Memorial Day, 2021

 

Once to Every Man and Nation, 

……. comes the moment to decide,

In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side,

Some great cause, some new decision offering each the bloom or blight,

The choice goes on forever, twixt that darkness and that light.

The words of this hymn are difficult for me to understand correctly.  Are these words about a nation taking up arms for a just cause, or what is perceived at the moment as a just cause?  Is it about an individual standing for truth and on the side of good against evil? Is it a decision of faith in Christ? All of these, I’m sure.  

It takes courage to make a decision on the spur of the moment when that decision may be a choice that changes everything.  Fifty four years ago in a village in the highlands of Vietnam a young American lieutenant played volleyball with us in our backyard on a Sunday afternoon.  On Monday morning he was killed in a battle with North Vietnam Army soldiers just five miles outside of town.  He had made a decision to serve his country and though I didn’t agree with the rightness of that war, we honor his service and remember that sad day when he and many hill tribe militia soldiers were also killed alongside him, some of the many who made choices that “go on forever” from that day. 

This inspirational hymn tune has been used as background for a video of the Red Army going into battle against the Nazis at St Petersburg.   It has been a rallying call for the anti-abortion crusade.  But also for standing up to power that makes wrong decisions to bring a country to war.  And for many individual decisions - what Christians call the discernment of the will of God.

In fact, it is a protest song.  The above are just four lines from a long poem titled “The Present Crisis”,  written in 1845 by James Russell Lowel.  It is a protest against the U.S. Mexican war which Lowel saw as an act of aggression for the purpose of extending slavery. 

I remember the stretching of truth and the falsehood that President Johnson used to escalate the Vietnam war, and the claims that George W Bush made that Saddam Hussain had weapons of mass destruction in Iraq as the rationale for invasion in what became a long drawn out war and a great strategic mistake.  The destruction unleashed by such decisions for what was deemed a just cause are choices that go on forever.  

How do we know at the moment of decision if it is a right or even noble direction?    

These gripping words set to an inspiring tune have been sung in many settings.  Listen to this rendition sung by Christians in a Cathedral in India.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHzXKTwCtg0

East of Eden

 

I finally read John Steinbeck’s novel East of Eden almost 70 years after it was published in 1952.  It is a long book (600 pages), and at times I got bogged down in some of the sub-plots, but I stuck with it as it was considered by Steinbeck himself as some of his best writing.  I was fascinated with the main theme and my attention was drawn to the Hebrew word Timshel.  

In my Cristian formation in the Lutheran tradition, I was taught about the importance of free will.  After all is said about good and evil and God’s love, we humans do have a choice.  We can accept God’s love, but we can also reject it.  What’s more we have the capacity to choose between good and evil. 

The most intriguing character in the novel for me is Lee, Adam Trask’s loyal Chinese servant. Lee acts as the novel’s philosophical and common sense compass. The Biblical story of Cain and Abel and the struggle humans have with good and evil is central to the story.

It seems like Steinbeck uses this character to develop his own thinking about what he called the “most profound question in the world”.  Lee takes the story of Cain and Abel to a group of wise old Chinese scholars for their take on it’s meaning and reports back:

“Don’t you see? The American Standard translation orders men to triumph over sin, and you can call sin ignorance. The King James translation makes a promise in “Thou shalt,” meaning that men will surely triumph over sin. But the Hebrew word, the word timshel–‘Thou mayest’–that gives a choice. It might be the most important word in the world. That says the way is open. That throws it right back on a man. For if ‘Thou mayest’–it is also true that ‘Thou mayest not.’ Don’t you see?”

One reviewer of the book, Dolly Doyle, wrote:

“The title East of Eden is a reference to the story of Cain and Abel. After killing his brother in a fit of jealous rage, Cain is condemned to a lifetime of wandering by God. In Genesis 4:16, Cain is described as going "east of Eden" into the land of Nod.

The direct references to the Cain and Abel story do not end with the title. Both sets of brothers featured in the book—Charles and Adam, and Aron and Caleb—mirror Cain and Abel (the latter pair are even named after them). Cain and Abel are typically viewed as opposites: Cain is treacherous and evil, while Abel is virtuous and good. Similarly, such dualism is suggested in the relationships between the two sets of brothers, though Steinbeck complicates the idea that one brother is good while the other is evil every time by emphasizing the importance of choice in moral action and the possibility of redemption for those who have done evil things in the past.”

