Explanatory note for “Hearers” column, 3-29

Some readers might be scratching their heads, asking, what does he mean by the “absolute end” of the father in the story?

I took this concept from the theology of the late, German theologian Karl Rahner. In trying to explain the unexplainable, Rahner says that we shouldn’t think of death as simply jumping from one horse to another and riding on forever. We are not, in death, exactly who or what we were in life. Death must, in some substantive way, be the finality, the end of our human person and the beginning of something new.

Now, this is very lofty, speculative language. What does it mean to be a “new creation” as Paul says? It seems to me that, between who we were in life, and who we are in death, there is continuity-in-discontinuity. The essential “self” or identity is still there, yet radically changed. We are not what we were, in some mysterious way.

Saturday’s feature on “Hearing the voice of God”

Readers will notice that I frequently go the liturgical calendar, then, rather than writing about the “Feast” itself, which would make my features almost exclusively Catholic, I take a theme from the feast and use it as a topic.

This was a slippery topic because, religion, by its very nature, is a very subjective thing. People in the “soft sciences” (of which I might consider theology one) might tell us that whatever “meaning” there is in religion takes place exactly in the place where we can’t prove it – inside ourselves. There’s something to be said for that.  But, the fact that human beings are “meaning-seekers” or “meaning-makers” suggests a certain meaningful design to the universe, right?

I know more than a few people who claim to have seen or heard extraordinary things. I don’t begrudge them their conviction. Clearly these are passionate, faithful people. I, however, despite my upbringing steeped in traditional Catholic piety, am less inclined to invest a lot in apparitions and visions. My faith simply doesn’t require them. I don’t say that in a haughty sense; rather, I mean that I’m not willing to stake much on fantastic things, miracles. I’m more into the mythological, symbolic dimension of Christianity.

I always try to capture the spirit of the people I interview in the few, impoverished quotes that I’m able to include in the features. I could not possibly do justice to the measured, intelligent responses that Rev. Gerald Hodges, from Hillcrest Baptist, gave; nor to the personable, compassionate sincerity of Major Sue Dorman; nor to the reserved exactitude of Rev. Tom Groome from First Presbyterian (a very committed, very laconic fellow); nor the rapid, energetic erudition of Rev. Andy Stoddard; nor, finally, to the unpretentious, deeply emotional way that Rev. Ken Hester spoke of his own calling to the ministry. These men and women really embody what it means to be a shepherd.

This Saturday’s column

My regular readers will have noticed that my by-line was absent from last week’s paper. I was in Louiville, KY with my wife seeing to the burial of her father, Doug. The experience affected me deeply, in ways that I’m still trying to understand. Saturday’s “Hearers of the Word” column is my re-imagining of the day he died. It was a profoundly meaningful experience that only yielded its meaning through a kind of cloud of silence, what I refer to in the column as the wall of meaninglessness. In the column I put my own thoughts in the head of my wife…Well, I commingle what I know she was thinking with my own reflections. I weaved in a couple of phrases from my favorite poem, “Sunday Morning” by Wallace Stevens. It was the first time that either of us had actually seen death. We were overwhelmed, awestruck.

Looking back, I can’t say enough about the holy silence that pervaded the event – or non-event is closer to the truth. Aside from a few questions that passed between us, I can’t remember saying much. I called the paper to tell what had happened, then my wife and I and some who showed up after Doug’s death just kind of communicated through thoughtful looks. We drifted in and out of the house through the open door, enjoying the warmth of the emerging springtime.  It was a beautiful day on which to die.

The family gave me privilege of speaking at the funeral. Through my tears I somehow managed to speak about what a thoroughly good, hard-working man he was. We miss and it will take some time to come to terms with his death.

Upcoming articles

I hope that everyone had a very nice Easter. Although I was absent for a week I’m now back and working furiously. These are some things on the radar in the coming weeks: an article on “Hearing the voice of God” coinciding with the Feast of the Annuniciation; an article including information about the Jewish “Passover” and the Orthodox Christian “Pascha” (Easter); a large article (possibly in two parts) about how “body issues” are among some of the most divisive in Christianity; and, of course, on-going commentary about the Pope’s visit to the U.S.

Peace,

Galen

The Pope’s visit

Pope Benedict XVI is coming to the U.S. April 15-20. The trip will coincide with his 81st birthday. The last U.S. visit by a pope was John Paul II in 1999 – then to a somewhat different religious climate in the U.S., before the crest of the sexual abuse scandal and 9-11.  The Pope will visit “Ground Zero” and address the United Nations. He will then travel to Washington D.C. where he will say Mass at the Washington Nationals’ baseball stadium. He will also meet with U.S. bishops and priests at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the Campus of the Catholic University of America.

Book signing at Reed’s Gum Tree Bookstore

An important book will debut April 1, 2008. The title is “Freedom” and 21 authors, including pastors and other people active in promoting racial reconciliation, have contributed essays.

Dr. Ed Holiday of Tupelo has also contributed an essay. Dr. Holiday works with Mission Mississippi and the Coalition of African American Pastors to promote racial reconciliation across denominational lines.

On April 2, Dr. Alveda King (niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.), another contributing author, along with Dr. Holiday, will be signing copies of “Freedom” at Reed’s Gum Tree Bookstore (131 west main st. Tupelo) from 12 – 1:30 pm.

