Great advice from the doctor

 

When I lead a workshop on advocacy or am a guest lecturer for a college class, I always reference Dr. Seuss and my view that he was one of the great theologians of the 20th Century.

 

A theologian instructs on the practice and experience of faith, on God's relationship to the world and our relationship to one another. Through his rhyming couplets, his characters, and his creative use of language, he taught us the importance of taking action and actively caring as in the Lorax. In the STAR-BELLIED SNEETCHES Seuss spoke to bias and prejudice based on pigment, poverty or position. Feeling the escalation of military budgets and nuclear arsenals is a problem, read the BUTTER BATTLE BOOK.  Feel invisible, not being seen nor heard? I present HORTON HEARS A WHO.

When following dinner and the Snyder clan would head to our specific reading stations in the house, I chose the big chair in the living room (my shout out to Lilly Tomlin) and opened a Seuss book. HOP ON POP helped teach me to read and was so much more exciting then Dick and Jane, Sally and Spot. ONE FISH, TWO FISH, RED FISH, BLUE FISH instructed on accepting differences, as did GREEN EGGS AND HAM.

For decades, Dr. Seuss instructs and, yes, inspires. Central to my understanding of God and living the faith is a call to do what is just. One of my favorite Seuss stories is YERTLE THE TURTLE where one reads:

"I know, up on top, you are seeing great sights,

But down at the bottom we, too, should have rights."   

Reversal Saran Wrap Spiritual Lesson

 

Several years ago a television commercial which advertised Saran Wrap had a catchy jingle "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that cling" (sung to the tune of "It Don't Mean a Thing if it ain't got that swing").  If this little ditty is now stuck on a loop in your mind, you can thank me later.

A necessary spiritual lesson to learn not only during this Lenten season is the reversal of Saran Wrap and to not cling, to be able to open up and let go.  I am in the remedial learning phase of this lesson. If I was a Star Trek character.....you guessed it...I'd be a. "Cling-On."

I cling to titles, stuff, people who matter to me and past wrongs ---- these are a particular clutching and closing variety even though I keep my ire and hurt hidden and stewing. When one clings one is tight and made small and closed and incapable of opening to what can be.  

If giving up Facebook or the amount of time one spends on the mobile phone or potato chips or ice cream helps you to become a better you, then more power to you and bring on the books and the conversation and the carrot sticks and the fro-yo!  I offer that we also consider checking on to what or whom you cling.  Ask why and then work on doing the really scary yet strong act and open up and let go.......

Send me tough angels

The first Sunday in Lent always features the temptation story of Jesus. As Jan Richardson poignantly writes "with the water of his baptism still clinging to him and the name Beloved still ringing in his ears, Jesus went into the desert." 

The temptation story is found in three of the four gospels (John and his ethereal focused book does not include it) so one should most definitely pay attention. The story is familiar, Jesus is tempted by provision, power and protection.  We can relate to similar temptations.  The point being we are tempted by that which is appealing and desirous. For example, I'm tempted by a bowl of Kit Kats not a blender of a kale smoothie.

As Jesus begins his journey to learn what it means to be Jesus he remains true to who he is and the story concludes with the phrase "angels came and waited on him."  

Let's focus on what and whom we mean by angels.  There was a time when the chubby, cherubic ceramic angels were all the rage. I personally received quite a few in various portraits from holding a star to holding a lamb to gathering flowers.  Cute.  Yet, for this ministry I need more a band of hard ass, street-smart, weathered and worn angels.  

I believe that often those angels who minister to us, care for us are the fellow travelers whom we meet and receive gifts and active compassion. In many ways these are the "angels unaware" who visit us when we are most in need of a caring presence, a wise word, a strong hand. Ponder....why couldn't a traveler have approached Jesus and given him a drink of water, food, noticed him, listened to him, tended to him.  

As you journey this Lent, may tough angels wait on you and attend to your needs. Quoting again Jan Richardson may you be sent  "tough angels, sweet wine, strong bread.....just enough."