White smoke: Habemus episcopum!

The Rev. Dr. Michael Louis Vono, Rector of St. Paul's Within the Walls, Rome, was elected on the third ballot to be the next Bishop of the Rio Grande.

Here are his "who I am" comments on the diocesan website (where you can also see the results of balloting):

I was born in Providence, RI, the second of four children in a close-knit family. I had a clear sense of vocation from an early age, and my sixteen years of seminary formation included Catholic, Protestant and Anglican theological training. I completed my doctoral degree in Congregational Studies in 1986. My spiritual gifts are pastoral care, community building, administration, preaching and evangelism.

As Curate in an inner-city multicultural church, I lived with people in crisis, transition, conflict, and confusion. I learned how to be a shepherd, counselor, and friend, as my parishioners struggled to recognize God in their personal wildernesses. My primary responsibility was to parish and local youth, mostly African and Spanish, as well as to newly married couples and the elderly, visiting hospitals and nursing homes. I came to understand how preaching the Gospel, the sacraments, pastoral care and building community effectively changed lives and inspired hope and faithfulness.

As its Vicar, the ‘bedroom community’ of Christ Church, Leicester taught me the value of living in a spiritually intimate community. I began to concentrate on congregational development, and studied at Hartford Theological Seminary. I learned that I had the pastoral gifts to bring an economic mix of people together, enable pastoral visioning and inspire positive results in conflict management situations. I learned how to be a priest, pastor and teacher at Christ Church. In my twelve years there I learned to appreciate the uniqueness of every relationship and love the complex diversities of the Body of Christ.

Now as Rector of St. Paul’s, Rome, I live and work with people of diverse cultures and religious backgrounds. My church is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, ecumenical and interfaith community. Our ministries include the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center, a sizable Latin American community, service to the elderly poor of the city as well as displaced youth. At the center of our mission and witness is a profound ministry of radical hospitality.

My spiritual and physical disciplines include praying and studying Scripture/theology each morning and taking physical exercise each day. I meet with my spiritual director monthly, and make a monastic retreat each year. I love community gatherings, theatre, music, travel and writing, and nothing invigorates me more than a challenge.

I give thanks for his election and look forward to his leading this diocese into a new era of mission and ministry.

To you, O Father, all hearts are open; fill, we pray, the heart of this your servant whom you have chosen to be a bishop in your Church, with such love of you and of all the people, that he may feed and tend the flock of Christ, and exercise without reproach the high priesthood to which you have called him, serving before you day and night in the ministry of reconciliation, declaring pardon in your Name, offering the holy gifts, and wisely overseeing the life and work of the Church. In all things may he present before you the acceptable offering of a pure, and gentle, and holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and power and glory in the Church, now and for ever.

--From the ordination prayer for a bishop, BCP, 521.

--the BB

Heart thread - 04/23/2010

Susankay asks our prayers for her dear friend Lennie: "Prostate cancer and now metastases to bone cancer and lymph gland involvement. A year without chemo or two years with. He and long time partner are planning a celebration of their upcoming marriage in August and it would be nice of God to let him feel well for that. Prayers for Lennie and Nancy his about-to-be wife."

For Leonardo Ricardo recuperating from eye surgery, that sound healing and good eyesight may result.

For those who have evidently perished in the oil rig explosion off the coast of Louisiana, for all who love them, and for all who risk their lives in their work. [h/t to Mimi]

Giving thanks for Tobias:

While some play with distinctions between covenant and contract, I think we would do well to expend more time with words better suited to the music we sense deep within us: words like holiness and blessing, gift and grace, and above all, Love.

For all persons of color in Arizona, sobretodo por mis hermanos Latinos.

For all women in Oklahoma.

For the people of Thailand caught in civil turmoil.

For the people of Iraq as a wave of bombings strikes.

For the people of Nicaragua. [El conflicto político de Nicaragua se acentúa ]

For the people of the UK during elections.

For the Roman Catholic Church that it may experience healing, and especially for the victims of abuse in every church community. [Pédophilie : l'évêque de Bruges confesse et démissionne ]

For Kathy, scheduled for surgery next Friday, that she may be relieved of pain and anxiety until then.

For Scott, heading eastward to start a new chapter in his life.

For JimB following leg surgery that he may recover swiftly and fully.

For John and Raven while John is in hospital in transition between stages of clinical trials.

