Healing Waters
This Sunday we reflect on the story of how Jesus calmed the storm at sea that threatened to kill all those who sailed upon it. Perhaps the turmoil and fear experienced by the disciples, and the others on the Sea of Galilee at the time, can be related to how many of us feel about the storms threatening our world today. With the acts of racial violence, life with COVID, and climate change destructions, does it not seem as if the wind is whipping the stinging salt water in our eyes, and tossing us about as the waves crash over us?
Depending on the force water is exposed to, it can be violent and life threatening, or it can be the epitome of calm and peace. Two weeks ago at a vigil in Shelburne for the found graves of the 215 children, an Indigenous Elder woman prayed to Mother Water to bring about healing and peace to the souls of the children wronged, and to a nation suffering tremendous grief. One week ago, at a vigil in Shelburne honouring the Muslim family in London who were killed, those gathering were offered water by the Imam.
Both the SALT lectionary notes and the poem by Mary Oliver remind us that the stormy waters threatening the disciples as they cross the Sea of Galilee, represent a "communal phenomenon" whereby the death-dealing forces will be steadied by Jesus with a calm, courageous campaign of healing and liberation.
As we contemplate the calming affect our faith can bring us, let us also remember that this Sunday is Father's Day. Let us honour the fathers, and father figures, in our lives who bring us strength, support, and steadfast love.
Steadying Forces
Leveling the Boat
by Mary Oliver | June 15, 2021
In this poem by Mary Oliver we are encouraged to reflect on the aftermath of the storm. "... the sea is silky and sorry, but soon enough, the people get restless. Something different has crossed the threshold. We may plead for deliverance, but the truth is we’re often attached....to the way things are, the devil we know, and wary when things threaten to change."
Fatherly Love
by May Patterson | June 11, 2020
Father's Day was first celebrated at a YMCA in Washington, in 1910, inspirated by Sonora Smart DoddIts who wished to honour her father. Her father, William Jackson Smart, was a Civil War veteran and a single parent who raised his six children.
Calm Waters for All
by SALT team | June 15, 2021
We are encouraged that, "There are also “other boats” in the storm with us (Mark 4:36). In his time and in ours, when Jesus proclaims the words of healing and liberation — Peace! Be still! — he calms the wind and waves not only for our sake, but for the sake of the life of the world."
Living Our Faith Day-to-Day
Last week I attended two Evenings of Prayer were hosted at Muslims of Shelburne Centre and Muslims of Dufferin Centre, in recognition of the Muslim family killed in London last Sunday. Members of local churches as well as local politicians expressed their sympathy and reassurance on ways we can do better to help our Muslim friends feel safe and welcomed. Many members of the Muslim community express deep gratitude and appreciation for the people who came to express their love and support. I was grateful to see the smiling faces of some of our Muslim students at Island Lake, one of whom had confessed to the crowd that (at 7 years of age) he was afraid to tell his school friends that he was Muslim.
As a Spiritual Director, I have been studying world religions and participating in various rituals and ceremonies of different spiritual paths for several years now. Time and time again I experience that the only thing that is fearful is when we allow our minds to fall victim to the “single story.” When we think we know the other because of what we have heard, seen in Hollywood, or on the news. It is incredible what happens when we wake ourselves up to hear and connect with the many wonderful stories that truly exist about the other. Something even more powerful is the moment in which we look the other in the eye and see past ALL stories and labels we have about them... that my friends, brings a feeling of peace and connection like no other.
How can we use the news of this recent tragic event to wake us up to living our faith more consciously, not just within our own Christian community, but with all our brothers and sisters?
“As-salaam alaikum”
— Rev. Jill McPherson