Catching up

My regular readers will be surprised to see that my by-line is absent from this week’s page. It’s especially apparent because this is Easter – the most solemn day on the Christian calendar. No one is more disappointed than I that my work is not in this week’s paper. I had something in the works for some time, but, at the last minute, I’m very sad to say, my father-in-law passed away. I spent most of Holy Week in Louisville, with my wife, seeing to the funeral. My work is very consuming and it felt strange – and liberating – to just drop everything and go to my wife’s side. My father-in-law passed away Friday afternoon at his home in Hernando. My wife and I were privileged to be with him in his last moments. The sun was shining; the door to his little house was open to the yard. He lay in bed in his living room, slipping away, with the scents of spring flowing in around him. I’m sure the setting pleased him.

I wish that I had something profound to say about witnessing death, seeing a man I loved dearly take his last breath. The fact is that I’m still numb.  I’m surprised and disappointed at my own inability to articulate this experience.

Today being Good Friday, I can only look toward Easter for some sense of solace. Perhaps it’s fitting that today, of all days, after the frenzy of the funeral and travel have abated, I find myself so sad; perhaps, for the first time, truly staring grief in the face, being alone with it in the quiet of my mind. It is difficult to write, to concentrate. I’m thinkig of that Easter reading, the words that we read at my father-in-law’s funeral: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. He has been raised!” Easter will be especially meaningful this year for me and my wife.

God rest his soul. He was a very, very good man and I will miss him tremendously.

3-10, need St. Patrick’s Day input

This weekend I was invited to sit in with one of the adult classes at First Presbyterian Church in Tupelo. The topic of the discussion was “Jesus and Poverty.”

I thoroughly enjoyed myself. We talked about the church’s role in building communities of compassion, about the importance of work and personal responsibility, about the church’s preferential consideration for the poor, and about how the church can play a major role in helping to shape the dialog and language about poverty: specifically about avoiding terms like “clean this neighborhood up” etc., language that implies that people are dirty or morally deficient because they’re poor.

All the responses were thoughtful and intelligent. It’s a great group of people and a great church.

I’m working on a story about St. Patrick’s Day. I’d like for any readers who celebrate the holiday in a special way to call or write in. It doesn’t have to be anything big, just a special – even personal – way of observing the day.

The religion feature for 3-15 will be the LIMEX program: a group of area adults who are about to complete master’s degrees in pastoral studies or religious education.

Peace,

Galen

Bishop’s Mission Corps

Some stories feel like work; others are more fun. This was a fun story to cover. The three guys in the Bishop’s Mission Corps are serious-minded, fun-loving, creative guys who really enjoy life and want to serve others.

They reminded me a lot of the type of people that help out every year at Camp Glenmary, out in Amory. In a way, they conform to certain stereotypes – good stereotypes: There’s the artist/guitar player (CJ), the athlete (Bailey) and the grounded, analytical one (Watson).

In the story I quoted Michael Magargel from Camp Coast Care. This didn’t make it into the article but he talked about how tireless the Corps boys were and how neat it was to have CJ’s guitar playing at night as all the volunteers decompressed after a hard day’s work – real bohemian, traveler-on-the-road-of-life type stuff.

Essentially, CJ, Bailey and Watson want a deeper, fuller, more contemplative and reflective experience of life. There was  common current of disquietude, a vague, unnamed dissatisfaction with contemporary culture, that pervaded everything they said. Let me be clear – they’re not angry. Just not quite fulfilled. They feel that stepping back from the fracas of everyday life offers one the chance to really bite into the marrow of existence.

I couldn’t agree more.

additional pics and story from Empty Bowls Luncheon

As so often happens, at the Empty Bowls Luncheon, I saw and heard great things that didn’t make into the story.  Also, Todd Sherman took some great pictures that we couldn’t fit in (his are the last three in the slide show).

For instance, my friend Kevin Russell from KZ 103, as always, was a bombastic presence, laughing and spreading the good cheer that he’s known for. A very nice lady, Elnois Tucker, while busy busing tables, spoke eloquently of how hard her colleagues in the Women’s Auxiliary worked to prepare for the luncheon. Cindy Kirk recalled that Pierce St. School ordered 17 take-outs, for which the ladies were very grateful. The Rev. David Langerfeld, Associate Pastor at Harrisburg Baptist Church, while enjoying the  “7 bean soup” from Heavenly Ham, said, “I think that people enjoy the fellowship so much that they’d pay $12 just to come and talk, not to mention this wonderful soup.” Eloise Hampton, a member of Harrisburg Baptist Church, was very proud of her new bowl – maize colored, with verdant, green vines encircling the rim, and a fat, round pumpkin in the center. She was going to add it to her collection.

I met Kay Bain for the first time. I interviewed her over the phone several months ago when I still lived in Indianapolis. What a delightful woman! A real icon of the city. She spoke highly of the work that the Salvation Army does throughout the world. And, the music she provided took me back to my childhood.

Finally, Maj. Sue Dorman and Lt. Col. Ted Arrowood of the Salvation Army really acquitted themselves well as representatives of such a fine organization. In speaking with them it was clear that they have a real love of people and want sincerely to help those in need.  Arrowood described the spirit in the room as “beyond expression” and thanked everyone, including the board of directors and all involved. He praised the Women’s Auxiliary for “taking ownership” of the project and running with it.

Toward the end, as the the swarm of volunteers set about cleaning and tearing down the tables and chairs, Susan Gilbert and I watched in awe. “Everybody moves in unison and they all help each other,” she said, smiling, clearly moved by the selfless efforts of the volunteers.

I had a wonderful time and left with only one regret: that I didn’t try more soup. (I was pretty preoccupied with interviewing folks.) Although I didn’t try any others, I can say unequivocally that it would have been awfully hard to beat the “Tuscan tomato” soup from the Main St. Deli. Good, good stuff!