For St Mark's huge sale tomorrow that many local families will be helped with the proceeds.

For two of my friends named Susan celebrating birthdays.

For Göran, belatedly, on his saint's day (Friday).

Please add your own intercessions and thanksgivings in the comments.

Another great quote from Margaret

--the BB

I ask your prayers

O Holy Spirit, by whose breath
life rises vibrant out of death:
Come to create, renew, inspire;
Come kindle in our hearts your fire.

You are the seeker's sure resource,
of burning love and living source,
Protector in the midst of strife,
Thou giver and the Lord of Life.

In you God's energy is shown,
to us your varied gifts made known.
Yours is the tongue and yours the ear.
Teach us to speak, teach us to hear.

Flood our dull senses with your light;
in mutual love our hearts unite.
Your power the whole creation fills;
confirm our weak, uncertain wills.

From inner strife grant us release;
turn nations to the ways of peace.
To fuller life your people bring
that as one body we may sing:

Praise to the Father, Christ the Word,
and to the Spirit: God the Lord,
to whom all honor, glory be
both now and for eternity.
--Attributed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856)
Hymn 502 in The Hymnal 1982

Following is the agenda for the Electing Convention, April 24, 2010 to be held at the Cathedral of St. John:

PROPOSED AGENDA
ELECTING CONVENTION
Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande
Cathedral of St. John
Albuquerque, New Mexico
April 24, 2010

Friday, April 23, 2010

Noon – 7:00 p.m.

Convention Registration Opens (Cathedral Gallery)
Delegate certification, Distribution of badges

Saturday, April 24, 2010

7:00 a.m. Convention Registration Continues (Cathedral Gallery)
8:00 a.m. Convention Convenes with seating of delegates (Cathedral Nave)
Introduction and Explanations of procedures
Quorum Report
8:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, beginning with Confession and Absolution (Cathedral Nave)
9:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Word (Cathedral Nave)
Collect and Prayer for discernment
First Ballot, followed by hymn
9:45 a.m. Report of First Ballot (Cathedral Nave)
Break/Prayerful Discerning Conversation
Reading of the First Lesson and Psalm
Prayer for discernment, Second Ballot
10:30 a.m. Report of Second Ballot (Cathedral Nave)
Break/ Prayerful Discerning Conversation
Reading of the Epistle and the Gospel
Prayer for discernment, Third Ballot
11:15 a.m. Report of the Third Ballot (Cathedral Nave)
Break/Prayerful Discerning Conversation
Nicene Creed and Prayers of the People
Prayer for discernment, Fourth Ballot
12:00 p.m. The Peace (Cathedral Nave)
Break for Lunch
1:00 p.m. Report of Fourth Ballot (Cathedral Nave)
Balloting Continues, as needed
The Holy Eucharist begins at the election of a Bishop.

The signing of acclamation documentation occurs during communion as electors come forward to receive communion.

May the grace and mercy of the Holy and Lifegiving Trinity descend upon the clergy and delegates of the Diocese of the Rio Grande as they prayerfully elect a new bishop. May God the Father, Wellspring of life and goodness, sustain and uphold them. May God the Son, Word and Wisdom, illumine them and draw their hearts together in charity. May God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful, purify their passions and turn their hearts to seeking the divine will. May their thoughts be of the reign of God, the mission of the Church, and the suffering world beloved of God and in need of Good News and healing. May the diocese love, support, and pray for the new bishop and may the next Bishop of the Rio Grande be attuned to the heart of God, the health of the Church, and the sanctification of all things. Amen.

--the BB

God does not like this

Our neighboring state of Arizona has waded into the deep end of the racist pool:

Key provisions of Arizona's immigration legislation, signed into law by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer on Friday:
_ Makes it a crime under state law to be in the country illegally by specifically requiring immigrants to have proof of their immigration status. Violations are a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. Repeat offenses would be a felony.
_ Requires police officers to "make a reasonable attempt" to determine the immigration status of a person if there is a "reasonable suspicion" that he or she is an illegal immigrant. Race, color or national origin may not be the only things considered in implementation. Exceptions can be made if the attempt would hinder an investigation.
_ Allow lawsuits against local or state government agencies that have policies that hinder enforcement of immigration laws. Would impose daily civil fines of $1,000-$5,000. There is pending follow-up legislation to halve the minimum to $500.
--Associated Press

Allow me to cite my authority for saying God does not like this:

One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
--Exodus 12:49

Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.
--Leviticus 24:22

One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
--Numbers 15:16

Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.
--Numbers 15:29

As Stephen Colbert so aptly observes:

Harassing Latinos with racial profiling isn't an inevitable side effect of Arizona's anti-immigration law -- it's the entire point.

