Colourful Dreamer

Last week we celebrated All Saints and All Souls, remembering and giving thanks for those who   have died, especially over the last year. On Thursday I will join some others at the RSA to remember the ending of WW1 and to acknowledge the enormous cost to this land. We too often forget that this was also the start of the Spanish Flu which killed tens of millions around the world, in part spread by returning troops from Europe. It was a time of grief, fear, anger, and loss. The world had changed forever and there was no going back. Remembering our dead involves acknowledging how hard it was for them and us. These last months have been hard. Our world has changed. Covid is here to stay. So, we are invited to acknowledge our own grief, fear, anger, and loss. And we are gifted the Book of Ruth which Bonnie helped us into last week. Ruth is a book of protest. Like Job, a protest against the idea God blesses the righteous with wealth and sons. Naomi felt wronged. A protest against the r...

I am not preaching this week. So here are some extended thoughts on our readings. On Sunday at St. Georges we join the ancient celebrations of All Saints and All Souls. These are days that allow us to celebrate both the great saints and those we have known and loved and who, for better or for worse, have helped shape who we are. We give thanks for their lives and acknowledge our grief at their passing. It is a moment to be still and to know our loss and to give thanks. A friend posted this quote on Facebook, “Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. “Be still” they say. “Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.”” (Linda Hogan) Thanks Franciscan Action Network. We are not using the All Saints readings. Enough of Lazarus I say. It just confuses what we might say on this day of marking our hope in resurrection. Instead we are using the readings for the 31 st Sunday in Ordinary Time. They are such great stories. Firstly Ruth – written as a voice of protest...