Stain Glass Lens of the 21st Century

Category: Peace

  • The World House  

    The World House  

    Some years ago, a famous novelist died. Among his papers was found a list of suggested plots for future stories, the more prominently underscored being this one: “A widely separated family inherits a house in which they have to live together.” 

    This is the great new problem of our time.  We have inherited a large house, a great ‘world house’ in which we have to live together-black and white, Easterner and Westerner, gentile and Jew, Catholic and Protestant, Muslim and Hindu-a family unduly separated in ideas, culture and interest who, because we can never again live apart, must learn somehow to live with each other in peace. (Martin Luther King, Jr’s introduction to his talk, “The World House”)

    The world’s religions all agree it isn’t complicated to live in peace, simply “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  Jesus simplified it even more, “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39).   

    Who is our neighbour?  Anyone beyond ourselves. 

    Author Saul Bellows tells the story of a rabbi in a small village who mysteriously disappeared every Friday.  It was whispered, and the villagers sincerely believed, that on those days he ascended to Heaven itself.  A newcomer to the village heard this and was extremely skeptical.  So, making sure he was not seen, he stealthily followed the rabbi one Friday.  He saw the rabbi change into the clothes of a peasant.  Then, carrying an axe, he went into a nearby forest where he cut down a tree. He cut the tree into fire logs.  Gathering enough for a week’s burning he took them to the home of an old and frail woman.  After that, he returned to the village, changing back into his usual clothes. 

    And ever afterwards, when the villagers declared that every Friday their rabbi ascended to Heaven, the newcomer would say under his breath, “If not higher.”

    May we all ascend higher than heaven by our daily selfless acts of caring for our neighbours.

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    Photo by Priscilla Du Preez/Unsplash  

  • What Do You Want?

    What Do You Want?

    It was two years ago this month that I finally figured out exactly what I wanted.  It wasn’t an easy decision, I had traveled down some tricky roads, tossed and turned through sleepless nights and after intellectually weighing all the pros and cons I decided against logic and followed my heart.

    I stepped out of all the busyness of life and took a rest. It had been over 30 years since I had such a rest.  Not just a 2 week holiday but an indefinite hiatus from the world with no plans. It reminded me of the time just after graduating University; a time of excited uncertainty.  I had no doubts that whatever lied ahead would be amazing and I was right.

    In the Gospel of John we read of two disciples who began to literally follow Jesus down the road.  Turning around, Jesus saw them and asked, “What do you want?” They wanted to be closer to him and had stopped everything in their lives to do so.  He invited them to, “Come and see.”  I felt as though I was one of those disciples and excitedly followed.  

    What an adventure it has been! My prayer life has improved immensely and with certainty I have heard back from God in the song of the birds, the sway of the trees and in the silence of a full moon.  Miraculously opportunities came my way and I now find myself serving God as a Hospice Chaplain and a Country Preacher, both roles bringing me deep purpose and a sustaining peace.

    As author Hiral Nagda writes, “Sometimes doing nothing makes way for everything.”   

    So?  How about you?  What do you really want?

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    Photo by  Eriks Cistovs/Pexels

  • Peaceful Presence

    Peaceful Presence

    The world is full of things that boggle my mind and are beyond my understanding.  For example, I have never understood FAX machines.  How can a few words on a piece of paper travel over wires and arrive on another piece of paper 100 miles away?  Or, why can’t I hum while holding my nose (you just tried, didn’t you?) and why is Earth the only planet in our solar system not named after a God?  Who named Earth in the first place?

    There are so many questions with so few answers. As my trips around the sun accumulate I have become more comfortable with the unknown, trusting in the fact there is a God who knows all the answers.  This God provides a peace that goes way beyond our understanding; a peace that holds us together when all around us is falling apart.  I don’t understand it, but I have learned to trust in it.

     The Apostle Paul writes, “Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation with prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6)

    This peace does not promise there will be no conflict, hardships or grief.  Instead this God-given peace will hold us together with the powerful knowledge we are not alone.  God is with us, despite whatever we are facing.  As Jesus tells us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (Jon 14:27)

    Take Mother Mary for instance, at the young age of 12 she is visited by an angel who shares the startling news that Mary will become pregnant and bear a son.  As if it isn’t shocking enough to be visited by an angel Mary also has to adjust to the news that she, an unwed virgin girl, will soon become pregnant and give birth to not just any baby but God’s only begotten son.  Talk about mind boggling!

     One of the things that intrigues me about this story is how Mary goes from asking, “How can this be?” to declaring, “Let it be.”

    How do we find our way, like Mary, to say “let it be”? I am not suggesting that getting there is easy or quick, but I think Mary shows us how to journey to “let it be”.  She doesn’t avoid the storm that lies ahead; instead she enters the eye of the storm, allowing the chaos of emotions, relationships, and circumstances, swirl all around her. She does this by depending on God to lead her through the storm.

    Out of Mary’s story we see a confidence amidst crisis which is the mark of a mature faith. She has heard the deep meaning of “Be not afraid.” It is a message of assurance that through the wilderness, or the grief, or in the middle of chaos, along the journey we are not alone. It is that sense of God -with-us which is the profound message of Christmas. It is a love and peace that dwells deep in our souls.

    This week as we light the Second Advent Candle, the Candle of Peace, may we all trust in the Prince of Peace to accompany us with a calm and peaceful presence.

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    Photo by James Wheeler/Pexels