The Colbert Report

--the BB

Flush from physical exertion

Let's face it: I'm a slug. A couch potato. A desk jockey. So tonight I can actually feel that I am flush from working in the yard. Much like the feeling after a good workout.

It rained this afternoon but mercifully did not rain this evening when I got home. The sky was dark and gray and the air cold but the fierce winds and rain held off. So I did what I had planned to do: finish planting the north wall border. Very intensively, crowding those little planties together. I know that as they grow some of the smaller ones will lose out but that's OK. The idea here is a solid mass of growing stuff in lovely colors.

There are orange Asiatic lilies and orange dahlias, pink dahlias, pale yellow snapdragons, two Spanish lavenders and three roses (a pink Meidiland, Peace, and Miss American Beauty). A white salvia and a pale orchid pincushion flower, crimson dianthus and even darker red sweet William, red verbena, a couple of calibrachoa (small flowers like miniature petunias), and probably a couple of other items.

I also put three cleome (spider flowers) at the base of the jasmine. The color and shape seem like a nice complement to the jasmine blossoms.

There are still about thirty plants waiting in my kitchen to go into the yard. You need not wonder what I will be doing with my Friday night. Saturday will probably involve pruning, deadheading, mulching, tidying, and taking photos. Sunday I am just going to enjoy it all with a friend who is coming to brunch.

A nice soak in the tub is coming up shortly to wash off the dirt, compost, and blood (there is no beauty without sacrifice).

Yes, I have been manic about the yard for the past couple of weeks. It is one way to get a slug to accomplish something. Sluggitude will return soon enough.

I can hear the rain resuming outside as the wind drives the droplets against my windows. Drink, little plants, and thrive!

May the beauty of nature touch each of you with joy, peace, healing, and delight.

--the BB

Wednesday of the Myrrh-Bearers

When they heard
the words of holy joy
spoken by the Angels there seated
within the tomb of the Word,
they set forth and ran their course
with earnest effort and zeal.
And thus leaving their former rank
of myrrh-bearing women,
they were seen as heralds
who proclaimed good news to all.
Therefore the arising from Hades
of Him Who for our sake became man
did the women preach
to His initiates.

--Wednesday of the Third Week, Vespers, Pentecostarion



--the BB

Plant your feet in the earth and grow

As I noted earlier tonight on Facebook, I did not even look at the roses on the way home from work. The perennials: well, they were precisely why I stopped and shopped. Columbine, coreopsis, scabiosa, spider flowers, marguerite daisies, and a few other items came home with me.

The jasmine is planted in the northwest corner now. You can smell it from fifteen feet away. For that matter, you can smell the lilacs out front every time you walk anywhere near my front porch. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.............

I am working now on the border along the north wall. I dug a trench this evening along about 40% of the area I want to plant, filled it with compost mixed with some of my sandy soil, and planted about nine species. Even that section is still rather incomplete and by the time I stopped it was getting dark and had been windy with a few raindrops. So no photos yet. Tomorrow I will dig and amend soil the rest of the way, provided I do not come home to a possible thundershower. There are many plants in the garage just waiting to be planted. I also have a few for the west wall, providing some color and substance at the base of the vines.

This, by the way, is what my back yard looked like when I moved in:


Sand and more sand. There were lots of tumbleweeds to deal with also.

Makes me appreciate more what it looks like now.

--the BB

Still at it

There will be a new gardening report in the not-too-distant future. I have decided to let myself run amok with intensive planting. It gives me too much joy not to. Planning the north wall now, which should end up being a border of lavender, roses, dianthus, snapdragons, and verbena. I picked up a jasmine vine to replace the bower vine that did not make it from last year. (I truly do want the west wall completely hidden by foliage in the summertime. I realize it will mostly be brown twigs in the winter.)

I also picked up two large pots that will hold a mix of herbs and showy flowers. These can "frame" the small concrete pad outside the dining room door.

I deadheaded roses planted a week ago and pruned vines a bit this evening. I also watered everything planted yesterday and a few other plants that looked as though they could use it.

