Day 40: Lent

DAY 40: LENT

The 40 Days of Lent ends this evening, with the opening of the Mass of the Lord's Supper and the beginning of the Sacred Triduum.  I end this 40 Boxes for 40 Days with a box of Lenten materials.
St. Benedict said that "Our lives should be an eternal Lent."  By this, he didn't mean that our lives should be all sackcloth and ashes.  In fact, the word Lent comes from the Old Engliush for "spring."  Our whole lives should be one of joyful anticipation of the opening up of all creation.  At the same time, our whole lives should be marked by the disciplines of prayer (communing with God), fasting (letting go of that which distracts us from God), and almsgiving (channeling our lives in service to the poor).  So even as we leave these 40 Days behind, we take with us what we have learned through our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. 

As we leave Lent and enter the Sacred Triduum, let us pray that our lives will be an eternal Lent.

Just as a single offense brought condenmation to all, a single righteous act brought all acquittal and life. 
                                                                                              - Romans 5: 18

Day 39: Games

DAY 39: GAMES

A box of unused games sits in the corner of a closet, unused, unplayed.  Sometimes, I get so caught up in day-to-day activities, that I forget to celebrate the divine presence; I forget to play:

- to take a few minutes to play fetch with the dog,
- to take a ride through the neighborhood,
- to find delight in the simple things of life.

Thank you, God, for the gift of play.  May I never take it for granted.

The city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in the streets...Even if that should seem impossible in the eyes of the remnant of this people, shall it in those days be impossible in my eyes also?
                                                                                                   Zechariah 8: 5-6

Day 38: A Cracked Pot

DAY 38: A CRACKED POT

I bought this large fiberglass pot about five years ago to collect rainwater for the garden.  It didn't survive all the freezing this winter.

A few years ago, I visited the town of Cana in Galilee, where Jesus performed his first miracle: turning six jars of water (similar in size to this one) into wine.  As a former caterer, I know that if there is one day people want to go exactly as planned, it's usually a wedding day (news flash: it never does). 

I attended a retreat recently, where it was pointed out that Jesus' first miracle wasn't healing someone or bringing someone back to life, but helping out an embarrased host who ran out of wine.  He didn't provide just a few bottles, but six jars "each holding twenty to thirty gallons" (John 2: 6), and by John's account, wine better than that originally provided.  Jesus's first miracle: a sign of extravagant love and hospitality.

A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.
                                                                                                     - John 10: 10

Day 37: Lost and Found

DAY 37: LOST AND FOUND

In the sacristy, there's a plastic tub that functions as a "Lost and Found."  Well, lost...found...but not claimed.  I cleaned it out today, threw some away, and set aside the rest for OASIS.

Who hasn't been lost at some point in life?  Who hasn't lost something, or someone?  Everyone can identify with the frustration, fear, and lonliness that come with being lost.  Which means that everyone can also identify with being found, or finding what is lost.  What a wonderful thing it is to finally see the familiar landmark, or see those keys poking out from under the newspaper!

What a wonderful feeling that God never stops looking for me.  Maybe all I need to do is stop and listen for God's call, so that God can embrace me and celebrate my return.

Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it?  And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, "Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost."  In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
                                                                                                                        - Luke 15: 8-10 

Day 36: My Grandma's Dishes

DAY 36: MY GRANDMA'S DISHES

"Theodore Haviland, New York; Apple Blossom," it says on the bottom.  My paternal grandmother died when I was in gradeschool.  Family lore says that she was an awful cook, but my grandfather backed her up quite well.  He was an awesome, Southern-style cook; we often visited their house, and dined on Virginia ham, homemade biscuits, collards, and butter beans, among other culinary delights.

When my grandfather died, I received the china.  It seemed an obvious choice, since I was in catering at the time.  Fact is, though, although I've displayed these dishes proudly in my dining room, I rarely eat off them, so I decided to give them to one of my nieces.

Real dining -- at a dinner table with china, crystal, silverware and linen -- is becoming a lost art.  At church, I have trouble convincing folks NOT to use paper plates and plasic ware, even for the most special occasions.

The Rule of Benedict instructs us to "Treat all gusests af if they were Christ."  If Jesus showed up for our Easter dinner, would we serve him on paper plates? 

Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward, you may go on your way.
                                                                                      - Genesis 18: 5

 

Day 35: Bubble Wrap

DAY 35: BUBBLE WRAP

I keep a box in the office for packing materials that come in boxes shipped to me.  I take them to the UPS store to be re-used, keeping lots of bubble wrap and styrofoam peanuts out of the landfill.

