Sabbath Messages | Sabbath Message: June 12, 2004
Good Sabbath
June 12, 2004 "Each one of you, each individual soul
Is a glowing spark of that torch eternal,
Kindling the light of life for me."
In a culture that stretches between extreme TV shows and violence, as our past-times, I thought ironic of the opening of the "perfection" of the robotic Stepford Wives and the splendid choreography of Ronald Reagan's non-funereal funeral. After having experienced the happiness of Tim Larrick's celebration of passing life, the perfection of our 40th President's passage from mortality to immortality approached a motion picture production.
Can you imagine what might have been the result if there had been a modern film crew and director when Christ and Moses were around? Thousands of years of evolution would have speeded up, while truth, fiction and imagination would have coalesced. Would be have been better off" Could we have discerned truth better than fiction? Have we?
"Dead counselors are the most instructive, because they are heard with patience and reverence." (Johnson)
The senses were saturated by the beauty of this perfection, as stage management took over, and memories were colored by reverence, often quite political, but than again everything is politicized isn't it? Ronald Reagan was imperfect and he knew it; is what made him an unusual leader and most beloved. His smile was a contagion, his personality fun and expressive; he was an Irish wake come alive; he had no foe who didn't love being with him, even the former head of the USSR.
His wife's emotional gorgeousness was matched only by the sons' articulation of poetry and prayer; the daughter's beauty was matched by her words. Thus a man's life is embroidered by love and remembrance. And Nature itself was choreographed as the day ended in natural sunset, with thousands of neighbors, alighting from their homes, to wave and salute the fallen warrior--their ultimate neighbor.
We humans have infinite capacity to share and show love when politics are hidden. He become more humane and isn't that the way we are supposed to be, created to be?.
The cathedral was magnificent, the singing of the Battle Hymn, the cadence of the honor guard, the carrying of the casket, the Irish tenor's memorized lament, the presence of the major religions. The only upset was the accompanying talking heads of TV who acted more like dazzled fans than analysts, but that was OK with this Man, a giant smile with matching smile.I kind of enjoyed Wolf Blitzer shifting into fandom and recurring youthfulness.
Laughter is best the cure for the worst that can happen--death as it passes before our eyes. Tales of exaggerations and comic relief--even after assassination survival--are welcome these days, when casualty lists of youngsters haunt our senses. What did a parent of a lost soldier feel as she watched TV, knowing that none of these politicians wanted a public funeral for their lost youngster--even a shot of the flag-draped coffin?
I remember the Simi Valley, in early 1950's, when I first did market research of this resting place of the 40th President. I still remember when I emerged from the long drive (no freeway then) and could view the entire place. It became a haven for many families. My family personally spent precious weekends with incredible living personalities, at the indescribable Brandeis Institute, also on a hilltop, across the Valley from Mr. Reagan's resting place and place to learn. We need our hilltops and sanctuaries, so that our minds may breathe and search and appreciate the blessings of God in His true Nature.
Remember that all idols are made of clay, sculpted by need and promotion. Modern life is like a Hollywood production, where fantasy and reality are crowded together with no recognizable borders. The torch of liberty allows us the urgings of truth and we must be faithful to it, for we must love our country more than party or candidate. Only then will our culture emerge from the darkness of idol worship into the reality of God's simplicity: to practice a Golden Rule filling our lives with kindness, nurtured by our faith in a deserving God.
May His countenance shine upon you and yours, this Sabbath.
sandy