Now I await that moment when I go to a garden center or nursery and hear voices in my head: a chorus of friends saying, "Step away from the rose bushes."

--the BB

Tuesday of the Myrrh-Bearers

The Deposition of Christ
attributed to Benedetto Caliari, c. 1577
via Wikimedia Commons

The noble Joseph,
taking Thine immaculate Body
down from the Tree,
and having wrapped It
in pure linen and spices,
laid It for burial
in a new tomb.
But on the third day
Thou didst arise, O Lord,
granting great mercy
to the world.

--Pentecostarion



--the BB

Monday of the Myrrh-Bearers

Why do ye mingle tears
with the myrrh-oils,
O women disciples?
The stone hath been rolled away,
the sepulcher is empty.
Behold corruption
trodden under by Life,
the seals bearing clear witness,
the guards of the disobedient
fast asleep.
Mortal nature is saved
by the flesh of God,
Hades is lamenting.
Hasten ye with joy,
and say unto the Apostles:
Christ, the First-born from the dead,
Who caused death to die,
goeth before you into Galilee.

--Pentecostarion

Χριστός Ανέστη εκ νεκρών,
θανάτω θάνατον πατήσας
και τοις εν τοις μνήμασιν,
ζωήν χαρισάμενος

--the BB

Heart thread - 04/18/2010

For Tammy who has surgery on her right eye tomorrow.

For Kathy who is scheduled for surgery at the end of the month, especially that she might be relieved of pain between now and then.

For Dennis recovering from surgery. Continued healing for Mother Sandra, Bruce, Dave, Mark, and so many others.

For John returning to the hospital tomorrow to complete the first phase of his clinical trial and transition into the second phase, that he and Raven~ may be well cared for and have grace throughout the various trials of such a process.

For young Declan and his family, let us continue to offer prayer. This seven-month-old boy is fighting cancer and he and his family need our love. You may follow their story here.

For the repose of the soul of Milton Singleton who died last Wednesday. His memorial service will be at San Gabriel this Tuesday at 10 AM. His sister Joyce Smith is a faithful member of San Gabriel and we want to hold all her family in prayer as they mourn this loss.

For Clay and Harold (read the story here). For the heartless bastards who treated them so shamelessly I pray a judicial two-by-four upside the head that will send witnesses reeling and warn others far and near never to do such a thing.




--the BB

Sunday of the rose-planting bear

In the category of "things left undone" we have a lavender plant and three Asiatic lilies that did not get planted today.

But I did put 57 plants in the ground in my back yard this afternoon, including all seven roses.

So here is a garden tour, starting with the lilacs blooming up above. All the photos in this post were taken this afternoon after a brief thundershower.


Angel Face rose planted last week.


China Doll rose surrounded with snapdragons, petunias, and one lone tulip.


I forget the name of this climbing rose. It is surrounded by Lemon Zest petunias (a new variety that I really like), marguerites, and sweet William.


I played with brightness and contrast on this one more than the slight adjustments I usually use so you can see features on the blog. These are Methley plums, little tiny bitty ones.


Circus rose surrounded by sweet William.


Marguerites. I think I need to get some more of these. They are so pretty.


This is a close-up of the climbing rose the name of which I cannot remember.


You will notice that though they are small there are lots and lots of peaches. I will have to thin them.


And this is an angled shot looking diagonally from the northeast toward the southwest corner of the yard. You can see most of the roses, of only partially, in this photo.

In a few more weeks it will be time to plant vegetables. They are available but I don't trust our frosts. I'm not even relaxed over my set fruit yet. We shall see.

I am enjoying this immensely and, being a greedy fellow, I will probably purchase and plant more flowers this week. For now I am about to enjoy an adult beverage and go soak in the tub. Thanks for joining the garden tour.

--the BB

לִרְאֹות֙ הֲפָֽרְחָ֣ה הַגֶּ֔פֶן

אֶל־גִּנַּ֤ת אֱגֹוז֙ יָרַ֔דְתִּי לִרְאֹ֖ות בְּאִבֵּ֣י הַנָּ֑חַל לִרְאֹות֙ הֲפָֽרְחָ֣ה הַגֶּ֔פֶן הֵנֵ֖צוּ הָרִמֹּנִֽים׃

I went down to the nut orchard,
to look at the blossoms of the valley,
to see whether the vines had budded,
whether the pomegranates were in bloom.
--Song of Songs 6:11

I took, and loved, folk dancing as an undergraduate. I memorized the songs in languages I did not understand and learned the steps well enough to teach them to others. I still sing some of those songs to myself when I am alone. One that I especially love is "El ginat egoz" (to the nut orchard) and though I have forgotten the steps I can still sing it. Having taken Hebrew in seminary I also know what the words mean, though I had very limited understanding when I memorized the song by rote.

