Meditation on the Cross

In my recent archeological excavation of my office, I discovered a rather ornate cross which is pictured below, thanks to the photography of Lorna:  

 

I am not exactly sure how this came into my possession.  It may have been when attending a Diocesan event such as one of the Synods (annual meeting of the Diocese). 

It is rather pretty in a somewhat gaudy way and it is a modern version, being in plastic, of an ancient symbol.  I must admit that I have not paid much attention to it since it came into my possession.  However, it did cause me to think of the process of meditation on the cross.  The cross is a universal symbol which contains a great deal of meaning for many people – even those who are not Christian.  Psychologically it can be symbolic of the intersection of the horizontal and vertical in our lives.  Intersections and crossroads can mean that there are options and decisions have to be made as to which road to travel.  You might reflect on the ‘road not taken’ as Robert Frost did in his poem or the ‘road less travelled’ as Scott Peck did in his book. 

For Christians, the cross represents the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Roman instrument of torture and execution, and the forgiveness of sins that was made possible by Jesus’ forgiving those who crucified him.  However, this cross is not a crucifix – it is the empty cross from which Jesus was taken down, which leads to many more possible meanings.  I discovered something about this cross, which I may have known about when I received it but had forgotten, it is a kaleidoscope.  You can look into it – there is a viewer at the bottom and you will see a multifaceted vision of reality.  The arms of the cross turn and what you are seeing changes.  I am not able to give you a picture of this, but I found one on the internet which will give you an idea.

This leads to the possibility that meditation on the cross can lead to different perspective on what you see and how you see the world – the world around you and the larger world.  It enables you to get different perspectives as you turn the cross arms.  It enables you to see things which you otherwise are not able to see.  You can also be reminded that a bystander, Simon of Cyrene, was forced to carry the cross to the place of execution as Jesus was physically unable to carry it due to the treatment by the Roman authorities.  As Christian we are called to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. 

I will close with a meditation on the cross by -Br. Luke Ditewig of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist:

Look at the cross, and pray with Jesus. Pray both trouble and trust. Death and evil are conquered. Jesus reigns, reaching, hearing, and holding all. On the cross Jesus bears the weight of the world. Hold yourself in a hug, trusting that Jesus has us all in his hands.

May you be blessed to be aided by others to carry your cross and know that Jesus will be with you on your journey.

 

Who’s Actually in Control?

Many years ago, in a former life, I attended a workshop as part of my then work as a civil servant.  I don’t remember the purpose of the workshop.  However, I do remember that the leader/facilitator asked the participants if they believed they were, for the most part, in control of their lives.  Most people put up their hands; however, I didn’t.

Looking back, I am not sure why I thought that at the time.  It could have been that many of the major events in my life growing up were beyond my control to a great extent.  My first real job was not one I had sought. I had lived in a number of different places growing up which were definitely beyond my control – that would be seven by my count.  Well, that understanding of control was certainly verified by recent events in my life.  If I had any illusions about being in control they were shattered in September.

I think T.S. Elliot had it wrong when he proposed that April was the cruelest month.  I would nominate September for that dubious honour.  September started out just fine being usually the nicest month for weather at our cottage in P.E.I.   That ended quite quickly when we had car problems.  Actually, the problem didn’t become evident right away.  Lorna and I were sitting in the car – a Volkswagen - in the parking lot of the supermarket in Souris when there was a loud bang in the back end of the car.  We were curious but there wasn’t anything obvious wrong.  We drove away cautiously back to the cottage with no apparent problem, However, after some cogitation and consultation, I decided to have it checked out at the dealer in Charlottetown.  I was advised that the issue was a coil spring as suspected but the bad news – not sure there was any good news – that the parts were on back order and they weren’t sure when they would arrive.  Consequently, I drove back to the cottage very nervously and cautiously but made it safely giving thanks to luck or perhaps God.

This led to a search for a replacement vehicle as we needed transportation back to Ford country (Ontario) in a few weeks which apparently could not be guaranteed by the dealer.  Lorna got into her sleuthing mode and tried to find a possible replacement.  I started to investigate spring problems with Volkswagens.   I discovered that there were problems with defective springs but my car had not been recalled.  On further investigation, I found that Transport Canada had recalled my model and year of vehicle but mine was not included due to an error.  This didn’t make any difference with VW Canada which didn’t cut any mustard with me.

