Right now, I'm sitting on the couch, writing articles for the St. Barnabas newsletter, and the TV is on. The rector's reflection begins talking about the surprises we're finding this spring in our garden and moves into the way life (powered by the Holy Spirit) often surprises us. (I've included the full article at the end of this post.)Mostly, I'm writing. But occasionally, something on the television catches my attention. Suddenly, I see a commercial for Orbitz. Four guys are out golfing, when the Orbitz hovercraft lands, and hands them all (except for the guy who didn't use Orbitz) refund checks because their flight-prices went down. I realized, as I was watching, that one of the guys was wearing a polo shirt with the logo for the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization. It was very clearly the logo above.
So, there I was, writing about surprise - being surprised. Gayness. Right there in the Orbitz commercial. Subtle, sure, but there, nonetheless. Yay for the Holy Spirit.
Rector's Reflections: July 2009
Michelle and I arrived in Milan in mid-August. By the time we arrived, the garden has mostly passed. We (OK, she) built a couple of flower beds in the early fall, but we really had no idea what to expect around our yard. The first surprise this spring has been the wild strawberries that pretty much dominate our front yard. They are everywhere – yum! The next surprise was the peony, behind the pond. We had no idea it was there. Now, we walk around the yard every few days, looking for the next big surprise. What else is hidden amidst the trees, ferns, and grasses? It’s always a miracle to me when seeds and bulbs come up out of the ground. Being surprised by the unexpected is even more amazing.
And really, isn’t life a lot like this? We think we know what to expect – from an encounter, a meeting, or some project we take on. But, just like the garden, life is full of surprises. The Holy Spirit is full of surprises! The thing about the Holy Spirit and surprises is that we need to be open to them. If we’re not looking, not paying attention, we can miss them.
This month, I invite you to be on the lookout. The Holy Spirit is abroad in the world, shaking up life on a regular basis. You never know where you’ll find a peony or conversation that will knock your sox off.
3 comments:
Wonder where the patch came from - I used to wear a Boy Scout Patrol Leader patch - the bars were green on an olive drab background. The patch you show is the same design, but different colors.
Theodoric, I'm not sure. I checked the HRC website, and they no longer sell polos with this logo. But it is theirs. I believe HRC chose the logo because it looks like an equal sign, and they are a glbt group advocating for equality.
Fran, I love what you and Michelle are all discovering around your neighborhood.
Last fall I dug up all the iris' a my dad's and transplanted them here in the yard. Had bloom's on a good share of them and had some on the altar last Sunday.
Pictures would be nice.
Peace and love,
Jere and Jan
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