By Father Casey
There is a common misconception about the prophets from the Bible. Rather than having a magical ability to predict the future, it is more accurate to say that they simply had a firm grasp of “cause and effect.” They recognized that if the people of God put their trust in things like weapons and armies, if they succumb to greed and allow the poor to suffer and starve, if they tolerate injustice and embrace truth only when convenient, then tragedy is inevitable. Though they were holy enough to speak for God, the prophets’ predictions didn’t require supernatural abilities. All it took was honesty to acknowledge the grave consequences that await when societies follow our basest impulses rather than our better angels.
The prophets could have predicted the mess we’re in right now. In the midst of a deadly pandemic, rather than demonstrate any spirit of sacrifice, nearly half of the people of our nation have refused to wear a mask in public or receive two tiny injections. Tens of millions have rejected a miracle of modern science and fallen prey to lies and misinformation. In their embrace of personal freedom, they have neglected the common good. And it doesn’t take magical powers to predict the result. Sickness is again rampant, including the frightening growth of “breakthrough” cases among the vaccinated. Hospitals are filled to capacity. Doctors and nurses are teetering on the brink. People are dying, and too many of them are children. Students and teachers are again afraid to go to school.
Just as in ancient days, there are grave consequences when societies fail to listen to our better angels.
Yet, even in times like this, we must not despair. The mercy of God endures even when we least deserve it. As we did in the early months of the pandemic, and again during the bleakest days of winter, we look in faith to God for strength to carry on and grace to love one another as Christ loves us. For now, in addition to the virus, cynicism and contempt threaten to poison our hearts and transform neighbors into enemies. Which is why we must, as the writer to Ephesians will remind us this weekend, “take up the whole armor of God”: the belt of truth, the breastplate of justice, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:10-20). And for our nourishment, we must feast upon the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
In order to do our part, and practice the love that Jesus commands, Transfiguration will pause from some of the activities we’ve been able to enjoy for the last few months. Until at least October 1, masks will again be required at all times for church events, indoors and outdoors. This means our fellowship groups must pause from serving refreshments at meetings and events, but this is a small sacrifice that will help keep people safe.
Not to be lost is the good news. 396 out of 404 adults who responded to our parish survey are fully vaccinated (98%)! In the survey we also learned that 75% of kids ages 12-17 are vaccinated, and 91% of parents of children ages 5-12 intend to have their kids vaccinated when it becomes possible. So, as a community we are doing what we can to keep one another safe. This high rate of vaccination, combined with our mask requirement, means we don’t need to resume reservations or assigned seating at worship. The church remains very much open, and the staff continues to work hard on plans for the fall, including an array of formation offerings – both in-person and virtual – beginning September 12 for children, youth, and adults. So stay tuned for a full listing, which will be published next week.
There’s a second misconception about the prophets, in addition to the idea that they were magical fortune tellers, and it’s that the prophets only talked about doom and gloom. True, they speak words of warning to the people of God, but they also share words of tenderness and hope. They remind us again and again of our bedrock belief: the worst thing is not the last thing. Darkness may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning. God has not given up on us, but moves in and through every loving heart and every act of compassion, and in the end, the goodness of God will prevail.