Relationships

Cross Ways

May 31, 2024

On Wednesday May 29th protestors at UBC blocked the intersection of University Boulevard and Wesbrook Avenue. Their cries for Rafah filled the air. When I came by there were not many people present to listen. 

The UBC bound buses were lined up far off campus and folks were finding alternate routes to work and to class. More officers were present than anyone else to witness these cries resisting complicity in the suffering of the people of Gaza.

Upon being threatened with arrest if they didn’t exit the intersection, the protestors moved into campus. They settled under the Canadian Flag just south of the Rose Garden to seek the attention of recent UBC graduates and their families. The brilliant blue sky and a warming sun rested upon us all as the air was filled with the singsong chants of protest.

Most people seemed unfazed.

Last week I was in the Chan Centre for convocation. Two students unfurled banners reminding the audience that there are no universities left in Gaza. In this war with Hamas, Israel has destroyed them all. When these students stood banners spread wide with the UBC President for their graduation picture, the congregation clapped.

What were we applauding?

I’m not sure. There was only one worthy response in my mind: tears. But how can a people unversed in lament shed tears on a day of celebration? We are so impoverished. We reflexively congratulated everyone. The violence of enmity heard no clear voice of judgement and peace found no champions.

“My eyes fail from weeping, I am in torment within;
my heart is poured out on the ground
because my people are destroyed,
because children and infants faint
in the streets of the city.”
Lamentations 2:11

At some agreed upon moment the chorus under the flag decided to move on with bicycles and banners beside them. Slowly they marched up Main Mall, crying out “not in my name,” until they turned at the Martha Piper Plaza, past the fountain, down the hill, and past the Musqueam Post, where I suppose some returned to the encampment. 

I continued prayerfully down Main Mall to the Reconciliation Pole. I have made this walk many times. It’s part of what I call the Way of the Cross at UBC. 

One of the curious landscape features of the “university squeezed into the forest” is that it has been built up around a cross. Along the ridge of the hill traversed by the Musqueam people for generations is a double sidewalk cross, a remnant of the original Beaux Arts vision for the campus. The arms of the cross reach out west to Wreck Beach and east to the City of Vancouver. The centre pole extends from the Forestry field up to the Rose Garden overlooking the magnificent Straight of Georgia.

On this walk here are some of the turns in my reflections and prayers.

“And they placed a crown of thorns on his head.”

In the years since 1915, UBC has been building alongside and around the cross. In recent years the cross has been animated with markers of spiritual significance to me. The Rose Garden at the “top” reminds me of the crown of the thorns marring the head of Jesus, who was present in the beginning as Creator. He came to His own but His own would not have Him.

… Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord… suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried… 

The power of government, the state, of empire was on display in the Cross of Christ as they carried out the crucifixion of a carpenter turned rabbi. Today the power of government is represented by the Flag waving brilliantly in the wind and clambering for supremacy in our affections. But here thankfully, the Maple Leaf, is also a marker of some human rights we cherish and that were on full display today. In the face of such power Jesus said, “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.”

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 

The fountain at the heart of campus reminds me of Jesus’ promise that all who believe in Him will have life flowing like a stream rising up from within them. To my left the small stream flowing down the hill at UBC reminds me of the heavenly vision in Revelation and our yearning for the healing of the nations. The protestors turned here but gave no pause to refresh themselves by contemplating these waters.

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8

I do not turn with the protestors but continue prayerfully down Main Mall for it is the foot of the cross that beckons me. When I arrive at the Reconciliation Pole all is quiet. The growing sections of recently planted fireweed move gently in the breeze as a group of students listen attentively to learn the stories the Pole tells.

I recall the day the Pole was raised. The public had been invited to assist with the raising. I had watched the team of artists under the direction of Haida master carver, James Hart, continue to prepare the Pole after it was delivered from Haida Gwaii. I found it enlightening to see that an artistic process of several years was continuing “up to the last minute.” And so I recognized that the Pole we raised was not raised as a completed work of art, but as an ongoing participatory process much like reconciliation. 

My family had listened to speeches from elders and survivors of residential schools. These dear people now carried the trauma of degrading and dehumanizing abuse. The hands and tongues of men and women from several church societies had scarred the bodies and crushed the souls of so many children on behalf of the Canadian government. The 57,000 copper nails in the pole had been driven in as cathartic acts of remembrance. 

And then before I realized it, the Pole was standing tall and secure. It rises now like a nail on the horizon, in the feet of Jesus, anchoring the Cross to the ground at UBC. Around this Pole our interconnected lives tell the tales of complicity in much injustice against people in this world. In today’s global economies it is hard to escape being the beneficiary of injustices whether historic or ongoing.

I have taken shelter for my soul in the Kingdom of Jesus — which is not of this world — but that does not mean I am sheltered from the relationships and the realities of my neighbours. Reconciliation elevates and reconciliation humbles for there is only level ground at the foot of the Cross. I am reminded that we are all tempted to neglect the Creator’s ways for living well in relationship with Him, with self, with people, and with the wonderful stuff of earth.

