John and Theodor

Today is a marker for an important person’s passing on and important person’s birth.

2 March marks the anniversary of the death of John Wesley. We members of team United Methodist know Wesley as the founder of our church who has a fascinating personal story and left us with, in my opinion, the very best way to discuss and shape theological arguments --- the Wesley Quadrilateral. In this construct, one uses scripture, reason, experience, and tradition to understand an issue. It’s brilliant!

Known by more people is whose birthday we recognize today --- Dr. Seuss.
Now watch how I tie these two together --- while serving as a church pastor I made the comment that Dr. Seuss was one of the greatest theologians of the 20th Century. Asked to back it up, I did a series of study groups based on some of the Dr. Seuss classics which speak to virtues of compassion, peace, justice, stewardship, and inclusion.

For example, “Horton Hears a Who,” celebrates hearing the small, often unheard voices in our world and doing all one can to help others hear those voices and work to defend them.

“Yertle the Turtle,” justice for those at the bottom echoed in the proclamation of Mack the turtle who stated, “But down at the bottom we too should have rights.”

“The Butter Battle Book” a call for sanity and peace written in the days of nuclear weapons buildup.

“The Lorax,” is a plea for us to be good stewards and caretakers of our natural resources.

Have you noticed the timeless quality of the themes that are central to the Dr. Seuss books? Perhaps that is why so many of us still have those books from our childhood and why we buy them for the children in our lives and why they never go out of style.

Sometime today, pick up your favorite Dr. Seuss book and read it. To truly appreciate the genius of the writing and the rhythm you have to read it out loud. The Dr. Seuss books are the best kind of learning tools because they are both fun and educational.

Read and reflect on a Seuss book today --- O, the places you’ll go…..

sj;

Hi, Neighbor

I don’t know my neighbors. Sure, I know a few of their names and can say hello; I’ve helped to shovel their walks and they’ve shoveled mine; a couple of times a plate of food or dessert has been exchanged…yet, I really don’t know them, don’t visit, don’t spent time with.

There’s the Biblical narrative of re-minding (hyphen intentional…think about it) me that everyone is my neighbor and is to be treated with hospitality and kindness and compassion. Yet, being honest, I honk off and stare down more than a couple drivers on my daily commute.

It is hard to believe that today, 27 February, marks ten years since the passing on of Mr. Rogers. He with the sweaters and sneakers who asked the question we all answered in the affirmative – “Won’t you be my neighbor?”

I watched “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood” and Mr. McFeeley came to my church once and I got an autographed photo. It was O.K However, my heart and support belonged to “Captain Kangaroo.”

For me, my affection and appreciation for Mr. Rogers grew as I did. Long before Huey Lewis would sing it to popularity, Fred Rogers showed me that it “was hip to be square.” Mr. Rogers was genuine, peaceful, warm, welcoming, an educator, a worker for what is just, and in every way a truly gentle man.

Frequently, I’ll take a walk from my office, past PNC Park, and to the Mr. Rogers statue. I spend time there because he shows me that hospitality and an open heart are do-able and that my corner of the world sure could use more neighborliness and niceness…I can bring that.

In memory of Mr. Rogers do something this day that offers a kindness to someone who is not expecting it. You decide the what. Let me know how it goes.

sj;

Get back up again...

Sister Joan Chittister, Order of Saint Benedict (OSB), tells the following story that when a visitor to a monastery asked the monks what it is they do all day their answer was, “ We fall and we get up; we fall and we get up….” It’s a tale that hints to grace and to resiliency and to support for one another and to being part of a community.

I thought of this story following last night’s ACADEMY AWARDS telecast and what happened to Best Actress in a Leading Role Oscar winner, Jennifer Lawrence. On her way to claim her Oscar she tripped and fell on the steps leading to the stage. It’s one of those moments when one immediately feels for the person. Here’s this 22-year old actress and the big moment of her career and in this literal and metaphorical Hollywood moment she trips and falls….in front of the acting royalty of the day…in front of the millions watching around the world.

Ever since her performance in WINTER’S BONE and her strong and courageous turn as Katniss in THE HUNGER GAMES, I have been a fan of Jennifer Lawrence. Her down-to-earth and real-ness and incredible humor during all the interviews she did leading up to the Oscars endeared her even more.

She picked herself up, walked up on stage, claimed her Oscar and didn’t try and pretend. Jennifer named it, used humor to soften it and showed herself to be a real and resilient class act.

What does one do when you fall or stumble and even more so when it happens in a very public way?

I would hope we each are able to call from within us that same strength of honesty and resiliency to pick ourselves back up. We all fall and we all screw up and we all at one time another will make the error that loses the game. The important question is how one responds.

Last night, this young starlet provided us with a great example --- honesty, humor, humility and heart --- call it the 4 H’s of a class act.

sj;

And the Oscar goes to......

In a few short hours the Oscars will begin! For me, this is a major deal and I will watch it from beginning to end.

Although I don't have a ballot (how do you get one of those anyway?)I have selected my TOP TEN FILMS FOR 2012.Here they are:

1. LINCOLN The amazing performances by Daniel Day Lewis as Abraham Lincoln and Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln make this movie. Director, Steven Spielberg’s, attention to detail is heartening. This is a great film that shows the American democratic experiment at work --- from a congress that does the tough labor and deals with difficult issues and the extending of rights to people.

2. THE IMPOSSIBLE I was emotionally spent after seeing this movie. A great performance by Naomi Watts and the young actor who plays the oldest son, Lucas, is a wonder. You live through this with this family and it is even more amazing when you realize the story is true. The ending is a powerful homage to the thousands who did not survive.

3. FLIGHT The Academy really honked-me-off by not nominating this movie for Best Picture. Another great performance by Denzel Washington and I loved that each character was flawed. A great and compelling twist solidifies the film.

4. ARGO I’m not a big Ben Affleck fan, yet, he made me one in this movie. An intense film about a piece of US history I did not know and that is really quite incredulous, yet, it happened.

5. SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK This easily could have been set in Pittsburgh with the passion of Steelers fans; loved the whole superstition and “good ju-ju” one does to guarantee victory for one’s home team. Great performances by Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Deniro. A great romantic comedy --- and I rarely, if ever, write those words.

6. LIFE OF PI A wonderful metaphor, a movie that makes you think and has you blown-away as it reveals its truth. Also, the special effects are incredible.

7. THE INTOUCHABLES Go to “Net-Flix” and put this movie at the top of your queue. One of the most accurate portrayals of a person with a disability and the need to just be seen as a person.

8. WE HAVE A POPE Same advice as in number seven --- rent this….do so now and watch it as part of the upcoming conclave to elect the new pope. A simply delightful film.

9. THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN This is my kind of super-hero --- unsure and very human. A great telling of the Spiderman story and Emma Stone is a delight.

10. JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI A great documentary that highlights one man’s passion for and commitment to his craft.

Happy viewing!

sj;