In this Issue:

Can you Catch the Spirit off the Beaten Path?

Bridge-Building, in the spirit of John Paul II

People, Parishes, and Pictures across the Diocese

From the Bishop: Breaking Barriers

St. Stephen's Covington: Faithful ot the Kingdom

For Kentucky's Junior Miss, Allison Asay, faith matters every day

A tainted Easter message

Questionable decision

Peace for Teri Schiavo

Navajoland Bishop Stephen Plummer dies at 60

Reflection: Time-out

X-ercizing: Burgers, forgiveness, and alleluia

Pope John Paull II dies at 84: A message form the Presiding Bishop

Archbishop - Pope's last days a 'lived sermon'

Resources

Diocesan Calendar

Advocate Information

Past Issues

Reflection: Time out

By Kay Collier-McLaughlin

The picture painted itself in my head as NPR’s Sylvia Pajoli spoke. The throngs in St. Peter’s Square. The montage of interfaith ceremonial headgear in unlikely juxtaposition — fezzes, skullcaps, miters and more, differences over dogma set aside to honor John Paul II. The dark-suited heads of state of countries which war and spar, seated shoulder to shoulder. The alphabetical order found President Bush a few seats away from Jacques Chirac — close enough to shake hands. Prince Charles, who had intended to be at his own wedding on this April 8, instead is shaking hands with Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe.

They had all come to this place because the man now being carried past them in the simple cypress coffin had somehow touched their lives.

It was time-out.

Time-out — for at least a few moments — from the constant analysis of the life and legacy of this Polish poet-actor-athlete who will certainly be remembered as the fi rst media pope.
A space, perhaps, in which to reflect on the truth that each of us will be remembered in our human dichotomy. The good and the bad. The contradictions as well as the congruency in what we say and how we live our lives. The hope that our sins of omission and commission will not cancel out whatever our contributions may be.

Time-out from agendas, policy, negotiations, even crises to be aware of what a difference presence can make. Real engagement with real people, across boundaries of economics, political and religious beliefs, age. Time-outs from the awareness of what he didn’t do to thanksgiving for all he did.
Images of another famous time-out plant itself beside this vivid mental picture from the Vatican. A World War I battlefield on a bitterly cold Christmas Eve. Sounds of gunfire reverberate through the darkness, they said. And then, on that cold, dark, fearful air, the sound of a lone voice rose: “Silent night; Holy night…” Skeptics have and do question whether or not it really happened. The firing ceases; languages and voices join together on that holiest of nights. But history records it was so. The time-out did occur. For a moment, something greater than the battle gripped those who were at war. For a moment, at least, there was peace on that small bit of earth.

Of course the day after came, as it always does, and fighting resumed. And so it was on the day after the funeral of Pope John Paul II.

Members of the European Union criticized the heir to the British throne for shaking hands with the 81-year-old Mugabe, whose regime he finds “abhorrent.” President Bush’s Texas style “I bet you that today’s ceremony was a reaffirmation of the living God for many” and “one of the highlights of his Presidency” has already become fodder for folklorists and stand-up comedians, and arguments rage about whether Jimmy Carter should not have been favored to represent the U.S. over Condolezza Rice.

And it is only Monday.

On a musical score, the symbol for “rest” can appear insignificant compared to the notes which dance across the page. Yet when the work is performed, it is often that moment of rest, when not the slightest movement of hand can be seen or sound can be heard that moves the listener, and drives the composition to its height.

Time-out.

The dark-suited heads of state and the elaborately-gowned religious have returned to their various offices. The pilgrims are headed home, back to whatever it was they were doing before the world turned its attention toward Rome. There is a waiting for bulletins from the Cardinals — and, sooner or later — the puff of white smoke that says the conclave has elected a new pope. Some will cheer the choice; others may despair. Perhaps the young people who carried their placards and chanted their chants — Santo subito (make him a saint, quickly!) — will have their way. Or maybe not. In our individual towns and cities, we, too, will gather at funerals and weddings, in unlikely momentary communities of respect, and celebration. And go our separate ways.

May we somehow capture and string together the essence of those “time-outs” until their spirit tips the balance, and peace in our world is real.

Together met, together bound
we go our different ways
and as His people in the world
we live and speak his praise.

Advocate Online Staff:

© 2005 The Episcopal Diocese of Lexington

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