 

Steinbeck tries to point out that the free will to make choices, which God has given to humans, means that though we will not be able to overcome original sin, we may decide to ask for forgiveness and that redemption is possible for everyone. There is plenty of evil depicted in the story, especially in the character of Kate, the mother of the twin boys Caleb and Aron. Is there even redemption for her?

This is a book I would love to discuss with a book club, but I doubt there are enough recent readers of it to form a group.  The movie of East of Eden, with James Dean, came out in 1956. I have not seen it but plan to and will probably be disappointed.

It is fascinating to find that the English folk rock group Mumford and Sons wrote a song directly inspired by John Steinbeck's novel East of Eden.  The song Timshel refers to the Cain and Abel account as an important symbol in East Of Eden's storyline.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8D7MLsNAb8

Prompts from Old Songs and Psalms during the Pandemic: #10

                                      In Peace I shall both lie down and sleep, Lord, make me secure.. From Ps 4

Hear My Words, Oh Lord… at dawn I will plead before you and wait,  from Ps 5

During the night I occasionally fret, but I am not overly worried as life flows on and I ponder in silence.  These times are slow and I am slow as I try to enjoy each day as age advances. 

But then there are disruptions and the unexpected happens.  In Psalm 6 the writer is in distress, weary with sighing, weeping in sorrow with trembling bones.  I dare not complain, as my suffering was acute, not chronic like some friends who live with constant pain.  

I was in the hospital for ten days.  These weeks have alternated between pain, anxious waiting and tranquility.  Finally I had a procedure called “Biliary Duct dilation percutaneous, with SJB”.  The radiologist thinks it went well.  But the doctors in the hospital had given me too much of an antibiotic and I came down with an allergic reaction - hives and extreme itching all over my body.  One of the seven plagues, I guess.  

Thankfully we are able to take a break from the medical regimen and go out to find a quiet place to camp along the Big Hole river.  We had a magnificent view of towering cliffs above with pine trees silhouetted against the blue sky and puffy clouds in quiet majesty. 

 I am reading Kathleen Norris’s book “Acedia and Me”  Acedia, which I was not familiar with, is defined as a state of listlessness or torpor, of not caring or not being concerned with one's position or condition in the world.  This is the way it is in life.  There is a lot of acedia happening these days as people feel listless, restless and out of sorts with isolation. Acedia has been written about by Christian monks and mystics for centuries.  No matter how we may want to pray the psalms and be in tune with the divine presence, life presents us with times of aridness and acedia.  Yes, even boredom.

One day we took a ride over a mountain road with magnificent vistas of  snow capped peaks high above and a herd of elk in the river valley below.  We were the only ones on that road.  It was so easily available - you just have to know where to go.  Every day is not a mountain top experience, but some are.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCjhhvj7mv0

Prompts from Old Songs and Psalms during the Pandemic: #9

                                                           Come let us sing joyfully…  Ps 95

Sing a New Song to the Lord. Ps 98

Some of my favorite Psalms encourage us to sing joyfully; definitely one of the joys of my life.  Almost daily I strum my guitar and sing “old songs”..  Songs like “A Wayfaring Stranger”, and “Keep on the Sunny Side” , or popular songs from the 60s, hymns and chants. I long for the day when we can sing the great hymns of the church in the sanctuary accompanied by a full throated pipe organ.  

We went to in-person worship for the first time in a year.  It was a very worshipful Lenten service - based on the evening compline.  I sang the simple liturgy along with the worship leaders.  Afterwards Pastor Wayne complimented me on my singing but nicely said we are not yet allowed to sing in church because of Covid 19 precautions. I said, yikes, don’t turn me over to the pandemic police!  We laughed together - but I did feel a bit foolish.  

I continue to learn some of the old songs by heart as well as listen to new songs. It is hard to beat the joyful song by  Marty Haugen, Sing Oh God of Earth and Skies. I even try to strum and sing this one by myself at home alone, but some songs just have to be sung in the community. Marty, a cousin, about three removed, grew up in Wanamingo, Minnesota, only about 8 miles from where I grew up. He has become somewhat of a legend in both the Catholic and Lutheran churches for his easy to sing along with compositions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTYOglt9ab0

Prompts from Old Songs and Psalms during the pandemic: #8

 When cares increase within me, Your comfort gives me joy.  Ps 94

I care about, I wonder about, think about many things every day.  What I care about is life, well being, loved ones and more..  But “cares” here means to worry, be concerned and have anxious thoughts about.  The news overwhelms me with information about the pandemic and especially the plight of others.