It's sometimes tempting to take myself a bit too seriously.  When I encounter a responsibility, I can sometimes act or think as though I am what is important, rather than the task.  The same is true of my calling as a disciple of Christ.  Feelings of self-righteousness or pride can creep in, leading to a "holier-than-thou" attitude. 

St. Paul reminds us that "we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord" (2 Cor 4:5).  I'm simply an ordinary clay jar -- fragile and breakable -- that holds a great teasure to be shared with all.

As we enter this week we call HOLY, may I find some "bubble wrap" to protect me:

- in the scriptures,
- in the Church,
- in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

May this protection help protect the fragile vessel that is me, and enable me to share the precious gift of Jesus Christ with others.

But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.  We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
                                                                                                - 2 Corinthians 4: 7-10

Day 34: Wind-Blown Flags

DAY 34: WIND-BLOWN FLAGS

At the entrance of the church, there are a couple of flage poles on which we fly various colored flags, to signal the liturgical seasons.  As I was looking for the red flags to put up for Passion Sunday, I found quite a few of these flags that were pretty much in shreds.  There's something about the front of our building that tunnels wind through there like few other places.  Only the strongest flags make it through more than one season.

I don't think it's accidental that the Holy Spirit is portrayed as wind: 

- She's the breath of God, breathing life into creation.
- She's the strong, driving wind that parts the Red Sea.
- She's the storm that tosses the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, and the wind that "filled the whole house where they were sitting" on Pentecost.

We move with that Spirit, tossed in the wind, giving it our all, until we finally surrender our threads and let go to the power of the gale.  Sweet surrender.

Think of a ship: big as it is and driven by such strong winds, it can be steered by a very small rudder, and it goes wherever the pilot wants it to go. 
                                                                                              - James 3: 4

  

Day 33: A Box of Letters

DAY 33: A BOX OF LETTERS

My attic continues to be a source for 40 Boxes for 40 Days.  Today, I found an entire box of letters, all from the early 1980s.  I kept a few of these letters, before putting the rest in the recycle bin, but all of them served as a snapshot of my life over 30 years ago. Some of them were notes to keep in touch, others were congratulating me on life events, others filling me in on what was going on elsewhere.

Despite the ease of digital mail, it cannot quite match the impact of the arrival of a handwritten letter.  As I was reading many of these letters, I appreciated the sheer effort it took to decide to write me, put pen to paper, and then physically post it.  The irony of even thinking this as I type out a blog entry that will be shared on Facebook does not escape me.  Even so, thanks for the memories, and send someone a letter today.

Could it be that, like some other people, we need letters of recommendation to you or from you?  You yourselves are the letter we have, written on our hearts for everyone to know and read.  It is clear that Christ himself wrote this letter and sent it by us.  It is written, not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, and not on stone tablets but on human hearts.
                                                                                                      - 2 Corinthians 3: 1-3

Day 32: A Dog Bed

DAY 32: A DOG BED

When I took a dog obedience class, we often discussed crate training dogs.  A common objection was that it seems cruel to keep a dog in a crate all day, to which the instuctor would always reply, "Watch what they do all day when you're not there; they sleep!"  It's true;  I don't crate my dogs, but Abbey and Jake have worn this bed out.  I suppose they deserve a nice comfy bed, in return for the companionship they provide.

Jesus answered, "It isn't right to take children's food and throw it to the dogs." 
"That's true, sir," she answered, "but even the dogs eat the leftovers that fall from their masters' table."
                                                                                              - Matthew 15: 26-27

Day 31: A Helmet

DAY 31: A HELMET

I'm not sure, but I think this was my first motorcycle helmet.  I try to replace my helmet each year, as recommended.  Just 20 states (plus D.C.) have universal helmet laws, requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets.  Even if it wasn't required, I'd wear one, because I love my head.  It's a complex, awesome gift from God.

Aren't five sparrows sold for two pennies?  Yet not one sparrow is forgotten by God.  Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.  So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows!
                                                                                               - Luke 12:6-7

Day 30: A Box of Blankets

DAY 30: A BOX OF BLANKETS

I'm taking these blankets, that have been in a box in the attic, up to my cabin in the mountains, where a blanket is always a good thing.  The top comforter was made by my oldest sister, Judy, when I was in college.  It's my school colors (go Ravens).  I don't think it's accidental that they are called comforters.  There's something about a snuggling up under a pile of blankets that gives me a real sense of being safe.  It's kind of like laying in God's bed (I'm sure God has at least 800 thread count sheets).

