Here We Are Again

Why does everything have to be so dramatic, so violent, so risqué, so complicated figuring out who is who and what is what and why this and why not that and how can I get around this without anyone seeing, knowing, criticizing, weeping, or cheering or someone just looking for an answer that can walk hand in hand with them for the rest of their lives?

If we are here on earth for a reason, for a clear purpose, to help those who are lost or disturbed or confused, or lonely or hungry, in fact our small talent may be just to encourage believers to learn to love everybody, not pick and choose from the quality of man or woman, and who knows what is what when ugly and beauty are prerogatives, when nobody is alike, even twins, really tight twins or triplets or whatever. This world is made up of all kinds of people, some who smile, others who frown, others who laugh, others who cry, some weep a lot, others pray a lot, so many who try to help the poor, hungry and even imprisoned - remember Jesus was in prison at a moment in His life.

Some toss down whiskey in a gulp, and others who feel wine is appropriate because, for sure, it is part of the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in almost all churches (some get tight or afraid of alcohol and just toss in good ole grape juice. I guess that works.) Some swear by beef and lamb or chicken, others are vegetarian who love fried catfish because fish is OK, apparently. It is in my menu, which I share with best friend Deanie Parker.

Routine sort of embraces our mind and hearts so we have some kind of regularity. Do you stop by Starbucks every morning? I get on my back road after walking around the Shelby County 2.5-mile lake at dawn, which has been some of the happiest times in my birth city.

How do you set up a routine? Here we are beginning at what the church designates the first Sunday of the relative Biblical new year, a Sunday when we refresh and rethink what will be our goals and prayers for Year B. I’m sure you know there are three series or years - A, B, and C. Why? I don’t know but it certainly helps us priests and Bishops and authors who have some kind of refreshed thoughts about the heart and soul of the Bible now and then. And it is important to connect the “now” with what may have skipped up to our times so we would understand and be charged up by the new approaches, but with the same Bible stories and prayers. So, we are in the “B” year. Coronavirus messed up so much of our thoughts and creativities last time B arrived. And that is, now again, in the middle of the three years.

And what a call we get from Isaiah: “O that you would tear open the heaven and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence - as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil - and to make your name known to your adversaries: that includes enemies, hostiles, opponents, a person who feels hatred against someone, antagonistic against someone, adversary, opponent ( as on the soccer field) an armed foe, or opposing military force, one who hates and has grudging respect with life. You know the saying - Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you: said the Lord, be it the World the Fresh or the Devil, if they exists -  and if it be true - all these monsters and critics don’t approve of goodness, or talent, or hope, or freedom to do good things.

This is what must keep soccer superstar Messi on his toes that he doesn’t say the wrong thing because it will be flashed all over commercial TV or newspapers or cellphones - just because it’s there and someone wants to get their plug in as if they sound victorious or powerful, when none of them really are. God is the only one who Messi and his family can trust these days. Europe was more correct and respective than what he will find in the United States, I fear, where wars and thoughts of wars are around every country, and one doesn’t know what is going to spit out a bullet to kill out of jealousy and evil.

But for a sideline, basketball can fill our days with conversation, especially news about the NBA. My gosh. It is the most exciting thing going these past few years. And yet, evil seems to creep around trying to de-rail or detach these fabulous superstar basketball players (or former players) when they have built a sport that is extraordinary and beloved by not only all of us in the United States, but around the world be it China, Spain, Argentina, France, Tanzania, and since it started, Uruguay. There is basketball here but there are endless days of soccer, which our youth hope to invade and become somehow before they get too old. 

This just passed summer, we in the USA, enjoyed 3x3 basketball. It grasped the attention of those sitting at home in the month of July and August. Just 12 teams with four on a team but three in action at the same time playing the same backboard. It was funded and challenged by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube’s version. Not only was he present (and did not like Memphis’s attitude, apparently where it started) but he brought in All Stars, Hall of Famers and World Champions. It took everyone’s breath away and put on those smiles as we laughed and enjoyed and cheered and spent our summer boredom watching the championships. He named it the BIG3 (Stylized Fireball3), and his new rules probably made it more exciting. Those of us in Memphis were pleased to watch our Tony Allen give it a leap as a member of one team. And we hope Mr. Ice Cube will give us another chance, since we had the first pair of games this time. 

~ Rev

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audrey@audreytaylorgonzalez.com
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