July 30, 2000
EPHEMERAL
Each spring I visit woods and parks, spending time searching for new wild flowers while also enjoying old favorites as I visit woods and parks. This spring I came upon a large growth of blue flowers with healthy and abundant green foliage. The plants were tall enough to catch my eye some distance away. Picking up my handy "Wild Flowers of Ohio" I discovered that the flowers were called Virginia Bluebells and are listed as "spring ephemerals." I wondered what that term meant. Then I read the following: "A forest floor carpeted with Virginia Bluebells in early spring will show no traces of the plant by summer."
Wondering if the author of the book was correct, I returned to that woods last week to re-visit the patch of bluebells. Sure enough, there was not a trace left of what was so noticeable a few months ago. It was sad. Unfortunately, we have all experienced people who are very much like those flowers. They are visible and present, and really make a difference in our lives...for a while. Then they are gone. Perhaps their disappearance is due to extenuating circumstances like a job change. Other times, however, they simply grow weary and move on to the next interest.
When it comes to one’s faith, we are called to be steady and constant in season and out. Perhaps especially when we are tempted to "disappear" from view is when we need to recommit ourselves to the task of growing and blooming in our presence before God
Fr. Herb
July 23, 2000
SURVIVING
After hearing others talk about the tv show "Survivor," I watched a bit of it last week. Actually, it was a video copy, so I was able to fast-forward through most of what seemed boring conversations. In case you have not been in the loop this summer, the series is one of those "real life" programs that started off with sixteen non-actor men and women supposedly trapped on an island. They have to build shelters, find food, and "hardest of all" live together. Each week’s episode features one member being "voted off" the island by the other members. The last survivor wins a million dollars. I have never been stranded on an island, but I do know that from even a few days of camping in the wilderness, you get dirty and insect-bitten. What’s more, survival really does depend on working together and supporting each other. The very idea of voting someone off the island is counter to the idea of surviving. Perhaps it is a sign of our "me-first"
mentality that surviving on this show means eliminating the others first. What a sad idea of what life is about. Only when we take into consideration others’ needs will anything of real value survive. We even have to try to include those we don’t like in our efforts to help others. For me, I’d rather watch a re-run of "Swiss Family Robinson."
Now, that was one group that knew how to survive on an island! ‡
Fr. Herb
July 16, 2000
LIKE FAMILY
For some reason this year’s Parish Festival was especially significant for me. It was my seventh since I came here as Pastor in July of 1994. That year the Festival took place on my very first weekend at St. Peter’s. I wandered through the crowd, not really knowing anyone. But I remember everyone being very friendly to me.
Some six years later I certainly know a lot more people. Nonetheless, I was impressed this year with the great number of workers who were involved for the first time. Some, I know, are families that have recently joined our parish or school families. Others may have been family friends who came to help out by working in a booth.
A healthy parish is one that helps everyone feel welcome and then invites all its members to participate in both the giving and receiving ends of service. It is good news, therefore, to report that there are constantly new folks stepping up to help out. I hope that for those who are new, the time spent working on a big project like the Festival will help them feel even more at home.
Something else happened last weekend that was good. It was evident from the set-up two weeks ago and continued through the Festival weekend itself, that working together towards a common goal creates a unity. Festival is not simply about raising money. It is an important way for church members to work together. As we unite ourselves in work and in play, we are even more able to unite ourselves in prayer, worship, and mission. Parishes, like families, need unity to remain strong.
Thanks to all who helped out in any way.
Fr. Herb
July 9, 2000
HERONS AND GULLS
The park by Lake Erie was an easy place to spend a few hours on a summer afternoon.
Besides the lake shore itself, there was also a large marsh area with a boardwalk crossing it. I found myself confronted by hundreds of birds. The gulls on the lake exhibited their prowess by diving right into the water after unsuspecting fish. They seemed tireless in their pursuit of supper. The herons in the marsh, on the other hand, stood motionless on long, thin legs in the shallow water. They patiently waited for their meal to swim towards them.
Two different ways of operating: actively chasing after the desired object or attentively waiting for whatever may come. I found myself wondering which is better, which is the way I most likely operate.
It may be tempting to behave like the heron and wait for that which we seek to approach us. Sounds easy, but extraordinary attentiveness is necessary in order not to miss what actually comes. On the other hand, actively chasing a goal, as gulls do, might be a great way to occupy one’s time. But those who do this must be willing to keep up the search.
God knows that nature needs both kinds of birds. Maybe we in our hunger for meaning have to borrow from both styles, looking ahead and forward even as we look at what is within reach.
Fr. Herb
July 2, 2000
LIGHTEN UP
A couple of weeks ago Fr. Tony and I were traveling somewhere when we started passing semi trailer rig. Just as we came along side, the driver, whose window was open, put out his left hand to wave at us. What was unusual was that at the end of his arm was a hand puppet! The little puppet greeted us and then waved us on. Both Fr. Tony and I began to laugh. We returned an appreciative, generous wave and continued on.
I am not sure what was going on in the mind of that truck driver, but obviously he was trying to keep it light and fun. In an age when you hear about road rage, it was reassuring to see someone enjoying the road.
It is not only on the highway that people need to lighten up. Some folks seem serious and upset about everything all the time. Often, if I find something bothering me, I ask myself if it really makes a difference. Will I care what happened ten years from now, ten days from now, or even ten minutes from now?
A recent best-seller is titled, "Don’t sweat the small stuff ... and it’s small stuff." How I wish I had thought of writing that! It sums up a healthy attitude towards life’s little
Daily annoyances. Perhaps we should all walk around with a hand puppet to remind each other to lighten up.
Fr. Herb
