Forever empty?

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darkness, discipline, Episcopal, God, happiness, journey, Lent, light, Louis C.K., redemption, sadness, sin, technology

Photo credit: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/09/23/louis-ck-texting-driving_n_3974759.html

I was talking to a parent recently about the challenges of raising children.  She reminded me of an awesome interview by Louis C.K. with Conan O’Brien.  The interview itself is funny and, as fair warning, quite crass (do not watch it with impressionable ears nearby – the link can be found here).  But what struck me about the interview is what I would label as pretty powerful theology by Louis C.K.  In his interview, he argues that we use technology to fill our time so that we can avoid the reality that there are parts of life that are tremendously sad and times when we feel utterly alone.  He further argues that by filling up that dark space and not allowing ourselves to fully experience that deep sadness, we never get to true happiness.

I was struck this week about how appropriate Louis C.K.’s words are for the Lenten experience.  I have a couple of parishioners who really dislike Lent and find it horribly depressing.  In some ways I agree with them.  Lent is somewhat depressing, and for some odd reason, that is what I like about Lent.  I never could fully explain that reality until I heard this interview.  What Louis C.K. points out is that sometimes we really need to go to those dark places.  Otherwise, we can never really find the true, deeply abiding happy places too.

In the Episcopal Church, The Catechism in the back of our Book of Common Prayer says this about sin:

Q:  What is sin?
A:  Sin is the seeking of our own will instead of the will of God, thus distorting our relationship with God, with other people, and with all creation.
Q:  How does sin have power over us?
A:  Sin has power over us because we lose our liberty when our relationship with God is distorted.
Q:  What is redemption?
A:  Redemption is the act of God which sets us free from the power of evil, sin, and death.
(BCP 848-849)

Lent gives us the opportunity to really examine our own sinfulness – the ways in which we have distorted our relationship with God, other people, and all creation.  Many of my friends have given up some form of technology for Lent – by not checking Facebook, taking Sabbaths from TV or the internet, or putting down their cell phones at certain points of the day.  My guess is that their discipline will create room for them to contemplate their sinfulness, or as Louis C.K. might say, their “forever empty.”  My prayer for them is that their practice leads to an ability to find their way back to God, who redeems us and helps us find that true happiness.  I am curious about how you are journeying into your own “forever empty” this Lent, and I look forward to hearing how that journey leads to the light.

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Homily – 2 Chronicles 20.20-21, Psalm 106.1-5, John Mason Neale, August 7, 2014

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God, goodness, gratitude, happiness, homily, John Mason Neale, love, priest, thankfulness

Today we honor John Mason Neale, a priest of many talents.  He was a hymn writer, supplying our current hymnal with several original hymns and over 30 translations of Latin and Greek hymns.  His more familiar works include, “All glory, laud and honor,” and “Sing my tongue, the glorious battle,” from Palm Sunday and Good Friday, respectively.  He was a priest who actively supported the Oxford Movement, which sought to revive medieval liturgical forms.  He was also a humanitarian.  He founded the Sisterhood of St. Margaret for the relief of suffering women and girls.  Born in 1818, he died at the age of 46.  Though his life was short, it was full.  He took the gift of his years and gifted the church with beautiful liturgies, song, and service to the poor.

John seemed to embody in his life our Old Testament lessons today.  Second Chronicles says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.”  Our Psalm says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.”  Our lessons encourage being rooted in thankfulness because the authors know how generous, loving and merciful God is.  Once one realizes that goodness, the only possible response is one of gratitude.  The things John did: revising liturgies, writing beautiful music, serving the poor – all bubbled up from a place of gratitude toward the Lord.

But how do we get to that place of gratitude?  The psalm says, “Happy are those who act with justice and always do what is right.”  Think back to the last time you made sandwiches with the interfaith group, helped grow produce for the poor, or simply gave money to the church in support of its ministry.  Do you remember how those experiences felt?  There is a happiness that comes when we love God’s people.  That kind of happiness helps us to better see goodness – to better see God.  And when we see God, our hearts are overwhelmed with gratitude.

John Mason Neale showed us what a heart filled with gratitude can accomplish.  Out of his gratitude flowed music, worship and service.  John invites us to enliven our lives with gratitude and enjoy the beauty that will flow from us.  So give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.  Amen.