Thursday, June 29, 2023
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Up in the air with the saints
Peter looked intently at the crippled man and said, “Look at us.” Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ, rise up, and walk!”
Yesterday I had the privilege of officiating the marriage of a namesake of St. Peter’s. I asked him for a heavenly reference; he humbly said that was not his gift to give. I told him that his day was today, and he smiled, again with a gentle touch of humor, humbly, “Oh, that’s a good thing.” And we continued the ceremony.
I think of The Chosen’s choice of Peter in the TV series, and continue to wait for that Peter to turn his humble head. Jesus will get through to him eventually.
Simon, do you love me? Yes, Lord, you know that I love you! Feed my sheep.
I spent some wondrous time with good old friends Don, Ken and Tricia up near Chicago in Geneva a couple of days ago. We sat and watched birds and birds, goldfinches and nuthatches and a lonesome dove and a robin or two and a cardinal. They all sang for us, especially for Ken who feeds them every day, 70 bucks a month for that sweet choir. So worth it!
When you were younger you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.
We stayed up till midnight. I felt like a college kid, except we skipped the beer. Ken prays for three of his friends and family whenever he sees or hears a plane. And that’s often, because his house is directly west of O’Hare Airport, at a point where planes cross above him at about 11,000 feet, landing and taking off. We know that altitude because of the Flightradar24 app. We could identify each plane coming over, where it came from, where it was going.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day pours out the word to day, and night imparts knowledge.
Ken prays for the plane’s crew and passengers as well. And we traveled with them a bit in our heads, on their trips, why they were going, what they needed from God, and it was a pretty wonderful exercise in joy and imagination and surrender.
I chose a Finnair plane leaving around 10 pm for Helsinki, and followed it all night. It leveled off at 37,000 feet. I imagine the passengers had a nice meal. I could almost smell it. My white noise app provided me with the sound of a jet engine, and I fell asleep crossing over Quebec. Around 3 am I woke up to pee and checked where I was on my trip. AY10’s Airbus had just crossed over the southern tip of Greenland.
Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the earth, their message.
I knew, and it was true, the plane would land before I woke up. The stewardess coaxed us awake in Finnish and in English, and the sun was shining into the cabin windows, and I thought that in the airport we might stop for a coffee.
Which we did, and then we went out onto the patio once again, facing east, inviting the birds awake, listening for yet another plane.
(Acts 12, Psalm 34, 2 Timothy 4, Matthew 16)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
#
