I can't wait for May--or even August.
I'm so cold.
As I get older cold affects me more.
I'm going to bed soon.
I will have lots of covers and a heater set at 70 at my bed.
That will be better than this.
Our house is at 69.
But I'm still cold.
Get warm and stay warm.
Mountains and God—Last after Epiphany
Everything we heard today—from the collect to the Gospel has a mountain in it.
I grew up surrounded by mountains in southern West Virginia.
Litchfield is one of the highest spots in Connecticut at 1080 feet above sea level.
Anawalt, where I grew up was 1706 feet above sea level. And it was in a valley surrounded by mountains another 1300 feet tall.
The God of the Jews is found on mountain tops.
When I was a kid, I would climb up one of the mountains and sit on an abandoned strip mine. I’d look down at the toy sized town and feel like a lesser god myself—as if I could wipe Anawalt out with my foot.
God called Moses to go up the mountain to meet him. Exodus tells us Moses went through a cloud and the glory of the Lord ‘was like a devouring fire’.
The lesson from second Peter tells the same story as Mathew’s gospel. Peter, James and John accompany Jesus up a high mountain, where Jesus is transfigured and made to shine dazzling white while talking to the long-dead Moses and Elijah.
Then out of a cloud, God speaks to them, saying, “This is my Son, the Beloved: with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”
God’s voice causes the disciples to fall down, full of fear.
After Jesus touches them and tells them not to be afraid, he also tells them to tell no one what has happed on the mountain until he is raised from the dead.
They kept it secret until Peter tells the crowds about it in today’s Epistle.
Next Sunday, Lent begins.
Lent may seem a long way from a mountain top experience, but Lent will lead us there.
We will meet with God during Lent.
Ponder that for a while.
Ponder meeting God where Lent leads us.
Amen and Amen.
After today's views, I have had over 300,000 views on my blog!
Thank you all for tuning in.
It makes me grateful--which is a good thing to feel!
If I use "!" anymore I'll be thrown off Blogspot.
So, thank you....
My knees are in such bad shape that even with sleeves on them, I have trouble going up stairs.
But I ordered pills today--I forget their name--that are created to help knee pain.
They'll be here in 4 to 12 days--why such a wide range?
If they work, I'll let you know, in case you need them (I almost typed "kneed them"!)
Until then I use a cane to come upstairs in our 1850 house--13 steps back and front.
Alas and alack.
I don't like getting old.
Talked to a young woman today about being married at Trinity, Milton.
She's the daughter of one of our members.
Her 'best friend' and future 'maid of honor' was with her.
I love preaching and celebrating but my two favorite things I do as a priest are baptisms and marriages.
Being involved in such sacred moments in people's lives makes me glad I became a priest.
I don't like funerals, but I feel they are very important.
Saying goodbye is a hard and painful thing and I like to be able to make it more bearable.
But give me baptisms and weddings--in that order.
(What I don't like are 'meetings'--whether vestry or annual meetings. I sort of 'zone out' during those, I hate to admit.)
Mimi and Eleanor were here for 24 hours and we saw Tim on Mimi's phone this morning.
I'm wondering how lucky we are to have two remarkable children, to wondrous in-laws and 4 grand children--winners all.
How did we get so blessed?
Mimi, Josh, Tim, Kathy, Eleanor, Tegan, Emma and Chris are wondrous.
We love them so much.
How lucky can you get?
This lucky, I suppose.
Thank God for luck.
And for all of them.
Thank God.
It's not that late and not that cold.
But I'm tired and cold.
I even have a knit cap on.
And from time to time, my head drops and my eyes close.
Who knows what that's about?
Not me.
It's only 7:17 pm--I just checked. And it was nearly 40 when I was last outside.
But I'm tired and cold.
Just the way I am, I guess.
Hope you are full of energy and feeling warm.
I really do.
You deserve to feel better than me.