Jesus’ death on the Cross shows me that reconciliation requires something: laying down my life. Jesus said His life was not taken from Him, but that He had authority to lay it down and to take it up again. This is how enemies are turned into friends. The Cross of Jesus is continuing to do it’s work in me, I die to self — that is — I am abandoning the pursuit of self-righteousness and am seeking to enter into the freedom of being loved by our Father in heaven. And once at ease in the freedom of being loved, one can love. 

Both the Cross of Christ and the Reconciliation Pole have hope built into my consideration of them. Jesus the Christ rose from the dead and the eagle on top of the Pole is poised to take flight above the two canoes making their way forward. Good futures are available to us.

But my true and lasting hope is in Jesus.

As I walk back up Main Mall I breath out this simple prayer for Gaza, for Israel, for us:

Κύριε, ἐλέησον.
Χριστέ, ἐλέησον.
Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy 

On us all.

Prayer, Relationships

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DR: Misunderstood

July 28, 2022 0 Comments

Read Luke 2:36-52

“Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

How often are children not understood? The experience of not being understood can be frustrating and alienating. Jesus does not seem to respond this way. He does seem to wonder at the anxiety contained by Mary and Joseph. His presence in the Temple seems reasonable and even necessary. Mary and Joseph’s anxiety seems reasonable too as parents. Jesus though even at twelve demonstrates a calm presence. He does not try to rescue his parents from their sense of being victimized by His pursuit of God.

In our pursuit of God and by aligning ourselves with His will we may be misunderstood. Our anxieties about that could produce resentment. But Jesus shows us another way.

Our Heavenly Father, grant me the grace of a character shaped by You. Help me manage my internal world and anxieties so that I may fully enter into relationships and the realities of this world fully responsive and obedient to You without fear, rage, or bitterness.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Daily Readings, Discipleship, Relationships

Squabbling Squirrel

May 10, 2022 0 Comments

Yesterday I sat in the sun under the pear tree for a moment of quiet and reflection. I was interrupted by the agitating click of the squirrel perched under the bird feeder on the porch. I clicked back at him. He continued, then paused to eat sunflower seeds knocked to the ground by the black-capped chickadees. Then, he kept on clicking at me.

I laughed and said to him, ” Dear squirrel, you squabble at me even as you eat the food I set out. I have no quarrel with you.”

Today in between ministry tasks I dropped in at the fitness centre that has an attachment problem. That is, they don’t want to let me and my son get unattached from them even though the contract is done and he is not working out there. Every interaction with this gym uncovers another reason for them to keep taking money from us. So I smiled today when I showed up with the requested email from my son giving me permission to close the account on his behalf, even though I’m one who has been paying for the privilege of being attached to them. Why did I smile? Because I learned that my request to close the membership also requires a thirty day notice. I should have told them our intentions thirty days before the contract ended so that the monthly rolling membership fee would not be activated.

I laughed and smiled all the way back to the car because this gym so far has been so consistent. They have turned what could be a place of love into a place of hate. There is no fitness in this world without love. When I see their name on my bank statement I cringe and wonder what demon seduced me to sign up with them.

It seems to me that pastors are in a new season of pastoring and caring for the church. It’s a pandemic boomerang of sorts. While I thought I might have managed the first two years of this global phenomenon well, now I’m seeing people making decisions, reacting to situations, and getting stuck in their heads with a conflict drama loop as if they are very anxious, self-protective, and unable to suffer love.

Once when a US President was elected I said, “We have a lot of Gospel work to do.” Now that we are living in constant denial about the coronavirus pandemic and folks are trying to live their best lives imagined even while facing increasing financial demands on the same income they had five months ago, I’ll say it again, “We have a lot of Gospel work to do.”

But what I meant then, I also mean now. The Gospel work is what must happen in me first. The Gospel fruit is what I can offer and point to afterwards.

I recently ordered a copy of François Fenelon’s book, The Seeking Heart. This collection of writings has made me smile, laugh and settle in with Jesus and the cross. I ordered the book without thought from Amazon, but later saw that this small publisher, SeedSowers, that I greatly appreciate and would have wanted to support actually recommends ordering from Amazon. Anyway, God has cared for me from the pages of Fenelon’s pastoral writings. This friend of Jeanne Guyon, keeps beseeching the reader to accept the cross of Christ that comes to each person in the shape of their daily life and their daily relationships.

I needed this word and many others.

He writes, “God doesn’t want to discourage you or to spoil you. Embrace the difficult circumstances you find yourself in–even when you feel they will overwhelm you. Ask God to mold you through the events He allows to enter your life. This will make you flexible toward the will of God. The events of life are like a furnace for the heart. All your impurities are melted and your old ways are lost… Sometimes an exciting book, or an inspiring devotional time, or a deep confirmation about spiritual matters will make you feel extremely satisfied with yourself. You will believe that you are farther along than you really are. Talking about the cross is not at all the same as experiencing it. So remember this: Do not seek annoying circumstances, but when they come bear them in peace. It is easy to delude yourself! Do not seek God as if He were far off in an ivory castle. He is found in the middle of the events of your everyday life. Look past the obstacles and find Him.”