I think of it today because of the phrase "lir'ot haparchah hagefen" (to see whether the vines had budded). As you can see in the photo above, the vines have indeed budded. You may need to click on the photo to enlarge it but we have little baby grapes already! Hard to believe we barely had emerging leaves by Easter Day.

I need to go take more photos as the rain has stopped. I unfortunately had the camera on the wrong setting as I rushed about taking photos of this weekend's handiwork while it started to sprinkle.

Be right back.

UPDATED:
Here are two more shots: first of the flame seedless new leaves, then another closeup of the budding grapes on the Thompson seedless.




--the BB

Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women

At deep dawn,
the myrrh-bearing women
took sweet-smelling spices
and came unto the Lord's tomb.
And finding that which
they had not expected,
the stood piously pondering
the removal of the stone,
and said to one another:
Where are the seals of the sepulcher?
Where are Pilate's watchmen
and the secure sentry?
And and Angel, radiant as lightning,
proclaimed to the women
that whereof they were ignorant,
saying to them:
Why do ye with lamentation
seek Him that liveth and hath given life
unto the race of mortals?
Christ our God hath risen
from the dead,
since He is Almighty,
granting us all incorruption,
life, illumination, and great mercy.

--the BB

Heart thread - 04/17/2010 - updated

So much to pray for these days.

Let us pray for Sunni, Parker, and Joe. From my co-worker Tammy:

Sunni is the daughter of my cousin Monte [and] is married to Joe. Sunni and Joe's baby was not due until May 31st. Sunni went into the hospital April 5th with preclampsia. She had a C-Section on April 10th.

Just got the latest report this morning. Sunni now has a strep B infection and is running a temp of 101 and is still really swollen. She also has a blood disease (TTP) and the antibodies are eating the platelets and not letting it build up. They are starting a plasma exchange for 5 days. I don’t understand all the details, but they will be pulling out her plasma and cleaning it and putting back in whole blood. You can look up TTP. This is on top of the HELLP Syndrome. They are still doing dialysis, but don’t know how much longer. She will stay in ICU for at least 7 – 10 more days. I called the blood bank here (Amarillo) to see if we could give blood or platelets, but they are not on the Carter System. If you or anyone you know in the Dallas area can give blood in her name it would be great, but the center has to be on the Carter System. She is at Medical Center in Dallas and it should be given in her name (Sunni Miegel).

Parker is doing ok. They took all his IV’s out last night.

Update: Please pray for my friend Lolly who is recovering from surgery on her hand and also has to take nasty meds for the next few years. (It was lovely to see her and other friends at dinner tonight.)

For the repose of the soul of Bill (a colleague of Doxy's).

For B. and his children and all who care about them.

For DF who will be running a marathon.

For Jane's father and mother who have gone through some health issues of late.

I ask your ongoing prayers for the mission and ministry of Our Saviour, South Valley, and San Gabriel, Corrales.

For those who perished in the earthquake in China, those who mourn them, and those who rebuild their lives.

For the safety of coal miners.

For JohnBear and Raven as John prepares to spend time in hospital again as part of his clinical trial.

For Mark, who continues to give me ideas for sermons. (Спасибо, Марко!)

Amid talk of a recovering economy, let us remember the unemployed.

For Jonathan and the Missus, who have just returned from vacation.

For IARCA (La Iglesia Anglicana de la Región Central de América), that has been meeting in synod.

Continued healing for Francis.

For Lindy in China, going through a breakdown in telecommunication. May she not feel isolated.

For the people of Poland who mourn and for grace in the restoration of government.

For those endangered by, or grounded by, the still-erupting Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland.

For the people of Sudan following suspect elections.

For the people of Kyrgyzstan as they work their way through an overthrown government.

Please add your own intercessions and thanksgivings in the comments.

