Today the  Episcopalian commemorates the live of Anna Julia Haywood Cooper. A strong woman of faith who fought to be educated as an African-American woman, she was dedicated to the principles of Christian faith as expressed by Anglicans in the United States. It would serve is well in Canada to be reminded today of those who like Haywood Cooper found a voice to fight for justice for all.

Here is what satucket.com shares about her:

Anna Julia Haywood Cooper (August 10, c1859- February 27, 1964). Educator, advocate and scholar. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina to an enslaved woman and a white man, presumably her mother’s master, Anna Julia was an academically gifted child and received a scholarship to attend St. Augustine Normal School and Collegiate Institute, a school founded by the Episcopal Church to educate African-American teachers and clergy. There she began her membership in the Episcopal Church. After forcing her way into a Greek class designed for male theology students, Anna Julia later married the instructor, George A.C. Cooper, the second African-American ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in North Carolina. After her husband’s death in 1879, Cooper received degrees in mathematics from Oberlin College, and was made principal of the only African American high school in Washington D.C.. She was denied reappointment in 1906 because she refused to lower her educational standards. Throughout her career, Cooper emphasized the importance of education to the future of African Americans, and was critical of the lack of support they received from the church. An advocate for African-American women, Cooper assisted in organizing the Colored Women’s League and the first Colored Settlement House in Washington, D.C. She wrote and spoke widely on issues of race and gender, and took an active role in national and international organizations founded to advance African Americans.  At the age of fifty-five she adopted the five children of her nephew. In 1925, Cooper became the fourth African-American woman to complete a Ph.D degree, granted from the Sorbonne when she was sixty-five years old. From 1930-1942, Cooper served as president of Frelinghuysen University.

On our Lenten journey — can we seek to be inspired by such strong voices for justice and look to give a voice to those who suffer injustice? Join us each Wednesday during Lent to hear our series of speakers who will give us some ideas on what we might be able to do. This week the Rev Bruce Jackson from the Village of Aspen lake will be with us to discuss Elder care and spirituality — our program begins at 7:30 PM in the Upper Room of the Church hall.

Hidden Greatness – Henri Nouwen

There is much emphasis on notoriety and fame in our society. Our newspapers and television keep giving us the message: What counts is to be known, praised, and admired, whether you are a writer, an actor, a musician, or a politician.
Still, real greatness is often hidden, humble, simple, and unobtrusive. It is not easy to trust ourselves and our actions without public affirmation. We must have strong self-confidence combined with deep humility. Some of the greatest works of art and the most important works of peace were created by people who had no need for the limelight. They knew that what they were doing was their call, and they did it with great patience, perseverance, and love.

We all want love, appreciation, and we all want to be validated and affirmed in some way. All of that being said, we also know that there real best things that we most appreciate in life are often those quiet gestures of love that no one really knows anything about. Much of the greatness that surrounds us daily is indeed a ‘hidden greatness.’ Think about those times when love was expressed to us in the simple form of a pot of soup when we were ill. How about that gesture of support or warm embrace in the time of loss? Think of the hours that friends/family have given us when we needed someone present and we had no need for words. How about those who take time to be with those that others find uncomfortable to be with because they are ‘broken,’ ill, isolated, rejected…the list is extensive?

Greatness is indeed often very unobtrusive. What might we accomplish if we could lay aside our need to be affirmed and praised? What might we be able to change in another’s life if our motive is simply his/her comfort and not our feeling better for having done it? Lent brings us into a time of serious self-examination. Can we repent of our need to be acknowledged and respond this Lenten Season by taking on quiet, unobtrusive, and hidden acts of love for others?  

Let us be reminded of the words of the Gospel for As Wednesday ….

 “Whenever you give to the poor, don’t blow your trumpet as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they may get praise from people. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that you may give to the poor in secret. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.

“When you pray, don’t be like hypocrites. They love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so that people will see them. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.

“And when you fast, don’t put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They distort their faces so people will know they are fasting. I assure you that they have their reward. When you fast, brush your hair and wash your face. Then you won’t look like you are fasting to people, but only to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 “Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

St. Matthias

Today the Church keeps the Feast of St. Matthias. We know very little about this man. What we find of him is scripture is that he was chosen as the replacement for Judas —- we all know his story.  So for those of us not real fresh on the story of St. Matthias – here is the one piece of biblical text about the great saint:

 During this time, the family of believers was a company of about one hundred twenty persons. Peter stood among them and said, “Brothers and sisters, the scripture that the Holy Spirit announced beforehand through David had to be fulfilled. This was the scripture concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus. This happened even though he was one of us and received a share of this ministry.” (In fact, he bought a field with the payment he received for his injustice. Falling headfirst, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines spilled out. This became known to everyone living in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Hakeldama, or “Field of Blood.”)  “It is written in the Psalms scroll,

   Let his home become deserted and let there be no one living in it;
and
Give his position of leadership to another.

 “Therefore, we must select one of those who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus lived among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when Jesus was taken from us. This person must become along with us a witness to his resurrection.” So they nominated two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.

 They prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s deepest thoughts and desires. Show us clearly which one you have chosen from among these two to take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” When they cast lots, the lot fell on Matthias. He was added to the eleven apostles.