You will be like the person in the proverb, who tries to sleep in a bed too short to stretch out on, with a blanket too narrow to wrap up in.
                                                                                     - Isaiah 28: 20

Day 29: An Old Grill

DAY 29: AN OLD GRILL

OK, I need a bigger box.  This grill was all rusted.  The bottom had fallen out.  Time for it to go.  In our neighborhood, you can place just about anything on the curb, and it's gone in no time.  I once put a refrigerator on the curb at 10:00 at night, and it was gone when I got up the next morning!  The tinker comes by in his pickup, and throws it in the back. 

Scrap metal.  Spare parts.

We live in such a disposable society.  I find comfort and hope that this won't end up in the landfill, but find a new life in a variety of ways.  I find comfort that there are people that value our castaways.  A complete stranger helps me care for God's creation.

So I went there and saw the potter working at his wheel.  Whenever a piece of pottery turned out imperfect, he would take the clay and make it into something else.
                                                                                                           - Jeremiah 18: 3-4

Day 28: Fire Hazard

DAY 28: FIRE HAZARD

This box contains a small electric heater I keep in the bathroom to take the morning chill off.  The other day, I smelled an acrid smell from the other room.  Apparently, they are serious about leaving heaters unattended; the appliance had overheated.  I unplugged it, and into the trash it went.  No sense in risking an 80-year-old house for a twenty dollar heater.

Now the heater will be tested by fire.

The quality of each person's work will be seen when the Day of Christ exposes it.  For on that day, fire will reveal everyone's work; the fire will test it and show its real quality.
                                                                                                           - 1 Corinthians 3:13

Day 27: Wasted Food

DAY 27: WASTED FOOD

According to one source, 40% of food in the U.S. today goes unused.  If the expired food I pulled out of my pantry is any indication, I can believe it.  I must admit, I was horrified; I thought I was more responsible.  One more resolution to make.

Do not work for food that spoils; instead, work for the food that lasts for eternal life.  This is the food which the Son of Man will give you, because God, the Father, has put his mark of approval on him.
                                                                                                                   - John 6:27

Day 26: Glass Bottles

DAY 26: GLASS BOTTLES

Today I gathered up all the bottles I've kept over the years. 

I like bottles; like mirrors, they all have a story. Someone shaped that bottle, someome filled it.  Someone drank from it.  I see a bottle on the side of the road, or deep in the woods, and I wonder how it got there.

 I've kept some bottles for their shape, or their color (the deep blue ones are my favorite), or for their story (from a place I visited, or a beverage that was given to me by a special person).  I think I'm going to take them up to the cabin, and make a bottle tree; I understand that's good luck.

You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in your bottle.  Are they not in your book?
                                                                                                          - Psalm 56:8

Day 25: Windows 95

DAY 25: WINDOWS 95

Remember floppy disks?  This set for Windows '95 has 29 disks to install!  I can't believe that was nearly 20 years ago!  According to Wikipedia, "Accompanied by an extensive marketing campaign, Windows 95 was a major success in the marketplace at launch and shortly became the most popular desktop operating system. It also introduced numerous functions and features that were featured in later Windows versions, such as the taskbar, the 'Start' button, and the way the user navigates. It was also suggested that Windows 95 had an effect of driving other major players (including OS2) out of business, something which would later be used in court against Microsoft.
Some three years after its introduction, Windows 95 was succeeded by Windows 98. Support for Windows 95 ended on December 31, 2001." 

Obsolete in 6 years.  On to the next big thing.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
                                                                                               - Romans 12:1-2

Day 24: Leather

DAY 24: LEATHER

Every day of 40 Boxes for 40 Days, I think it will get harder to find stuff.  Not so far.  Today, I opened a small closet at the base of the stairs, and filled a box in a few minutes.  One of the items -- a pair of leather pants -- was a Christmas gift, from when I was pretty serious about my motorcycle.  They fit me at one time; a characteristic of leather, though, is that it is unforgiving.  Once you get too big for your britches, there's no squeezing back in.  The pants tell you to move on to something new.

Nor does anyone pour new wine into used wineskins, because the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins will be ruined.  Instead, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins.
                                                                                                             - Mark 2:22