Says John, "Welcome in, Everybody."
Readings:
Isaiah 66, 10-14, As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you. (Isaiah at his best)
Psalm 66, Let all the earth cry out to God with joy
Galatians 6, 14-18, Peace and mercy be to all.
Luke 10, 1-12, 17020, Peace to this household.
Marilyn lights our Summer Candles.
Isaiah observations:
The scene: the people are now back in Jerusalem, a destroyed Jerusalem. Isaiah is attempting to put a positive spin on everything. After all that took place in the Babylonian captivity, Cyrus has defeated the Babylonians and released the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem.
This chapter 66 is the last of the whole book and the work of the third Isaiah.
The Psalm. Can this be true? The Psalm is also 66. It is beautiful and positive. Can religion be better?
Ron reads our Blessing of the Summer Candles.
Why I am still proud to be an American
This morning in honor of July 4, I want to share why I am still proud to be an American. I have 4 little vignettes.
The first took place when I was in Tanzania giving a retreat or seminar to a small group of delightful Dutch religious sisters. We were at a mission on the outskirts of a little town called Morogoro. A thief got into my room, which was a fixed up shipping container on the edge of the compound, while I was having breakfast. I lost my passport & a few small things.
Who let in that funny man with the hat?
So, I had to go to the American Embassy in Dar es Salaam, the capitol. The staff did not hassle me, but treated me like a fellow traveler. I remember feeling, first, a sense of security and, secondly, a sense of being proud to be connected with a country which was a dream country to so many Tanzanians.
Happy 57th Anniversary, Marilyn & Ron.
Secondly, Iowa and the marvelous week long 500 mile bike ride the end of this month. 30k people riding from the MO River to the MS River. The atmosphere is so friendly and fun.
Amid all the camaraderie, the event that always touches me the most is the Amish concession. Not just because I can buy a piece of pie (about 5 varieties) for 3-4 $$’s and a huge spoonful of vanilla ice cream being made right there under the tent for another 2-4 $$’s, It is the fact that in America a group like the Amish can live and thrive.
My Dearest Carrie, I remember you as a sweet, pretty little girl from our days at St. Marks. Now look at you, a pretty girl and a doctor. I'm impressed and delighted for you.
I will miss seeing my buddy Henry, the pie vendor, a guy about 24 years old and very friendly. I will miss renewing our friendship. He even loaned me the money once when I forgot my money.
I ride Iowa’s Ragbrai, I am proud to be a crazy American like all the crazies around me.
Aggie, this is fortification for the rework of your knee. May it be successful and bring you peace.
Thirdly, our neighborhood picnic and parade. So many kids, so many families, so many dogs, so many families of color. Rosemary is the refreshment czar and hosts the most popular concession on the campus of the Preston Hollow Elementary, where the disk jockey rides, where the fire truck begins the parade, and where face painting and animal petting all can be found.
Want to know how popular Rosemary is? I was instructed to pick up 24 dozen donut holes to go with chocolate chip cookies from Costco and grapes in plastic cups. How many donut holes left over? Zip, zero, nada.
A dozen times during the morning I am touched to be there. I am proud to be part of America and I am proud of Rosemary.
Listen everyone. Connie & John are going to visit Bill in Pagosa Springs. Therefore, what a better way to show Bill our appreciation for his hospitality for Rosemary & me. Enjoy it, Bill.
Finally, remember the Mays when Rosemary & I would join her delightful family to do the Ride New York? While there we would take the marvelous Staten Island Ferry (still FREE!), and pass by the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the French.
On that statue is the following sonnet:
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teaming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the Golden Door.
It takes a team. Especially because we are color coordinated.