Last night, after the special meeting, I looked at some of the news articles about Victoria Beach. I came across one where people booed her and shouted her down. And I thought about how, last night, she made space for all to speak and listen.
A decision of the inner life had been made to refuse the way of hostility and choose the path of hospitality. Last night all could speak.
Something holy in the park
It was a gathering in a Seattle neighborhood park named after Powell Barnett a Seattle musician and civil rights leader. Ms. Beach had invited us. So, Sister Michelle, OA, and I went. It was a “dialogue with our Black SPD Officers.” The event was sponsored by the African American Community Advisory Council. There were 50 or 60 people gathered. For two hours people spoke and listened. Most stood. Six feet apart with mask. Under the clouds. It rained. No one left. The rain stopped. There was more to say and more to hear.
For two hours people spoke and listened. Older Black police officers, an Asian American police captain, the men and women who could lose their jobs, the progressive officer who came to Seattle because policing was changing, the county sheriff, the leaders of the Council. And there were the other citizens who spoke—the young white student, a black teacher, and people from community organizations.
Victoria asked if I wanted to say something. I said, “Maybe next time.” For now, I needed to listen. On the Feast of the Transfiguration I was transfixed.
The speaking was of past hurts and of present fears and hopes. Some officers spoke of their experience of “driving while black.” Also, of decisions to serve and be part of the change. I heard frustration and hope, pride and anger—anguish for a city they loved and had such hopes for.
The speaking and the listening were respectful and thoughtful. There were prayers, some laughter, nods and grunts of “Yes, been there.” It ended around 8:00. Leaving the park my legs were stiff from standing and I had to walk slowly. I recalled how Victoria had leaned in and asked if I wanted to sit on the bench. Generous kindness. I said, I was fine, though in truth there was some pain. But at that moment I needed to stand. I was vaguely aware that it had something to do with respect. Maybe even that there was in this gathering of citizens something holy going on. So, I stood. Maybe next time I’ll sit, and it will still be something holy going on.
Let all things seen and unseen their notes together blend
Today is the Feast of John Mason Neal. I love his translation of John of Damascus’ hymn “The Day of Resurrection.”
The last verse includes words of God’s harmony—“Let all things seen and unseen their notes together blend.”
And I thought how God’s harmony invites us all into the fullness of truth and justice, into a new life of the deepest joy.
And I thought how that unity, grounded in truth and justice, makes space for all to sing, for all to speak and listen in God’s Beloved Community.
Now let the heavens be joyful, Let earth her song begin, The round world keep high triumph, and all therein, Let all things seen and unseen their notes together blend”
V. Now let the heavens be joyful
R. Let earth her song begin
A reading
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Surely we do not need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you, do we? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all; and you show that you are a letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3: 1-3)
A collect
O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessed Cecil Frances, John, Christina, and Percy; you show us the beauty of God, prayer for us.
John Mason Neale Feast Day August 7
24 January 1818 – 6 August 1866
Best known as a hymn writer and, especially, translator, having enriched English hymnody with many ancient and mediaeval hymns translated from Latin and Greek. More than anyone else, he made English-speaking congregations aware of the centuries-old tradition of Latin, Greek, Russian, and Syrian hymns. The 1875 edition of the Hymns Ancient and Modern contains 58 of his translated hymns; The English Hymnal (1906) contains 63 of his translated hymns and six original hymns by Neale.
His translations include:
All Glory, Laud and Honour
A Great and Mighty Wonder
O come, O come, Emmanuel
Of the Father's Heart Begotten
Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle
To Thee Before the Close of Day
Grant, O God, that in all time of our testing we may know your presence and obey your will; that, following the example of your servant John Mason Neale, we may with integrity and courage accomplish what you give us to do, and endure what you give us to bear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
And about parish development
There is a holiness in respectful speaking and listening. That's especially true in times of strong feelings and division. All God's children get to speak. All get to listen. We are to love even our enemies, even those who would refuse to listen to us.
How might your parish grow in such speaking and listening. What is some step you might take in the coming days? How might we become more able to listen, in St. Benedict's manner, with the ear of our heart?
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Resources
On truth and justice
Independence Day 2013: Piety and the Unfinished Work
at least then we are actively engaging with our lives
Justice
Breakfast with Frances Perkins
The Church’s Influence in Society
A Compassion and Justice Award
Mary and Martha: The relationship of action and contemplation
Christian Action
Three Holy Years: 1963 – 1965
Red cars Red cars 2 Red cars 3
Remember the poor
That blessed family
Chaos the eventual hope
The Peace of God
A nation and world society at peace with itself
The unfinished work
On Listening
Fake Listening
Trust, listening, complete messages, and cooperation
Not listening: I have the power; get reconciled to it
Q & A: Take Counsel – Stop Grumbling
Seeking parish harmony
Endures all things
Caesura: Levels of consulting in the parish
The Church’s way of reconciliation and forgiveness