Squirrels will squabble, but I don’t have to.

Discipleship, Relationships

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The Altar Between Us

December 15, 2021 0 Comments

Sometimes we see only what others have constructed and then in our minds, our hivemind constructs an explanation. Caution is required. Our interpretation of what they have done may not be right.

Usually co-brooding produces the most negative explanations. Goodwill evaporates across the distance and the borders.

A counsellor shared with me years ago that children are incredibly perceptive; they pick up the cues indicating something is going on relationally in the family or in the room. However, children are usually terrible interpreters of what has happened.

In these days of Covid, of distance, and the speed with which we see what others have constructed or written, we are all children. We are quick to perceive, but we are terrible at interpreting. Then, from the distance, sure of ourselves, we strap on our armour, take up our swords sure that annihilation of the other is the only answer.

This is an old problem. In Joshua 22, when the Eastern Tribes returned home after battling alongside the rest of the tribes of Israel under Joshua’s leadership, they constructed a massive and imposing altar alongside the border on the Israelite side near the Jordan river. When the rest of tribes heard of this altar they assumed the worst, idolatry and treason against the Lord, strapped on their swords and issued a call for war.

Fortunately leaders were sent to Reuben, God and the half-tribe of Manasseh ahead of the hastily formed army to launch an inquiry and seek an explanation of the altar. War was averted. An acceptable explanation was heard. The altar was built with the future generations in mind. The altar was a reminder and a prompt meant to affirm their connection to the LORD and to the other tribes.

Devastation was averted and the altar was given a name: A Witness Between Us–that the LORD is God.

Through the years I have found this story very helpful. The people I have served alongside and been in the same family with have done their own thing. I have too. Their actions seemed strange to me. On the “other side of the Jordan” we each are left wondering what the other is up to. Often we each have our good reasons. But across the space I am astonished at how quickly trust and good will evaporates. The stories we construct in our heads and with our co-brooders need to be tested.

Whether its a Tweet or an absence, an off-hand comment, or a transition in their lives, my internal narratives must be tested. I have found its good to keep assuming good-will and “the best” unless it has been sufficiently explored with “the others.” James said, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” (James 1:19).

Our digital lives seem to shrink the physical distances marked out across the globe. Yet, phones attached to our hands, social media and zoom have not improved the quality of our internal narratives. These narratives still need to be sifted. People still need to be given the benefit of doubt. This kind of move requires humility, time, kindness and gentleness. Paul put it this way, “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:5)

The Lord is near.

Leadership, Relationships

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Noah’s Trauma

February 5, 2021 1 Comment

I’m praying for health care workers, nurses, doctors today. The Covid-19 Pandemic is taking a toll. And its not over. When it is “over,” it will likely not be over for many of them even if it is over for us.

If you are not sure that our health care teams are under a rising and constant stress from the pandemic just a run a search for it. The articles and the stories of tragedies among health care providers are there in many countries.

Recently a parent in our congregation sent me an email with their child’s inquiry. “Why did Noah curse his child?” I had an answer but I framed it within my belief informed by exposure to trauma based care.

I think Noah was wrong; he made a mistake. Even though God called him and God preserved his life, Noah may have carried in his body the mysterious weight of surviving and of leading through the flood. Noah a man of the soil (Genesis 9:20) knew what he was doing when he planted the vineyard, waited a few years to harvest the grapes, and then made wine.

This builder of the ark had become a man of the sea. Where he may have once felt in control on life on land, he experienced an utter lack of control on the seas of judgment. The experience was likely traumatic. Yes, I wonder, what grace from God was available to him. But Noah, even a few years after the flood, after running a ship made for survival, “became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent.”

Ham discovered his father, and told his bothers Shem and Japheth. They covered their father with a blanket, but only after walking in backwards, so they would not see their father naked. When Noah “awoke from his wine” he heard what the “youngest had done to him” and cursed him.

I think Noah’s response is actually a reaction to shame and he brought God into it. Ham stumbled into the moment that Noah had created. I think surely Noah was still working out what he had lived through.

The write of Hebrews reminds us that by faith, “in holy fear” Noah “built an ark to save his family.” (Hebrews 11:7) But what was he doing by faith now?

I’m not sure of all the motivations for health care providers. But perhaps most entered in order to save us. The pandemic has complicated and frustrated that desire. They would like to keep us out of the hospital so they affirm and calls us to the preventative actions we can take. Frustration rises when we don’t act like the pandemic flood is real. And then there is the actual care. The doors of their ship, the hospital, are still open for the sick and dying. So we go and some of us are restored to health.

This pandemic will draw to the close. I’m concerned for the health care providers who have carried the weight of our survival. What safe places of refuge will be created for their soul care?

Dear Health Care Providers, My neighbourhood doesn’t do the 7 O’Clock Health Care Provider Salute anymore. But I haven’t forgotten you. I’m praying for you today.

Relationships, Society, Work

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