Dear Friends,
At last Sunday’s liturgy, prompted by our readings, we had an engaging dialogue homily on the subject of “humility.” It was noted that humility is truly being able to acknowledge both our gifts and our weaknesses. Basically, true humility is being able to acknowledge our human condition, and to hold our ‘place at the table.’. In the light of that I (Ron) wanted to share with you a way in which I am being invited to acknowledge my ‘gifts.’ I recently received a letter from the Boston Theological Institute Board of Trustees notifying me that I had been chosen to receive the BTI 2013 Humanitarian Award for my work in Clinical Pastoral Education, educating the next generation of spiritual care-givers.
I felt seen, cherished, truly honored for the work I do with these students preparing for ministry. As you may know, the BTI is a consortium of theology schools in the Boston area, comprised of Andover Newton Theological School, Boston College Department of Theology, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, Boston University School of Theology, Episcopal Divinity School, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Harvard Divinity School, Hebrew College and Rabbinical School, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and Saint John’s Seminary. The letter reads in part:
“The Humanitarian Award has been given for over the last 15 years to persons like yourself to honor those who represent the best in a Humanitarian tradition of caring for others. By choosing such a person or persons, the Field Education Directors seek to identify good ministry practices as perhaps embodied in the tradition of the Good Samaritan which might be a model and a source of encouragement for others. We look for people who have made a compassionate difference in their treatment of the bereaved. Such a person should be an inordinate caregiver, have contributed to the larger community but may be unrecognized – and yet who is extraordinary in care given and humanitarian concern.
It is our intent to give you this award at the BTI Annual Dinner and Lecture, scheduled this year for the evening of October 3 and to be hosted by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. We want to acknowledge your good work in the community and with the schools of the Boston Theological Institute.”
In short, I feel truly honored...and humbled, in the true sense of that term...and wanted to share my good news with you!
On another note, undoubtedly, all of us are mind-full these days of the unconscionable violence occurring in Syria. As the world watches... we hold our breaths.... wondering what, if any, action our country might make in response. In the midst of our pondering, a community member sent us a poem that will become our second reading at this Sunday’s Eucharist. The author of the poem is Sr. Anne Montgomery, RCSJ, who died a year ago. The letters below introduces us to Sr. Anne:
Dear Friends,
Today is the first anniversary of Anne's home-going to God. I/we give thanks for Anne's life and for all she did to make the Word flesh! We know Anne is advocating for us as she is among the cloud of witnesses in paradise. Below is Anne's letter that she sent out describing her cancer and expressing gratitude to all those she walked with and accompanied in the earthly vineyard.
In light of the Empire's ongoing violence, past and present, including now the latest US military threats against Syria, the below poem by Anne speaks to the heart of the matter. Anne Montgomery--presente! With gratitude, A.
March 1, 2012 letter Anne wrote to friends describing her cancer and really a final farewell:
"I have been on chemotherapy for cancer, and it seemed to be helping, but, last weekend I had breathing problems and tests showed a lung full of fluid and that continuing any chemo, etc. would not help. I have been blessed by so much support, personal, and medical, that I know I must share that in some way with all those across our world who lack so much and are near desperation, especially for their children. I also know that the Spirit prays at the heart of the universe and that creation is an ongoing journey of death and resurrection, however mysterious that process is. Because it is energized by Love, we can enter into it rather than count on our own weak efforts and vulnerabilities and worry about failures. When I made my final vows, our group was named, "Joy in the Faith," I am coming to believe that must somehow be possible since it is promised in the Beatitudes and that those who have nothing show us the way.
I am constantly filled with gratitude to you all who have done the nitty-gritty work of peace and nonviolent action and invited me to join you. I hope to be able to do so in a new way. As Phil Berrigan said in his last letter, that work must come from our own vulnerability. Much love, Anne.
FEAST OF THE INNOCENTS: 1991
In Memoriam: Mass Graves
by Sr. Anne Montgomery, RSCJ
A voice in Ramah -- a voice in Panama, Iraq--
weeping,
as yet again, Herod proclaims new birth a threat,
the young expendable,
beginnings buried:
bulldozed into ditches,
shoveled into unmarked graves,
cast into the sea,
or flamed to ashes.
But in the sand and sea, grass and cinders, in silences,
the question will not die:
"Where is the one who is born?"
the child who sees with one eye__
or not at all,
who walks with one leg--
or never again,
whose dreams were shattered by shrapnel,
hunger stilled by pain.
The year's death reminds us of an old story,
a nightmare that will not go away,
but, dragon-like, rises from the sea,
blinds the dawn,
blasphemes God's name and dwelling
with fire from heaven
on those, uncounted, who do not count:
"You the nameless, do not exist."
So it has been decreed,
for to allow the naming,
to confess reality and promise,
means new birth,
new time,
new humanity
May we as a world community find constructive and life-giving ways to resolve conflict and bring peace to our world. In the light of our reflection, Rebecca Parker reminds us: “None of us alone can save the world. Together—that is another possibility, Waiting.”
At The Spirit of Life, we as a community, strive to give each other hope, especially when any one of us runs thin on hope. We lighten each other’s load, by walking together and helping in any way we can. We invite you to come and experience life in our community as we contemplate in prayer and move with justice at The Spirit of Life. Through our time of prayer and sharing together, we work together to grow in our self-understanding and in our relationships with God and with God’s people. We celebrate the gift of our faith and the responsibility that is ours as followers of Jesus Christ. It is our prayer that what we as a community experience in our praying together will overflow into the rest of our lives, making us more fully human and more ‘whole’….holy! We invite you to join us in this endeavor and journey with us as we seek to grow in our love of God and to grow in our capacity to be living expressions of God’s loving peace and justice in our world.
May you be blessed with a deepening awareness of Christ’s presence within you....of your own goodness, and the Divine Energy which fuels that goodness. May you be strengthened to be that Presence of Christ in our world.
Ron & Jean