From Lenten Reflections into Eastertide

A Pastoral Perspective

One author whose journal writings have had resonance with my devotional reflections through the years is Thomas Merton.  Time and again I find myself returning to his daily meditations while also pondering poetic and narrative passages in scripture and other literature.  Thoughtful vignettes from day-to-day readings tend to mete out grace upon grace over various poignant moments.  They are welcome Christ-centering opportunities that render soulfully anchored blessings unto the very ground of my being.  Treasured times of refreshing toward magnifying the Lord in and of my life lived for the glory of God alone are the order of the day forward in days ahead yet to come.  Such is the ongoing quest of continual yearning for more of the Lord in our life together at the presence of the holy.  It is an experience of the Lord our God accompanying us on the journey in which we eventually discover the Spirit of the Holy One is praying in and through us all.  Merton puts it in this way.  

One Spirit Praying in All

Contemplative prayer is the recognition that we are the [Children] of God, an experience of Who God is, and of [God’s] love for us, flowing from the operation of that love in us.  Contemplative prayer is the voice of the Spirit crying out in us, “Abba, Pater.”  In all prayer it is the Holy Spirit who prays in us, but in the graces of contemplation [God] makes us realize, at least obscurely, that it is [God] who is praying in us with a love too deep and too secret for us to comprehend. We exult in the union of our voice with [God’s] voice, and our soul springs up to the Father, through the Son, having become one flame with the Flame of their Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the soul of the Church, and it is to [the Spirit’s] presence in us that is attributed the sanctity of each one of the elect.  [The Spirit of the Lord] prays in us now as the Soul of the Church and now as the life of our own soul—but the distinction is real only in the external order of things. Interiorly, whether our prayer is private or public, it is the same Spirit praying in us: [The Lord] is really touching different strings of the same instrument.^[1]

March 21, 1950, II.422

on approach to DCA

As we enter Lent into the season of Easter, may we be devoted anew in our nearness to the Lord God. 

Pastor Rex Espiritu

---

^[1] Merton, Thomas. A Year with Thomas Merton: Daily Meditations from His Journals – A Spiritual Guide for Reflection, Gratitude, and Self-Care in the Pursuit of a Mindful Christian Life (p. 140). (Function). Kindle Edition.

Pastoral Perspectives through Generations of Justice and Peace

Amidst various recent news articles regarding current events on university campuses throughout the land, I came across an opinion piece evoking a sense of past times being brought into the present, renewing fervency in fields of feeling from, as one popular artist songwriter’s lyric puts it, “when I wore a younger man’s clothes.”^[1] Upon reading it, I experienced memories during my junior year through undergraduate studies and life as a young adult surface, bringing scenic recollections adrift toward one among others pounding the bricks and lawns around College Walk over Columbia’s main campus at Morningside Heights on the island of Manhattan’s upper westside in New York City, suddenly soddenly coming to mind… 

Speaking to the salient moment of today’s generation, I read with interest as an alumnus, columnist Lydia Polgreen’s account: 

“Their tactics were a mild echo of those of an earlier generation of students, who effectively shut down the campus in April 1985 to demand that Columbia divest from South Africa — protests that were in turn an echo of the 1968 student takeover of the university amid the broad cultural rebellion against the Vietnam War.”^[2]

The following verse from scripture revisits the academic psyche in this season’s zeitgeist: 

“They are blessed who work for peace, for they will be called God’s children.”

—Matthew 5:9 (NCV)

A prior month’s photograph at the Carter Presidential Center while visiting dear friends and church members around Atlanta reminds me of our connectedness with people through generations before and after us in our struggle toward justice and peace for all peoples around this world that God so dearly loves.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall accomplish this both in the now and the not yet of things still to come.  

In Christ’s Peace, —Pastor Rex

---

^[1] Piano Man https://www.billyjoel.com/song/piano-man-14/

^[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/19/opinion/columbia-protests-israel-gaza-crackdown.html

Walton Underscores Urgency in Making Theological Education More Accessible, Inclusive | Princeton Theological Seminary

The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Lee Walton Inaugurated as Princeton Theological Seminary’s Eighth President
— Read on www.ptsem.edu/news/walton-underscores-urgency-in-making-theological-education-more-accessible-inclusive

“A ritual like this, representing a defining moment of history and renewal, urges us to look both backward and forward; it requires a clear-eyed assessment of the relationship between past and future, a deep-seated examination of how best to seize the possibilities inherent in this moment of change and rebirth.

As we face a new and frightening era in the world, we mark a new era at Princeton Seminary. May it be a time when learning illuminates truth, knowledge confronts injustice, and wisdom forges a new path toward peace. An education grounded in faith and compassion has never been needed more.”

