Friday - April 26, 2024

READING “All human beings have three lives: public, private, and secret.” Elizabeth Gilbert WORDS OF HOPE Spoiler alert: This reflection gives away significant plot details for the film Moving On. As a fan of “Grace and Frankie,” I gravitated to the movie Moving On, a recent Netflix offering. Claire (Jane Fonda) and Evelyn (Lily Tomlin), were college classmates who have grown apart over the years and meet again at the funeral for Joyce, a mutual friend and Evelyn’s former roommate. From the beginning tension exists with Joyce’s husband Howard (Malcolm McDowell), tension that breaks through the surface when Claire cooly tells him that now that Joyce can’t be hurt by it, she intends to kill him. Her reasons for this radical act lie buried. It is but one of the secrets in the movie--secrets which have shaped who the central characters are, impacted their intimate relationships, and directed the course of their lives. Evelyn voices her secret early on when she makes an unscheduled tribute to Joyce at the wake and reveals that they were lovers during the end of their college days and shortly thereafter. Though both Howard and his daughter say this is a lie and mock her, Evelyn’s truth telling is a pick ax that chips away at a facade of their supposedly perfect marriage. Later, Evie tells Claire that she was married to a woman, Annette, but that she died soon after. Claire expresses a halting regret that she had not known the woman Evie loved, nor known of her sorrow. In the film Claire seems closed down, controlled, lacking affect. Even her former husband doesn’t know why she left him many years ago. As they renew some sense of closeness during the rituals of the weekend, she can only tell Ralph (Richard Roundtree) that something bad happened that made her mute and blind to everything good in her life. But she breaks off without exposing the secret that traumatized her. Only her therapist and Evie know the source of the pain and damage which still festers decades later. As the plot unfolds, however, she confronts Howard with the devastation of his drunken, violent rape of years ago. Like many abusers, he denies the act. The deep wounding of the long-held trauma erupts in Claire’s relentlessness to hold Howard accountable and punish him. Ten-year-old James, the grandson of one of the other residents of Evie’s assisted living facility, also holds a secret—perhaps even from himself. When his parents come to visit, he is left to his own devices and finds a safe haven with Evie who is a counter balance to the grandfather who wants to teach him how to play ball and shoot a gun and thinks there is something wrong with him. She has discerned that this child is at least a softer, artistic boy who enjoys playing dress up in Evie’s clothing. The gift of a pair of sparkly rhinestone clip-on earrings delights him, but her tender affirmations are even more affecting. A later scene demonstrates his parents’ anger at Evie’s influence on James, but she stands her ground saying that she wishes she were his grandmother—that she would bake him cookies and tell him every day how perfect he is. Tears rimming his eyes are the only reply. Though we do not have any indication that James understands what gender fluidity is—he does know that the way he is fearfully and wonderfully made is not like the stereotypes into which his family tries to force him. Of all the moments in the movie, this one was most poignant for me—perhaps because so many of us who are gay would have given anything for someone to hold our faces in their hands, look lovingly into our eyes, and say, “You are perfect, just as you are.” And I pray that someone will do that for our young people so that their lives do not have to be lived in the shadow of secrecy. PRAYER Oh God, to whom all hearts are known and from whom no secrets are hid, heal us from the assaults to our dignity and personhood and hold us in your precious love forever. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR  Dr. Pat Saxon