Now once we get past the gory bits about Judas busting open in the middle and losing his intestines in the field (not recommended reading before the lunch hour), we come to learn that the disciples felt it necessary to fulfill the words of Psalm 109:8. “Give his position of leadership to another.” Now the question became, “how do we do this?” Discerning leadership in the church or in any other institution is not easy work. In the case of Matthias we hear two things. First – the people of God prayed! Novel concept for many, but for those of us who walk in the footprints of Jesus, this should be our first response. The second thing we learn, is that they cast lots – some believed that God would reveal who would be ‘elevated’ in the result of the casting (Incidentally, some still think this way – when you hand rosary beads from your slot machines, or pray that God would affect the outcome of a game of chance, the same principle applies). The lot fell on Matthias – he was chosen and is now known as the guy who replaced ‘that guy!!!’ But the intriguing part for me is what is not in the story. Surely there was more to it. They prayed and no doubt the Spirit spoke. Of the 120 in the community, gifts of a couple of people in particular must have been identified. I wish we know more about what those gifts were. We will never know. That being said, we do know that when we seek the counsel of the Spirit, we can see where God is leading is in terms of finding the gifts for leadership our communities and institutions need.

Just before heading out to Newfoundland last week, we had our first Parish Leadership Team (Our Parish Council). Meeting with our four new members present. Each year we must replace our PLT vacancies (thankfully none of those being replaced faced the fate of Judas). As I read about Matthias this morning I was taken back to that first meeting of a newly constituted group of leaders. It was very good meeting with great input from the four new leaders that had been raised up by our community at our Annual Vestry meeting.  Had me thinking about what we did in early February to elect that group. I am pleased to say that we did not ‘cast lots’ to decide who would be our Leaders in this church for 2012. For weeks leading up to that meeting we asked folks to pray about who might have what is needed to lead. In my own prayers I asked God to reveal for us those who might be able to bring gifts of direction, flexibility, adaptability, insight, awareness, skill and faith to see our congregation continue to grow in faith.   I believe that Chris, Stephen, Dan, and Elaine who have joined our team all bring unique wisdom and vision to us. Likewise our new Warden, Christian Paulton, also brings great energy, a discerning mind and a great love for God and for the church.  I am grateful as are the faithful of this church for those that have served and have now stepped down, including Barbara Lyons, Jerry Pardy, Bob Cooper, Christie Paulton, and Scott Shields – and I am thankful as well for the new gifts lifted up in Stephen Willets, Christine McVeigh, Elaine Janosik, Dan Beaulieau, and Christian Paulton.

On this Feast of St. Matthias perhaps it is a good time for us to reflect on leadership in the church and how we renew that leadership. Often we are guilty of simply plugging names into vacant positions. As the year moves forward we may all have leadership positions in this church, in other churches, in other organizations or institutions that may need to be filled. Let’s agree to take time to step back, take a breath, offer some time for prayer and discernment, and let God lead us in identifying the for us those who will lead….or we could cast lots the next time we need someone to chair a committee??

Today’s Epistle reading in the Eucharistic Lectionary is from James Chapter 2:

My brothers and sisters, when you show favouritism you deny the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been resurrected in glory. Imagine two people coming into your meeting. One has a gold ring and fine clothes, while the other is poor, dressed in filthy rags. Then suppose that you were to take special notice of the one wearing fine clothes, saying, “Here’s an excellent place. Sit here.” But to the poor person you say, “Stand over there”; or, “Here, sit at my feet.” Wouldn’t you have shown favouritism among yourselves and become evil-minded judges?

 My dear brothers and sisters, listen! Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor by worldly standards to be rich in terms of faith? Hasn’t God chosen the poor as heirs of the kingdom he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonoured the poor. Don’t the wealthy make life difficult for you? Aren’t they the ones who drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who insult the good name spoken over you at your baptism? 

You do well when you really fulfill the royal law found in scripture, Love your neighbour as yourself. But when you show favouritism, you are committing a sin, and by that same law you are exposed as a lawbreaker.   CEB

It seems to me that this is a tall order for us today. We have a real complex with showing honour and favouritism to those who already have much. What movie star, hockey legend, business superstar, favourite singer, etc, pays for much of anything in this world? Take the Oscars as an example. Last year’s swag bag was worth over $75 000. That’s correct folks – $75 000! How about swanky restaurants, exclusive clubs, private suites in sports arenas? Those who have so much are given so much more. It may be unjust and unfair, but it is the way of our society.

The danger here is that we read this pericope and think about the far off world of Hollywood or the haunts of the finest hotel. But what about our response to this epistle reading? Is it possible that we participate in this behaviour as well? Are we as excited or anxious to sit and eat with those who are down-and-out as we would be to chow down with a celeb? – Rhetorical question!

 So this scripture is tough. It calls us to a high standard of behaviour and it is not a standard that is easy to attain to. The writer of James has laid out a very clear and specific idea of who this neighbour that we are called to love is. That neighbour is poor, rejected, dishonoured, broken, ill, unfinished, and often alone. The call of this epistler is to radical acceptance of those that are unacceptable by other standards.