  

 Both forms of cares are with me daily. …. It does little good to worry, but how to avoid it.

 Last night I didn’t feel well, an upset stomach and breathing issues.  My mind immediately raced to worst case scenarios.  This morning I am fine.  Comfort comes with the dawn;  Joy maybe, but comfort for sure.  

The image of the Good Shepherd comes to mind.  Marty Haugen’s wonderful song, Shepherd me o Lord reminds me to look  beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.  Fear no evil, for You are at my side.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdiusy9YUYc

Prompts from Old Songs and Psalms during the Pandemic: #7

 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and in his word I Hope, My soul waits for the Lord, more than those who watch for the morning,    from. Ps. 130

I am not good at waiting.  Now I am impatient and wait for an end to this pandemic. Some see light at the end of the tunnel and are eager; others counsel to keep a steady course.  We will get through this, they say, but it will take time.  People are getting impatient and weary.  But it is early. 

We have been in “lock-down” for months and there is unease in the country.  People are protesting, egged on by the president - so obstinate and contradictory.  Impatient!

Though impatient, I know the wisdom of calm and patient waiting lest I not appreciate each new day. Some of the psalms are poems of quiet meditation, but others hit me with the reality of an unjust and suffering world and often the psalmist pleads for vengeance. The psalmist says, “for in your light we see light”.  I prefer to look to the light.  

One of my favorite Taize contemplative chants is Wait for the Lord, Whose Day is Near.  How good to take quiet moments to contemplate and wait.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7GexIvX8HU

Prompts from Old Songs and Psalms during the Pandemic: #6

June 18, 2020

Joy Dawned Again On Easter Day,

The Sun Shone Out With Fairer Ray,

When, To Their Longing Eyes Restored

The Apostles Saw Their Risen Lord.

Though this is not the Easter season, I am prompted to think of suffering, death and resurrection today.  My good friend, Gilberto, in Nicaragua has been suffering unimaginable pain from throat cancer.  Then he contracted Covid while in hospital.  He has lost the capacity to speak and swallow and has been in isolation.   He passed away yesterday.  Affectionately called El Profe, Gil was a kind and joyful servant to many, especially the poor of Nicaragua.  He had a passion for the Lord as he served in leadership positions in CEPAD, the church organization I helped to found after the 1972 earthquake.  

This very old hymn attributed to Ambrose of Milan in the fourth century, carries these words of comfort: from every weapon death can wield, thine own redeemed, thy people, shield.  Some of the weapons death can wield are fear, isolation, anger,  guilt and regret. I trust that Gilberto had no regrets and was not angry as he approached the end, but inevitably the feeling of isolation and aloneness must have accompanied him.  Thankfully, his good wife, Damaris, was present and David Parajon was attending to him with tender care as a doctor and friend.  Gilberto knew of the host of prayers being offered for his good and peaceful passing.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1Z1e7A83s4

Prompts from Old Songs and Psalms during the Pandemic: #5

Continuing to post a few of the meditations I wrote in my journal during the first year or more of the pandemic. This one goes back to almost a year ago, and as I write now the trial for the murder of George Floyd has concluded with a guilty verdict.  We don't know if this is a sign of change for larger justice, or just one case of justice won.

                                                              Lift Every Voice and Sing 

Written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson, this hymn/poem is filled with reference to the suffering of African Americans (the bitter chastening rod), and their hope for a better and more just future.  

This has become known as the black national anthem.  

Every line stands for the struggle and suffering, the hope and faith of the “march until victory is won”.  Sing a song of faith that the past has taught us, Sing a song of hope that the present has brought us.  Now, we are ten days into the protests and the deepening commitment of those who march for justice after the death of George Floyd on May 25th, 2020.  Peaceful assemblies of thousands in many cities under the banner of “Black Lives Matter”.  Some counter protesters disrupt and threaten the BLM marches.  Violence erupts.  

I ponder the word hope. I am not in a position to even come close to understanding the black experience in this country.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyS3HPInHtI