While this was going on, Lorna wasn’t having much luck finding available vehicles – new or used - which would meet our needs i.e., space to transport our belongings and the head of the family – Trixie the cat.  Fortunately, she eventually found one and to make a long story a little less long, we ended up with a new Nissan -more than we were looking for but more than we could ask or imagine – and very thankful it was available.  This was only because the financing fell through on the original purchase.  You may be aware that there is a shortage of vehicles available on car lots these days because of supply chain issues and various things I don’t fully understand such as inflation and the war in Ukraine.  In any case, we were very thankful to have dependable transportation which enabled us to get back to our Ontario home safe and sound.  We were very fortunate to have the loan of a vehicle from a neighbour to do our exploration of the few vehicles available. 

However, that is not the end of the story about September events.  Almost immediately after solving our transportation challenges, we were dealt another challenge in the form of Hurricane Fiona.  We were able to prepare in some ways, such as stocking up on some food and water, but were without power and therefore water being on a well, for five days which stretched the limits of our preparation.  We escaped the fury of Fiona with no damage to ourselves or our buildings property and dealt with the one tree on the bunkie with the help of neighbours – no damage thankfully.  We were provided assistance at the warming centre in Souris and all was well.

In all this we fared much better than others, for no apparent reason, in ways that were beyond our control for the most part.  I’m not sure if there is a reason why we were so fortunate but perhaps it comes down to good luck or fortune smiling on us for no apparent reason.  In all this, I do know that I was not in control of much that happened.  I am not sure if anything was in control – whether fate or fortune.   My theology doesn’t hold that God was pulling the strings and making things happen.  However, I do believe that God played a role in the help we received from others.  And I do know that in all this God was with me and supporting me in whatever fate or life brings me. 

May you be blessed to know the support of God on your journey 

Give Thanks In All Things

 Yesterday was the Canadian Thanksgiving.  When I think of thanksgiving I think of the phrase ‘give thanks in all things.’  With all that is going on in this world it is not possible or right to give thanks for all things which is sometimes promoted as the Christian approach.    Can the Ukrainians give thanks for what Russia is doing to their country and citizens?  Of course not.  Can the people of Pakistan give thanks for the flood waters that have engulfed their land?  No indeed.  Can the residents of Prince Edward Island give thanks for the devastation that Hurricane Fiona has left behind or the residents of Florida for the devastation and destruction of Ian?  Certainly not.  But there are things to give thanks for in all that.  I am thankful that Lorna and I were relatively untouched by the ravages of Fiona and have made it back to our other home in Parkhill which we found in good shape.  I am thankful that there are first responders and people of good will to help those in need and that we had good neighbours to provide assistance when we needed it. 

To give thanks for blessings in the midst of heartbreak and disaster does not mean that I thank God that I was blessed to be protected in these difficult times.  I do not deserve to receive a blessing any more than the many people who had their lives turned upside down by the forces of nature or circumstance.  To believe that God gives a blessing to some and not others is, to my understanding, a mistaken belief in how God works.  God is not there pulling the strings in our lives like we are puppets.  Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people.  We cannot know why this happens.  We can and do understand that there are consequences for our actions as human beings who have been blessed to have free will.  Sometimes the consequences are determined by the actions of ourselves and others.  We have ‘hundred-year storms’ every five years because we have abused and neglected the world that God created and gave to us to be stewards of.  We may experience challenges and problems in our lives because of how we have lived and what we have done.  If we abuse our bodies and neglect our spiritual life we may suffer some consequences as a result – smoking does lead to cancer for some depending on many factors such as the genes we have inherited.  Other people may smoke a pack-a-day all their lives and live to a ripe old age.  It seems to be the luck of the draw. 

However, regardless of the deck that we have been dealt, we can be assured that God is with us whatever happens and that is something devoutly to give thanks for.   

So, remember on your journey to give thanks to God in all things.