What might that look like for us? Are there people that we can embrace that need our embracing? Does the possibility exist that we show favour to those who look good? Is it within the realm of possibility that we prefer those who have positions of power over the powerless? Do we want to be with the popular rather than with the so-called ‘loser?’ Again – all rhetorical questions? We know the answers.  We also know that this form of behaviour has led to many a problem – in our schools, our families, our workplaces, our social circles, and dare I say it – even in our churches. The irony is that our favour means little to those who are in the seat of success, but to those who are hurting, our favour could mean so very much.  

So how do we respond? We cannot all be Mother Teresa of Calcutta. But all of us, perhaps, can identify an opportunity to refuse to show favouritism. We all can pray to have our eyes opened and our ears perked to identify with the one who is rejected, broke, lonely, depressed, forgotten, ill, tormented, or hungry in the many ways in which one can hunger.

I have been guilty of showing favour to those who probably have no need for my favour. How about you? Now I must look to see where I could show love, hope, healing, acceptance, forgiveness, and embrace where it can make such a difference. How about you? 

“The truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering the more you suffer because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you in proportion to your fear of being hurt” – Thomas Merton

 

Of late I have noticed that we all have an unbelievable capacity to aversion. What we are adverse to is usually that which causes us trouble. This is no surprise of course.  Suffering is not something anyone dearly looks forward to. However, the truth that is so well articulated by Thomas Merton remains. Suffering is a part of the human condition. Into all of our lives falls some suffering. How do we respond to it?

It is noticeable that the present climate of our world is one that elevates an image of ‘the perfect’ life. This leads to a sense of overt frustration and self pity when things do not ‘go our way.’ There is a propensity to look at a day, or a week, a few months or year and wish it had not been.  There are some questions that we should perhaps be asking ourselves.  How are we being attentive to what we are feeling when we are in the midst of our struggles? What do we notice about ourselves, our reactions our aversions or our apprehensions? Are we able to articulate what is happening within ourselves when we struggle or suffer? How are we relating to those around us when we are suffering? How does another’s suffering impact us? If we cannot take time, in the midst of suffering, to ask these sorts of questions we will go immediately to aversion. And yes, Merton is right, smaller things will absorb our attention and smaller things will torture us.

Life cannot be without suffering, pain, and loss. But life is not all that. As much as we need to be very aware of what his happening within ourselves when we are in great joy or celebration, we must also become very aware of what is happening in our times of struggle. We should not live entirely in one place or in the other. In the same breath, we should not run away from those places either. We should not be so quick to run away from suffering, or avoid what is happening in the midst of it. So instead of wishing away time and experience, let us think about entering into our experiences. It is hard work to say the least, but it is work that will allow for a sense of enlightened response to what is happening in the midst of even the most difficult of situations. 

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ― Howard Thurman

Today I enter into the my last few hours of class as a doctoral student at McCormick Theological Seminary. I must admit to very mixed emotions this morning. Am I excited? Sure – yes – I guess! It is exiting to know that three years of work is nearing completion. But I am also a little melancholy this morning. This will be my last class with my friends and colleagues Rick and Cynthia who were with me when I stared in 2009. This will be my last opportunity here at McCormick to engage with new friends. This week I have been inspired by Chris, Christine, Anna, Haeran, and Jerry who were a part of this class. They have each been a gift to me. This will be my last opportunity here to be introduced to amazing faculty and guest professors who, like Jerry Tosahlis this week, have helped me seek to better understand who I am and how I relate to ministry.  This will be my last trip to Chicago for a week of study and reflection. This will be my last opportunity in a seminar setting at McCormick. I will miss it! The last opportunity to check in at the nerve center of DMin-hood. McCormick’s own West Wing (despite its location in the East end of the Building). The Dean Jeff Japinga and Regina Hunter, Admin. Assist. Of Doctoral level programs, along with Martha Brown, Director of Doctorate of Ministry recruitment keep our program moving forward like a well oiled machine. Martha is such a kind soul, who was the first voice of McCormick for me and is singlehandedly responsible for my recruitment. Regina is a presence of the Spirit whose smile and willingness to help brings peace each day. Jeff is a steady and reassuring hand at the rudder whose faith and witness have been a great gift to me on my journey. I have a trip back for a couple of days in a couple of Months for my oral examinations and then a May Convocation. When I think of that – I truly am excited!

This morning our group will discuss Disciplines of the Spirit by Howard Thurman, who is quoted above. It is a fitting last day kind of conversation for me. When I set out on a journey three years ago, looking for some renewal, much of what I was doing was asking “What can make me come alive?” I would suggest that above all of the many things that McCormick has given me, is that gift of life… dare I say New Life! Three times a year I have journeyed to Chicago and in those trips I have gained a deepened spirituality and an awakened sense of my connectedness to others and to my creator. Each trip here has brought me into communion with a  diversity of God’s people and by the very nature of those encounters, these trips have brought me closer to God.

“The world needs people who have come alive.” Thank you McCormick Theological Seminary for the work that you do to help practitioners in faith ‘come alive.’ – It feels good to be reborn…and yet to be still asking “What makes me come alive?”