Sabbath Messages > Sabbath Message: June 24, 2006
Good Sabbath
June 24, 2006
"So that every day may be blessed with your peace,
And the spirit of the Sabbath may govern our lives."
A half year gone, flown like a comet--as life streaks by--tormented by fate, tempted by adult toys, purchased by credit cards.
"Misfortune is never mournful to the soul that accepts it, for such do always see that in every cloud is an angels face." (Jerome)
I drove to Capistrano to meet with the wonderful Art Bartner, both of us
missing Ralph Goodson so much. For Ralph had brought us together, for us
to write the history of the SC Marching band and Art's strong leadership
of it, as well as Disneyland's world collegiate band, for almost 30 years.
The County Fair was going on now, in Del Mar, and traffic was awful. I could already see the problem of returning home late afternoon, as the traffic coming south out of LA and Orange County was nightmarish. Art brought pictures of the band's visit to Italy, marching through the streets of Rome, to the Coliseum, performing like conquering heroes anticipating the mob's adulation. He gave me the picture which Fran will have framed.
I remember our first visit to the Coliseum, in 1967, how dilapidated it had been, faintly echoing the clamor of gladiators fighting for their lives in times only historians could have liked.
I see where the first "ethics Camp" was created at Santa Clara University, from which our eldest grandson had just graduated law school. This camp was dedicated to a moral compass in which a culture of ethics and accountability were reviewed. "Minor transgressions, not just breathtaking corruption in high places, contribute to a culture in which unethical conduct is accepted."
This should not be an annual affair, but a constant reminder that how we behave towards each other is how God decides on calling Noah into action again. The rainbow is a reminder of past mythology or truth, for it doesn't matter whether it happened or not, more important it reminds us to remember its lessons. In a time of melting glaciers, roaring hurricanes and the wait for the "big earthquake", all is possible including changing human nature, at last.
At the same time prophets of doom fill our unreasoning minds with the "end times", when the Messiah arrives, bringing with Him incredible bloodshed making the head of Iran into a modern prophet of doom. What good is goodness if it results in some ironic Armageddon that slaughters so many? It would cure overpopulation. Would it get rid of evil? Not if any humans survived the slaughter.
I believe in God and conscience, that how we behave will influence humankind and any survival, that Mother Nature is separate from prophecy and that modern times always surprise us with how cruel, yet beautiful it can be and act. The key is how each of us act; we are all voters in what God will do as time runs out and fate takes over, as usual.
So Lord, what's in store
for You and me
For mine and Yours?
Can you lend me a hint
Or was the great flood
the hint?
The cost was all the earth's creatures-
except Noah's chosen few-
Most all paid the price.
But had the elephant sinned?
Or the birds?
And was Noah and wife so pure
That You chose them?
What's the criteria?
Oh, I think I know
"Do unto others...."
I'll keep trying
Trying to remember
Whenever I see a rainbow
I'll let it color my life.
Amen
sandy
