Where are you taking me?

Delivered September 26, 2009 at the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont, CA  (Bloy House)

Genesis 2:4b-9, 18-23
1 Peter 4:8-11
Luke 12:22-31
Psalm 16:5-11

I once read an LA Times article about Dr. Francis Collins, a medical doctor, lecturer, educator, and one of the worlds’s most respected DNA researchers whose area of study revolves around finding the source of the origin of our human spices. Due to his scientific nature, Dr. Collins was a card carrying atheist.

Raised by agnostic parents, he was sent to an Episcopal Church at an early age not to learn about God, but to study music; any talk of God in the home was forbidden. As the years went on, and he applied himself to his medical practice, he was confronted by questions from dying patients about the realities of life on earth, and the hereafter. Being a consciences physician and wanting something to say to dying patients, he decided read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, and not too long after, combined with life experience, God eventually did was God does best……leading Dr. Collins from atheism, to conversation. Read More »

One of the most beloved Hawaiian song “Hawai’i Aloha wass written by The Reverend Lorenzo Lyons, 1807-1886, also known as Makua Laiana, was taken from an old hymn “I Left It All With Jesus” composed by James McGranahan (1840-1907).

I have sung this song in Hawaiian, and performed it in Hawaii during a month long stay (many years ago) during which I also studied hula, and music with teachers from the Kamehameha Schools.

I was always moved by the Hawaiians in the audience who would stand, and hold hands as we sang. Then, on the very last verse, they would raise their hands up to the sky. It was not until years later I found out that the people raising their hands was not out of joy, but gentle, quiet defiance of a people who’s culture was impacted by global imperialism brought on by plantation owners, and American interests. Read More »

Late in the afternoon on Tuesday, September 1, Felix calls to suggest that we make a reservation at our favorite little Japanese Restaurant in Pasadena named Matsuri; Felix wanted to take me out for a birthday dinner. How wonderful I thought, our special eatery where we went on our first dinner date, and how romantic…great! We also decided that we would eat early enough so we can take our “constitutional”, our favorite thing of late, taking a nice leisurely walk after dinner.

I decided that we should walk down to San Marino, a mere block from my house, and take a new route; one I’d taken many times, but not shared with Felix.

“Okay”,  Felix responds, and off we go. We head down my street ending at the famed Huntington Library where we make a right turn, enjoying the lovely homes, wide sidewalks, and pleasingly quite street; beauty mixed with the over riding haze of burning mountain smoke, turning a half bright moon into dingy shades of yellow, and orange. Read More »