--the BB

Envía tu Espíritu; sea renovada la faz de la tierra

Veni, Creator Spíritus,
mentes tuórum visita,
imple supérna grátia,
quae tu creásti péctora.
Qui díceris Paráclitus,
altíssimi donum Dei,
fons vivus, ignis, cáritas,
et spiritális únctio.
Tu septifórmis múnere,
dígitus paternae déxterae,
tu rite promíssum Patris,
sermóne ditans gúttura.
Accénde lumen sénsibus;
infunde amórem córdibus,
infírma nostri córporis
virtúte firmans pérpeti.



Remember, Pentecost is the Fiftieth Day of Easter. Not too early to invoke the One given behind locked doors before the great public outburst.
--the BB

Veni, Creator Spiritus, mentes tuorum visita

One week from tomorrow the election for the next Bishop of the Diocese of the Rio Grande will be held.

This was in the back of my mind as I listened to the following Epistle Wednesday evening. It is appointed as the second lesson for the feast of Henry Delany & Edward Demby (April 14).

1 Thessalonians 2.1-12
You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, but though we had already suffered and been shamefully maltreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was towards you believers. As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you should lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

It occurred to me that it would be a wonderful thing if the DRG elected a bishop who might be described in the terms of this passage.

O God, whose incarnate Word, Jesus the Christ, is our Way, our Truth, and our Life: pour forth your gracious Spirit upon the electors of the Diocese of the Rio Grande that their minds and hearts may be attuned to your guiding presence and their wills united in service to the redemption and sanctification of all creation. Of your boundless mercy, grant us a bishop whose courage is grounded in you, who declares Good News, and in whom there is no deceit or impure motives or trickery; who speaks to please you; who does not flatter nor operate from greed. May our bishop be gentle, tenderly caring for your people, sharing his own self with us and holding us dear. Keep our bishop pure, upright, and blameless in conduct toward those who believe and those who do not. May he encourage us all in leading lives worthy of you, O God, and join you in calling us into your reign and your glory. We ask this through your Son Jesus Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

--the BB

Le Weekend

There are appetizers to prepare for a potluck tomorrow and a sermon to preach Sunday morning.

Other than that, I have set myself up for yard work. I can hear that it has just begun to rain outside. I hope the skies get that out of their system before tomorrow morning. I have rosebushes, sweet William, miniature carnations, petunias, snapdragons, and alyssum to plant. If I can accomplish most of that tomorrow the odds are good that there may be some daylilies and other items as well.



Христос Воскресе!

--the BB

The lilacs are blooming

The wind was quite brisk when I got home so these photos are of lilacs in motion. I remember the first year when I feared these bushes would not survive. Survive they have, and they are getting larger each year.

--the BB

Enough bleating

Ruth Gledhill of the Times of London speaks out for Christians who don't want to be perceived as fundamentalists, "these people who are hijacking the faith for their own agendas."



Thank you, Ruth!

--the BB

Friday of Thomas Week

Through Thy Cross, O Christ,
we are become one flock
of Angels and mortals,
and One Church.
Heaven and earth rejoice.
O Lord, glory be to Thee.

--Matins, Friday of the Second Week, Pentecostarion

--the BB

Healing Eucharist this evening

Holy Oils of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace
photo by Anna Weaver at Hawaii Catholic Herald

This being the second Wednesday of the month, Healing Eucharist was held at San Gabriel in Corrales at 6:30 p.m. I lead the service and preach, so my perceptions are very biased, but I always find it a truly wonderful service. I emerge tired but also strengthened and renewed every month. Except the time I forgot which Wednesday it was and went home and fell asleep at the computer, only to wake up much later.

So many people in our prayers these days. I offered as many names as I could think of and trusted God to remember the rest.

May you all find some aspect of yourself and your life healed this week.

--the BB

It is too early to be sure

Furthermore, I am not experienced at discerning this...

But I think my peach trees have set fruit.

There are few insects in my neighborhood. Before you think, "How fortunate!" I prithee consider pollination. Not long ago I was in the back yard with a Swiffer duster going back and forth between trees trying to transfer pollen between species of peaches and plums. I don't know if that is what did the trick but I am excited.

Now if the fruit can survive late freezes, fierce winds, and other misadventures....

I live in hope.

A number of the plants in the yard have grown quite noticeably in the past few days. The flame seedless grapevine has put forth shoots, the Thompson seedless has many more leaves than it did on Saturday, the blaze climbing rose has filled out a lot, the trumpet vines have more new shoots each day. Two of the three lilac shrubs in the front yard have blossomed just since yesterday: one white and one purple.

