taken with the Presiding Bishop, and regardless of how I look, it will be something I will cherish.

After meditating for about four minutes on "You are my beloved and in you I am well pleased," she drew out our experiences. Then moved on to taking questions for about an hour before breaking and celebrating Eucharist. In response to a question I asked, she told the story about being in Nebraska this past week. where three separate congregations (Muslim, Jew, Christian) have purchased property together to build a facility where all three will worship together yet in separately dedicated space. The learning about each other.

To see the Beloved in the Other. To remember that God is well pleased with the Other.

This is what I experienced in Sudan and what I continue to experience today. Sudan, the gift that keeps on giving.

I must be honest. I find the notion that God being well pleased with some of the individuals that walk the earth each day difficult to accept.

However, I have to remember that God's pleasure is not mine.

I cannot begin to define the word pleasure or well pleased in godly terms. I only have the language that I have been taught. Does God even have a language?

Does he/she need one?

Sign language?

A good rainfall not resulting in floods, but providing sustenance to those who are thirsty.

Sunshine aplenty that does not scorch the earth, but brings forth food to feed those who are hungry.

Forests that shelter animals but also provide materials for homes for the homeless.

Families and communities that nurture individualism but responsibility to all.



Peace, Shalom, Salam.