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December 29, 2006

The Heard Word

During this time when we are hoping and praying for peace on earth, we tend to think of war—and only recently our Bishop was even arrested in San Francisco as he rightly protested the war in Iraq. Dr. Martin Luther King taught us so much with his non-violent protests during the 1960’s. But peace isn’t always an international or national affair.
There might be that relative or friend where an estrangement has occurred; and years or months have passed, and it is on your mind. There might be a time when you have said something about someone, or where there has been a serious disagreement and it is bothering you. Year’s end is a good time to bring that to closure. It is peace we seek, and peace we can bring.

Sometimes our overtures might not be accepted or received well; but my grandmother used to talk about “cleaning up my side of the street,” and that is what we can do. We can pray for the person we have offended or who has offended us. In AA, we often say to pray for that person for two weeks every day. If there is still resentment at the end of that time, we should pray that they get something we want. It is surprising how successful that practice works—but then again prayer does work.

So during this season when peace is stressed in our greetings to each other—let us truly invite peace into our hearts at the international, national, and personal levels.
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In the December newsletter, there was an article about the altar flowers. I wanted to add a couple of comments. The flowers on the altar last longer than the Sunday services. Where do they go? There is a small group of Trinity parishioners who make these large floral arrangements into smaller bouquets the following Monday and they deliver them to folks who are home bound or to people who deserve thanks for special Trinity community deeds. Recipients have reported they regard these flowers as extra special. I have been in senior residential centers where the flowers are on the community dining room table and they are continuing to provide enjoyment to an entirely different community. Flowers are not placed on the altar during Advent and Lent.
Happy New Year
Father Fred