SCRIPTURE Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  WORDS OF HOPE With Earth' s creation and the unfolding of the human experience, God saw great beauty and expanding potential for our loving relationship with the Holy One. The creative act endowed humanity with freedom of choice. According to the Book of Genesis, some individuals generally chose a lifestyle pattern which was compatible with divine hopes; while many more individuals ignored the opportunity to walk in the ways of God. Over many generations, disobedience and evil ways were chosen most often. From the descendants of the righteous man, Abraham, God chose to demonstrate the Divine's nature and purpose toward humanity. However, even those Israelites often failed to live according to God's desires. It was an era when so many were frightened and dismayed. Even with the threat of increasing sin, the creation was not to be abandoned by God. Creation would be redeemed. And from the family of Jesse, King David's father, would arise One who would restore humankind's relationship with God. Throughout the centuries, we have been given hope and courage by so many hymns that remind us of that truth. "Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming from tenderest stem hath sprung, of Jesse's lineage coming as saints of old have sung. It came a flower bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night. This flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere. True man but very God, from sin and death he saves.” -from a 16th-century German hymn. Do you remember this hymn by Bob McGee? "Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel. God with us and revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel." God continues to offer us this incredible, loving gift of Emmanuel to save us and draw us into close relationship with the Holy One. God in us, God with us and God to act through us. Because of this gift, our relationship with God may become intimate and eternally unbreakable. It is a gift of divine wisdom and presence to empower us to bless the world. What a fantastic gift which is freely offered to each of us by the loving Creator. Only one question remains... have you received this gift, opened it up and let the light of God motivate your life? PRAYER Almighty God, we give you thanks that you will sustain and guide us through uncertain periods of life. We can place complete trust in your constant presence and love in our lives. Strengthen us to obediently listen and respond to your voice. And may our confidence in your guidance allow us to comfort and help those around us who experience fear and need. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Donald (Luke) Day Order of St Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE Ephesians 4:32 Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. WORDS OF HOPE With all of the violence that humanity is inflicting upon itself in today’s world, people are confused, hurting, and angry. We are left trying to figure out how to manage our heavy hearts and go forward as followers of Christ. The first step toward healing our hurting hearts and souls is forgiveness, something that may seem difficult at best if not near to impossible In light of all of the ugliness we are facing. The above passage from Ephesians, however, is clear that we should forgive both quickly and thoroughly. To do this, we must understand what forgiveness actually requires of us. We often hear the saying, “forgive and forget” as advice to move beyond hurt, trauma, and actions that are unjust. The forgiveness given to us by God in Christ does not ask us to forget. It asks only that we release from our hearts the desire for personal retribution. “Let go and let God.” Forgiveness does mean we endorse sinful behavior. It does not negate the natural consequences of one’s sinful actions. Forgiveness frees us from the burden of having anything to do with such consequences. That is all left to God. Offering forgiveness also does not mean that all of our feelings of hurt or anger will disappear. We don’t have this kind of control over our feelings. Rather, forgiving others is a way for us to responsibly manage our feelings. That said, it is not necessary to apologize for having them. Ultimately, forgiveness is love in action—love of self, love of neighbor, and love of God. The final stanza of the anthem “All the Beauty of the Lord” by Gwyneth Walker (based on text by Frederick William Faber) sums up these thoughts: “If we could love more simply, ever living by the Word, Then our lives would be enlightened with the mercy and the kindness, with the healing and forgiveness, with the sweetness and compassion, all the beauty of the Lord, all the beauty of the Lord!” PRAYER God of mercy and compassion, guide my heart to that place where I can forgive quickly and thoroughly. And in so doing may I come to truly know the power and meaning of your love. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Kris Baker Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait only upon God; for my expectation is from God WORDS OF HOPE Fall teaches us about expectations. In Texas every year we are filled with hope that September will bring us cooler weather (maybe lower 80's or something so we can enjoy outdoors in comfort). We long for September 22 to arrive and bring us Autumn that is longed for after our steamy summer! Those of us who have lived in Texas all our lives know better! But Facebook has made it worse. The beautiful fall pictures cause us to long for that coolness and beauty of Autumn. But we also fail to remember the reason we live in Texas is to keep us from suffering brutal winters in those places that have beautiful autumn scenes! Life's let downs are usually from expectations we have built up. Expectations can lead to disappointment, but it is important to remember that this is a natural human experience. Setting realistic expectations, managing our control, and avoiding comparisons, can minimize the likelihood of disappointment and embrace the unexpected turns of life. Expecting complete happiness is not realistic. But working on planting joy in our life and soul can sustain us when life brings circumstances that can dampen happiness. Maybe by the end of October or in November we will have some desirable temperatures. By December we may even have some days of pretty Autumn color! But by then our expectations will probably be focused on Christmas! So, enjoy the pictures on Facebook, if you can't take a fall leaf viewing tour! And remember why you live in the South! Try not to covet other areas’ weather! PRAYER  God of all good things, help us to be careful of our expectations! Help us find reality in our expectations! You bless us with so many things. Help us be more thankful. Help us enjoy the part of our world where we are! DEVOTION AUTHOR Jan Nunn

SCRIPTURE  And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. - Colossians 1:9-10 WORDS OF HOPE In a recent video chat meeting, my spouse and I met with a couple of friends over video chat to get some advice on a decision that we were considering. We did our research before the call, brought lots of questions to the forum, shared our own perspective on the situation, and then listened carefully to the information they shared and the advice they proffered. It was a very encouraging conversation, and our two friends were very nurturing and understanding. It was not only a good source of information, but a bit of a therapy session as well. At the end of the call, one of our friends offered something we were not expecting. They offered to pray with us. With a gentle voice and connected spirit, she prayed for us, our situation, and for protection and guidance. It had been some time since someone offered to pray for me and her voice and her prayer were a balm. Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-12 reminds us of just how deeply intercessory prayer can shape things. A prayer that not only asks for help but asks God to transform hearts and minds, so that we can more honestly follow Her. Just as our friend prayed for a ‘circle of protection’, Paul’s prayer reminds us that life’s challenges require God’s might, inviting His power into our daily life and the lives of those we love. It’s a reminder that strength, endurance, and joy are both empowering and sustaining. And then our friend’s prayer pointed to gratitude. I think she knew that when we pray for others, we focus not just on needs or difficulties, but on God’s blessing and purpose. Like Paul, her prayer was intentional – praying for us to know God’s wisdom, protection, perseverance, and joy and encouraging us to have a heart of thankfulness. This is how we are to pray for others. Prayer is both a gift to God’s people and an invitation for God’s participation in the work of their lives. PRAYER A prayer from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Thomas Riggs