Drew Gilpin Faust, PhD, President Emerita of Harvard University — whose Charge to the Learning Community was delivered for the Inauguration and Installation of The Reverend Dr. Jonathan Lee Walton, PhD, who “previously served as the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church at Harvard” during Dr. Faust’s presidency

https://www.ptsem.edu/news/walton-underscores-urgency-in-making-theological-education-more-accessible-inclusive?fbclid=IwAR1DHRRdJARt0q2t4x6g5ASeoX7D9pPkbCsWUW7dpJgUp2z-2ZxzIoYQUEE_aem_AYdj0qpBXI8TuOdlUQSscGAnQQnbuqkG4ZomdbVwzvOcrG0d2WuM1XT3nbFuZLrVYAo&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

A Prayer for the Day(s) After Epiphany 2021

Sovereign Lord, as you prevail upon our nation’s leaders’ deliberations today, may the reign of your Spirit’s conviction preside and precipitate due and timely proper awareness of any complicity to rain down upon those among us especially in deep and dire need of repentance, both individually and corporately.

May “We the People of the United States, in Order to [continue to] form a more perfect Union, [re]establish Justice, [re]insure domestic Tranquility, provide [anew] for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,” over and over, once again this day reaffirm here and now the ordained establishment of “this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Let it be so by your grace, O Holy One, for such a time as this unto the glory of our Creator who has endowed us “with certain unalienable Rights”, among which of “these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

We make such “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone” in our country and particularly on this present day at this prescient moment in time for “all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

In your holy name and redeeming mercy,
Amen

OPEN LETTER TO VICE PRESIDENT PENCE, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, AND THE CABINET CALLING FOR THE REMOVAL OF PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM OFFICE

“We grieve for our country at this difficult time and continue to pray for the safety and security, and ultimately the healing of our nation. Holding those who have abused their power and participated in these immoral and tragic actions accountable, in particular the President of the United States, is one step toward healing.” (National Council of Churches, USA)
— Read on nationalcouncilofchurches.us/open-letter-to-vice-president-pence-members-of-congress-and-the-cabinet-calling-for-the-removal-of-president-trump-from-office/

The Aftermath of Epiphany 2021

Among a multitude of lines crossed by the federal executive branch of government in office at present, of which many took note much earlier leading up to this past Wednesday, it appears to have been the Day of Epiphany in more ways than one, particularly for those in the current outgoing administration.

The week’s egregious event(s) of grave concern on that day apparently provided for the timely tipping point at which the threshold has finally been breached, though not necessarily for some still staunch supporters as lingering holdouts albeit amidst diminishing returns.

It is disconcertingly even more so a suddenly saddening sordid sight. Now added to shameful memory in our nation’s consciousness as a disruptively grievous sobering site on which the incitement of unruly harmful forces was unduly sanctioned by a sitting commander-in-chief. No wonder the scrambling being witnessed in the defecation storm’s aftermath.

God help us all in the midst of our utter utmost brokenness as we the people seek again to be the people for one another whose government is meant to be of, for and by the people of these supposedly United States. America, may God shed God’s grace anew upon thee in the new year, hopefully redeeming the years the locusts have stolen. Lord, in your mercy….

On This Day Different From Other Days

“Instead, they were longing for a better country….”
—‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:16‬a (NIV‬‬) [after Epiphany]

Today, “in the desecrated chambers of democracy”, facing the aftermath of mob insurrectionists’ inundating the U.S. Capitol, the duly elected people’s representatives upon their duty and renewed vow to uphold and defend the Constitution of these United States are charged and blessed anew with the mandate and honor of rebuilding and reuniting our democratic republic toward a more perfect union.

O, U.S. of A., how deeply divided a nation of extremist polarizing factions are we in this present day…

As one nation under God, among fellow citizens of the undiscovered country, indivisibly called to prayerful intercession on behalf of one another with liberty and justice for every person, let us reject, renounce and refrain from inciting any and all seditionist tendencies and conspiratorial theorists’ efforts among us. May we instead engender, encourage and empower the best of us and the better angels of our nature for the greater good and common welfare of our shared humanity.

This is my heart in prayer, on this day different among other days, unto the holy One who intercedes for us before the throne of grace. O Lord, by your sovereign hand of redemption and reconciliation, let the healing of this our nation among all nations begin again, herewith in and under your mercy

A New Year’s New Beginnings in Joy

Today

1/1/2021

“It seemed good to us….” (Acts 15:25a’)

Dear Ones in the Beloved Family of Faith,

Effective today, Friday 1 January 2021, I am officially serving full-time as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Winchester and Portland, IN where both congregations have affirmed the call together for shared pastoral leadership with one another and me. A new year of new beginnings in the Lord beckons me anew to faith-filled obedience in ordained ministry — “for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29)

Acts 15:25a (NASB)

“it seemed good to us, having become of one mind….”

This month marks sixteen years of service for me in east central Indiana as a member of Whitewater Valley Presbytery whose commission on ministry (COM) has approved the churches’ joint covenant in mutual agreement. New opportunities and expectations engender renewed hopes and aspirations amidst the dangers and crises of the current times we are facing together in these latter days.

“Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church….” (Acts 15:22a)

Alongside each and everyone called to this mission in ministry with others in community, I endeavor to remain steadfast, standing firm under the mercy, moving forward in faith together toward advancing further the reign of our sovereign Lord in our midst. Blessed by providence with provision in perseverance, we proceed as God almighty presides over us and our progress through this present pilgrimage.

Acts 15:28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials

Praying in the new year ahead, continually lifting others up together gathered before the throne of God’s healing grace, I rejoice in the Lord renewing our rededication to each other as the Spirit renews our fellowship and commitment to one another in Christ. The Spirit of Jesus is with, in and among us! Thanks and Praise be to the Lord our God Who alone is worthy to receive all blessing, honor, glory and power unto the Ancient of Days.

A Joyous and Prosperous New Year of Blessings to you and yours!

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — above all — Praise Adonai

Amen

Waiting While Wanting in the Wake of Wonder

The beginning of this month signals the end of Daylight Saving as we anticipate the annum turning of ecclesial seasons from All Saints’ Day through the Reign of Christ Sunday into Advent. I have just recently, once again, as if for the first time, rediscovered a reason why I am, at times, drawn to watch news reports and read articles in the paper and periodicals. Suddenly reacquainted with a keen awareness of what keeps driving me to keep abreast of issues and becoming more deeply prescient upon the recent and ongoing plights of our society today, still I endeavor to remain in hope. 

The sordid significant streams of self-disquietingly thoughtful reflection serendipitously sought by stewardship that, eventually, seemingly inundate, satiate and suffuse one’s inner life, apparently help reconnect me further with a continual desire to remember my father’s love and loves of life, family and friends along the journey of journeys unto eternity.^[1]

I miss my Dad. I yearn for whatever semblance of insightful paternal wisdom and fatherly advice he would generously, keenly and timely provide throughout life lived together with loved ones. 

I remember watching Dad in his retirement, intently viewing television for hours on end with focused concentration and undistracted attention toward various items in a variety of news broadcasts. There would be several sections of journalistically reputable newspapers strewn about after his reading them each day throughout the week and especially the Sunday edition of prominent publications hot off the press along with a diverse plethora of weekly and monthly magazines from subscriptions and sometimes nearby newsstands in town. This would inevitably well inform his contributions to stimulating dialogue in the casual course of engaging conversations with others. 

By his example, Dad inculcated in me a cultivating, captivating curiosity for currency in national and world affairs that would have untold repercussions on my developing certain principled views on civics and international issues. A lawyer, labor and business leader in his decades long career following higher education and training, subsequent to service in the Philippines under U.S. General Wainwright’s command during WWII, my veteran father’s acute and heightened sense of duty, righteousness and responsibility concerning liberty and justice for all was a poignant influence on his son’s worldview. It would later serve to strengthen my vocation in ministry upon encountering the theological approach of holding the bible in one hand and the published news in the other while praying through daily devotions with the offering of intercessions unto the One able to accomplish that which would address our concerns for the day. 

I am continuously seeking, searching for such tethered feeling of ancestral embrace with my father, imagined as though face to face. I constantly aspire toward that experience of parental approval uniquely obtained from the relationship key to a sense of identity as a man’s man can only derive from that one filial connection. It speaks to a familial interconnectedness. One realizes, albeit posthumously, that such transcendent inheritance is more pertinent and important to a farther extent than they had even already been aware of before. The reality of a parent’s impartation of prosperity in perspectives prior to their passing is wrought with similarity of sentiment on to one’s own progeny for posterity in perpetuity. 

We made a visit to his grave today on Veterans Day, Mom and I, plus a few among my younger daughters along with my son-in-law. They, their “Lola”/my mother, and I marked the time together in loving remembrance on 11/11 eleven years and two months after his departure from this earth, now over nineteen years since our nation’s terrible experience of world events on 9/11. We are left upon the aftermath in the wake of unspeakable grief and loss continuing on amidst times of global uncertainty amongst hundreds of thousands more afflicted and multiple millions affected through the present pandemic. I am bereft of sensibilities it seems at this point potentially desensitized to the dearth of dread for deathly disease plaguing the nation’s most vulnerable among us. I wonder what Dad would say today. 

With Gratitude for the Gift of Grace and Peace to Count it All Joy at Thanksgiving,     

—The Rev. M. Rex Espiritu 

---

^[1] “Now unto the [One] Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the Only Wise—be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen.”

At the Time of an Election

“Under your law we live, great God,

and by your will we govern ourselves.

Help us as good citizens

to respect neighbors whose views differ from ours,

so that without partisan anger,

we may work out issues that divide us,

and elect candidates to serve the common welfare;

through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.”

— Book of Common Worship by Presbyterian Church

https://a.co/fJcP71h