I do love springtime.

--the BB

Wednesday of Thomas Week

Pascha is this present holy Feast;
mystic and divine, sacred Pascha;
the saving Pascha of God:
Pascha which conveyeth us
unto immortal life.
Lo, this Pascha doth take away
all sadness and sorrow.
Pascha, which doth grant
to the disciples joyous grace!
Wherefore Thomas cried
with rejoicing:
Thou art my God and Lord,
O Savior,
Who hast carried off
the spoils from Hades' realms.

--Vespers, Wednesday of the Second Week, Pentecostarion

Tuesday of Thomas Week

The women rose up early
and came unto the Lord's tomb,
and when they beheld there the Angel,
they trembled in amazement.
The tomb became radiant with life;
the marvel filled the women
with great awe.
Thus, they went to the disciples
and they declared
the rising of the Mighty One:
Christ alone despoiled
Hades by His strength;
all those in corruption
He hath raised,
freeing them from fear
of blame and reproach
through the Cross's might.

--Matins, Tuesday of the Second Week, Pentecostarion

Old friends and comfort food

Last night was lovely but no time to post.

We did have mouth ecstasy when we reached dessert: chess pie. A riot of distinct and wonderful flavors: lemon, cane syrup, cornmeal, perfect crust.

--the BB

Monday of Thomas Week

The soldiers standing guard at Thy tomb,
O my Savior,
became as dead when they saw
the lightning-like Angel
who preached to the women
of Thine arising, O holy Lord.
Thee we glorify,
Who hast abolished corruption;
Thee do we adore,
Who from the grave hast arisen,
and Who alone art our God.

--Matins, Monday of the Second Week, Pentecostarion

Preach it, sister!

But whenever we elevate the institutional church and its order, power and privilege over the Gospel call to embrace all God's beloved we compromise the high calling we've been given as the Body of Christ on earth. Ignoring pedophilia is a shocking abdication of our vocation as Christians. So is ignoring homophobia. And misogyny. And racism.

Anytime we choose the instititution (the structure of the church) over the incarnation (the members of our human family created in the image of God) we fall short of who God is calling us to be.

And that, my brothers and sisters, isn't just a shame. It's a sin.

--The Rev. Susan Russell

Quasimodo geniti infantes

Quasimodo geniti infantes, alleluia: rationabiles, sine dolo lac concupiscite, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
--Introit of the Second Sunday of Easter

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.
--1 Peter 2:2

Eight days after Thine arising, O Lord,
Thou didst appear unto Thy disciples
in the place where they were gathered,
and Thou didst cry unto them:
Peace be unto you.
And Thou didst show Thy hands
and immaculate side
unto the doubting disciple.
Wherefore, convinced, he cried unto Thee:
O my Lord and my God,
glory be to Thee.

"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

I remember the brethren of JN1034 telling me that the power to bind and loose was really given for loosing, not binding. I suppose a parallel might be that we are made to love and be loved but are free to do otherwise. The "otherwise," a vital part of our freedom, is not what we are made for, however.

Because I have seen it in real lives I know that we have the power to set people free, and this is not the exclusive property of clergy.

Whom will I set free this week?

--the BB

A beautiful weekend

The weather in the past week has been erratic. Some evenings I have had the ceiling fan on all night, others I have had the heat on. This weekend is clear, sunny, and beautiful.

I stopped to buy more cedar bark last night and ended up buying a couple of rose bushes, even though I had no idea where I would put them. So this morning I planted roses. Here is the garden report for today.


A view of the yard with multiple rose bushes and three peach trees, pansies, violas, daffodils, and tulips. (Click to embiggen.)


The Thompson seedless grapevine is putting forth tender leaves.


This is a burgundy iceberg rose planted with some purple (I would say magenta) dianthus.


Tulips (pretending to be peonies?). I had no idea they would be such lush multiples.


Lilac buds that first by the back door bloom.


Blossoms of the black Tartarian cherry, the last tree to blossom.


The newly planted Angel Face floribunda rose. It smells as a rose should and I love it. This photo makes it look more pink but it is really a lavender pink looking very much like a Sterling rose.

We are at the time of year when I really enjoy my little garden.

May you all have joy and beauty this weekend.

--the BB