| Pastor's Page -- Rev. Timothy L. Seals |
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February 2012
Commenting on heroes, Winston Churchill said, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” Presidents’ Day is the day that we set aside to celebrate the few who have made our nation great. When I was a child, we used to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. Washington’s birthday, however, has given way to Presidents’ Day. I detest Presidents’ Day, because not all our presidents were heroes. Frankly, some are not worthy of our admiration and emulation. I should say, however, that after reading the biographies of all the presidents in the 19th century, from Thomas Jefferson to William McKinley, I have softened a bit. Before entering the presidency, every aspirant of that office was outstanding in their personal lives. Nevertheless, I wish that we would return to celebrating the birthdays of our two greatest presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
George Washington is the most famous founding father, the legendary general who led the revolution that would eventually change the world. But, before he would garner the qualities for which we admire him, he had to be changed, transformed. Before he was George Washington, the hero, he was a grasping, land-hungry swindler. He was also a self-conscious, insecure military officer who blamed others for his blunders. In the backdrop of his heroic façade were struggles, failings, all the emotional stuff that make us all flawed humans. Washington grew, however. He was transformed and became the man that he was destined to be. Indeed that is the real stuff of heroes: overcoming personal obstacles to actualize the callings on their souls. Each of us must confess that the biggest obstacle to our growth is ourselves. Washington humbly admitted that and was thereby transformed. If, then, we could shed George Washington of the mythology and see him for what he struggled to become, then maybe the population will demand that his birthday be restored in its rightful place as a national holiday, for then he will have become more relatable. Until then, he will remain a distant Father of the Nation who could never tell a lie.
Every great person had his or her moment of transformation, when they realized that they were taking a journey from which they could not deviate. All the ups and downs of the lives prepared them for such a resolute decision to take such a journey. It was no different for our Lord. In February, we shall once again observe Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lent. Before Jesus took up the journey to the cross, he underwent a change, a change that would usher him to the cross. He took Peter, James and John to a mountain where he was transfigured before them. He divine brilliance shone through even his clothing. This event gave Jesus and his disciples the momentum to journey to Jerusalem and face all that would occur in that city to procure for us our salvation in his painful, bitter suffering and death on our behalf. You have a spark of divinity in you, for you have been baptized. Your Baptism if the transformative event that gives you the momentum to continue the journey that is set before you, to journey with peace, love and joy. Lent will afford us an opportunity to assess how we are journeying in this life: what do you need to transform about yourself under the reign of God’s gracious kingdom in your heart through Word and Sacrament. During Lent our prayer is that of John the Baptist: I decrease, so Christ may increase.
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